After spending more than a decade testing and writing about beauty products, I’ve lost count of how many serums, creams, and cleansers I’ve tried. The beauty industry is constantly evolving, especially in the age of Instagram and direct-to-consumer marketing, where brands appear overnight with bold promises and glossy campaigns. Some deliver on their claims—but many don’t. And in the skincare space especially, too many products rely on buzzwords like “clean” or “natural” without offering science or research to back them up.

I’ve been fortunate to have a guide in all this—my mom, Debbie, a clinical esthetician in Beverly Hills. She’s been my go-to resource for everything from ingredient lists to treatment options. And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned from her, it’s that skincare is deeply personal. What works wonders for your best friend or favorite influencer might not do the same for you. Each of us has unique skin, influenced by genetics, diet, stress, and lifestyle. That’s why real research matters—especially if you’re facing stubborn issues like cystic acne, rosacea, or melasma. In those cases, professional guidance from a dermatologist, naturopath, or dietitian is key.

For less severe concerns—like occasional breakouts, dryness, oiliness, or early signs of aging—over-the-counter products can be effective, as long as you know what to look for. And that’s where awareness of ingredients becomes crucial.

A Motherhood Wake-Up Call

I had my biggest skincare “aha” moment the day I learned I was pregnant. For years, I’d leaned on prescription creams to tame cystic acne, formulas that often contained benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or strong acids. Suddenly, those weren’t safe options anymore. Pregnancy forced me to rethink everything—what I put on my face, what I wore on my lips, even the eye creams I used at night.

That deep dive led me to something startling. In Nurture by Erica Chidi Cohen, I read that the average American woman applies 168 chemicals to her body each day. Let that sink in. Even more shocking? The U.S. hasn’t passed major legislation on cosmetic safety since 1938. Many of the synthetic ingredients in today’s products didn’t even exist back then. It’s no wonder that countless chemicals banned in Europe are still found in products lining American drugstores.

Pregnancy opened my eyes to the reality that our skin is our largest organ. Everything we apply—lotions, lipsticks, serums—is absorbed, enters our bloodstream, and can even affect our babies. That alone should be reason enough to take a closer look at what we’re using.

And here’s the kicker: some of the very products marketed to solve skin concerns may be contributing to them. Many conventional beauty products contain endocrine disruptors—chemicals that interfere with hormone balance. Hormones are tightly linked to skin health, so it’s entirely possible that a cream meant to fight acne is actually fueling breakouts through hormonal disruption. Talk about a vicious cycle.

Tools for Smarter Shopping

If all this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to become a chemist overnight. Thankfully, there are resources designed to help decode ingredient lists.

• EWG’s Skin Deep database is one of the most comprehensive tools out there, offering safety ratings for thousands of products and ingredients. Their Healthy Living app makes it easy to research on the go.
• Think Dirty is another favorite. With the motto “Think Dirty, Shop Clean,” their app rates millions of products on a simple scale: green for safe, yellow for caution, red for toxic. It’s straightforward and eye-opening.

These tools give you power—the power to choose what you put on your skin with awareness, not blind trust in marketing.

Ingredients Worth Avoiding

To get you started, here’s a quick cheat sheet of ingredients worth steering clear of when building a safer, cleaner skincare routine:

• Parabens (look for prefixes like methyl-, isobutyl-, or propyl-): Used as preservatives, they disrupt estrogen and have been linked to breast cancer.
• Formaldehyde: Another preservative, but also a known carcinogen.
• Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP): Common in fragrances, associated with birth defects.
• DEA, MEA, TEA (Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine, Triethanolamine): Foaming agents that interfere with hormone function and are classified as carcinogens.
• Diazolidinyl Urea and Imidazolidinyl Urea: Preservatives that release formaldehyde over time.
• PTFE (Teflon): Yes, the same chemical used in nonstick pans. Linked to cancer and banned in Europe.
• Essential Oils: Often assumed safe because they’re natural, but not all are pregnancy-friendly. Lavender and chamomile are generally safe, while clove, rosemary, and clary sage can trigger contractions. Always research before use.

A More Conscious Approach

Switching to cleaner beauty isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment. It’s about recognizing that our daily habits matter, not just for our skin, but for our long-term health and for the lives we nurture. The truth is, it shouldn’t take a pregnancy to make us pay attention.

Our skincare routines should support us, not sabotage us. And while it may feel daunting to overhaul your beauty shelf, even small steps—like swapping out one product at a time—can make a huge difference. With the right tools, a little research, and a shift in perspective, it’s possible to create a routine that’s not only effective but also safe, thoughtful, and aligned with the kind of care we truly deserve.

Because in the end, beauty isn’t just about what we see in the mirror—it’s about how we choose to care for ourselves, inside and out.