What is ‘clean-ical’ skincare? 5 products to try

What is ‘clean-ical’ skincare? 5 products to try

Cleanical skincare is one of the fastest-growing skincare categories  

One of the lingering impressions of ‘clean’ and ‘green’ skincare is that it just isn’t as effective as other options. However with new developments and respected research that thought is beginning to be put to bed.

Expect to hear more about the rise of ‘clean-ical’ skincare imminently. It’s a term increasingly being used to describe the flourishing number of high-performance clean or natural skincare brands that use respected research methods and clinical results to promote products or ingredients that have proven benefits.

Why the sudden popularity in clean beauty products with scientific backings? According to experts, the growth in the market has been huge and consumers are increasingly wanting undeniable proof along with the myriad of claims, sometimes outlandish, made by brands.

Additionally at the current time, people are finely attuned to ingredients and what they’re putting in their bodies, and wellness and science are top of mind.

There are also no agreed definitions on the terms ‘clean’ and ‘natural’ when it comes to beauty products, so although research is generally around efficacy rather than safety, it gives a degree of confidence when shopping around. How extensive the research trials are vary though, and claims taken from small sample sizes are a fairly common approach.

“If you look at the trends of skin-care brands in the past 10 years, you have some focused on science that aren’t so clean, others that are focused on naturals that are not very scientific,”

Augustinus Bader CEO and cofounder Charles Rosier told WWD.

“We are trying to create this unicorn where you don’t have to compromise on the ingredients to have science and efficacy.”

What to try:

Augustinus Bader The Cream, $420

Created by German scientist Bader, The Cream is a lightweight hydrating moisturiser that contains a proprietary blend of ingredients including amino acids and vitamins said to encourage skin regeneration and healing. Professor Bader claims he discovered the formula while looking for solutions to help burn survivors heal faster.

Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum, $132

Biossance is a fast-growing Californian company popular for its clinically effective, nontoxic, sustainable beauty claims. This serum uses Bakuchiol, a natural ingredient that has shown retinol-like results, combined here with niacinamide to target fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage.

Goop GOOPGENES All-In-One Nourishing Face Cream, $167

Gwyneth Paltrow has been a vocal proponent of the clean beauty movement but is insistent the studies behind her skincare products stack up. This moisturiser from her skincare brand Goop Beauty contains plant-based ceramides, squalane, and seven highly active botanicals.

Emma Lewisham Supernatural 72-Hour Crème with Collagen Peptides, $148

Kiwi entrepreneur Emma Lewisham has been insistent about pursuing clinical studies to back up her natural beauty products. She’s even posted a link to testing results for this face cream that says it’s proven to regenerate collagen.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, $505

Famously expensive,  aesthetic doctor Barbara Sturm’s celebrity clients rave about the hydrated ‘Sturm glow’ this serum creates. It’s one of the hero products in this popular ‘cleanical’ skincare line.

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