Clean Beauty Swaps: How I Avoid Greenwashing (And What I Use Instead)

Not all "clean beauty" is actually clean—here’s how I learned to read beyond the label.

If you’ve ever picked up a skincare product because it said natural, gentle, or botanical—you’re not alone. I used to trust those words too.

But here’s the truth:
Many popular brands use greenwashing tactics to make products feel safe and healthy, while still packing them with:

• Synthetic fragrance

• PEGs (polyethylene glycols)

• Barrier-disrupting ingredients

• Harsh preservatives + fillers

These hidden ingredients can impact more than just your skin—they can affect your hormones, long-term wellness, and the health of your skin barrier.

What Is Greenwashing in Skincare?

Greenwashing is when brands use marketing buzzwords like:

• “Clean”

• “Natural”

• “Pure”

• “Botanical”

…while the ingredient list tells a very different story.

It’s skincare that looks good on your shelf but isn’t supporting your body’s health.

My Favorite Clean Beauty Swaps

I curate my clean beauty favorites into 3 categories:

🌿 85+ Clean Picks — fragrance-free, low-tox essentials scoring 85+ on Yuka

✨ Fragrance-Friendly Faves — clean formulas using naturally-derived scents for a sensory ritual.

If you're sensitive to fragrance, stick to my 85+ picks. But if you enjoy essential oils, you'll love these elevated clean beauty options!

🧬Advanced Clean Science - Fragrance-free, hormone-safe, and powered by longevity science.

Here are a few swaps I’ve made to align my skincare with a true low-tox lifestyle—protecting my glow and my wellness:

Why I Choose Ingredient-Conscious Beauty

For me, clean beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about awareness.
It’s choosing products that support my skin, hormones, and long-term health—without falling for clever marketing.

Here’s to glowing with intention—one conscious swap at a time.
ema xx