Clean Beauty

Want Clean Beauty ? To do good to your skin while respecting the environment? To change your routine to make it greener? To be confident when buying your cosmetic products?

Here is a selection of must-see stores, many in Paris, but not only.

Oh my cream!

A pioneer, this alternative beauty concept store paved the way by discovering very early on (as early as 2013) gem brands around the world, with responsible, clean and cutting-edge offerings. An expert in skincare, Oh My Cream has since developed its own brand of facial care. It also offers body care, hair care and makeup.

Their brand selection charter is established based on the criteria of "effectiveness, safety, and eco-responsibility", and advocates absolute transparency. It analyzes the composition of the products as a whole and exclusively chooses committed brands. Their vision is not Manichean, by not limiting itself only to a list of controversial ingredients to exclude. Today, 12 stores in Paris, and 8 in the provinces (Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes, Marseille, Nantes) provide serious advice with a real educational approach to educate customers about these new paradigms.

We really like their philosophy, their commitment to the quality of the advice given, the clarity of their pretty white boutiques, and their careful selection of alternative brands.

Monoprix

The brand offers a selection of committed brands, more respectful of the environment in terms of formulation and packaging criteria. Natural, organic, clean, vegan brands, there is something for all requirements. Skincare, but also makeup, an area in which Monoprix has always been in a strong position. The Monop' Beauty on rue des Abbesses in Montmartre (Paris) is a good example, followed by those in Beaugrenelle, St Cloud and Pelleport in the 20th. A beauty offer placed under the sign of naturalness and clean, Monoprix having also launched its own brand of organic makeup.

We love Monop, its clean approach, its diversity of choice, the clarity of its shelves, and its affordable prices.

The Samaritan Woman

The new Beauty space at La Samaritaine (which reopened in June) is the second largest in Europe, after Harrods in London. 3,400 m2 dedicated, with major international brands on the Seine side, and organic/clean brands on the Rivoli side. Entirely dedicated to responsible beauty, Beauté Pure clearly plays the clean, green, and natural card with a selection of more than 40 brands. A team of 130 people guides you in your choices. If you have a little time in front of you, stop by the Studio de Beauté Samaritaine (165 m2) which provides clean treatments, such as colors or manicures.

What we like? The beauty of the place (breathtaking), the wealth of choice of brands and the quality of advice.

The Good Market

The famous Left Bank department store " Le Bon Marché " has opened a new space dedicated to alternative beauty, the Loft de la Beauté: 300m2 with the look of a New York loft. Located on the 1st floor in the heart of the Fashion area, Le Loft brings together confidential and cutting-edge skincare brands, giving pride of place to organic, clean, and/or natural beauty.

All segments are represented (face, body and hair care) but also accessories (konjac sponges, skin jewelry, etc.) and food supplements.

At the heart of Women's Fashion, still on the 1st floor, L'Atelier Maquillage is exclusively dedicated to Make-Up. It highlights expert brands (Laura Mercier, Nars, Bobbi Brown, etc.) but also organic, clean and eco-responsible brands, with two beautiful locations currently dedicated to La Bouche Rouge (refillable lipsticks with leather case + clean formulas) and Kure Bazaar (refillable vegan lipsticks).

What we like? Discovering all these new products that give you the feeling of being introduced in advance, whether it's the Clean Care or Makeup offer.

Galeries Lafayette

The Beauty Lab on the ground floor of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is a space dedicated to organic, clean, natural and holistic brands with 3 axes represented: care, hair, and perfumes. A selection of more than 60 brands, 70% of which meet the Go for Good criteria (products better for the person and the environment). The majority of products are free of controversial substances, with ingredients of natural, organic, or vegan origin, recycled/recyclable packaging, and some brands support societal causes.

The Beauty Corner at Galeries Lafayette Champs Elysées offers an ultra-sharp (and sometimes even exclusive) selection of clean, green and eco-responsible brands. You'll find best-sellers there as well as young French gems.

What we like? Their resolutely ecological approach, but also the eclecticism of their selection and the modernity of their spaces.

Spring

Printemps Beauté Haussmann has reserved its entire basement for clean beauty, the Green Market. Here you can find the pioneering brands of the genre as well as all the new ones, offering formulas that are more than 99% natural, as well as an Experience Bar and an aromatherapy concept.

We love wandering around this clean space and trying everything!

Sephora

Sephora references Clean brands, available in stores and online, such as REN, Seasonly, Garancia, etc. Products that are typically found at Oh my Cream!

Sephora also offers a selection of “Good for” products, classified into 3 categories, with labeled tags:

• Good for you: a composition of more than 90% natural ingredients and without controversial components
• Good for a better planet: based on the ecological impact of the product
• Good for vegan: without ingredients of animal origin.

Sephora also collects skincare products, makeup and perfume bottles for recycling: Good for recycling.

What we like? Their visible and practical labeling principle. But we would have preferred not to have to choose between priorities, and to find a Good for You + Good for a better planet label. As well as a category dedicated to Clean brands.

And also the BHV Marais

BHV 's new Beauté Originelle space includes more than 30 virtuous and committed skincare and makeup brands. We no longer go there just to tinker.

Toothpaste is not really the first product that we replace in our Clean beauty routine since it is a hygiene product. But once we are introduced to the benefits of clean formulas for face and body care, we inevitably ask ourselves the question. Especially when we discover that toothpaste tubes are among the most polluting packaging ! Fortunately, changing habits has never been easier with solid, organic, refillable and/or natural clean toothpastes. We help you choose!

The toothpaste tube? Not clean at all

Toothpaste is like all other hygiene/beauty products. To know if it is clean or not, you have to look at its formula , its ingredients , the way it is produced, without forgetting the packaging. The latter is - with plastic toothbrushes - a real environmental disaster. Indeed, in aluminum-lined plastic, the toothpaste tube cannot be recycled because these two films of different materials are not separable. Too bad also for the cap which will probably end up incinerated or buried. First thing therefore, stop the classic tubes in favor of 100% recyclable plastic tubes that the big brands are developing today. Some (like Elgydium) offer recyclable pouches like refills, instead of the tube. But there remains the problem of plastic. So even better: go zero waste with clean formulas AND solid or refillable presentations.

