Wellness and Skincare Tips From Clean Beauty Founders

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October 17, 2022

By: Rebecca R. Norris

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Photo By: Shutterstock/Ground Picture

Photo By: Sasha Plavsic/ILIA Beauty

Photo By: ILIA Beauty

Photo By: RaeDawn/Balaeyon

Photo By: Balaeyon Dew Revive

Photo By: YINA

Photo By: Janus Auermann/AKT Therapy

Photo By: AKT Therapy

Photo By: Christina Funke Tegbe/54 Thrones

Photo By: 54 Thrones

Photo By: Tata Harper/Tata Harper Skincare

Photo By: Tata Harper/Resurfacing Body Serum

Photo By: Jamika Martin/Rosen Skincare

Photo By: Karmen Novak/Flower and Spice

Photo By: Flower and Spice

Photo By: Karen Young/Oui the People

Photo By: Oui the People

Photo By: Kate McLeod/Kate-McLeod

Photo By: Kate McLeod

Photo By: April Gargiulo/Vintner's Daughter

Photo By: Vintner's Daughter

Photo By: Greg Starkman/Innersense Beauty

Photo By: Innersense

Beauty Tips Straight From the Source

Nowadays, beauty tips are abundant. So much so, that celebrities, influencers and everyday folks regularly share their top tips for everything from summer skincare and hydrating haircare routines to the importance of daily SPF and natural-looking beauty regimens. The point is, if you’re looking for ways to switch up your beauty routine, endless advice on the Internet and social media awaits. As much as we love Instagram and TikTok, though, we also enjoy the knowledge that comes straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. That’s why we chatted with the founders of 13 clean beauty brands (aka brands that embrace sustainable, cruelty-free practices and steer clear of controversial ingredients like phthalates and formaldehyde) to uncover their top skincare, wellness and beauty tips. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Beauty Tips From: Sasha Plavsic, Founder of ILIA Beauty

Wear your SPF. Just about any dermatologist will tell you the importance of never going a day without SPF. They’ll also tell you that relying on SPF-infused makeup alone won’t cut it. Still, ILIA Beauty founder, Sasha Plavsic, says there’s no better way to revive and protect your skin than by doubling up on SPF, layering a traditional sunscreen with an SPF-infused product, like ILIA’s new C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40.

Opt for clean washes of color. “I love to highlight my face with clean washes of color for the summer months,” Sasha says. “Our Multi-Sticks create luminous looks for everyday, on-the-go color application that works perfectly when I am looking for an easy less-is-more look. I also love our Multi-Stick Face Palette for travel, which really helps to save on space.”

ILIA Beauty

ILIA Beauty ILIA Beauty is a makeup brand that puts skincare benefits at the forefront. When Sasha Plavsic founded the brand, her goal was to create a clean beauty brand that celebrates real-looking skin and touts transparency and sustainability above all else.

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Beauty Tips From: RaeDawn, Founder of Balaeyon

Don’t forget sunscreen while driving. Even if you’re in the habit of applying sunscreen on your face each and every day, there’s a very good chance you forget your ears, arms and hands. But, as Balaeyon founder, RaeDawn, reminds us, sunlight hits us while driving and can even be magnified due to the glass. “You want to protect yourself from those rays,” she emphasizes, noting that spray sunscreens are her favorite. (She even recommends another clean beauty brand as her number-one SPF pick: The Seaweed Bath Co.’s Cooling Mist SPF 60 Sport+).

Be mindful of how you apply your SPF. Although spray sunscreens are RaeDawn’s SPF of choice, she reveals that, contrary to popular belief, they actually distribute less coverage than a regular cream SPF. With that in mind, she says that when you apply a spray SPF, make sure to work it from all angles. “For the face, spray a total of six times,” she says. “Start at one side of your face, spray, then in the center of your face, spray again, then finish at the other [side of your] face, and spray again. Then repeat these steps again. This gives you a total of six sprays and ensures optimal SPF pay-off.”

Balaeyon

A play on Balance | Beyond | Beauty, Balaeyon is a brand dedicated to sustainably made products housed in chic, travel-friendly packaging. Founded by makeup artist RaeDawn, the brand aims to introduce consumers to luxurious beauty staples that can be used all year long, no matter your skin tone.

