5 Affordable Clean Beauty Recs

Walk into any makeup store or skincare aisle of the grocery store, and it’s immediately overwhelming. Seemingly thousands of products staring back at you claiming to be the best of the best —  promising glowing skin, acne-free, recommended by dermatologists, “natural” (whatever that means) and more. If you’re at all like me, you’ve probably ended up with a graveyard of products under your bathroom sink — products that you tried for one reason or another but didn’t end up liking. 

Finding something that works for your skin and your lifestyle gets expensive, especially when “clean” beauty is involved. Because the term “natural” has no clear FDA definition, brands can sort of throw the term around without consequence. Needless to say, when looking for clean product swaps, it’s difficult to know if you’re actually getting a safe, non-toxic product. This is where I come in — I started my clean beauty journey a little over five years ago, and have come a long way to find product staples that actually work. To hopefully save you some time and wasted product, I’m sharing my favorites!

5. Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap

Face cleanser? Bronner’s. Shaving soap? Bronner’s. Hand and body wash? Bronner’s. Bubble bath? Bronner’s. Suddenly realize that you need to clean your shower? Bronner’s. 

I’m not kidding, this is the most universal, long-lasting, and eco-friendly soap you’ll ever find. At just $11.29 for a 16oz bottle, not only is it biodegradable, but the liquid castile soaps are intended to be diluted, which means a little really does go a long way. Bar soaps are available to save on plastic packaging, but Dr. Bronner’s is often sold in bulk sizes to cut down on waste. You can also use Dr. Bronner’s around your house — for everyday cleaning, dish soap and laundry detergent. No wonder their slogan is “All-One!” 

4. Pacifica

Pacifica has been around for over 20 years now and stays true to their vegan, cruelty-free roots that the company was founded on. With the increasing popularity of clean beauty products over the last 10 years, Pacifica has definitely put themselves on the map by having an extensive product line, but that doesn’t mean they’ve compromised effectiveness. 

With product lines for face, hair, body, and even beauty supplements (hello, clean gummy vitamins!), Pacifica probably have what you’re looking for. I’ve been using their Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream ($16) for years, and in the summertime, it’s pretty much all that I wear on my face for super lightweight coverage and glow. One tube lasts me about six months, which is a total steal. I’m also absolutely obsessed with the Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lasting Mineral Mascara ($14), but not *just* because I’m an Aquarius — it lengthens the heck out of my lashes and doesn’t flake off after a few hours. It runs a slight danger of clumping, but that’s easily fixed with a brow wand right after application. Bam, you’ve got lashes for days.

Other Pacifica highlights include their Salty Waves texturizing hairline, the Sea + C skin collection (featuring sea minerals and vitamin C), and their natural perfume scents. 

3. Schmidt’s

The. Best. Natural. Deodorant. When I first wanted to detoxify my bathroom cabinets, one of the product swaps I struggled with the most was deodorant. I must have tried around 10 different brands over a few years (and even went some time without using deodorant at all… if that puts my struggle into perspective) before landing on my personal holy grail: Schmidt’s.

I get 12+ hours of wear out of their aluminum-free, essential oil-based formula. Although, the best part about this deo, to me, is the glass container formula. It’s more eco-friendly (deodorant sticks are made of plastic and have multiple components), and I only need to scoop out the tiniest bit. It melts against my skin and doesn’t leave white streaks on my clothing. It truly is deodorant heaven, and it smells amazing. My personal favorite is the Bergamot + Lime Deodorant Jar ($8.99), and it lasts me months on end. Schmidt’s has now expanded their product line to include toothpaste, body soaps, kid’s products, and household cleaning items. What’s not to love?

2. Acure

Acure has probably been my longest-standing clean beauty recommendation since I made the decision to go non-toxic about seven years ago. No single product is over $20 (most are under $12), and the results have been consistent even though their product line has expanded over the years.

Through my entire clean beauty journey, finding effective hair care has actually been the most difficult. I have thick, naturally wavy hair that tends to be a little too dry, but no matter what I always seem to come back to the Ultra Hydrating Shampoo/Conditioner duo from Acure ($9.99 ea). My hair always feels so lightweight and smooth after using it, and I typically go five-six days between washes, so the product lasts forever. I’ve recommended the Ultra Hydrating line to friends with varying hair types and have always heard good things in return! 

On my skin, I’ll never be able to say rave about Acure’s Incredibly Clear Acne Spot Treatment ($12.99) enough. At 2% salicylic acid along with acne-fighting botanicals, it helps reduce breakouts right at the start and takes down the inflammation. I spot-treat with it every morning and night, and it’s never too harsh. Acne friends, rejoice — this one actually works! 

1. Cocokind

Last but not least, my one true love — Cocokind. I discovered Cocokind a couple of years ago through Instagram, and my life (and skin) has been forever changed. Some of the products are so clean you could literally eat them (and I do) — the raspberry vinegar toner as a salad dressing is revolutionary) and because I’ve seen consistent results for years now, a Cocokind label can be spotted on most of my bathroom shelves. 

As someone who is acne-prone, I can’t recommend the Raspberry Vinegar Toner enough. At only $16 for a 4oz bottle that lasts me 3-4 months, it effectively helps balance oily skin without harsh chemicals and works to neutralize bacteria. Paired with the Chia Facial Oil infused with chamomile flower ($16) my face is moisturized without being oily, and I can easily put on makeup after only a few minutes after my skincare routine is done — anyone who wears makeup knows that this is HUGE. 

I’ve been using those two products for about 5 years now and wouldn’t dream of changing it up. My other product staple is the MyMatcha All-Over Moisture Stick ($9), which I use under my eyes for brightening, on my lips before going to bed, on cracked hands in the wintertime, and even to heal tattoos. Awesome products aside, Cocokind is entirely woman-owned and woman-founded, features real, untouched skin on their product pages, gives annual grants to female startups, and actively shares their carbon footprint as part of their sustainability mission. All-around, Cocokind is a stellar company with clean and effective products that are friendly to a variety of budgets.

I hope this guide was helpful whether you have been or have been buying natural products for years or are just getting started on your clean beauty journey. Happy shopping!

Tried and loved any of these products? Let us know in the comments!