Clean toothpaste, we examine the formula

The formula is all the more important since it is in direct contact with the mucous membrane of the mouth, on average twice a day. It can be natural or organic, to avoid the use of ingredients that are controversial for health, as well as for the planet: for example hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-12, PEG-32 and PEG-6, polymers that are not very biodegradable, poloxamer 407, a plastic, polyvinylpyrrolidone or "PVP", widely used in many makeup or hair products for its properties on textures. The famous sodium laureth (or lauryl) sulfate, a potentially irritating surfactant, which has no other purpose than to make foam and which is obtained by a process that is harmful to the environment. Finally, to be banned, the nasty titanium dioxide considered controversial or even risky.

To be clean, toothpaste formulas must therefore favor biodegradable natural ingredients: vegetable oils , essential oils, aloe vera juice, xanthan gum, charcoal, clay or kaolin. Choosing a formula labeled organic ensures a clean composition, on the other hand, devoid of fluoride and which risks having a… surprising taste.

Clean, organic toothpastes but in a tube

There are now excellent organic toothpastes (Cattier, Coslys, Lavera, Weleda, Avril), with different flavors ranging from cinnamon, to lemon or orange, or even mandarin-calendula at Cosmonaturel. Special mention for the clean brand Lebon and its delicious flavors (pineapple, orange blossom and rose, licorice) which offers aluminum tubes and has a partnership with Terracycle for the recovery of those that are made of plastic. Because the problem with organic or natural toothpastes is that if the formula is clean, there is always the plastic tube... certainly recyclable most of the time, but today, can we consider a product as clean if the formula is but the pack is made of plastic, especially if there are zero waste alternatives? You still have to remember to put the finished tube in the recycling bin and not in the bathroom bin. It is still better than classic toothpastes. Some organic toothpaste tubes are made of aluminum at Aesop, Love Beauty and Planet, or even "Le Tube": in recyclable aluminum, it is possible to keep the cap and simply order the tube again, which solves the problem of plastic, but not that of the ecological footprint of the manufacturing of aluminum... unless the aluminum comes from recycled aluminum (100% PCR).

Solid toothpastes

Solid toothpastes work by rubbing the wet brush on a disc that looks like a soap. Most of them (Pachamamaï for example) come in small, portable aluminum boxes that screw on. No plastic, therefore, but aluminum whose production is not ecologically neutral. Other solid toothpastes are simple discs or sticks sold in a cardboard box, without a support (Jolie Bouche, Bélice: that's real zero waste). You just have to recycle a small aluminum box to store or transport it. There are also powder versions (at Comme Avant) or chewable versions like at Paos or Lush, the famous English brand that pioneered solid cosmetics. At Lamazuna, on the other hand, they are in sachets, and at Respire in an aluminum box with refills in paper sachets. Some solid toothpastes that were offered on a wooden stick, like a lollipop, have been abandoned due to lack of practicality and hygiene.

Refillable toothpastes in pump bottles

These new generation toothpastes are natural at Refyld, organic for those from Biocoop, Coslys or the pretty ones from What Matters (made in France and which helped to democratize this format). They reinvent the gesture of toothpaste by offering it in a pump bottle, in glass, like liquid hand soap. But how had no one thought of it before? So practical (one hand holds the toothbrush, the other supports, no cap that falls out…), and ecological since it is refillable. Of course the refills are plastic bags, but light in material. Such a saving in waste compared to the classic tube. This presentation, which is multiplying, is gaining more and more followers. Finally, Solid for You combines the solid aspect - since it must first be diluted to reconstitute a paste - with the refillable dimension since it allows you to refill its bottle. These refillable toothpaste innovations in pump bottles are clean, smart, sustainable and joyful, good for us and for the planet.

© What Matters

Clean toothpaste is therefore a real subject, and if everyone boycotted classic plastic tubes, the planet would be relieved of tons of waste. This eco-revolution concerning toothbrushing (with a bamboo brush of course) stimulates innovation and leads to efforts on the part of each brand. Thus, everyone will find the solution that suits them according to their commitments: zero plastic, zero waste, organic, to no longer mechanically buy their toothpaste.

So thank you to all these clean toothpastes for this new gesture combining respect for the planet and oral health with sometimes the discovery of new flavors!

If the skin undergoes changes during its renewal cycle (21 to 28 days), it is also necessary to take into account the upheavals linked to the menstrual cycle when you are a woman. How to act on the skincare side? We explain everything to you.

Climatic variations, stress, lack of sleep, changes in diet… Everything that the skin experiences on a daily basis has a real influence, and an adapted skincare routine is essential. As for women of menstruating age, another phenomenon comes to disrupt the well-being of the skin: premenstrual syndrome, which often does not do any favors, neither to the epidermis, nor to the body as a whole. Judge for yourself: hormonal acne (mainly located on the lower part of the face: chin and mandibles, but also neck, décolleté and back), excess sebum leaving the skin oily, swollen stomach, heavy legs, mood swings and the skin, too, is modified…

Premenstrual syndrome and skin

From a physiological point of view, this phenomenon that precedes menstruation disrupts the daily lives of menstruating women until their menopause. Estrogen levels increase while progesterone levels drop. Depending on the person, the symptoms can be more or less intense and can begin two to ten days before ovulation, or even at the same time. The hormonal imbalance promotes water retention, especially in the lower body, but sometimes also in the face (some women find themselves bloated). Finally, the hormonal drop is a source of inflammation that also impacts the quality of the intestinal flora, which has the indirect consequence of disrupting skin well-being. As a result, we often see excess sebum and the appearance of imperfections at the time of menstruation.

What beauty routine to “tame” your premenstrual syndrome?

To best protect your skin from the harmful effects of premenstrual syndrome, you should adapt your skincare habits around 10 days before your period. From this period onwards, especially if you notice that your skin tends to become oilier, use a cleanser or purifying lotion to disinfect the skin and eliminate bacteria that could be causing blemishes. If you see a pimple appearing, rather than making the problem worse by picking at it, act quickly and without mercy: a specific drying patch to leave on overnight, an anti-spot clay stick, a cleansing mask, etc. Choose the option that suits you best to quickly dry out the blemish until it disappears. Once or twice a week, you can also gently exfoliate your skin, followed by a purifying mask. Unless you opt for a daily lotion based on AHAs (exfoliating fruit acids that are particularly effective in gently removing dead skin, and thus reducing the formation of blackheads).

