7 Clean Beauty Founders Share Their Actual Skincare Routines

Working in beauty, with the wellspring of events and appointments we go to as part of the job, it’s not uncommon to come across someone who has straight-up radiant skin. We’re talking the kind of swoon-worthy, almost comically-clear complexions that make us want to stop and inquire about every single product they use from start to finish. And in fact, most of the time, we do stop and ask—and we’ve yet to regret it.

Most recently, we couldn’t stop wondering about what clean beauty connoisseurs use to get their skin in such amazing shape. All it took was a few Earth Day events crawling with clean beauty founders—all of whom have cherub-skin complexions—and we simply had to know more. Where in the world do they get that supernatural glow? And what makes their skin so plump and juicy?

To find out the answers to the aforementioned questions, we tapped five of our favorite clean beauty founders, all of whom happily shared their skincare secrets with us—along with some welcomed tidbits about their all-natural fragrance, hair, and makeup must-haves, too. Keep scrolling for the skinny on the products they swear by.

Lina Hanson, founder of Lina Hanson Skincare

On her morning and nighttime routine...

"I always start the day by cleansing my skin with an oil. I use my Global Baby/Sensitive Serum and massage it into my skin, and then use a warm, damp towel to wipe it off. This oil is so gentle on the skin and it has a cucumber-melon scent that I love. Then, I spritz my face with MUN's Anarose Hydrating Rose Toner ($10). I love how it balances and soothes my skin. While the skin is still damp, I press one or two pumps of Global Face Serum ($85) onto my skin as it keeps it nourished and leaves me with a natural healthy glow. Then I finish by applying sunscreen all over my face and neck. I like Coola's Classic Face Sunscreen ($32), because it’s non-greasy and wears really well under makeup."

"I end the day with a double cleanse. I use the same Global Baby Sensitive Serum and massage it into my skin, and after a couple of minutes, use a warm towel to wipe away all the makeup, greasy residue, and impurities. Next, I use a cleansing powder like my Global Face Trio ($70). I mix a spoonful of powder with equal amounts of water to form a paste and then gently massage the skin avoiding the eye area. I love that this powder removes all the excess oil and brightens the skin with a slight exfoliation. Once or twice a week I leave it on my skin as a face mask to clarify.

"After cleansing, I use the same MUN toner, but this time I spray it on a cotton pad and gently sweep it over my face. Then, I moisturize my skin with the Global Face Serum and follow that with a small dollop of Global Treasures Eye & Neck Balm ($105) and pat it underneath my eyes. I use the same balm to massage my neck, too. It completely revives dull skin and brightens the eye area."

 On the line-reducing tool she uses religiously…

"Once my skin is cleansed and moisturized, I use a Gua Sha facial tool. Mine is made from jade and I put it in a little bowl with some cold water and ice cubes a few minutes before using it for a cooling effect. When it’s ready, I begin using it in the center of my face and move outwards with gentle pressure. Then I massage the chin and neck downwards. I’ve seen a big change in my skin since I started using it. It reduces the appearance of lines and puffiness and it also eases facial muscle tension."

On her clean makeup musts...

"The Henne Organics Luxury Lip Tint in Azalea is amazing—I love how moisturizing and buildable it is, and the shade is so fun. I also love Kjaer Weis's Creme Blush in Desired Glow ($56) because it's the most perfect natural blush shade and it glides on the skin so seamlessly and looks like your own natural glow.

"Lily Lolo's Bare Eye Palette ($34) is wonderful because it has a great range of color for both daytime and evening and the shades have the perfect amount of shimmer. And for face, on a recent photo shoot, I was recommended the Kosas Tinted Face Oil ($42) and was very impressed with how silky and natural it looked and felt on the skin. It's now a new favorite!"

Clara Molloy, co-founder of Hermetica Molecular Fragrances

On the one skincare brand she’s loyal to…

"I use Sisley Paris—I’m probably their biggest fan. It’s an independent company and I trust all of their plant-based products. I use the All Day All Year Cream in the morning and Sisleya L'Integral Anti-Age ($525) at night. I also use their Black Rose Mask ($162) before putting on makeup if I go out. Their neck cream and eye serum are amazing, too. Oh, and the Restorative Facial Cream ($190) is a miracle ecological cream that can fix any problem my skin has."

