My Clean, Natural & Non-Toxic PM Beauty Routine

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Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Skincare Routine (Evening)

My Attempt at Building Clean, Natural & Non-Toxic PM Beauty Routine.

As I told you guys earlier, I’m fairly new to the green scene and I basically had to shop my stash for this beginner’s version of a clean, natural, and non-toxic skincare routine. I methodically went through my collection and picked the cleanest and greenest-looking jars and bottles, so this is the result of my first, unrefined attempt at eliminating toxic ingredients from my routine for a month. This post is dedicated solely to the products I use in the evening. I shared my non-toxic AM beauty routine a few weeks ago, in case you missed it and want to take a look.

To repeat what I said in my previous post, I believe there are several basic steps every routine should ideally have:

  • Cleanse
  • Exfoliate
  • Hydrate
  • Protect in the AM
  • Repair in the PM

You know I adore Korean approach to skincare, so I always go beyond the standard 3-step routine. This time I tried to pack as many products as I could without overwhelming my combination/dehydrated skin, which can be quite challenging actually, since many clean formulas are also oil-based. Here’s what I came up with so far that’s been working well for me.

Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Skincare Routine (Evening) | Dr. Haurshka Clarifying Toner, S. W. Basics Makeup Remover, Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm

CLEANSE:

1 // My cleansing routine starts with Elemental Herbology Purify and Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm*, which comes with a really big muslin cloth that helps effectively exfoliate the skin and remove all traces of makeup. As a proper balm, it feels very emollient and, well, balmy. It is precisely the texture you are probably imagining right now: squishy, oily, and spreadable. Surprisingly, unlike most balms, it actually comes in a squeeze tube, which makes it a more hygienic choice than traditional cleansing balms that come in jars. I use Purify and Soothe Facial Cleansing Balm to remove makeup from my face and neck, but I actually use a different product for my eyes [see #2 below].

EWG lists several ingredients that are in the gray zone, like Vitamin E and essential oil derivatives, but PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is the only one that can be potentially concerning. I say “potentially” because obviously not all PEGs are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and Ethylene Oxide [both of which are carcinogenic], but it is a possibility with low quality ingredients sourced from sketchy labs. It is your personal choice whether you want to trust a product with ethoxylated ingredients or not, however, unless you use all-natural unrefined skincare and household products, chances are there are already dozens of PEGs and other -eths in your routine. It is almost impossible to escape them.

Ingredients: Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride*, Hydrogenated Vegetable (Soya Bean) Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax*, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Peel Powder*, Plukenetia Volubilis (Sacha Inchi) Oil*, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Canola Oil*, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract*, Narcissus Poeticus Flower Wax*, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Althaea Officinalis Root Extract*, Angelica Archangelica Root Oil*, Boswellia Carterii Oil*, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil*, Maltodextrin*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Limonene*, Linalool*. *Ingredients derived from 100% natural source.

2 // For my eye makeup removal I chose to use S.W. Basics Makeup Remover, which is basically a simple 3-ingredient cleansing oil that melts off the most stubborn products, like waterproof mascara, or long-lasting eyeliner. Plus, it’s unscented, so there’s little risk of irritating the delicate eye area. I both like and dislike the simplicity of this formula. I find products that I could easily whip up in my kitchen a little boring, but at the same time I want to support brands that try to promote clean, non-toxic lifestyle. It works well as a makeup remover, but I just wish the formula was more sophisticated.

Ingredients: Organic sweet almond, olive, and jojoba oils.

3 // I usually have some residue left after cleansing, so I very lightly swipe my skin with a cotton round soaked in Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner*. I talked about it in my AM skincare routine post, so I’ll be brief here. Yes, it does contain alcohol, however, I have not experienced any irritations. I shake the cotton round for a little while just to air it out a bit and let the alcohol evaporate somewhat, but that’s just me being extra. 🙂 This may be the only alcohol-based toner my skin agrees with, because I recently tried a different one and got a nasty rash right away.

The formula is very clean, and the only potential sensitivity triggers are Lactic Acid and essential oil compounds, all at the very bottom of the ingredient list.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Bark Extract, Echinacea Pallida Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf Extract, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Natural Fragrance, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Lactic Acid.

Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Skincare Routine (Evening) | Erin's Faces Firming Serum, Yuri Pibu Cellum Amaid Essence

MOISTURIZE:

4 // Remember Yuripibu Cellum Amaid Ampoule I talked about a while back? Yeah, I am still not convinced that it actually does anything for my skin, but I needed a hydrating step for my nighttime routine, and there it was looking at me from the “maybe” shelf. In theory, this is a brightening, smoothing, moisturizing, and firming serum that will do everything, except make you coffee. In reality, I am near the bottom of the bottle already, and the only thing it did for me is hydrate. Yes, the serum is quite pleasant and moisturizing, and doesn’t agitate my combination skin, but if I wanted plain moisture, I would have paid 5 bucks for a HA serum from The Ordinary and called it a day. Needless to say, I won’t be repurchasing it.

Natural cosmetics are not very popular in Korea, so there isn’t as much choice when it comes to EWG-approved formulations. However, this one is all green. It is really quite unfortunate that I found it ineffective, otherwise it would have been a fabulous non-toxic Kbeauty option for a daily anti-aging serum.

Ingredients: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (96%), Niacinamide, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, rh-Oligopeptide-1, rh-Polypeptide-1, rh-Oligopeptide-2, Ascorbic Acid, Silk Amino Acids, Tartaric Acid.

Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Skincare Routine (Evening)

 

REPAIR:

5 // I found a couple really amazing products for this step of my PM routine, and the first one is Eminence Bearberry Eye Repair Cream*. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted my eye cream to be, and then some. It’s nourishing and creamy, but not greasy at all. It makes my eye area feel soft and soothed, helps reduce the fine lines caused by dryness, and actually addressed a red spot I had in the corner of my left eye. That area for some reason is always irritated, especially after I take off my makeup, but this eye cream calms it down almost immediately. I could not be happier with it, seriously, it is hands down the best Eminence product I tried so far.

After running the ingredient list through EWG database I stumbled upon several potential triggers. First of all, we have Retinyl Palmitate, which is basically a mild retinoid. Since I use this eye cream in the evening, this ingredient is not actually exposed to sunlight, so I get to enjoy its full anti-aging benefits. Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, and Benzoic Acid are used here as preservatives to protect the delicate botanical extracts that would otherwise go bad faster than you could use up the product. I know some of you avoid preservatives in all forms, not just parabens, so I thought it was worth a mention. There was one ingredient I was surprised to see in an eye cream – Zinc Sulfate. According to EWG, there is limited evidence of eye toxicity when products with Zinc Sulfate are used around the eyes, and EU enforces special labeling for such products. It is, however, listed as second to last ingredient, which means the concentration is extremely low. Likely, it was included for its antimicrobial properties.

Ingredients: Aqua, Linseed Acid**, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi, Petrosilium Hortense Extract**, Sesamum Indicum Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil*, Glycerin, Theobroma Cacao Butter*, Cetyl Alcohol, Vitis Vinifera Juice*, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Xanthane Gum, Trifolium Pratense Extract*, Humulus Lupulus Extract*, Carthamus Tinctorius Oil*, Nicotinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Salvia Officinalis Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Perilla Ocymoides Extract*, Rosa Damascena D.*, Ubiquinone, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Lactic Acid, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Sorbic Acid. * From Controlled Organic Product **Biodynamic Ingredients Certified By Demeter International

6 // I talked about the beauty benefits of pomegranate extract before, so I already knew that Erin’s Faces Firming Serum* would make the perfect addition to my evening routine. This silky serum layers beautifully with the rest of my products, and I sometimes use it during the day, too. I love everything about it: the easily spreadable texture, the light natural fragrance, and the fact that it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin or clog the pores. Unlike many plant extracts that topically can only work as antioxidants, Pomegranate extract actively boosts the skin’s resistance to UV rays, prevents collagen loss by inhibiting MMP-1 enzyme, and makes your body produce its own antioxidant Glutathione to combat free radicals. And yes, all you need to do is slather on a cream or a serum with this ingredient, and you’re good to go! 😉

The ingredient list is mostly clean, with a couple potential minor hazards [according to EWG anyway]. EWG gives DMAE a 4 out of 10 hazard rating, based on inconclusive toxicity results unrelated to its use in cosmetics. This ingredient is said to be good for for firming the skin and giving it a more lifted appearance, and derma e actually uses it as a star ingredient for one of their lines [who else tried their DMAE eye cream? I loved it!].

