10 clean beauty gift ideas for smarter stocking stuffing

When shopping for clean beauty gifts, labels really matter.  In Canada, if one ingredient is natural, the entire product can be labelled natural. That's because there's currently no governance on the term natural when it comes to the personal care sector. When it comes to organic, standards vary from province to province, but generally when a product is labelled as "organic" it means that the entire product is made from greater than 95% organic ingredients.  However, singular ingredients that meet the standards can also be labelled as organic, muddying the clean beauty waters.

Read the label — check it twice

Paying attention to clean beauty designation is important in selecting nontoxic and organic beauty products because different designations provide different information to discerning consumers. Essentially, the role of these clean certifications and seals is to help us find the beauty we want,  without the chemicals we might not.

As Jenise Lee, Founder & CEO of PurPicks explains, "The spirit behind the USDA Organic certification (and other organic-type certifications) is that the ingredients used are mostly agricultural ingredients and are produced, handled, processed compliant with specified organic standards. These organic certifications work well for food products and certain categories of personal care products (i.e. face serums, body oils and body butters) but are not necessarily applicable to water-based products like lotions, shampoos and conditioners that require preservatives, emulsifiers, etc. The spirit behind other designations like CertClean and EWG Verified is that the formulations must be free from harmful ingredients".

Simply put, the organic certifications answer the question, "How organic are these ingredients?" whereas the latter designations answer the question, "How safe are these ingredients?"

There are more questions to consider, like sustainability and whether or not a product is cruelty-free. Jean Eng, Founder of all-natural skincare and wellness spa, Pure + Simple notes, "Customers may assume that when a product is certified and has healthy ingredients, it is also healthy for the environment. That may not always be the case. Clean skincare doesn't always mean sustainable skincare."  Likewise, she explains "Customers may assume that vegan products are cruelty-free. That is not true. A product can be vegan without being cruelty-free".

While it may seem somewhat frustrating  for consumers trying to navigate the clean beauty market as we stumble upon various claims, overall it spells good news and progress because more companies are making clean beauty a priority.  Lee's PurPicks, which is a reviews platform and organic/nontoxic skincare database, hopes to help consumers make more informed decisions about clean beauty, acting as a TripAdviser of sorts for skincare.  Pure + Simple products are all CertClean certified and even mass retailers like Sephora now display a 'Clean at Sephora' seal of approval to identify their clean beauty offerings.  All brands with the seal are free from harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens and formaldehydes to name a few — with all skincare, makeup and hair brands containing less than one percent synthetic fragrances.

This holiday season, skip the usual stocking stuffers of candy cane scented bath bombs, lip gloss and lotions and make a clean beauty list instead. Here are some of the top clean beauty skin products you might want to include:

Forget double duty, this tour de force CertClean certified face cream works hard for its money. The four-in-one formula serves as a daily moisturizer, a skin-refining serum, eye cream and night cream. Formulated with aloe vera, date seed and blue algae extract to aid in rebuilding collagen and lightly scented with pure grapefruit, this jar packs a mighty holistic punch.

Lux 7 Age Defying Four-in-One Face Cream, $48, goodkarmaskincare.com

This formula is made with four simple but powerful ingredients, including sugarcane-derived, sustainable squalane oil, Vitamin C, damascus rose extract and chios crystal oil. Together they work to help brighten and firm the look of skin tone and texture. EWG Verified, this vegan, nontoxic and cruelty-free product is not only clean, but green too. It comes in enviro-friendly packaging, made with tree-free sugarcane paper.

Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, $72, biossance.com

This EWG verified clay mask is made with 99% pure Canadian glacial oceanic clay from the Pacific North Coast. The negatively-charged glacial clay works like a magnet, pulling at the positively-charged impurities and pollutants trapped in the skin.

Clay Mask, $29.95, shop.nenaskincare.com

Sahajan (derived from the Hindi word for "intuitive") is a natural skincare line based on ayurvedic medicine. The Nourish Cream features a blend of three key Ayurvedic ingredients: triphala, gotu kola and coconut oil, which aim to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while hydrating the skin.

Nourish Face Cream, $60, sahajan.ca

My favourite self-care session is a hot bath.  Give me one where I can sweat out the guck and soak in some goodness, even better!  The activated charcoal in this natural, vegan and cruelty-free epsom salts bath helps to draw toxins from the body, while apple cider vinegar works to neutralize odour-causing bacteria.

Kaia Charcoal Hot Bath, $12, pureandsimple.ca

This creamy concoction works as both a milky cleanser and makeup remover.  The nut-free formula includes marine collagen, oat protein and jojoba oil, providing deep hydration and nourishment to the skin. CertClean certified, the gentle cleanser is suitable for dry and extra-dry skin, and is even safe to use around the eye area.

Sensitive Cleansing Milk, $21.95, pureandsimple.ca

Whether you're a jet-setter, non-stop go-getter or just plain sleep deprived, your skin will suffer when you lack sleep.  This ultra-hydrating mask works to minimize the puffiness and inflammation of over-tired skin. Given the 'Clean at Sephora' seal, this vegan mask is free from harmful ingredients like artificial chemical, colour or fragrance.  A hint of peppermint oil, corn mint oil and orange oil add a subtle refreshing scent for a natural pick-me-up.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, $59, sephora.com

This cleansing balm is packed with so much natural goodness, you may be tempted to turn it into a green smoothie! The patented Echinacea blend is the powerhouse behind this balm stamped with a 'Clean at Sephora' seal. From papaya and Moringa tree extract, sunflower oil and ginger root oil to an aromatic blend of orange, lime and bergamot essential oils, the balm works to nourish and revitalize the look of skin while melting away makeup and pollution residue.

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy, $44, sephora.com

Developed by scientists and physicians, all AlumierMD products are free from parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, artificial colours and chemical sunscreen filters. EverActive C+E is a serious skincare serum that comes in three bottles (hence the three-figure price tag). The high-strength vitamin C and E serum works to rejuvenate skin, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Since vitamin C serums can oxidize overtime in the bottle, with this formula, you only mix the vitamin C powder into the serum when ready to use it — saving from spoilage.

Alumier MD EverActive C+E, $179, alumiermd.com (AlumierMD is sold exclusively through professionals. Visit their site to find a professional.)

My mom's been telling me this for years but it took Kopari to convince me I could sweat with coconut confidence.  This 100% plant based deodorant is paradise for the pits. The non-toxic, aluminum, silicone and parabens-free deodorant works with your body's natural functions to aid in odour control. Made with a nourishing blend of coconut water, coconut oil and sage oil, it also acts as skincare for your underarms. So go ahead, sweat with no regret.

Coconut Deodorant, $14, koparibeauty.com

Meera Solanki Estrada is a Toronto-based beauty, fashion & lifestyle writer and editor. She is also a pop culture radio show host and producer with an unhealthy love for caffeine, carbs and all things pink. Follow her on instagram at @meera.estrada.