Molly’s Favorite Cruelty-Free, Clean Skincare Products & Routine

I get asked about my cruelty-free, clean skincare routine all the time, so here it is in all its glory. These are the tried-and-true products I use daily. It took me many years to find products that work for my skin and align with my values.

I have a skin condition called perioral dermatitis (PD) that can cause a horrible combination of painful, itchy acne and eczema on my face. I’m able to manage the condition so it’s not visible in part because of the products I use in my skincare routine. I need super gentle products without perfumes or synthetic ingredients that aren’t too oily. I will be 45 this year, and although I can’t use oily products, my skin needs a bit more hydration than it used to, so it’s a balancing act to find just the right products. I won’t buy anything containing chemicals, animal products, or that’s been tested on animals, and I also like to support small businesses (bonus points if they are women-owned!). Plus, I don’t want to spend my entire paycheck on a jar of face cream.

After many years, here are the skincare products I’ve landed on. I’ve been using these products for four years, and my skin is happy. I’m sharing these clean skincare products with you only because I love them, but some links will earn Clean Food Dirty Girl a drop of commission if you buy from them. Win-win!

My morning skincare routine

I start my day by cleansing with Osmia Purely Gentle Mud Cleanser. This creamy, mineral-rich formula gently removes any oil or impurities without stripping my skin. It feels so good and leaves my face soft and balanced. One time, I was getting a facial, and my esthetician told me that what you cleanse your skin with is just as important as what you moisturize it with. She said to never cleanse your skin with anything that leaves your face feeling dry. Your cleanser should always leave your face feeling hydrated and soft. That way, your moisturizer doesn’t have to work overtime. Osmia’s Mud Cleanser leaves my skin feeling soft and supple. 

Where to buy: Osmia Skincare is an incredible company based in Carbondale, Colorado. The owner, Sarah, is an ER doctor who left medicine to make soap. She embraces her greying hair and is an all-around badass. You can order directly from her website or via Amazon. Here is the link to the Osmia Purely Gentle Mud Cleanser.

Next up, I apply a few drops of Ursa Major Mountain Glow Golden Serum. This serum is packed with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients that give my skin a natural glow. It absorbs quickly and layers well under moisturizer. I went most of my life without using a serum, but as soon as I tried this, I was hooked. Some serums are literally hundreds of dollars, HUNDREDS! This one is not cheap, but it lasts a long time and definitely isn’t multiple hundreds.  

For hydration, I use Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream. It’s rich but not heavy, keeping my skin feeling soft all day long. I felt like I found a hidden gem when I found this cream. Because of my skin condition, I can’t use anything too oily, but I need extra moisture because of the type of skin I have and my age. This moisturizer gives me lots of moisture without leaving my skin greasy. I looked for years to find that balance, and I finally found it with this. 

Where to buy: I order Ursa Major products directly from their website. If you order from this referral link, you’ll save $20 off a $70 purchase, and I’ll get a $20 credit.*

Of course, daily sunscreen is non-negotiable. Good facial sunscreen is hard to find. I’ve tried so many and lots either suck or are almost really good but with one big drawback. My main complaint with mineral sunscreen is that most of them turn your face white. Even if the packaging says it won’t. I felt like I hit the jackpot when I tried Thrive Causemetics Daily Defender Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50. It blends in easily, doesn’t leave traces of white, isn’t too oily and doesn’t dry out my skin. I put this on right after my moisturizer and re-apply a couple times a day when I go outside. My skin feels nice and protected with this sunscreen and it’s super rich and creamy. I hope they never stop making it! And yes, I still ROCK a huge sunhat when I’m out.

Where to buy: Thrive Causemetics is where I order Daily Defender™ Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 from. If you order from this referral link, we both get a $15 credit so we can keep getting our glow on together.* 

I do use an eye cream, but I don’t have one I swear by. I enjoy Dr. Hauschka’s Daily Hydrating Eye Cream, but I usually just grab whatever is on sale in the health and beauty section of my local health food store. I never know if eye cream really works, or if I need it, or if I can just use a little of my moisturizer. I know the skin under the eyes is thinner and more delicate, so I guess it needs a special cream. I don’t know. I do it just in case, but I’m not loyal to one brand. I just buy whatever doesn’t have crap chemicals in it. 