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe) Juice*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Organic Jojoba) Oil*, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Aspalathus Linearis (Organic Rooibos Tea) Extract*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), Emulsifying Wax, Vegetable Glycerin, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Oil, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Thioctic Acid (Alpha Lipoic Acid), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), Palm Stearic Acid, Malic Acid, Polysaccharide gum (Xanthan Gum)

7 // This is not an everyday step for me, but sometimes when my skin feels a little dry, I would smooth a few drops of PIXI Rose Oil Blend* over my face after applying the serums and prior to moisturizer for some extra nourishment. Usually my skin feels like that after a stressful event, when I don’t get enough sleep, or if I didn’t drink the recommended half my weight in fluid ounces of water that day. Rose Oil Blend is one of Pixi’s best products and it’s probably the next most-loved after the brand’s ultra popular Glow Tonic.

The formula is all-green and all-natural.

Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil.

Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Skincare Routine (Evening) | PIXI Rose Oil, Elemental Herbology Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream, Eminence Bearberry Eye Cream

EXFOLIATE:

8 // My overnight moisturizer is actually an exfoliant, how neat is that? Elemental Herbology Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream* became a lifesaver, since I had to put away all of my other topical acid exfoliants for Clean Beauty Month. There’s no way they would pass the EWG scrutiny, and to be honest, I miss some of them a lot and I feel like my skin is worse off since I stopped. However, this is one of those rare cases where I think that a cleaner version is actually just as good as some of my not-so-green favorites.

Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream contains a plethora of botanical extracts and oils, along with natural AHAs that gently exfoliate the dead cells while I sleep. The consistency of this cream is thick and feels more like a balm, so I always spend an extra minute or two massaging it into my skin in the evening. There is a very slight tingle, commonly associated with AHAs, which disappears soon after the application. Overall, I am happy with the results, and will continue using this lovely balm well after my Clean Beauty Month is over.

The ingredient list is quite long, so I pretty much expected to see a few yellows on it – EWG is tough like that. Some yellow names are understandable, like acids and alcohol, while others may or may not be in the gray zone, depending on how hardcore you are about certain ingredients. First of all, Limonene, which is a natural derivative from essential oils, is a bit too high on the list, so keep that in mind if you are sensitive to natural oils. This cream also contains non-paraben preservatives, Trisodium NTA which was approved by US FDA for human consumption [but classified as expected to be toxic or harmful in Canada] and lye as a pH adjuster [otherwise the cream would be too acidic]. In short, I love it, you may not – it’s your choice, really. My job is to give you facts, because it’s always nice to be an informed consumer.

Ingredients: Aqua*, Glycerin*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride*, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Myristyl Myristate*, Squalane*, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil*, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter*, Cetearyl Olivate*, Limonene*, Panthenol*, Isostearyl Isostearate*, Sorbitan Olivate*, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil*, Tocopherol*, Brassica Oleracea Italica Seed Oil*, Lecithin*, Arginine*, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil*, Malic Acid, Oryzanol*, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract*, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract*, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Commiphora Myrrha Oil*, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil*, Phaseolus Radiatus Meristem Cell Culture Extract*, Cetearyl Glucoside*, Sorbitan Stearate*, Maltodextrin*, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate*, Xanthan Gum*, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate*, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Alcohol Denat, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Glycolate, Trisodium NTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Formate, Linalool*, Citral*.*Ingredients derived from 100% natural source.

Clean, Natural, Non-Toxic Skincare Routine (Evening)

Your turn to share! Do you have any PM routine favorites? Anything I should try? Let me know in the comments below!


Disclosure: This post features PR samples and products purchased by Glamorable, and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.

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30 Comments

  1. Allison @neversaydiebeauty
    May 1, 2017 / 4:17 pm

    Erin’s Face Firming Serum sounds especially appealing to me. I’m at about 6 or 7 products in my nighttime routine myself. It takes a good 20 minutes or so before bed, ugh.

  2. May 1, 2017 / 4:32 pm

    I love the Dr Hauschka Clarifying Toner. They have this brilliant Clarifying Intensive Treatment spray for above-25s with which I sometimes swap the toner.

  3. Phyrra Nyx
    May 1, 2017 / 5:30 pm

    Moisturizing is key! Loved seeing your routine.