Finally, keep in mind that all your care – for the face as well as for the body – should preferably be done with lukewarm rather than hot water and gentle cleansers without soap, so as not to be too aggressive on the skin. Indeed, heat and irritating active ingredients such as sulfates can attack the hydrolipidic film of the epidermis and this would only aggravate the inflammation.

PMS and beautiful skin: these little extras that can help you

While adopting a specific skincare routine can really change the well-being of your skin during your menstrual cycle, there are other things you can do. For example, we know that a healthy, balanced diet can also improve things.

During periods and the days leading up to them, the body tends to store water and fat more easily. Also, to limit the formation of cellulite, it is better to reduce as much as possible the addition of salt in your dishes, but also the consumption of carbonated drinks. On the contrary, favor ingredients rich in fiber and oily fish (salmon, sardines, etc.) for optimal transit. To limit the inflammatory phenomenon linked to periods and caused by the hormonal drop, limit as much as possible dairy products, processed dishes and sugars of industrial origin.

In terms of supplementation, you can consider boosting your skin's well-being with a cure of evening primrose with an "estrogen-like" effect. It will have the benefit of providing a good dose of nutrition and radiance, always good to take.

The world of beauty is innovating and becoming more and more committed to the environment. Today, any brand wishing to be part of the "clean beauty" category must be aligned from the start of production to the end of the product life with responsible packaging, with minimal impact. Materials must be recycled AND recyclable, and from this point of view glass and aluminum have considerable environmental advantages over plastic. A quick overview of clean beauty generation packaging.

Ecological packaging: less plastic!

Beauty product packaging is still not recycled enough today because it is too small or made up of several materials that cannot be separated. Beauty brands must question themselves and innovate to find new containers. The first objective: use less plastic by lightening the packs, by giving up over-packaging or by changing the material. Then, if there is plastic, it must be recycled AND recyclable in order to minimize the use of primary plastic as much as possible. Indeed, plastic is made from petroleum by-products: its energy-intensive manufacturing pollutes, but above all, plastic is proliferating in nature and negatively impacts all ecosystems. Plastic is the scourge of the environment, so it is urgent to do without it as much as possible. Some products are now sold "naked" like cut soaps for example, or in cardboard boxes, especially for so-called zero waste beauty, including shampoos and solid care products. Others choose 100% PCR for “Post Consumer Recycled”, i.e. a material recycled after consumer use, which can be the case for plastic, glass or aluminum.

Aluminum, plastic, glass and life cycles

No material is perfect from an environmental point of view, and there is no such thing as a zero footprint. But each material has advantages and disadvantages. To make its choice, a brand will study the impact of the packaging throughout its life cycle, i.e. from its design to its destruction after use. From this point of view, all emit CO2 during their production, which is difficult to quantify. On the other hand, in terms of transport, we know that glass is very heavy, and therefore more polluting than aluminum, which is very light. In addition, aluminum does not break if it falls on the bathroom tiles: it naturally finds its place on the edge of the bathtub. Plastic, for its part, has many advantages during the use of the product, but a very negative impact upstream (chemical production), and downstream (polluting incineration, fragmentation in nature, residual microplastics, etc.). The ideal for a product range is therefore to vary the materials to best adapt them to the product, and to its use by finding compromises to be as virtuous as possible.

Aluminum, defects and qualities

Faced with the necessary changes to be made to their industry, clean beauty brands were the first to (re)discover the benefits of aluminum: it does not break, it is hygienic, it is opaque which is useful for preserving formulas, it is light, but above all it is infinitely recyclable! In addition, it can be made into refillable cans. Aluminum makes it possible to create almost single-material packaging with easy recycling by unscrewing the pump from a bottle for example. This almost absolute recyclability is a huge advantage that compensates for its disadvantages. Where glass is greedy in water and sand to be manufactured, where plastic requires chemical resources, toxic adjuvants and oil, the production of aluminum requires the extraction of minerals including bauxite in mines that degrade the surrounding ecosystems, and results from highly polluting chemical manufacturing processes. Non-biodegradable like plastic, it becomes interesting when it is recycled since its defects mainly come from its production. Thus, infinitely recyclable identically, aluminum becomes the most suitable material for clean beauty, making it possible to do without plastic for bottles but also cream tubes.

100% PCR Aluminum, the sustainable choice

Unlike plastic, which loses its properties (flexibility, transparency, resistance, etc.) over the course of recycling and requires the addition of virgin plastic, "Post Consumer Recycled" aluminum can be recycled infinitely, making it a sustainable material. However, be careful not to confuse it with "polyfoil" aluminum, which can make up certain very flexible tubes thanks to the accumulation of various layers, sometimes including plastic. Indeed, polyfoil (multilayer in French) is in no way recyclable since the different materials are inseparable, which can even constitute a certain greenwashing by suggesting that it is clean packaging. Conversely, a pack can be made of 100% recycled aluminum, its use not altering any of its properties. But what makes recycled aluminum truly clean is its recycling, which requires very few resources compared to its initial manufacturing process. Most of the aluminum manufactured in the past is still in circulation today, which makes PCR aluminum the most sustainable material possible and the most suited to the values ​​of clean beauty. Discover the Baume Métamorphose and the Eau de Nacre Isotonique NACRE ECLAT, or the Huile Lavante Relipidante and the Soin Emollient Kerato-réducteur XERO NACRE: all these BLUE SKINCARE treatments are packaged in 100% PCR aluminum tubes or bottles.

In the land of packaging, nothing is perfect, but as brands seek to meet the ecological demands of better-informed consumers, solutions are emerging. And amidst all the improvements and innovations, recycled aluminum is a top performer with a very good average over its entire life cycle. And that's good, because aluminum tubes with an old-fashioned or minimalist look, and pretty refillable aluminum bottles are very trendy in the bathroom!

