Want to lead a healthier lifestyle, get radiant skin, *and* do both in an eco-conscious manner? If so, pivoting to use clean, green, and/or natural skincare products is likely on your to-do list—or maybe you’ve already made the switch.

With that said, there are a few things Dr. Gary Goldfaden, aka Dr. G, wants you to know. Keep reading to discover the insights he has to share on the topic, informed by 50-plus years of experience as a renowned dermatologist—as well as a leader in naturally derived, clinically backed skincare products with his namesake line.

What’s the difference between clean, green, and natural skincare?

“All of these terms tend to be used interchangeably within the beauty industry, which is confusing and at times misleading for some consumers,” Dr. G begins. Moreover, this confusion proliferates because there’s no federally regulated oversight on using such terms. In other words, there are no mandates or official boards making sure that brands’ claims are true to how they’re marketed, or meet certain standards to be able to use these terms for their products.

At any rate, Dr. G shares what these terms mean to him as a dermatologist and the founder of Goldfaden MD:

  • Green: an eco-friendly brand in packing, sourcing, and brand messaging
  • Natural: a brand that uses some/mostly natural ingredients and is free of certain ingredients
  • Clean: similar to a natural brand, but more likely to avoid formulating with certain “dirty” ingredients (such as PEGS, artificial ingredients, petrochemicals, mineral oil, etc.)

Again, since these terms are often swapped out one for the other, it’s up to you as a consumer to take a closer look at the brand’s DNA, ingredient lists, and the like to determine if the product is suitable for your own wellness goals and lifestyle concerns.

What are the benefits of using clean and/or natural skincare products?

If your beauty products live up to their labels, Dr. G shares that there are many benefits you can anticipate by cleaning up your makeup bag and arsenal of skincare products.

For starters, “Many people are allergic or reactive to chemicals commonly found in conventionally produced products,” Dr. G begins. Conversely, “Natural makeup, skincare products, and body products work with your skin instead of against it.”

He then calls out a few of the (countless) benefits of clean, naturally derived product formulations and how you can witness them for yourself in your complexion. “The integrity and purity in plant and botanically derived ingredients—namely the high level of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes, natural sugars, and more—provide a vital spectrum of benefits for the skin without being compromised by fillers and inactive ingredients,” he continues. “This allows for the treatment actives to provide the most abundant benefits within topical formulas.”

When these actives work their plant-powered magic, Dr. G says this enables:

  • better product penetration
  • the skin to be less reactive and irritated
  • a clearer complexion
  • a reduction of redness, rashes, and milia

What makes Goldfaden MD products clean, green, *and* natural?

Whether you’re a devoted customer of Goldfaden MD’s or are still in the initial stages of finding the best and safest skincare products for your needs, Dr. G wants everyone to understand what makes his namesake brand live up to each of the clean/green/natural terms.

“To begin, we do not formulate with silicones, mineral oils, parabens, petrochemicals, PEGS, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, or alcohol,” he explains. And these are only a short selection of the no-gos when it comes to the full Goldfaden MD line.

Each and every product is formulated to align with Credo’s Clean Standards, which are the most rigorous in the American beauty industry. On top of that, Goldfaden MD abides by the EU’s standards of product safety, so you can rest assured that over 1,300+ confirmed and potentially toxic ingredients have no place in our products. Lastly, in addition to being naturally derived and plant-powered, a commitment to sustainability is integral to the brand’s DNA, which lasts all the way from product development to delivery. This includes but isn’t limited to:

  • Repurposing post-consumer waste for packaging
  • Using only materials and packaging that are recyclable
  • Our partnership with One Tree Planted to promote a greener earth

In sum, what makes Goldfaden MD natural, clean, green (and everything in between!) is the fact that we prioritize a 360-degree approach to safety for your skin, body, and the planet—both in our formulations and beyond.

When it comes to leading a clean lifestyle (which includes naturally derived skincare products from Goldfaden MD, of course!) Dr. Goldfaden truly practices what he preaches—and has been doing just that for decades.

In this Q&A, you’ll get to know just how much Dr. Goldfaden prioritizes living healthily and holistically. This proactive way of living has enabled him to be a leading dermatologist for over five decades—not to mention a wonderful role model for his children, grandchildren, and the thousands of people who have sought his expertise at his practice and via Goldfaden MD.

Why do you prioritize naturally sourced foods?

As a family, we grew up eating organic food, lots of raw vegetables, and high-quality animal proteins and fats. My wife and I also took care to instill the value of a clean diet (and other clean/healthy living considerations, including but not limited to physical fitness) in our children.

Naturally sourced, whole foods (meaning they aren’t processed and are free from pesticides and hormones) have the ability to offer a higher percentage of nutrients, vitamins, and key antioxidants. That’s because there are no unnecessary preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics that can prevent the beneficial ingredients from leaving that specific product. An additional benefit is that they also allow for peak freshness of foods.

Moreover, eating a diet of fresh, naturally grown/raised whole foods is scientifically linked to decreasing the risk of disease and increasing life span.

What are the primary ingredients people should avoid in food?

High fructose corn syrup, gluten, and artificial colors are often the worst offenders.

The worst offenders I want to flag include:

  • Processed foods
  • Sugar and high fructose corn syrup
  • Gluten
  • Artificial colors

In some cases, dairy (which, among other red flags, often includes countless hormones you don’t want in your body) is another trigger that can negatively impact your health as well as your skin.

How does a clean diet also equate to healthier skin?

What we put into our bodies is just as important as what we are putting on our skin. Being aware of what you put in and on your body is crucial, as the skin showcases the nutrients from both an internal and external standpoint.

What clean beauty retailers and brands do you recommend?