On the natural nail lacquers she loves...

"I use Kure Bazaar nail polishes, which are made of natural ingredients like wood pulp, wheat, cotton, and even potatoes and corn. They have some really great colors and I’ve found they last just as long as other polishes."

On her favorite French hair treatment...

"Twice a year, I do a deep cleanse treatment for my hair at Leonor Greyl that leaves my scalp so clean. It's like a refresh and leaves my hair looking better every time."

On her signature clean beauty scent…

"My favorite fragrance from Hermetica is Verticaloud, because it is powerful yet soft. It’s very gentle on the skin, as all our Hermetica perfumes are. It still remains on my skin the next morning, which is what you should expect from any good fragrance."

Nicolas Travis, founder of Allies of Skin

On his daily Allies of Skin staples…

“In the morning I apply a generous layer of a vitamin C mask and leave it on while I have my breakfast to let the enzymes work. After rinsing this off in the shower, I tone with Probiotics Repair Mist ($55), and while my skin is still damp, I follow up with the Vitamin C 35% Collagen Rebuilding Serum mixed with the Triple Hyaluronic Antioxidant Serum ($75). This serum provides maximum protection against inflammation and cellular damage. The 1A All-Day Pollution Repair Mask ($99) comes next and I use this all over face and neck as it de-puffs and repairs worn-out skin."

"At night, I do a double cleanse with the Skin Clay & Manuka Honey Purifying Cleanser + Masque on dry skin first to remove grime and SPF. I like leaving this on for a few minutes to let the clay and manuka honey decongest the pores. I follow up with the Vitamin C & Enzymes Brightening Cleanser + Masque, leaving it on as I wash my hair and body. Afterward, I tone with same Probiotics Repair Mist and follow up with the Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum ($92), which is a must-have for me as I suffer from hyperpigmentation and MA is my favorite acid. Depending on how my skin is feeling, I either use the 1A Retinol + Peptides Overnight Mask when I need nourishment or the Promise Keeper Blemish Sleeping Facial ($109) when I'm breaking out."

On additional clean skincare products he swears by…

"I always finish my morning routine with Omorovicza Mineral UV Shield—it has SPF 30 and it’s very expensive, but I’ve yet to find a better physical SPF. At night, I top everything off with Pai's Rosehip Oil ($44) whenever I’m traveling or had too much to drink. I’m also a big fan of Shea Moisture and Nubian Heritage as they are both clean and extremely affordable. Shea Moisture Olive Oil & Marula Baby Wash ($10) is my daily body wash because it’s so gentle and effective, and the Nubian Heritage Mango Body Scrub ($11) is my weekly body scrub.

"My lips are also always chapped, so lip balm is a must. I stock up on Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick ($15) whenever I’m in Europe."

On his favorite K-beauty fix…

"When it’s winter or when I’m on the road for work, which is every two to three weeks, I like to incorporate an essence and the CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence ($21) is the ultimate multitasker—it treats all skin concerns. Also, when I was in Seoul in January I discovered this Korean clean brand, Manyo Factory. Their premise is that they only formulate with ingredients with an EWG score of one and two only, and so far I’ve been really enjoying their Herb Refresh Gommage Peel ($26)."

Sheena Yaitanes, founder of Kosas

On the clean skincare routine she never skips…

"I keep it very simple in the morning, using a gentle cleanser like Tatcha's Cleansing Oil, taking my time to massage the deeper muscles in my face. I then sweep the Tracie Martyn Absolute Purity Toner ($60) all over my skin with a cotton pad to remove any tap water residue, and then massage with Susanne Kauffmann's Face Fluid Line A ($141). I allow that to soak in, then follow with the Kosas Tinted Face Oil in 06 ($42) to lock in moisture. Finally, I use the Kosas LipFuel Hyaluronic Lip Balm ($18) to protect and heal my lips—the faint minty scent gives me a little boost."

"At night, I start by massaging the same Tatcha Cleansing oil onto dry skin, then rinse with water. I then mix True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser ($48) with Bioderma ($10) in my hand, cleanse and rinse. After that, I press the Vintners Daughter Active Treatment Essence ($225) into my skin using the palms and heels of my hands and finish with either Flora + Bast Age Adapting Facial Serum ($77) or Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector ($92)."