Do you dream of glowing skin? It's true that a luminous complexion can change everything. But beyond cosmetics, adopting a healthy and simple lifestyle is already more than half the job done. Follow the guide!

When asked "what would be your main concern for the face?", the majority of us answer: more radiant skin with an even complexion. An evolution that speaks volumes about the new vision of beauty, after the hunt for wrinkles which has long been a tough fight.

Today, we know that a radiant complexion is one of the keys to self-confidence. It reflects the image of a healthy, well-being, fit person who takes care of themselves. Qualities perceived as strengths, both personally and professionally. In short, it is in our best interest to take care of our complexion, especially since looking our best, pleasing ourselves, is also and above all the key to pleasing others and radiating happiness.

Here is the special healthy living program, to be followed by everyone from a young age, since we now know that skin and body aging begins before the age of 25. So take care of yourself now.

Being happy is good for morale (but not only)

Happiness and optimism are ideal for making us want to move forward, to undertake... Very often, this can be seen on the face because this process relaxes the features. To be happy and therefore feel good about yourself, we celebrate the small and big joys and we congratulate ourselves on all the victories. Finally, we focus on balance. As the philosopher Fabrice Midal says in his eponymous book, "leave yourself alone!" Are you dreaming of a raclette with your family? It's the opportunity to get together, sharing an excellent moment. The detox will wait until tomorrow! Do you want an evening with girlfriends? Cocktails and glasses of champagne - to be drunk in moderation - will be part of the party and it's all the better if it allows you to relax. Do you only want one thing: to spend the weekend chaining naps and Netflix series on your sofa? What if for once, you listened to your body, which tells you that it wants to slow down a little. It will be time to get back into the routine on Monday morning.

Sleep is essential!

Time spent sleeping is never a waste of time. While the mind takes advantage of rest to clear its mind and find new inspiration, the body is working to regenerate and combat the harmful oxidative effects of external aggressions. On average, the body needs 7 to 8 hours to be in good shape, but the most important thing is to listen to it and give it the time it needs. Going to bed at a regular time (the body likes habits) and preferably before 11 p.m., remains the most important thing to enjoy truly restorative sleep cycles.

Making Hydration a Religion

To boost your skin's radiance, you need to drink, at a rate of 2L per day. But not just anything: water and herbal tea are welcome, tea, especially green tea, can be of interest. On the other hand, sugary and/or alcoholic drinks have no nutritional interest and will even be counterproductive for skin radiance.

While internal hydration is crucial, topical hydration with a moisturizer is also essential to keep skin supple and hydrated.

Eat the right foods

A balanced diet has more than one health benefit. Of course, it helps keep the body healthy and at a healthy weight in line with its body shape. But consuming the right ingredients is also the key to a radiant complexion. Vitamins A, C and E are the ones that best protect skin cells, by counteracting attacks from free radicals, which are the cause of pigment spots and other signs of aging (wrinkles, dehydration, etc.). Omega fatty acids rebuild the epidermal barrier: this prevents insensible water loss. Legumes are ideal for maintaining the elasticity of the skin and delaying its sagging.

Move regularly

Finding your sport and practicing it as often as possible is the guarantee of clearing your mind. Goodbye tension, daily stress, we forget everything. But moving is also an opportunity to activate the circulation of blood and lymphatic flow, to sweat, and thus eliminate toxins whose presence is superfluous for the body. The key is a clearer and brighter complexion. The best? Alternate with moments dedicated to mental relaxation (meditation, yoga, etc.) to free yourself from mental tension, the best anti-dullness tip!

Adopt the right skincare routine

For perfect skin radiance, good habits should be adopted every day. Makeup removal and cleansing are the keys to skin that remains healthy, supple and soft. But skincare is also important. The key active ingredients? Emollient ingredients to boost skin hydration (hyaluronic acid), as well as active ingredients with keratolytic properties (lactic acid) that boost skin renewal and refine skin texture.

Treat yourself to THE right course of food supplements

Some skin types, especially the most fragile, need a nutritional boost when the cold or the sun has weakened them or when hormonal balances are disrupted (puberty, pregnancy or menopause). To favor: vitamin C, zinc, hyaluronic acid to complement the action of beauty treatments, without forgetting pre and probiotics to ensure the balance of the intestinal microbiota, a fundamental element for the luminosity of the skin.

Given the ecological challenges, it is essential to change our habits and on the beauty side, adopting a clean routine is the best thing for the planet, but also for the skin. All winter, the skin has been asking for more hydration and protection, with richer textures and gentler cleansing. If spring is a long time coming, you must continue to pamper your skin, and help it to get a new skin with regenerating treatments that have proven their effectiveness in boosting cell renewal. The radiance will then, sooner or later, be there.

Rich and gentle skin cleansing

When temperatures are still low, the ideal is to try to do without water for cleansing your face because the limestone it contains tends to aggravate dry skin. To cleanse deeply, remove all traces of makeup while making your skin supple and respecting its protective film, you should opt for rich and melting textures, such as makeup remover oils or balms like Blue Skincare's Baume Métamorphose Nacre Éclat . Beyond a clean composition, this formula allows you to do without cotton, the production of which, very water-intensive, generates a lot of pollution. Massaging it with your fingertips is an ecological gesture for the planet and for your skin: it avoids daily single-use cotton pads and friction on skin that is often already irritated in winter. Normally this balm is rinsed with water, but in winter it can be removed with a cloth.

A spray of goodness

To refresh without drying out, at any time of the day, but also and especially before applying a treatment to prepare the skin to receive its active ingredients, here is a cosmetic treatment without any controversial molecules. Eau de Nacre Isotonique is a beauty UFO to discover urgently which contains the right number of components, all bioavailable. By participating in the inter-cellular communication of the epidermis, its formula enriched with mineral salts and trace elements balances the PH of the skin, and its concentrated extract of precious mother-of-pearl promotes skin regeneration. A real spray treatment also enriched with pre and postbiotics which strengthen the skin barrier by supporting the microbiota, for a "healthy skin" effect over time. For those in a hurry, this super clean treatment water can replace the serum or be used occasionally when the skin is tired, or even in the evening only: it is the Swiss army knife of the Nacre Éclat range.