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Beauty Tips From: Dr. Ervina Wu, Co-Founder of YINA

Switch to lighter-weight products for summer. Skin hydration is important year-round, however, during summer, YINA co-founder Dr. Ervina Wu suggests opting for lighter-weight products to maintain the moisture without weighing down your skin in the season’s heat. “Some ingredients we love for summer skin [include] glycerin (a hydrator), niacinamide (protects skin from environmental damage and has anti-acne benefits) and camellia sinensis extract (an antioxidant),” she shares.

Refrigerate your skincare tools. For a refreshing, de-puffing skincare treat, Dr. Ervina recommends putting sheet masks, gua shas and facial rollers in the fridge or freezer. Not only will the coolness feel good on the skin, but it will also help reduce inflammation.

YINA

Inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, YINA is a plant-based skincare brand that aims to inspire users to embrace daily rituals. Each of the brand’s products is formulated with common botanicals found in Chinese medicine to help nourish and heal skin. And if there’s ever an ingredient you’re unsure of, you can always check the brand’s ingredient glossary for a quick lesson on its benefits.

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Beauty Tips From: Janus Auermann, Founder of AKT Therapy

Embrace beeswax to lock in moisture. “Water evaporates quickly out of our system in the summer,” says AKT Therapy founder Janus Auermann. “And with the skin being our largest organ, using products with antioxidants and beeswax will help lock in the moisture longer.” Her top pick? AKT Therapy’s Elemental Sun Balm. “It contains cherry kernel oil (linolenic acid), which seals in moisture by forming a barrier on the surface of the skin that is also known to prevent UV absorption,” she shares.

Drink plenty of fluids. Since water evaporates quickly in warmer weather, Janus says it’s important to consume extra water, electrolytes and low-sugar juicy fruits like watermelon and papaya to stay hydrated. “My personal summer lemonade is a year-round tonic I drank while flying as a private chef,” she shares. “It combats UV/free radical damage and inflammation, and it strengthens the immune system and balances digestion.” To make it, she says to combine one gallon of filtered water with two tablespoons Hawaiian spirulina, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, the juice of one lemon and Stevia or honey to taste. Once combined, shake vigorously to mix and store in a non-metal water bottle.

AKT Therapy

Janus Auermann worked as a globe-trotting private chef before founding AKT Therapy, a clean beauty brand inspired by her travels. Operating under a less-is-more mindset, Janus created five products, each of which is formulated with minimal ingredients, to serve as the cornerstones of the brand.

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Beauty Tips From: Christina Funke Tegbe, Founder of 54 Thrones

Always moisturize. Winter and summer are the driest times of year for your skin. Still, 54 Thrones founder Christina Funke Tegbe says moisturizing your skin should be non-negotiable all year-round. “Your body care routine may vary [from season to season], but nonetheless, it's important that you're still protecting your skin's barrier and moisturizing,” she says. “I love applying our Minona Glow Body Oil after a shower while my skin is still wet to seal in that moisture. It’s a lightweight Jojoba-based body oil, that's non-greasy but still gets the job done, and leaves skin supple and glowy.”

Sun protection is a must — no matter your skin tone. Whether you have ultra-fair skin or incredibly dark skin, SPF is a must. “If you have more melanated skin, it's still important to use sun protection,” Christina assures us. “Another reason, I love our African Beauty Butters is because shea butter naturally contains a level of natural sun protection, so I pair a thin layer of our Beauty Butter with my fave sunscreen to ensure I'm protected.”

54 Thrones

54 Thrones is the brainchild of Christina Fuke Tegbe, who wanted to honor her Nigerian roots by creating a company named after Africa’s 54 countries. All of the brand’s products are made with African-grown organic plant botanicals and are designed to hydrate, protect and soothe skin of all tones.

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Beauty Tips From: Tata Harper, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tata Harper

Don’t forget your body. “Something people often overlook when it comes to summer skincare is their body,” says Tata Harper, co-founder and co-CEO of Tata Harper. But, after a full day spent in the sun, or out in a body of water (especially if it’s salt water), your body needs a little extra TLC. “It’s important to hydrate your skin with something beyond a normal lotion or moisturizer,” Tata says. “I also recommend a body serum — like our new Resurfacing Body Serum, which helps skin regeneration and cell turnover — and locking everything in with an oil, such as our Revitalizing Body Oil or any of your choosing.”

