Ingredient-led. Editorially driven.
This post is a follow-up to Do You Really Need SPF at Night? A Look at Tinted Moisturizers Without Sunscreen, exploring two popular SPF-free tinted moisturizers—Jones Road and Glossier—and how their formulations reflect different approaches to clean beauty, ingredient transparency, and user experience. Jones Road: The Cleaner Classic Jones Road’s Just Enough Tinted Moisturizer is …
In a sea of skincare fads, few ingredients have stood the test of centuries like ginseng. Deeply rooted in Korean herbal medicine (hanbang), ginseng remains one of the most cherished ingredients for revitalizing both body and skin. Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Cleansing Oil draws directly from this legacy, honoring tradition while meeting today’s transparent beauty …
The Lipstick Index is a term popularized by the late Leonard Lauder, chairman emeritus of Estée Lauder, who passed away earlier this month, June 2025. Lauder observed that the surge in lipstick sales following 9/11 was not solely driven by affordability. Rather, it reflected a deeper need for comfort and a sense of control during …
From almond orchards in Provence to pistachio-scented mists and Asia-Pacific success, Groupe L’OCCITANE’s global rise blends ethics, storytelling, and savvy retail alliances. Rooted in Provence: Heritage, Ethics, and Authenticity Few beauty houses walk the line between heritage and innovation as deftly as L’Occitane en Provence. Founded on principles of traceable sourcing, rural preservation, and cultural …
Just days after Clean Beauty Co. published a piece exploring the relevance of the “lipstick index” in today’s economy, Leonard Lauder—the man who gave the phenomenon its name—passed away at age 91. Lauder, the eldest son of Estée Lauder, helped transform a family-run cosmetics company into one of the most powerful forces in global beauty. …
Fragrance is intensely personal.For many, discovering a signature scent is one of life’s rare luxuries, an invisible accessory that becomes part of one’s identity. Among the few eaux de parfum I’ve returned to over the years is Costume National, an Italian niche house. Their scents, formulated without phthalates–one of the more scrutinized synthetics in clean …
Curiosity Killed the Cochineal Insect? After posting about lip products favored by the British royal family, curiosity got the better of me. What is it about the Clarins Lip Perfector that would appeal to the future queen of England? Is it possible that her Wimbledon appearance with it was a subtle favor arranged by a …
The short answer: not necessarily. But if you’ve ever read the children’s book The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson, it’s likely out of the question. Snail mucin is often praised for its hydrating, soothing, and skin-repairing benefits. And yes, it has some real strengths. It’s rich in humectants and nutrients that help support …
If you’ve ever been wary of the word “peel” in skincare, you’re not alone. Many of us associate it with tingling acids, tight skin, or even a little redness. But Beauty of Joseon’s Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel is a totally different experience. Despite the name, this isn’t a traditional chemical peel or a mask that …
When most people think of Swiss skincare, they imagine glacier water, cutting-edge science and eye-watering price tags. Brands like La Prairie offer creams priced well over $500, including the La Prairie Caviar Spectaculaire Set at $2,200 and Cellcosmet’s Ultimate Skincare Collection topping $3,000. These high-end products showcase Swiss precision and rare ingredients, some of which …
Transparency in Clean Beauty Certification The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has long positioned itself as a consumer advocacy group dedicated to reducing toxic exposure from household and personal care products. Its EWG Verified™ mark appears on cosmetics, skin care, and even cleaning products, and is often interpreted by consumers as a gold standard of clean …
In this editorial, we’re unpacking three complexion products that fall into the “clean-adjacent” category. They’re marketed as better-for-you options, but how do they stack up when it comes to actual ingredient transparency? We’re comparing: These are formulas many have used and even loved, but for anyone trying to steer clear of PEGs, phenoxyethanol, and silicone, …