If you grew up around the 90s like me, then you likely used alllllll sorts of conventional (and for the lack of a better term, horrible) products that promised us clear skin, no stink, or perhaps were just mega trendy. I do think that teens and preteens are a bit savvier nowadays with the rise of social media, but still, there’s no shortage of questionable products on the market made for them. Let’s talk more about why it’s important to choose safer ingredients for preteens/tweens/teens and then a list of products to get started with!
This post contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents:
- Why Clean & Natural Products Are *Especially* Important for Teens
- Natural Skincare Routine for Teens
- Clean Beauty Brands for Teens
- Safer Personal Hygiene Products for Teens
- Organic Period Products for Teens
Why Clean & Natural Products Are *Especially* Important for Teens
Unfortunately, a lot of products marketed to kids and teenagers contain some of the worst contaminants, such as:
❌ Dyes synthesized from coal tar
❌ Endocrine disruptors (PFAS, phthalates, parabens)
❌ Formaldehyde
❌ Synthetic fragrances
❌ Talc (contaminated with asbestos and heavy metals)
For instance, alarming levels of lead and cadmium have been found in eye shadows for children. Plus, you may remember the debacle when the FDA detected asbestos in Claire’s makeup, whose primary customers are teens and preteens.
Teen girls also use MORE products daily compared to adult women. Not to mention, makeup and personal care products tend to be heavily pigmented, uber glittery, and smell EXTRA strong to appeal to a younger audience.
(I’m having flashbacks to when I was younger and doused myself with drugstore body sprays, glitter roll-ons, and vibrant makeup…cringeeeeeee! 😖)
Does this bring back some memories or what?!Since teenagers are in a critical stage where their bodies are still rapidly developing, it’s smart to avoid endocrine-disrupting ingredients and use hormone-friendly products that won’t interfere with their development! A 2016 study tested urine samples from teenage girls before and after eliminating endocrine-disrupting products from their routine. Not surprisingly, the chemical levels decreased significantly. So yeah, it DOES matter!
Now, I don’t have kids myself, but I do have a preteen niece! So I’m always looking for opportunities to give her clean makeup, skincare products, etc. Many of the products in this post are things I have gotten for her and would recommend for other teens or tweens too!
BTW…while I’m not a parent, I know I would have absolutely hated it if my mom tried to tell me what products to use/not to use as a teenager. So if you get some resistance from your kid, and they still want to use all the conventional products, just do the best you can! Small changes here and there still make a difference.
You can think of this as a quick and easy “non-toxic starter pack” for any teen in your life!
Natural Skincare Routine for Teens 🧴
Raise your hand if you were a victim of St. Ives Apricot Scrub or those acne pads as a teen 🤣 Oof! Thankfully, there are much gentler (yet still effective) skincare products that won’t ruin young and delicate skin.
[DISCLAIMER: Teen and tween skincare routines should be super minimal; they do NOT need a complicated 15-step #SephoraKid regimen that will wreck their skin barrier. Just cleanse, moisturize, SPF—and maybe a treatment here or there as needed. That being said, here are a bunch of great options if you’re looking for something specific.]
Anything denoted with an asterisk (*) means you can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount at checkout using the link provided! 🏷️
Cleansers:
- Aleavia Purifying Gel Cleanser*: [$25] This gel is suitable for all skin types, especially acne-prone or sensitive. It’s mostly unscented and comes in a smaller travel size too.
- Cocokind AHA Jelly Cleanser*: [$18] This gel cleanser is good for clogged pores and blackheads due to its AHAs and BHA.
- Earth Harbor Sunshine Dew Antioxidant Cleansing Oil*: [$20] Oil cleansing can help prevent dryness and effectively removes heavier makeup without disrupting the microbiome. This applies as an oil but rinses clean with water! It also mildly clears pores due to the papaya enzymes.