Regenerate with New Skin Serum

Serum is THE product to add to your beauty routine when Spring arrives, if you don't use it all year round. A serum is a concentrate that penetrates quickly and deeply into the epidermis, a booster for the skin. But beware of chemical formulas that are too intense and can irritate. Like all products in the Nacre Éclat range, the Peau Neuve Serum has been formulated for all skin types, even the most sensitive, with a maximum of ingredients of natural origin. It rehydrates the epidermis thanks to hyaluronic acid (an active ingredient naturally present in the skin), of high and low molecular weight, i.e. two different sizes, which plump the skin at two different levels. The skin is immediately smoothed and lastingly hydrated. Lactic acid and niacinamide boost cell renewal and revive radiance, making it an ideal treatment when the skin is dull and tired. In addition, its concentration of natural mother-of-pearl promotes the regeneration and strengthening of the skin. Indeed, the dual organic and mineral component of mother-of-pearl, a “brick and cement” structure, similar to the horny layer, gives it a very high (re)structuring power through biomimicry.

Hydrate and protect with the Regenerating Moisturizing Cream

Of course, when faced with external aggressions, the skin needs protection. So to the serum that would be the food, we add a cream that is the skin's coat... or even a real shield! The Regenerating Moisturizing Cream quenches thirsty skin for 48 hours but above all, helps it fight against oxidative stress thanks to an anti-radical and antioxidant Mediterranean brown algae. But what really gives it its barrier function is the NACR-45® active ingredient that strengthens the epidermis on the surface and in depth, and helps the cells to come together so that the cold, wind, and dryness cannot create a breach. This active ingredient is perfectly clean in that it is up-cycled: from the shell of "Pinctada Maxima" oysters. First used for their pearls, the mother-of-pearl shells are recovered for the manufacture of this gifted and natural active ingredient. Thanks to it, the hydrolipidic film is preserved and the skin is strengthened by the entire formula also enriched with pre and postbiotics which intensify the skin's defense mechanisms and boost its natural protection processes.

Strengthen with the Skin Perfecting Food Supplement

Finally, who says routine, also says good eating habits: hydration starts with the water we drink, nutrients with the food we eat. But sometimes that's not enough: that's where supplements come in to give that last little boost the body needs to be in full health. The Blue Skincare supplement was also developed in strict compliance with a "clean" charter, both in terms of ingredients and packaging. It targets the skin's needs, and in particular radiance from the inside. Unbalanced or sensitive skin knows it well, imperfections, dull complexion and fragility can come from internal deficiencies. A combination of active ingredients that take care of digestive health for a beautiful skin result that is quickly visible, in particular via two strains of probiotics and prebiotics to nourish the intestinal microbiota and balance it. But also zinc and vitamin C, powerful antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and an active ingredient based on mother-of-pearl, different from that present in treatments. The latter, NACR-125®, contributes to the normal functioning of the skin thanks to the richness of its components (calcium, amino acids, etc.). Finally, these capsules are not gastro-resistant, that is to say they are soluble in the stomach to allow the immediate activation of the ingredients, in particular Mother-of-pearl. Conversely, the selected probiotics have been "tyndallized" (put to sleep), in order to activate only in the intestine.

The Blue Skincare clean routine has been designed for fragile and sensitive skin that needs strength and better resistance as well as to normalize all skin types. But also, it is a clean range from A to Z. No controversial ingredients and bioavailable active ingredients make the formulas models of effectiveness and safety, always with mother-of-pearl and its patented extracts at heart, guaranteeing a real and visible regenerating action.

Do you want to show off skin that is as healthy, luminous, uniform and smooth as possible? It's no secret, it's its cell renewal that needs to be boosted, especially when it starts to falter. Easy actions to implement to achieve this.

All human cells are capable of regular self-renewal, so as to present an optimal defense system at all times, with cells that are alive and genetically identical to each other within their category.

However, each type of cell has its own autonomous functioning. For example, cells in the intestines live much less long than blood cells, for example. As for the skin, the cellular renewal of keratinocytes, cells of the epidermis, takes place between 21 and 28 days approximately. But as the years go by, the functioning of the cells slows down and becomes exhausted. As a result, the skin has a less smooth and uniform surface texture: it is dull, with dilated pores, it dehydrates more quickly because it is less impervious to aggressions... Sometimes, when the skin system is out of order, renewal is too rapid. This is when blackheads and comedones appear, causing acne or skin inflammation.

At the level of its lower layers, a sluggish cell renewal also has consequences: the production of hyaluronic acid, elastin and collagen ensured by aging cells decreases so much that cellular cohesion weakens and the tissues sag.

Optimizing, or even accelerating, the cellular renewal of your skin when it is failing is an essential beauty reflex. In the short term, the skin is smoother, softer and more luminous. Over the decades, a skin system that is constantly stimulated to remain active is the secret to youth and supple skin.

Exfoliation is key!

A gentle but regular exfoliation of the epidermis optimizes the renewal of skin cells so that they are always vibrant and active. Exfoliation works in two ways: not only does it eliminate dead skin that tends to dull the complexion, but it also stimulates the regeneration cycle of new cells. So we have everything to gain by adopting it!

There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical scrubs and chemical exfoliants. Each has its own specificities and advantages. Above all, they allow for more choice, depending on tastes of course, but especially on skin type.

Mechanical scrubs

They come in the form of a cream or gel containing more or less fine grains which, through friction on the epidermis, eliminate residues and dead cells. When massaged well, they are very effective. The downside is that this type of treatment can irritate the skin, especially if the gesture is too abrupt or the skin too sensitive.

Chemical exfoliants

They use active ingredients that can “shred” small dead skin cells to better eliminate them. They produce a reaction that breaks the bonds between dead cells to gently detach them.

Applied evenly and regularly all over the face using a cotton pad (preferably washable), they allow you to obtain a very regular and uniform skin texture. Their plus? Adapting to all skin types depending on the active ingredients used.

