Trying to find clean beauty products that not only have good ingredients, but also work well can be a challenge. Over the years, I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error to find products that really make a difference when it comes to the quality of my skin and hair, and while some have inevitably been fails, I have found some mainstay favorites that I truly can’t live without. From makeup to hair care to lip masks, this is The Glow Files’ winter guide to must-have clean beauty products.

Tower 28 SOS Spray

$28

This product actually has a cult following, and honestly it’s for a good reason. This spray is a mix of hypochlorous acid and salt water and it’s amazing at reducing redness and irritation while preventing the growth of acne-causing bacteria. I started using this product over a year ago, and my skin has been so much more calm and clear since. I will never be without this spray, and it’s the perfect way to dampen skin before using any serums or oils to really lock in moisture. You can order this spray online through Tower 28, Sephora, and Credo Beauty.

Evan Healy Chilean Wild Rosehip Seed Oil

$40

Not only is this oil pure and certified organic, but it is wild-harvested in Chile. Rosehip seed oil is the perfect skincare oil because it’s noncomedogenic, so it’s unlikely to clog pores, and it’s high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It is also high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, so it can act as a more natural and gentle alternative to retinols and other serums if your skin is more sensitive. Rosehip seed oil is known specifically for helping with scarring, hyperpigmentation, hydration, and overall skin quality. I started using this oil because my skin was getting extra dry and dehydrated this winter, so I needed an extra layer of hydration to layer over my moisturizer. This oil has made a huge difference on my chest area where I was noticing some fine lines and broken capillaries forming from previous sun damage, so I would definitely recommend. You can find this product on the Evan Healy website, and also on Erewhon.com.

Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment 

$44

I live by the beach so it’s no surprise that an anti-frizz treatment is an absolute necessity for me. My hair is so prone to frizz whenever there is even slight humidity in the air, and this product has saved me so much from flat, frizzy, lifeless hair. I put a couple pumps of this treatment through my hair from root to tip when my hair is wet and right out of the shower before I blow it dry and style it. Not only does it smell so fresh and herbal, but it really moisturizes and smooths my hair so well without weighing it down and making it greasy. You can order this product through the Reverie website, Sephora, or The Detox Market.

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara 

$28

This is hands-down the best mascara I have ever used. I was a big Benefit Bad Gal Lash girl back in the day, and then I switched to Loreal Telescopic, and then I used the Tarte Maneater mascara for awhile. All of those mascaras not only had toxic ingredients, but they always transferred onto my eyelid and lower lash line throughout the day. By the end of the day I would look like a literal raccoon with mascara marks all over the skin around my eyes. I have skin that is on the oilier side, so I’m sure that’s partially to blame, but I also set my eyelids and under-eyes with powder really well to counteract this, so it became frustrating to say the least. I don’t know what magic is in this mascara, but it never, ever transfers even after 12+ hours of wear, and I could not be happier. The application is great and the length and volume it gives really is comparable to Loreal Telescopic but with way cleaner ingredients. You can find this mascara online on the Ilia website, Sephora.com, and Credobeauty.com.

Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant 

$35

When I tell you this product has transformed my skin, I am not exaggerating. I was struggling with some texture, graininess, and clogged pores especially on my cheeks, and this toner smoothed everything out within a week or so. I use it every night after I double cleanse, and I will say it can make my skin feel a little tight and dry afterward, so moisturizing really well and using SPF the next day is important, but I love this product. There are tons of rave reviews for this toner online, and so many people swear by this, and I finally understand why. I have used other 2% salicylic acid toners, and they just don’t do anything close to what this one does. You can order this one directly from the Paula’s Choice website and through Sephora. 

Alpyn Beauty Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask 

$28

This lip mask has saved me from dry, crusty lips this winter, and I will for sure be continuing to use it into the spring. It really does have a subtle plumping effect since it’s so moisturizing and really smooths out any lines and dryness on your lips. It is pretty thick and sticky so it stays on well, and it has a really glossy finish that I love. I wear this product in place of a gloss on a daily basis, and just apply it over my lip liner for a shiny, moisturized finish. It is pink, not clear, so it does have a little hint of color upon application. You can find this lip mask on the Alpyn Beauty website, and through Credo Beauty and Blue Mercury.

MV Skintherapy Rose Soothing & Protective Moisturizer 

$114

This moisturizer is another product that has a big cult following and is totally worth the hype and price point. MV Skintherapy is an Australian-based skincare brand that was founded in the ‘90s, and focuses on organic and therapeutic-grade ingredients. I started using this moisturizer in a sample size, and right away I knew I had to buy the full-size. It is one of the only moisturizers that I’ve tried that hasn’t broken my acne-prone skin out, and hasn’t irritated it or caused any redness. It is so moisturizing, calming, and has helped heal and repair my skin’s moisture barrier from years of damage and overuse of chemical actives. It really sinks right into the skin and doesn’t leave a greasy film on top, and goes really well under makeup. I hope this brand never stops making this product, because I would be seriously lost. You can order this product directly from the MV Skintherapy website, or from The Detox Market. 

It has been a long and rainy winter, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ready for spring to come already. Thankfully my current clean beauty favorites have kept my hair, skin, and lips moisturized during the colder months, and I have them to thank for making it through this winter. If you’re looking for some new clean products to try out that really work and are perfect for keeping skin and strands properly hydrated during the cold and dry winter season, then look no further. Hope you enjoy! 

Xx, 

The Glow Files.