- Kosmatology Lemongrass Foaming Face Wash*: [$28] For those who prefer a foam and have oily or blemished skin. It uses lemongrass, rosemary, and lavender which tone, balance oil production, and have antimicrobial properties.
- Mad Hippie Cream Cleanser: [$17] Cream cleansers are not suitable for removing heavy makeup, but they’re very gentle and non-drying!
- Meow Meow Tweet Facial Cleansing Bars: [$14] Choose from Tea Tree Charcoal (oily/combo/acne-prone skin) or Pink Rose Clay (for normal/drier/more sensitive skin).
- Weleda Cleansing Face Foam: [$14] Gentle and non-irritating.
Toner Mists:
- Hypochlorous Acid Spray: [$18] This may sound intense, but it’s very mild. It works as an antimicrobial to defend and repair skin, making it perfect for combating acne. Code BECCA95343 for a discount.
- Heritage Store Rosewater Toner: [$9] Super gentle and best for sensitive skin types!
- Sky Organics Purifying Toner: [$19] Made with tea tree and witch hazel to remove impurities, minimize pores, and balance oil production.
Serums & Moisturizers:
- Cocokind Postbiotic Acne Serum*: [$20] A serum that should be applied before a moisturizer. This is helpful for zits, blackheads, congestion, and excess oil.
- Cocokind Watermelon Hemp Oil*: [$20] Don’t be afraid of oil moisturizers, even for teenage acne! This is ideal for all skin types and is very nourishing.
- Honest Hydrogel Cream: [$20] A hydrating water cream that’s unscented and has a dewy finish.
- Good Molecules Gel Moisturizer: [$10] A lightweight, hydrating gel that’s ideal for oily or blemish-prone skin.
- Good Molecules Squalane Oil: [$9] A basic facial oil for all skin types that softens and moisturizes.
- Pai Carbon Star Facial Oil: [$39-59] This is black (contains charcoal and black cumin seed) but applies clearly! It’s a nighttime moisturizing oil that detoxes skin overnight and can help clear blemishes.
- Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer: [$14] Fragrance-free, pH-balanced, simple, and non-irritating.
Spot Treatments for Blemishes:
- Cocokind Turmeric Tonic*: [$14] A roll-on treatment made with turmeric (goes on invisibly!) to reduce the appearance of blemishes.
- Mad Hippie Blemish Cream: [$15] Contains 2% salicylic acid, which penetrates deeply into pores to dissolve sebum and oil that clog pores and cause pimples.
- Mitchy Patch Nose Strips: [$17] Hydrocolloid strips that draw excess sebum and blackheads out.
- Osea Corrective Complex Roller: [$32] Reduces impurities and calms breakouts. Code BECCA10 for a discount.
- Rael Pimple Patches: [$12-17] Hydrocolloid pimple patch stickers to heal zits and pull out gunk!
Masks & Exfoliation:
- 100% Pure Anti Acne Sheet Masks: [$7] These look creepy, but are made with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory botanicals to soothe and calm active blemishes while purifying pores to prevent future breakouts. 100% Pure has other sheet masks for various skin concerns!
- Clean Vibrations Facial Brush: [$58] Silicone bristles don’t harbor bacteria, unlike most facial brushes! This can be used with a cleanser or on wet skin.
- Cocokind Sea Kale Clay Mask*: [$19] A creamy clay mask that soothes, exfoliates, and purifies.
- Earth Harbor Cacao Cove Detoxifying Mask*: [$19] Made with raw cacao, green clay, and activated charcoal. It detoxifies, decongests, and retexturizes dull skin.
- Manuka Honey: [$36] Amazing for all skin types, but manuka is more antibacterial than regular honey, so it’s extra powerful for healing acne, scars, or hormonal teenage skin. It can be applied to damp skin and used as a mask for 15-30 minutes. Read more about manuka face masks here!
