Building Your First Clean Beauty Routine

|Marion Sillandi
Building Your First Clean Beauty Routine

A minimalist guide to getting started with natural skincare at any age.

You've probably heard the term "clean beauty" more times than you can count. But when you actually try to build a routine around it, things get confusing fast. Where do you even begin? Do you need ten products? Five serums? A complicated ten-step ritual?
Here's the truth: you don't.
A good clean beauty routine can be surprisingly simple. In fact, the best ones usually are. If you're just starting out, or starting over, this guide will help you find your footing without overwhelming your skin or your bathroom shelf.

What does "clean beauty" actually mean?

Let's clear this up first, because the term gets thrown around a lot.
Clean beauty isn't about being perfect or following a strict rulebook. At its core, it means choosing skincare made with intentional, transparent ingredients - products that work with your skin rather than against it. It means saying no to unnecessary fillers, synthetic fragrances, and ingredients you can't trace back to a real source.
It also means trusting brands that care about where their ingredients come from, how they're processed, and what ends up on your skin.
That's it, no drama, just thoughtful choices.

Why less is more (especially at the beginning)?

When you're new to natural skincare, the temptation is to buy everything at once. A cleanser, a toner, two serums, an oil, a mask, maybe an eye cream "just in case."
But here's what actually works: starting small.
Your skin needs time to adjust to new products. And more importantly, you need time to notice what's actually making a difference. When you layer on five new things at once, you'll never know which one your skin loves, or which one it doesn't.
So instead of a full routine, let's talk about the essentials. The two or three products that form the foundation of any good skincare ritual.

The clean beauty starter kit: just 2–3 products

If you're building your first routine, focus on three basic steps: cleanse, hydrate, protect. That's it. Everything else - serums, masks, oils - can come later, once you've found your rhythm.

Step 1: A gentle cleanser

This is where everything begins. A good cleanser removes makeup, dirt, and sunscreen without stripping your skin or leaving it tight and uncomfortable.
Look for oil-based or milk cleansers that dissolve impurities while nourishing the skin. Cold-pressed plant oils, like those used in French botanical skincare, are especially effective - they cleanse deeply but leave your skin feeling soft, not squeaky.
One product, used morning and evening, is all you need.

Step 2: A hydrating moisturiser

Once your skin is clean, it needs moisture. A well-formulated cream helps lock in hydration, supports your skin barrier, and keeps everything balanced throughout the day.
Choose something lightweight enough for daily use but nourishing enough to actually do its job. Certified organic formulas with plant-based ingredients tend to absorb beautifully without leaving a heavy residue.

Step 3 (optional but valuable): A targeted serum

If you want to take things one step further, a hydrating serum can make a real difference,  especially as skin starts to change in your 30s and beyond.
Serums with hyaluronic acid or botanical actives deliver concentrated hydration and can help with everything from fine lines to dullness. Apply a few drops before your moisturiser, and let it sink in.

That's your routine. Cleanser, moisturiser, and maybe a serum. Simple, effective, done.

Adjusting your routine as your skin changes

Your skin at 30 isn't the same as your skin at 50 and your routine shouldn't be either. Here's how to adapt as you move through different stages of life.

In your 30s: prevention and hydration

This is the time to build good habits. Your skin is still resilient, but the first signs of change - subtle dryness, perhaps a few early fine lines - may start to appear.
Focus on hydration. A gentle cleanser and a good moisturiser are your foundation. If you want to add something extra, a lightweight hydrating serum with botanical ingredients can help keep your skin plump and glowing.

In your 40s: radiance and repair

Now's the time to introduce products that support cell renewal and bring back that natural glow. Your skin may feel less bouncy, and dullness can creep in.
Consider adding a revitalising facial oil or an antioxidant-rich serum to your evening routine. Look for ingredients like vitamin E, plant oils (plum, sea buckthorn), and formulas designed to brighten and firm.

In your 50s and beyond: nourishment and targeted care

Mature skin craves richness. This is when a more nourishing night cream or a dedicated eye treatment can really shine.
Focus on products that deeply hydrate, support elasticity, and care for delicate areas like the eye contour. Look for creams with natural butters, regenerating plant extracts, and soothing ingredients that calm and restore.

A few honest tips before you start

  • Give it time. Natural skincare works, but it doesn't work overnight. Your skin needs a few weeks to adjust and show results. Be patient.
  • Introduce one product at a time. This way, you'll know exactly how your skin responds and you won't waste money on things that don't suit you.
  • Trust simplicity. A short, thoughtful routine will always beat a complicated one you can't keep up with.
  • Read the ingredients. If a brand is proud of what's inside, they'll tell you. Look for transparency, certifications, and real sourcing stories.

Clean beauty isn't about perfection

It's about intention. It's about choosing fewer, better products that actually support your skin.
You don't need a ten-step routine. You don't need to spend a fortune. You just need a few well-chosen essentials that feel good, work well, and respect both your skin and the world around you.
Start simple. Stay consistent. And trust that sometimes, less really is more.

Where to start: our picks by age

Not sure which products to try first? Here are our recommendations based on where your skin is right now.