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:57 am

      Moisturizing is a huge part of my routine! Back in the day many years ago I didn’t think I needed a moisturizer because my skin was oily, but I was so wrong 🙂

  4. May 1, 2017 / 7:49 pm

    The Pixi Rose Oil blend has been amazing for my dry skin!

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:41 am

      Isn’t it a wonderful product? I am obsessed!

  5. May 1, 2017 / 8:19 pm

    I don’t think I have tried any of these products you mentioned! I need to change that!

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:41 am

      My favorites are the eye cream and the firming serum, but really, all of these are fab!

  6. marciaf
    May 1, 2017 / 9:46 pm

    I’m always amazed at how much research you do into these products. You are like an encyclopedia that I can refer to.

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:37 am

      I am actually a terrible researcher, and I feel like if I can do it, anyone can, haha 🙂 But I’m always happy to share what little I do know!

  7. BeautyJudy
    May 1, 2017 / 10:02 pm

    I am curious, how long does your nighttime/morning routines take? I have lately loved a couple of things but eschew them for quick solutions like wipes.i am in love with your routines they are so thought out

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:36 am

      Good question, I never actually tried to time it. The cleansing step in the evening usually takes the longest, because I’m weird about taking off every trace of makeup and sunscreen. I would say at least 5 minutes right there? The rest of the routine takes another 5-10, depending on whether I choose to do facial massage either with Conture or with the back of Foreo LUNA (totally optional). AM routine takes me about 7 minutes, since I’m not using most of my acids right now (the products aren’t green).

  8. Naked Without Polish
    May 1, 2017 / 10:59 pm

    You have so many wonderful products!

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:19 am

      I am always thankful for the opportunity to try all this amazing skincare and to share my thoughts with you guys 🙂

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:14 am

      It’s such a wonderful product, isn’t it!

  9. May 2, 2017 / 12:23 am

    I remember seeing that SW Basics makeup remover at Target. I appreciated the simple ingredient list and it’s good to hear that it works, though it’s basic.

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:14 am

      That’s what attracted me, too, when I bought it. This is a tiny bottle, but a little goes a long way.

  10. Stepford Witch
    May 2, 2017 / 8:31 am

    Great routine! I love green skincare and have been using healthier alternatives for some time now. One thing I have to say is that whatever you read from EWG, take with a grain of salt. They sometimes give ratings to a chemical without being able to provide data for it. Sounds fishy to me.

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:07 am

      Oh I 100% agree with taking EWG data with a grain of salt, but I needed some kind of benchmark to act as a base for my green beauty experiment and EWG sounded like it would be a good one, since they have a huge database and a lot of people in green beauty community refer to it. I normally like to cross-check with Think Dirty, Paula’s Choice, Web MD, and even Wikipedia, who often have more/different data and latest research material.

      How long have you been using green skincare? Do you use it exclusively? I just started in April, I constantly feel like my routine is somehow incomplete.

  11. May 2, 2017 / 9:34 am

    Alcohol in toner really puts me off but if it worked with your skin it’ll prob be okay with mine!

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:08 am

      I know, right? My skin is sensitive to alcohol, so I did not expect to like it, but I actually do and I use it daily AM and PM now. It was perhaps the most surprising new discovery 🙂

  12. May 2, 2017 / 10:07 am

    Wow, such wonderful skin care items- I have tried a couple of them. You show us here really the best of the best! I also love the sugar scrub by SW basics!!!!

    • May 2, 2017 / 11:10 am

      Thank you Sissi! Sharing products I use and love is my favorite thing to write about on this blog 🙂

  13. Nik
    May 2, 2017 / 6:10 pm

    I love how detailed and informative your skin care posts are. It’s super helpful and it makes it easier to figure out what will work for me and what won’t. Great post.

  14. Ehmkay Nails
    May 2, 2017 / 8:57 pm

    Wow this is so detailed! I would love for it to be more broken up. It’s just so much information haha

  15. May 2, 2017 / 9:10 pm

    High five from one kbeauty lover to another! My routine is 6-8 products long this time of year.

  16. May 3, 2017 / 8:06 am

    I got the Dr. Hauschka toner in the whole foods beauty bag, this reminds me I need to try it.

  17. May 4, 2017 / 9:09 pm

    I really want to try the Pixi!!! I have such great luck with their skincare products.

  18. FairyTales Nails
    May 15, 2017 / 10:08 am

    These products sound lovely, great step by step post Hun x

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