Sephora Is Defining Clean Beauty—and Here’s How Your Skin Can Benefit

You may find, though, that finding the right clean alternative for your fave cleanser or moisturizer can be difficult. That’s because a universal definition of "clean beauty" doesn’t exist—and terms like "natural" or "sustainable" can mean very different things (talk about confusing).

Sephora, your steady source of beauty-bag staples, has vowed to make the process way easier with its new "Clean at Sephora" seal. The result? A simplified definition of clean beauty.

"With so many buzzwords in the beauty space, Sephora has chosen the Clean at Sephora seal," says Cindy Deily, senior director of skin care merchandising at Sephora. "The seal helps clients more easily identify brands that are formulating without many of the ingredients that they might be looking to avoid."

"The most important clean-beauty swaps are products that are used daily or are leave-in."

The curated picks leave out a long list of ingredients: sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban, full stop. Sephora's experts are doing the homework for you, vetting products and putting a (literal) stamp of approval to verify clean brands.

Where to start? "The most important clean-beauty swaps are products that are used daily or are leave-in (so they stay on our skin and are used on larger skin areas)," says Lena Korres, chemical engineer and co-founder of KORRES. So beginning your beauty-cabinet detox by swapping out your a.m. moisturizer, overnight serum, or cleanser is a smart place to start.

Can't imagine saying goodbye to an old standby? That's okay, too. "If you are struggling with giving up a favorite eye cream, try to replace everything else," says Mathilde Thomas, founder of Caudalie. It's all about baby steps.

Hover over the products below to learn more about Clean at Sephora—and shop our faves.

CLEAN BEAUTY 101

This lightweight face cream (perfect for 90-degree days) relies on the superfoods you’re likely tossing in smoothies for an antioxidant boost and hyaluronic acid to up your skin’s moisture.

Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream

$48

This non-irritating, wrinkle-fighting serum taps bakuchiol for its retinol-like results and squalane from sugarcane to lock in hydration.

Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum

$78

Grab this vitamin C-powered skin brightener that taps wild rose oil, sandy lily extract, and sea fern extract to target dark spots and dullness for luminous skin.

Korres Wild Rose 15% Vit C Spotless Serum

$75

When you want to visibly brighten your eye area after a late night or long flight, this a.m. skin refresher with coffee beans and ginseng (AKA stuff you'd sip) does the trick.

Origins GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff

$31

Treat dehydrated skin to a burst of hydration with this ultra-lightweight moisturizer powered by queen of the night cactus, a rare ingredient known to thrive in the harshest of climates. Pro tip: It's ideal for priming skin for makeup application.

boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer

$38

This cult-favorite serum taps viniferine (derived from grapevine sap) to visibly brighten skin. Use on face, neck, and décolleté to help even skin tone and minimize the appearance of dark spots and acne scars for a radiance boost *all* over.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

$79

This nourishing cleansing balm melts away makeup and pollutants on your face with sunflower oil and ginger root oil, while gently exfoliating with papaya extract.

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy™

$34

This moisturizing face oil leaves skin smooth and glowing using a blend of noni fruit extract, rosehip oil, and pomegranate oil.

KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil

$68

In partnership with Sephora