Choosing the right care assets

As we have seen, exfoliation is essential for soft and smooth skin. Among the preferred active ingredients to achieve this, several options are possible. Grain scrubs are often composed of sugar, sand, salts, broken nuts such as apricot, coconut, but also bamboo. In the past, it was also possible to use exfoliating microplastic particles, but their presence is now prohibited in rinse-off treatments.

When it comes to chemical exfoliants, two types of active ingredients are used depending on the treatment: acids (AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids, BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acids, glycolic, malic or citric acids, etc.) or enzymes, often of plant origin (papain from papaya, bromelain from pineapple, for example). Sometimes, we find the presence of acids and enzymes in the same composition.

Another ingredient of choice to promote cell renewal is Blue Skincare's active mother-of-pearl. The latter promotes the regeneration and repair of all types of body tissues when applied topically or consumed as a dietary supplement. Its secret? A lamellar structure – made of different small bricks, associated with each other by a kind of cement very similar to that of the horny layer, whose bricks (corneocytes) are linked together by the intercorneocyte cement. Also, using mother-of-pearl in cosmetics is the assurance of strengthening the very structure of the skin.

Dry brushing, smoother skin every day

Skin cell renewal is generally the same on the face or on the body. The active ingredients used in the treatments are roughly the same. However, since the skin on the body is thicker and therefore more resistant, it is also possible to dry brush it every day or several times a week depending on the type of skin. Using an exfoliating brush made with animal and/or industrial hairs also helps to eliminate dead skin, but also to stimulate blood circulation in the process, while allowing to better evacuate accumulated toxins by draining the lymphatic system. As a result, the body has a more effective immune system, the skin has less cellulite and orange peel skin.

Perfecting your skin cleansing

Two to three times a week for example, if your skin type allows it, use a cleansing brush – preferably electric because they are more effective – which allows you to clean your skin more deeply. The mechanical action of the bristles is ideal for removing all residues present on the skin, including small dead skin cells.

More intense, and therefore to be preferred every one to three months regardless of your skin type, skin cleansing to be carried out in a beauty center using a specialized machine (Hydrafacial®, Jet Peel®, Hollywood Peel by Lutronic, Aqua Touch H2 by Deleo). In about thirty minutes, they clean and exfoliate the skin in depth at first, before taking care of it with a New Skin Serum .

Hydration, essential for healthy cells

A piece of advice that applies to both internal intake (what we drink) and external intake (what we apply to the skin): hydration. Ideally, we should consume between 1.5 and 2.5L each day, including the liquids consumed and the water contained in our food.

As for topical application, choose treatments rich in emollient active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid like NACRE ÉCLAT Regenerating Moisturizing Cream , squalane, glycerin, oils, vegetable butters or even minerals.

The importance of nutrition

If a varied and balanced diet ensures the well-being of the body, certain well-chosen ingredients contribute to good cellular renewal of the skin. For example, we can focus on foods rich in vitamins, and in particular vitamin C (citrus fruits, green vegetables, red fruits), whose antioxidant power helps fight against free radicals generated by aggressions, but also stimulates collagen synthesis to have supple and elastic skin.

Also to remember: foods rich in vitamin A, which is found in animal proteins and dairy products.

Focus on restful sleep

Like the rest of our body, skin cells work during sleep. They activate to eliminate the oxidation created by the aggressions suffered during the day and which can be harmful to the youthfulness of the skin.

Knowing that it is between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. that the work of cellular regeneration is the most intense, it is in our best interest to slip into bed before, without forgetting to apply a New Skin Serum , in order to prepare ourselves to spend the best of regenerating nights, ideally lasting eight hours.

For healthy skin, you need to cultivate your good bacteria. And for that, there's nothing better than pre and postbiotics in our daily care.

This is also the reason why Blue Skincare has introduced pre and postbiotics in all its topical treatments (NACRE ECLAT, XERO NACRE) and for a pre and probiotics in its Skin Perfecting Food Supplement.

First of all, a little clarification is necessary: ​​why do we talk about pre and postbiotics in cosmetics, and not probiotics?

Prebiotics

The current definition of prebiotics is that proposed by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP): a "substrate selectively used by host microorganisms that confers a health benefit". In simpler terms, they are complex sugars, fatty substances or amino acids that nourish and promote the healthy development of microbiota bacteria. They act a bit like fertilizer. In food, they are the fibers present in fruits and vegetables. In cosmetics, they are particularly interesting. They are substances such as inulin, from chicory, glycerin, squalane or even polyphenols, because we are gradually discovering that many ingredients, long used in cosmetics, also have a prebiotic role in the skin.

Postbiotics

According to the definition of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP): it is a "preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host". These are therefore molecules secreted by probiotics (their waste products, so to speak, metabolites or membranes of these probiotics), inactivated components that mimic them and promote their good activity. Like soil, they promote the ecosystem in which a healthy microbiota lives. These are generally short-chain fatty acids, peptides, proteins or even enzymes.

What about probiotics?

They are not found in cosmetics for the simple reason that it is both impossible and prohibited by the Regulations to include a probiotic, and therefore a living organism, in a cosmetic, since there can be no bacterial proliferation in this type of product! When brands talk about probiotics, they are making a "marketing shortcut."

What are the benefits of pre and post biotics in topical care?

They create an environment that is favorable to the development of good bacteria for the skin. Indeed, prebiotics provide the food necessary for the proper development of good bacteria in the skin microbiota, while postbiotics allow them to develop in a healthy and favorable environment. Prebiotics even selectively stimulate the growth or activity of certain "good" bacteria to the detriment of pathogenic bacteria. This "balancing" activity results in many benefits. Here are the main ones:

Preserve the skin barrier

A healthy microbiome means an efficient skin barrier.

The contribution of these substances promotes the development of a healthy and balanced microbiome (i.e. the microbiota and the entire environment in which it lives). However, we know that the microbiome interacts with the hydrolipidic film, that it regulates the pH of the skin, that the probiotics that compose it are anti-inflammatory, stimulate skin immunity and are like the defensive sentinels of the skin. All these elements help to strengthen the barrier function of the skin and therefore protect it from dehydration, irritation, redness and other concerns. This is why we find them more and more in makeup removers and cleansers, such as in the Baume Métamorphose or the Eau Micellaire Lactée NACRE ÉCLAT in order to compensate for the stripping effect and help rebalance the microbiota.