- Moss Mornings Sleep Peels: [$32] A better swap for those harsh acne pads! These are meant to be used at night as a final skincare step. They contain lactic, glycolic, mandelic, salicylic, and hyaluronic acids to sweep away dead skin, decongest pores/blackheads, and provide hydration.
- Wonder Seed Hemp Facial Scrub*: [$15] Contains tiny jojoba beads for a mild exfoliation that isn’t too abrasive for skin, and it doubles as a cleanser too!
Facial Sunscreens:
- Acure Seriously Soothing SPF30 Day Cream: [$21] A daily moisturizer with SPF plus niacinamide and blue tansy to soothe skin while keeping it protected.
- Cocokind Daily SPF32 Lotion*: [$25] Also doubles as a lightweight moisturizer. Leaves a semi-matte but non-greasy finish! It’s unscented and essential oil-free.
- Good Molecules SPF30 Sunscreen: [$12] The ingredients in this aren’t perfect (contains butyloctyl salicylate), but it’s a decent budget-friendly option.
Face Wipes & Oil Blotters:
- EcoTools Oil Blotting Papers: [$8] Gosh, I used oil blotters ALL THE TIME as a teen! Most are made from plastic and can contain not-so-good ingredients like mineral oil. These are made from plant-based materials to absorb oil!
- Blotter Baby: [$22] A reusable oil blotting option! It’s a rollerball made from limestone clay that mattifies skin and absorbs oils to reduce shine. You just need to wash it!
- Ursa Major 4-in-1 Face Wipes: [$7-26] Individually wrapped and handy for keeping in a bag or backpack if a quick freshen-up is needed.
BTW, teenage acne does NOT have to be a right of passage! It can be a sign that something is off balance on the inside. Check out this post for ways to have glowing skin from an internal standpoint: “5 Key Tips for Clear Skin from Within (According to a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner)”
Clean Beauty Brands for Teens 💄
Here are some safer beauty brands that I think would work well for preteens or teens. Overall, they are more affordable, accessible, and have more of a youthful vibe!
Clover [$16-22]
Made in the USA! They are a newer brand so they’re not available in stores yet, but they have a variety of makeup such as blush, mascara, lip gloss, and foundation.
NOTE: I would consider Clover a “better, not best” type of brand; they’re more affordable but also contain more synthetics in return. They have started incorporating some iffy ingredients since launching, so I recommend avoiding the products that contain phenoxyethanol, fragrance, and quaterniums ⚠️
Also available here on Amazon.
Honest Beauty [$9-30]
Honest makes a wide range of budget-friendly makeup (skincare too!) and bans over 2,500+ ingredients. They have a great Lengthening Mascara and Tinted Lip Balms.
Also available here at Target and Amazon.
Lily Lolo [$12-34]
Lily Lolo is an OG green beauty brand that offers a bunch of mineral makeup from powder foundation, blush, mascara, to lipstick. Their Naked Pink Powder Cheek Duo would be great for a teen!
You can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount on Lily Lolo makeup!
Also available here at The Detox Market, Love Peace Organic, and The Choosy Chick.
PiperBlue Organic Palettes [$17+]
PiperBlue’s concept is that you have all of your cream-based makeup in one palette, apply it all at once, and then blend together for a quick 5-minute look. Very convenient!
Everything is handcrafted and blended in the USA with pure, organic, or wildcrafted ingredients. You purchase individual color singles that fit within a compact and refill as needed. They have blush/lip cream, bronzer, color corrector, contour, eyeshadow, and foundation singles. You can even buy pre-built All-in-One Teen Palettes!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount!
Well People [$12-30]
Another pioneer green beauty brand. They ban over 1,700+ ingredients and have some awesome makeup that I love too! I would recommend their Complexion Sticks, Expressionist Brow Pencils or Brow Gels, Power Eyeshadow Palettes, and Multi-Use Blush Sticks.
Also available here at Target, The Detox Market, and Thrive Market.