Credo Beauty and goop are both respected leaders in the clean beauty space. In particular, Credo is a wonderful resource for education on what clean beauty is (and isn’t). Moreover, I admire the work they do on building, promoting, and upholding the Credo Clean Standard for all brands they carry—with Goldfaden MD among them.

As far as clean beauty/makeup brands go, I’d like to call out Ilia, Alima Pure, PYT, and RMS.

Dietary and skin considerations aside, what are other simple ways to lead a cleaner lifestyle?

To avoid unnecessary and undesired exposure to chemicals that can be toxic or harmful—or at the very least can elicit some kind of reactivity—it is also worth switching to clean products to use around the home. I particularly recommend household cleaning supplies from Mrs. Meyers and Branch Basics.

If you’re on a mission to clean up your skincare routine, you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you have sensitive skin, want to avoid exposure to potential toxins, prefer to support brands that prioritize sustainability, or simply want to explore the world of clean, green, natural skincare.

But before we dive into some of the best natural alternatives for popular active ingredients in skincare products, it’s worth noting why it’s so essential to pay close attention to the items we buy and apply regularly.

The benefits of switching to clean skincare

Dr. Goldfaden mentions that the skin is the body’s largest organ, and research shows that it’s capable of absorbing 60 percent of the ingredients in the products we apply daily. “That’s a very large number, and we’ve become more aware of what ingredients are found in our products for this reason,” he continues. “Many synthetic ingredients have been recognized to cause irritation in some people and may have damaging effects longer-term.” In fact, certain ingredients that lurk in common skin and body care products are linked to everything from allergic reactions to endocrine disruption and even serious illnesses.

For that reason, Dr. Goldfaden explains, “All Goldfaden MD products are made without harsh synthetic ingredients.” The list includes but certainly isn’t limited to artificial fragrances and dyes, which are linked to skin allergies and even cancer (in the case of Red 04 dye). And before you think that naturally derived ingredients won’t yield the same benefits and results of their lab-made counterparts, he reminds us that the full Goldfaden MD line “couples scientific expertise and nourishing active plant cell extracts to restore and improve the appearance of aging skin.”

In short, Goldfaden MD takes care to couple both the best of the botanical world and science-backed evidence to formulate safe skincare products that yield radiant results.

5 natural (and effective) skincare swaps for active ingredients

1. Bakuchiol

Perhaps you’re familiar with vitamin A products such as retinol and retinoids. “Retinoids are found in and derived from animal-based foods or are chemically reproduced,” he explains. While both retinol and retinoids are known to be effective anti-aging ingredients, they’re also infamous for causing the “retinol/retinoid uglies,” or increased sensitivity and redness following their use.

Fortunately, there are different ingredients that can take their place that is naturally derived and show evidence of less scaling and stinging than retinol. First on the list is bakuchiol, an anti-aging all-star that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. (You can find it in Goldfaden MD’s Radiance Repair Daily Renewal Serum.)

2. Carotenoids

Carotenoids are another wonderful, natural swap (which you can also find in other Goldfaden MD products) to use in place of retinol and retinoids. “Carotenoids are found in plant-based foods; we use carrots,” Dr. Goldfaden explains. Aside from their anti-aging properties, a noteworthy benefit of carotenoids is that “the stabilization of the product is better and they aren’t as harsh, so they’re particularly ideal for those with sensitive skin,” he continues.

3. Alpha arbutin

Next, for those who struggle with hyperpigmentation, you may have heard of (or even use) hydroquinone. “Hydroquinone is a chemical, also called benzene-1,4-diol—and benzene is a known carcinogen,” Dr. Goldfaden shares. “It’s a type of phenol, which is a fancy name for a certain class of chemical compounds that are similar to alcohols.” However, due to its risks, phenol is illegal for OTC sale in many countries—though unfortunately, the US isn’t among them.

To combat hyperpigmentation without risking your greater health, Goldfaden MD employs alpha-arbutin instead. “Alpha arbutin is derived from the bearberry plant—specifically from the leaves,” Dr. Goldfaden explains. Alpha arbutin (such as that in Light Treatment), “suppresses the pigment in pigment-producing cells as opposed to killing the cells, as hydroquinone does.” Better yet, it’s gentle yet still highly effective in lightening unwanted dark spots.

4. Vegan hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is famed in the skincare world for its hydrating, plumping effects. “Hyaluronic acid can be derived from rooster combs, made synthetically in a lab, or from a vegan source,” Dr. Goldfaden shares. If you’re striving to find options that use the latter source, rest assured that Goldfaden MD prioritizes the vegan alternative—derived from sweet potatoes—across several hydrating products. 

5. Squalane

Silicones (such as dimethicone) and mineral oil are commonly used in conventional skincare products. “Dimethicone is a man-made, toxic synthetic pigment and silicone-based polymer. It sits on the surface of the skin and doesn’t allow it to breathe, causing irritation,” Dr. Goldfaden warns. He also says that it forms a barrier that can end up reducing the efficacy of active ingredients. Next, mineral oil is “a petroleum-derived oil that suffocates the skin and is considered comedogenic, which means it can clog the pores and increase the risk of acne and blackheads,” he continues.

None of these side effects sound or look appealing, which is why Goldfaden MD takes care to use a natural alternative to take their place.

Enter: squalane, which is a natural emollient that mimics your skin’s natural oils. Squalane boasts anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and swelling, and it also won’t clog your pores like silicones and mineral oil can. “Squalane is also used because it has a much longer shelf life and is more stable in formulation than the alternatives,” Dr. Goldfaden shares. You can find this natural ingredient in products like Goldfaden MD’s Vital Boost Daily Moisturizer.)

Author Bio
Michele Ross is a beauty and lifestyle writer based in Los Angeles. She’s passionate about clean skincare and hiking in the California sunshine (with adequate SPF, of course).