Have better hydrated skin

Two fundamental factors play a role in this better hydration. On the one hand, skin with a good barrier function allows it to better retain its water. Indeed, the barrier function seriously limits excessive evaporation of water from the skin, known as insensible water loss. It also allows it to better capture the water that we bring to it. In addition, prebiotics, which are often sugars or glycerin, are active ingredients that in themselves provide hydration. The benefit is therefore twofold.

Regulate atopy and eczema

We now know that atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is closely linked to the overdevelopment of Staphylococcus aureus in the microbiota. However, thanks to complexes combining pre and postbiotics, we can specifically regulate the microbial flora of these atopic skins.

Fight against acne

Here again, we know that acne is linked to an excessive amount of sebum which leads to inflammation caused by the c.acnes bacteria. However, c.acnes, normally, is part of the so-called commensal bacteria, i.e. good for the skin. But there can be an imbalance. Professor Brigitte Dréno, head of the Dermatology department at the Nantes University Hospital, discovered that acne is linked to an imbalance in the microbiota, where c.acnes takes a predominant role compared to another bacteria, staphylococcus epidermidis.

Thus, by combining known treatments and active ingredients with symbiotics (complexes combining pre and postbiotics) which reinforce the capacities of the staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria, we can improve the effectiveness of treatments and prevent the recurrence of acne.

Avoid dandruff

Again, dandruff and other scalp problems have been found to be caused by the proliferation of a yeast present in the microbiota, malassezia. Again, a supply of pre and postbiotics such as lactic acid, or fermented rice water, often used in Asia, helps to rebalance the scalp.

Reduce body odor

The smell of sweat is due to the development of bacteria ( corynebacteria ) that break down the fatty substances in sweat when it comes into contact with the microbiota of the armpits. Here again, specific symbiotic complexes limit the proliferation of these bacteria and therefore the appearance of odorous molecules. A more natural way to manage this universal problem, without essential oils or aluminum salts!

Keep skin younger

We know that one of the reasons for premature aging is inflam'aging, this chronic and silent inflammatory state of cells, aggravated by pollution, stress or our lifestyle. However, symbiotics are formidable anti-inflammatories. These microorganisms therefore also delay wrinkles and loss of firmness. By promoting their proper development, symbiotics therefore indirectly play on the youthfulness of the skin. As long as they are associated with hyaluronic acid and peptides, the combo is perfect!

Pre and postbiotics, called symbiotics when combined, therefore help to rebalance the microbiota. When there is a skin problem, combining them with active treatment agents helps promote healing. But also to create the perfect conditions for maintaining healthy and younger skin.

Content mentioning the hashtag #cleangirl has more than a billion "views" on TikTok: we can decently call it a trend. But what is behind it? Advice on eating healthy or having a healthy lifestyle? Not really: it is mainly about guidelines to follow in terms of makeup and look to be able to claim to be part of the #cleangirl movement. Far from body positivity, behind these falsely natural looks hide a lot of injunctions. Decryption.

The #cleangirl trend in theory

Contrary to what one might think at first, the expression "clean girl" is not related to the healthy movement. This clean, which means "clean" in French, is in fact a fashion and aesthetic trend that designates simple looks, which evoke a girl who is in tune with her time, with codes surfing on the "less is more" trend, both in clothing and in makeup. The look is intended to be fresh, minimalist, comfortable, and the appearance healthy and natural. We are talking about #cleangirlaesthetic, #cleangirllook, #cleangirlstyle or even #cleangirlmakeup. The clothes are all timeless basics like white t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, but always with fairly neutral shades in a range of nudes, grays, ecru... a weekend style in a way. As for makeup, the complexion is glowy, the skin is flawless, the mouth just shiny, the eyebrows natural. This is the "no makeup" look: we let people believe that all it took was a touch of gloss, a little concealer, highlighter and a swipe of mascara to get the "clean" look. Finally, in terms of hairstyle, the hair is just clean and simply tied up, straightened or pulled back into a loose bun, as if we had spent very little time getting ready. Problem: the famous "I woke up like this" style, that is to say a "wake up" appearance, with a "simply perfect" face advocates natural perfection, which is purely unattainable and unrealistic.

The #cleangirl trend in practice

In the reality of the bathroom, this falsely simple style requires hours of preparation! And that's the problem: this aesthetic suggests that the young women associated with this trend are naturally like that. While it is actually a very sophisticated makeup... in fact, this appearance is the result of a sharp stylistic research and sought-after makeup techniques. To achieve this style, the girls who appear on social media spend hours getting ready, very far from the spontaneity and simplicity represented. You have to find THE trendy piece, have the perfect foundation, which conceals and corrects but has an invisible finish, you have to know how to handle the art of contouring and juggle with concealers to make any imperfection disappear. If the mouth is not plump enough, you have to know how to redesign it to increase its volume in an imperceptible way... or resort to injections to make it plump. Hair can be wavy but not too much, or straight, but under control. Studio makeup artists know that the hardest thing to achieve is "natural" makeup. For young girls with straight hair, already beautiful skin and naturally full lips, it goes without saying that it is already much easier than for anyone else who has some pigment irregularities, frizz and other spots. For the latter, adopting this trend is simply a programmed failure.

#cleangirl: the controversial trend poses a problem

The clean girl trend is not really clean. It is associated with mainly Caucasian, thin women… whose natural style - in fact ultra controlled - is established as the standard. In this perspective, what should we think of the term "clean"? Anything that does not fit into this aesthetic would therefore be "dirty"? This trend thus marks the return of injunctions and body shaming (shameful body) destined to disappear in the face of its counterpart, "body positivity", a tendency to revalue women's bodies and normalize their "flaws". This trend is thus doubly problematic since it imposes the injunctions of a normality that is not one, and claims to value simplicity and naturalness when it results, on the contrary, from real work on appearance. Enough to make you crazy... and depressed! Fortunately, many people have seen the hypocrisy and, thanks to social media, have launched a counter-offensive with the hashtags #cleangirlaestheticproblem (the problem with the "clean girl" aesthetic) or #cleangirlaestheticirony (irony of the "clean girl" aesthetic).