Consider in-flight skincare. No matter the time of year, if you’re preferred method of travel is by air, Tata recommends bringing a few skincare essentials in your carry-on for mid-flight enjoyment. “Flights can take a toll on your skin,” she says. “I like to bring easy products on the plane that I can apply without any fuss.” Her top picks? “Hydrating Floral Essence is a must for a refresh, especially on a long flight,” she says. “I like to use our Boosted Contouring Eye Balm like a mask by applying a generous amount and massaging in, so I am fresh and dewy when I land at my destination. Then to top it all off, and remove any buildup from travel, I pat on Retinoic Nutrient Face Oil.” Psst: All three products are in the cult-favorite Tata Harper In-Flight Essentials Kit.

Tata Harper

Tata Harper is a chemical-free clean skincare brand that utilizes more than 300 ingredients from more than 68 countries worldwide to deliver the most high-performance cleanser, serum and moisturizer formulas possible. Although the beautifully packaged products are paired with lofty price tags, considering they’re infused with ultra-high concentrations of complexion-perfecting botanicals, many shoppers believe the brand to be well worth the splurge.

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Beauty Tip From: Jamika Martin, Founder of ROSEN Skincare

Bring a mist and moisturizer with you. When setting out on a summer adventure, you likely think to bring water, sunscreen and sunglasses. ROSEN Skincare founder, Jamika Martin, suggests tossing in a face mist (like the ROSEN Skincare Rose Water Face Dew) and moisturizer, too. “As you're out and about swimming, the last thing you want to be left with is dry, dehydrated skin after you get out of the water,” she explains. “Make sure you bring a mist or hydrating toner and a moisturizer with you to keep your skin bouncy all summer long.”

Rosen Skincare

ROSEN Skincare is geared toward Gen Z and is the self-proclaimed “next generation of mass acne care.” All of the brand’s products are formulated with clean, effective ingredients and designed to address breakouts without stripping the skin, all while being housed in kitschy, modern packaging that the brand’s consumers are happy to display on their shelves. In that way, the brand aims to make tending to an otherwise daunting skincare concern a bit more fun.

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Beauty Tips From: Karmen Novak, Founder of Flower and Spice

Exfoliate your skin but don’t overdo it. Exfoliating your skin is necessary for smooth, bright, radiant-looking skin, as it sloughs away built-up skin cells. Flower and Spice founder, Karmen Novak, reminds us, however, that exfoliating makes skin more susceptible to UV rays. That said, she recommends using gentle exfoliators a few times per week, and always wearing high SPF (read: SPF 30 or higher). “Avoid heavy sun for at least a day or two after exfoliation,” she adds, noting to postpone strong chemical peels and dermabrasion treatments for the fall.

Don’t stop using oils on your skin during the summer. Although summer is synonymous with lighter skincare products, Karmen says not to avoid oils. “Heat, salt, wind — all this can dry up your skin,” she says. “By protecting it with oil, you help your skin retain water.” With that in mind, she says to use oil and oil serums regularly. “If you feel it’s too heavy, just use a few drops or use it every other day, or before you go to bed,” she suggests.

Flower and Spice

Flower and Spice is an organic, modern apothecary skincare brand founded by Karmen Novak. Knowing how beneficial spices are for food and the immune system, Karmen figured the same would likely be true for the skin. Since embarking on her journey in 2015 and launching her online store in 2018, Novak has debuted five thoughtfully curated products to calm, repair, revitalize, brighten and exfoliate skin.

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Beauty Tip From: Karen Young, Founder of OUI the People

Always exfoliate before shaving. Tired of pesky ingrown hairs? OUI the People founder Karen Young says the secret to a smooth shave lies in how you prep your skin beforehand. "I use Full Disclosure Cream Body Polish with bamboo and lactic acid before shaving," she says. "I'll let it sit on my skin for a minute or two to let the lactic acid do its work and then follow up with Cheat Sheet Resurfacing Body Serum in 24 hours if any stubborn ingrowns crop up — but they rarely do [thanks to exfoliating beforehand] and my skin stays bathing suit ready."