Related post: “23+ Affordable Clean Beauty & Organic Skincare Brands to Start Your Low Tox Journey”
Low Tox Nail Polish:
There’s really no such thing as *truly* non-toxic nail polish, but Huella formulates without the main offender ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, fragrance, and triphenyl phosphate 💅
They also have acetone-free nail polish remover, a glass file, and cuticle oil. Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Related post: “How to Choose Low Tox Nail Polish & Natural Nail Care Products“
Safer Personal Hygiene Products for Teens 🧼
Anything denoted with an asterisk (*) means you can use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount at checkout using the link provided! 🏷️
Body:
- Aleavia Prebiotic Body Washes*: [$20] These are microbiome-friendly and won’t strip the skin, so they’re particularly ideal for sensitive skin. Also may help with bacne or body acne! The original Enzymatic Wash is unscented, but there are tons of scents to choose from, even a Coastal Woodlands scent for guys that smells like a natural Old Spice or Axe.
- Attitude Body Scrub Bar: [$13] An exfoliating soap bar that sloughs away impurities, dead skin, and dryness. Has a gender-neutral sandalwood smell!
- Detox Mode Altogether Oil: [$32] An organic body oil that smells citrusy and uplifting.
- Dr. Bronner’s Organic Body Lotions: [$15] Basic and straightforward lotions, you might be able to find at Target too!
- Just Ingredients Body Lotions*: [$14] A safer swap for those Bath & Body Works lotions! Lots of scents like Coconut Vanilla, Sweet Citrus, and Tropical Paradise. They offer body lotions for guys as well.
- Konjac Body Sponge: [$12] Compostable exfoliating sponges made from konjac root.
- Kosmatology Body Washes* & Lotion Bars*: [$12] Simple, organic ingredients! Available in scents that would interest boys or girls.
- Plaine Products Hair & Body Wash*: [$30] Refillable and plastic-free! This might appeal to boys since it’s a 2-in-1 wash that can be used head to toe with a unisex sage smell.
Deodorants:
- Just Ingredients Deodorant Sticks*: [$14] These have a smooth texture and no baking soda, with options for guys and girls!
- Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Sticks & Creams: [$14] These come in lots of scents and are available with or without baking soda. They work to control odor and sweat!
- Rustic Maka Deodorant Sticks*: [$12] An affordable brand with some fun smells.
- Ursa Major Deodorant Sticks: [$18] These might appeal to boys since the scents are more unisex and woodsy. Plus, they apply smoother than most creams, like an invisible gel deodorant.
- Kaia Naturals Underarm Bar: [$26] This soap bar is especially helpful for those transitioning to natural deodorant or for extra smelly B.O. It contains activated charcoal and apple cider vinegar to detox bacteria and manage odor.
Check out this post for tips for switching to natural deodorant and how to detox your armpits: “How to Successfully Detox Your Armpits & Best Natural Deodorants (That Actually Work!)”
Hair:
- Acure Organic Dry Shampoo Powders: [$12] Absorbs oil and keeps hair looking fresh in between washes.
- Acure Shampoos & Conditioners: [$10] Acure has multiple formulas to pick from, including Clarifying for more oily hair!
- Badger Organic Hair Pomade: [$19] A medium-hold texturizing pomade made for guys.
- Carina Organics: [$13] This brand makes budget-friendly shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, and styling gel. You can get unscented too!
- Earth Harbor Beach Waves Texture Spray*: [$11] A texturizing, light-hold hair spray that can be used as a light hair spray or perhaps for boys to give a tousled look.
- Max Green Scalp Rescue Shampoo*: [$19] An affordable clean swap for Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo for those with dry or flaky scalps. Max Green also has a Styling Gel.
- Viori Rice Water Shampoo & Conditioner Bars*: [$12] Zero waste, effective, and available in unscented options too.
Shaving:
- Badger After Shave Face Oil: [$19] Contains menthol for a cooling sensation and a citrus scent.