What to keep from the #cleangirlaesthetic trend?

We can keep the spirit of this trend which consists initially in promoting a simple look, not a headache: we keep the timeless style composed of basics, clean cuts and materials by adding ecological awareness in our choices. On the beauty side, we are inspired by it to adopt a simple routine, which emphasizes actions aimed at improving the health of the skin: we value cleansing, makeup removal, protection, and we choose clean formulas . Exit abrasive, aggressive, chemical formulas, finished with products that promise miracles, the idea is to take care of yourself, gently. We aim for balanced, plump, hydrated and luminous skin. Finally, from #cleanmakeup we keep the complexion unified with a tone-on-tone corrector, and highlighted with a highlighter, and the fresh side brought by a touch of blush and gloss. We emphasize the eyebrows which are the architects of the face: no heavy plucking, on the contrary we brush them upwards to open the eyes. A touch of mascara and that's it!

Trends always bring inspiration to keep up with the times, but you have to know how to decipher those that go against self-acceptance. Keeping a sharp awareness of what is hidden behind the perfect images on social networks is essential to not take literally what we are served as the norm for everyone. To do this, never lose sight of the fact that everything is staged, retouched, improved, and that very little content shows "real life": we are inspired by it but we are wary of it! An analysis work to be generalized to young girls in particular who still carry too many injunctions on their shoulders at the very moment when their self-esteem is being built.

The world of beauty is innovating and becoming more and more committed to the environment. Today, any brand wishing to be part of the "clean beauty" category must be aligned from the start of production to the end of the product life with responsible packaging, with minimal impact. Materials must be recycled AND recyclable, and from this point of view glass and aluminum have considerable environmental advantages over plastic. A quick overview of clean beauty generation packaging.

Ecological packaging: less plastic!

Beauty product packaging is still not recycled enough today because it is too small or made up of several materials that cannot be separated. Beauty brands must question themselves and innovate to find new containers. The first objective: use less plastic by lightening the packs, by giving up over-packaging or by changing the material. Then, if there is plastic, it must be recycled AND recyclable in order to minimize the use of primary plastic as much as possible. Indeed, plastic is made from petroleum by-products: its energy-intensive manufacturing pollutes, but above all, plastic is proliferating in nature and negatively impacts all ecosystems. Plastic is the scourge of the environment, so it is urgent to do without it as much as possible. Some products are now sold "naked" like cut soaps for example, or in cardboard boxes, especially for so-called zero waste beauty, including shampoos and solid care products. Others choose 100% PCR for “Post Consumer Recycled”, i.e. a material recycled after consumer use, which can be the case for plastic, glass or aluminum.

Aluminum, plastic, glass and life cycles

No material is perfect from an environmental point of view, and there is no such thing as a zero footprint. But each material has advantages and disadvantages. To make its choice, a brand will study the impact of the packaging throughout its life cycle, i.e. from its design to its destruction after use. From this point of view, all emit CO2 during their production, which is difficult to quantify. On the other hand, in terms of transport, we know that glass is very heavy, and therefore more polluting than aluminum, which is very light. In addition, aluminum does not break if it falls on the bathroom tiles: it naturally finds its place on the edge of the bathtub. Plastic, for its part, has many advantages during the use of the product, but a very negative impact upstream (chemical production), and downstream (polluting incineration, fragmentation in nature, residual microplastics, etc.). The ideal for a product range is therefore to vary the materials to best adapt them to the product, and to its use by finding compromises to be as virtuous as possible.

Aluminum, defects and qualities

Faced with the necessary changes to be made to their industry, clean beauty brands were the first to (re)discover the benefits of aluminum: it does not break, it is hygienic, it is opaque which is useful for preserving formulas, it is light, but above all it is infinitely recyclable! In addition, it can be made into refillable cans. Aluminum makes it possible to create almost single-material packaging with easy recycling by unscrewing the pump from a bottle for example. This almost absolute recyclability is a huge advantage that compensates for its disadvantages. Where glass is greedy in water and sand to be manufactured, where plastic requires chemical resources, toxic adjuvants and oil, the production of aluminum requires the extraction of minerals including bauxite in mines that degrade the surrounding ecosystems, and results from highly polluting chemical manufacturing processes. Non-biodegradable like plastic, it becomes interesting when it is recycled since its defects mainly come from its production. Thus, infinitely recyclable identically, aluminum becomes the most suitable material for clean beauty, making it possible to do without plastic for bottles but also cream tubes.

100% PCR Aluminum, the sustainable choice

Unlike plastic, which loses its properties (flexibility, transparency, resistance, etc.) over the course of recycling and requires the addition of virgin plastic, "Post Consumer Recycled" aluminum can be recycled infinitely, making it a sustainable material. However, be careful not to confuse it with "polyfoil" aluminum, which can make up certain very flexible tubes thanks to the accumulation of various layers, sometimes including plastic. Indeed, polyfoil (multilayer in French) is in no way recyclable since the different materials are inseparable, which can even constitute a certain greenwashing by suggesting that it is clean packaging. Conversely, a pack can be made of 100% recycled aluminum, its use not altering any of its properties. But what makes recycled aluminum truly clean is its recycling, which requires very few resources compared to its initial manufacturing process. Most of the aluminum manufactured in the past is still in circulation today, which makes PCR aluminum the most sustainable material possible and the most suited to the values ​​of clean beauty. Discover the Baume Métamorphose and the Eau de Nacre Isotonique NACRE ECLAT, or the Huile Lavante Relipidante and the Soin Emollient Kerato-réducteur XERO NACRE: all these BLUE SKINCARE treatments are packaged in 100% PCR aluminum tubes or bottles.

In the land of packaging, nothing is perfect, but as brands seek to meet the ecological demands of better-informed consumers, solutions are emerging. And amidst all the improvements and innovations, recycled aluminum is a top performer with a very good average over its entire life cycle. And that's good, because aluminum tubes with an old-fashioned or minimalist look, and pretty refillable aluminum bottles are very trendy in the bathroom!