OUI the People Full Disclosure Cream Body Polish

OUI the People is all about products that work to address common skincare and bodycare concerns surrounding hair growth and removal; it’s not about touting a perfect image or implying that one body hair option is better than another. Because of that, the brand is always careful about the language it uses, so as to never promote an unrealistic beauty ideal.

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Beauty Tips From: Kate McLeod, Co-Founder and Formulator of Kate McLeod

Go heavy on body moisturizer at night. Remember: Your body deserves moisture and protection, too. In addition to extending your SPF application from head to toe, Kate McLeod, who is the co-founder of the eponymous brand, suggests applying a heavy layer of moisturizer all over your body at night for dewy, radiant skin come morning. “Right now I am loving our Dawn and Dusk limited edition Body Stones,” she reveals. “I treat it like a mask for my body at night and apply a thick coat head to toe — it is so deeply healing and nourishing on sunkissed skin.” Another way she uses them? To add a little glow to her legs while wearing shorts, skirts, and dresses.

Jazz up your water with decaffeinated tea. Hydration is always important, but there’s no denying that water can sometimes get boring to sip on all day. That’s why Kate recommends brewing decaffeinated teas (lavender mint is her go-to). “I like to brew decaffeinated teas in large mason jars at night, and pop them in the fridge before going to bed,” she says. “It makes an amazing sugar- and caffeine-free tea that keeps you hydrated and glowing.”

Kate McLeod

Kate McLeod takes a different approach to skincare by focusing on solid formulas that melt upon skin contact. The brand sells sustainably packaged (plastic-free) Body Stones and Face Stones, which are made with silky cocoa butter, along with other natural ingredients, like soothing sweet almond oil, smoothing apricot kernel oil and hydrating coconut oil.

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Beauty Tips From: April Gargiulo, Founder of Vintner's Daughter

Re-application of sunscreen is critical. So, you think simply putting on sunscreen before leaving the house will do the trick? Think again. “You might be only applying in the morning during the winter months, but for those long, hot summer days, it is critical to re-apply,” Vintner’s Daughter founder April Gargiulo emphasizes. For optimal protection, aim to reapply every two hours, or anytime post-swim or heavy sweat.

Hone in on your nightly cleansing routine. Generally speaking, during summer, we sweat more, apply more sunscreen and spend more time outdoors. Because of this, April says it’s imperative to take the time to deeply clean your face each and every night. To do so, begin with a micellar water or makeup balm, follow with a traditional cleanser, and end with a toner or essence before venturing into the rest of your routine.

Vintner's Daughter

When April Gargiulo set out to launch Vintner’s Daughter, her goal was to create a high-quality skincare brand with unmatched efficacy. In addition to top-notch ingredients, the brand prides itself on its sustainable packaging and manufacturing, and testing without harm to any animals.

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Beauty Tips From: Greg Starkman, Co-Founder of Innersense Organic Beauty

Don’t forget to detox your hair and scalp. As necessary as it is to tend to the skin on your face and body, Innersense Organic Beauty co-founder Greg Starkman says it’s equally as important to dote on your scalp and hair. “The summer heat and sun, compounded with salt or chlorine water, can be harsh on your hair and scalp,” he explains. “It is critical to replenish your hair with clean hair baths and conditioners that provide rich hydration and nutrients to revitalize hair's natural moisture balance.” His recommendation? Innersense Organic Beauty’s Hydrate Hairbath and Cream Conditioner, along with the True Enlightenment Scalp Scrub and Harmonic Treatment Oil, to remove build-up and replenish hydration.

Always bring a leave-in conditioner with you to the beach/lake/pool. Don’t only focus on your strands in the shower, though. Great says to nourish your locks on the go, too. While out and about, he suggests bringing a silicone-free leave-in conditioner like the Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner. “Especially before and after swimming,” he emphasizes.

Innersense Beauty Detox Hair Mask

Innersense Organic Beauty is dedicated to creating clean, pure haircare products designed to make good hair days possible every day. The brand prides itself on not only prioritizing hair health but the planet, too. In addition to formulating all of its products with sustainable manufacturing practices, the brand also gives back to 1% for the Planet, a nonprofit that works to preserve our climate, food, land, water and wildlife.

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