On the one Kosas product she’s never without…

"I have a LipFuel in my purse, pocket, gym bag, nightstand, and vanity. The health of my lips has improved so much since I’ve been using it that it motivates me to use it all the time. I love it because it works. I use the tinted colors, Rush and Pulse, when I want a little color, and the clear balm (Baseline) in the evenings as part of my skincare routine."

On the CBD-spiked serum she goes through like water…

"I’ve fallen in love with Flora + Bast's Age Adapting CBD Serum ($77). The first time I used it, I saw an instant effect, which isn’t something I expect from my skincare because I know that good results are all about consistency. But this product is like magic. I’ve never gone through anything so quickly in my life—I’m already onto my second bottle. And, I adore the way it wears underneath my Kosas Tinted Face Oil. It blends seamlessly and the wear just looks better and better as the day wears on."

Shelby Wild, founder of Playa Beauty

On her clean beauty hero products…

"I love Tata Harper's Regenerating Cleanser. The scent of Tata's products are amazing and using this at night helps prevent against clogged pores. I also love the Ogee Daily Facial Cleansing Cloths ($26), which never make me break out, and the True Botanicals Radiance Oil ($110) when I need a natural glow."

On the Playa product closest to her heart…

"I love our Every Day Shampoo! I truly formulated this for myself as I couldn't find a daily shampoo that kept my fine hair feeling soft and hydrated. It works so well on every hair type."

On the recent clean beauty recs she ended up loving…

"Kosas LipFuel with hyaluronic acid keeps my lips so hydrated. Youth to the People's Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask ($48) makes my skin look visibly brighter, and Ellis Brooklyn fragrances are everything."

Cheryl Yannotti Foland, founder of Lilah b.

On the clean beauty basics she always goes back to…

"Herbivore's Coco Rose Salt Scrub ($36) is like a spa salt glow treatment at home, every day with every shower if you wish! It’s made with luxurious coconut oil and leaves your skin feeling soft and incredible. Playa's Ritual Hair Oil ($38) calms my frizzies in the foggy climate here in Northern California without weighing down my fine hair, and it smells super yummy. W3llPeople's Expressionist Mascara ($22) has got it down when it comes to a clean, high-performing mascara.”

On the holy-grail product from her own line…

"Our Aglow Face Mist is my can’t-live-without product, no matter what and is always with me. I’ll use it to prep my skin prior to makeup, set a fresh new look, hydrate throughout the day, or just perk up with a glowy spritz late in the day. The essential oil of French lavender gives you that spa in a bottle sensory experience like no other."

On the clean beauty body products she’s been loving…

"I am currently obsessed with Lockwood NY's body products. They have an incredible clean and sustainable story, while still offering an efficacious and effective product line with the most incredible fragrances. My favorite product is their Basil Ginger Body Wash ($48)."

Suzanne LeRoux, founder of One Love Organics

On the do-it-all balm she’d bring to a deserted island…

“Nothing else moisturizes my face quite like our Skin Savior Multi-Tasking Wonder Balm. I love to have really soft, plumped and dewy, healthy-looking skin and this helps me do that and is my favorite way to mask. I cleanse my skin and apply a pretty thick layer after I mist with our Vitamin D Moisture Mist ($39). Then I lay a really warm, wet washcloth over my face to let the product soak in. Then I’ll remove the excess balm with the washcloth and my skin feels amazing.”

On the clean makeup products she uses for a pick-me-up...

"I love the mineral powder from W3ll People and the Skin Savior Balm literally picks it up like a magnet and it creates the most gorgeous foundation for my day. I have never been able to wear traditional cream foundations, as there are so many potential irritants in them and this is a great choice to keep my sensitive skin looking and feeling good. I then swipe Vapour Beauty's Illusionist Concealer($25) under my eyes and on any irritated spots and blend it in with a brush. After that, I apply a bit of W3ll People's Mascara ($22) and then finish with Burt's Bees lip color. I keep them everywhere—in my pocket, my car, my purse, and on my vanity."

On two recent clean beauty finds she recommends…

"I really like Kaia Naturals Dry Shampoo ($32) and their Detox Deodorant ($22) made with charcoal and rose."

Next, check out our no-B.S. guide to understanding CBD, once and for all.