Where to buy: Dr. Hauschka Daily Hydrating Eye Cream

Lastly, I swipe on Ursa Major Going Places Lip Balm. It’s ultra-hydrating and keeps my lips soft and smooth without feeling sticky. The packaging is a little annoying because it’s cardboard / paper, and sometimes it’s hard to put the lid back on after a month or so, but I like it because it’s not plastic, and I try to buy as little plastic as possible, so I can live with the annoyance. 🙂 

Where to buy: I order Ursa Major products directly from their website. If you order from this referral link, you’ll save $20 off a $70 purchase, and I’ll get a $20 credit.*

My evening skincare routine

First, I rinse the day off with Osmia Black Clay Facial Soap. This is the soap that really helped clear up my perioral dermatitis. It’s not as moisturizing as the Mud Cleaner I use in the morning, but I have a special place in my heart for this soap because it helped my inflamed, painful, broken-out, itchy skin all those years ago. I shower at night, so I wash my face in the shower. It suds up a little and feels nice and clean when I rinse it off. 

Where to buy: Osmia Skincare Black Clay Facial Soap

For moisture, I use Osmia Restore Natural Facial Serum. This lightweight oil blend hydrates deeply and helps keep my skin happy and calm. I was nervous to use it because when you have PD you’re supposed to stay away from face oils, but Osmia knows about PD. Their website said that as long as you don’t have an active breakout, then this is safe and good to use. Once my face didn’t have any visible signs of PD, I gave it a try and it worked well. I won’t use any other face oils on my skin. 

Where to buy: Osmia Skincare Osmia Restore Natural Facial Serum

I follow up with a small amount of Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream to lock in hydration.

Where to buy: I order Ursa Major products directly from their website. If you order from this referral link, you’ll save $20 off a $70 purchase, and I’ll get a $20 credit. *Offer valid for first-time customers only.

Body care

I love the New Mexico-based company Super Salve. They’ve been around since the early ‘90s, and I really trust their products and ingredients. I met the owner a few times, and she was always really nice and super passionate about her company and clean skin care. My all-time favorite body lotion is their Nourishing Calendula Flower Hand and Body Lotion. It’s rich and luxurious and smells amazing. Their Mimosa Blossom Dream Cream is also dreamy. I like supporting them because their products are awesome, they use nothing but good quality ingredients, they’re a small family-owned business, and their products are fairly priced. Plus, all their products are manufactured, packaged, and shipped directly from their factory in New Mexico (shout out to my home state!).

Where to buy: Head to the Super Salve website and pick up the Nourishing Calendula Flower Hand and Body Lotion and Mimosa Blossom Dream Cream.

Oral care 

One of the recommendations when you have PD is to avoid fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). My dentist wasn’t thrilled with this news, but I was determined to prevent PD breakouts. A friend of mine, who also couldn’t use fluoride, told me about BOKA oral care. I checked it out and placed an order. It doesn’t have fluoride, parabens, fillers, or artificial colors or flavors. They use something called nano-hydroxyapatite, which apparently remineralizes the teeth. I asked my dentist about it, and he and his assistant told me they had heard good things about it and it was a good choice if I wasn’t going to use fluoride toothpaste. 

I have been using BOKA’s toothpaste and floss ever since. The flavor is minty fresh, and it always leaves my mouth feeling super clean. 

Where to buy: I order directly from BOKA and use their Ela Mint n-Ha Toothpaste and Ela Mint Floss.

That’s my morning and evening skincare routine that keeps my skin happy! If you try any of these, tell me about it in the comments below. I would also love for you to share your favorite cruelty-free, clean skincare products! 

Xo
Molly

Why eating plant-based matters for your skin

Great skincare isn’t just about what you apply to your skin—it’s also about what you put into your body. Eating a plant-based diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and hydrating foods can make a huge difference in your skin’s health. If you want to glow from the inside out, start with what you’re putting inside your body. Our whole-food plant-based Meal Plan Club makes it easy to fuel your body with the nutrients it needs for a healthy, radiant complexion.