- Badger Organic Shave Soap: [$14] Lathers well, provides a smooth shave, and leaves skin feeling soft. Works best when used with a loofah or shaving brush.
- Dr. Bronner’s Organic Shaving Gels: [$15] This one is nice for facial hair shaving, my husband likes it too!
- Leafshave Razors: [$109] Plastic-free and refillable!
(I also think just using a body wash or soap can work well for shaving too 🪒)
Body Sprays & Fragrances:
- Abbott Unisex Clean Fragrances: [$31-88] These are unisex, but lean more masculine, so boys might like them as a cologne or Axe swap! Abbott is phthalate-free, sustainably sourced, and discloses all the components in the fragrance (there are some synthetics, FYI).
- Heretic Body Sprays: [$35] The Dirty Grapefruit scent uses all-natural ingredients, and the other two incorporate safe synthetics, but everything is disclosed.
- Nusa Holistick Botanical Perfumes: [$35] These are 100% natural and inspired by tropical islands! I think girls would enjoy these as they’re light and feminine.
- Skylar Hair & Body Mists: [$30] Made with a mix of botanicals and phthalate-free, safe synthetic molecules and no known endocrine disruptors. Skylar discloses every single fragrance compound so you know exactly what’s in it. These are a bit more subtle than a traditional perfume, making them ideal for younger girls who want to smell good. They have some fun scents, including Coconut Cove, Peach Fields, Vanilla Sky, and Boardwalk Delight.
Related post: “SEPHORA Shopping Guide: 20+ Clean Beauty Brands [FREE Printable Download!]”
Organic Period Products for Teens 🩸
Many conventional period products are chock-full of pesticides, synthetic rayon, fragrances, chlorine, plastic, and bleached materials. Definitely not ideal for sensitive areas of the body, particularly for young girls!
Rael Organic Tampons & Pads: This is a great brand that offers a wide range of options for sizes and absorbencies. They have cardboard or BPA-free plastic applicators for tampons. Rael uses organic cotton and NO chlorine or fragrances!
Poppins Period Menstrual Cup: I WISH I had used these as a teen! There is a learning curve, but cups have tons of benefits (zero waste, you can wear them for up to 12 hours…I could go on!). Poppins Period (formerly Bloody Buddy) is the brand I personally use, and they offer a small Teen cup size that comes in fun colors. Code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount.
Period Co. Menstrual Underwear: Washable period undies are a fantastic eco-friendly alternative to pads and are much more comfortable. Period Co. uses PFAS-free materials, and they offer some organic cotton styles for teens.
Read more here: “Tampons, Pads, Menstrual Cups…Oh My! Are There Harmful Chemicals in Your Feminine Products?”
Here’s to growing up with healthy skin and happy hormones! Thanks so much for reading, and let me know if you have any questions below in the comments 💚
You might also enjoy this post:
12 Best Natural & Non-Toxic Baby Product Brands (Crunchy Mom Approved!)
Becca what do you think about the Evereden skin line? It’s created by dermatologists and their ingredients seem to be clean of everything you mentioned.
Hi Ayesha! I just quickly glanced at some of their products/ingredients and they seem okay!
Hey I love your website and articles are so helpful for a teen like myself!!!! I was wondering what you thought of Thayer’s skincare? I’ve been wanting to try their toners but wondering if you recommend
Hi! A lot of their products are not the best unfortunately. I’d watch out for ones that use alcohol, phenoxyethanol, fragrance, and PEGs.
Hi! What are your thoughts on primally pure skincare?
Their ingredients are good! I haven’t tried many of their products though.
Thoughts on drunk elephant?
They’re not the worst brand when it comes to ingredients but unfortunately they’re not super clean either!
What is the best way to get our tween daughter off of her #sephorakid products that were bought before we started looking at the ingredients heavily?
Hey Cody! That’s tough, I’m not a parent, so your guess is as good as mine. I would just use up the current products as not to be wasteful, and swap them out for something else when they’re empty!