Despite clean beauty being mainstream for some time now, figuring out which products are actually worth buying is still far from straightforward. Terms like “clean,” “natural,” and “nontoxic” remain largely unregulated, meaning brands, retailers, and shoppers often define them in completely different ways. And in 2026—when new beauty launches seem to drop by the minute—sorting through the marketing noise can feel like a full-time job.
That’s where we come in. As a part of our 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Awards, Cosmo editors spent months testing the newest clean beauty launches across multiple categories to find the formulas that truly deliver—while doing right by you and the planet. After swiping, slathering, and spritzing more than 150 products, we narrowed it down to the ones that impressed us most—not just because of their ingredient philosophies but because they genuinely performed.
Keep scrolling for our curated list of editor-approved clean beauty winners that are effective, luxurious to use, and worthy of a permanent spot in your routine.
The Best Clean Skincare for Your Face and Body
“I love everything about this crème—it is smooth and rich and absorbs relatively quickly so you can use it as either a day or night cream. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized no matter the climate. Plus, it layers perfectly with makeup.”
—SASCHA DE GERSDORFF, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
“Not to be dramatic, but this Ayurvedic formula has my skin looking better than it ever has before. The saffron-powered blend brightens, smooths, and evens everything out. My complexion looks radiant, clear, and finally feels balanced.”
—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
“This is the Goldilocks of clean face washes: It is lightweight, has a delightfully subtle scent to it, can get off my tough makeup on those heavier-wear days, and leaves my skin feeling cleansed without any lingering residue or feeling of being dried out.”
—ANDIE FOWLER, SENIOR CONTENT STRATEGY MANAGER
“I love the silky clay-like texture of this mask and the way it slightly dries while it sits on your skin (which makes it feel like a spa treatment at home). Every time I use it, my skin feels rejuvenated and refreshed.”
—AF
“This is my ideal one-step wash. It melts away makeup and sunscreen while simultaneously cleansing my skin, so you’re not left with that film or tight feeling—just soft and supple skin.”
—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
“Don’t let this eye cream’s lightweight texture fool you. It’s packed with smoothing and brightening ingredients that help soften crow’s-feet and minimize dark circles.”
—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
“The best thing about this sunscreen is the finish. There’s no weird greasy sheen that makes your skin look oily and messes with your makeup throughout the day. The texture is truly perfect for layering and everyday wear.”
—AF
“This is wildly easy to use. A few pumps go on just like a serum would, then you add a moisturizer on top. There’s a little bit of a tingle (sorry, but I love that ‘it must be working’ feel), but it doesn’t irritate or dry skin out. After a few weeks of consistent use, I noticed my skin felt softer and smoother.” —SDG
“Despite being free of synthetic fragrance and sulfates, this body wash smells amazing and has the best lather. I genuinely look forward to shower time thanks to this delightful formula.” —LB
“Packed with brightening vitamin C, depuffing caffeine, and soothing niacinamide, this rich body lotion feels so good on my skin and leaves a really gorgeous glow without a sticky residue.”
—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
“This gets the job done better than anything else I’ve tried. Whether I'm snowboarding, at the beach, or just dealing with chronic dryness, a few swipes provide long-lasting softness and hydration to my lips.” —LB
“I’ve tested every natural deodorant under the sun, and Curie’s stick is the only one that keeps sweat and odor in check. There are so many scents to choose from, but I’m currently obsessed with the Cherry Woods one.” —LB
“I’ve never fallen in love with a shower product as quickly as I did this exfoliator. It instantly smooths my arms and legs without being too harsh, and it truly makes you feel like you just got out of a luxury spa treatment, thanks to its calming scent and skin-softening abilities.” —JH
The Best Clean Makeup
“This is lightweight while still giving ample coverage, and the packaging allows you to dispense as much or as little product as you like. Blending is a dream and other products, like bronzer and blush, don’t pull it off the skin. When I use this, my skin is instantly evened out, my redness disappears, and somehow it looks like I’ve put nothing on on my face.” —JAYNE LEMIRE, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
“A few swipes of this concealer and my redness, dark spots, and breakouts magically disappear. It lasts just as long as conventional formulas and the finish is perfect—not too dewy, not too matte.”
—LB
“The thought of being without one of these tinted lip balms (I love the Dragonfruit and Pink Grapefruit shades) honestly scares me, so I keep them everywhere (desk, car, vanity, you name it). I’ve been wearing them nonstop.”
—LB
“Soshe’s liner ticks the perfect texture and ideal pigment payoff boxes for me. It makes for a wonderful, smooth waterline look—plus, it doesn’t budge or smudge either.”
—MIKHAILA ARCHER, EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
“This foolproof shadow elevates any eye look. It comes in a bunch of neutral shades that have a subtle sheen. And it couldn’t be easier to use—I just swipe the cream formula on with my fingers and then quickly blend.” —JH
“No falsies, no problem. This nontoxic tubing mascara lifts, lengthens, and holds a curl all day. My lashes look fanned out and fluttery, like I booked a lash appointment. Plus, it washes off without a fight.” —JW
“Sweeping this on my cheeks creates a soft watercolor blush effect that instantly wakes up my complexion. The powder formula is super pigmented but not so much so that it’s hard to use or blend out.” —LB
“For the first time ever, I can use one product to shape, fill, and fluff my brows. A few swipes of this tinted gel define and give full coverage with no smearing, caking, or clumping. And there’s a shade that’s perfect for my blonde brows and red hair complexion.” —AF
“I’ve never been a fan of traditional setting sprays (most give misting-hairspray-on-my-face vibes) but Saie’s feels like a refreshing skincare product...that just happens to lock makeup into place all day long.” —LB
The Best Clean Hair Products
“It is ideal for my fine, wavy hair, so I love to suds with this gentle shampoo to remove excess oil and buildup then follow with the lightweight conditioner for max smoothness without making my hair go limp.” —LB
“This duo just gets it: clean scalp, hydrated strands, and no chaos. The all-natural formulas are the real flex. My hair feels stronger and softer and detangles so easily. It’s giving salon-level results every single time.” —JW
“I could see a difference in my hair after using this one time—something that rarely happens when trying a new product. My strands were so soft and silky and felt so healthy.”
—AF
“I just dust this dry shampoo on my bangs when they start to look greasy, and it quickly soaks up oils and adds a little volume.”
—BG
“This is such a versatile styling tool. When I wear my hair down, I can run it through any rogue frizzy strands for a smooth finish. I also love it for styling face-framing pieces when I’m wearing my hair in a ponytail or bun, which I always struggled with when using a wax stick.”
—AF
“The packaging is surprisingly chic and the lightly scented formula is pleasant but not overwhelming. As for the formula, a little goes a long way (so the tube will last you what feels like forever) and it’s ideal for defined, frizz-free waves and curls.”
—SDG
“I only have the time and energy for a minimalist hair routine, so I love that this single multitasking mist takes the place of multiple products. It functions as a leave-in conditioner, yes, but it also shields hair from UV damage to protect color and smooth frizz.” —LB
More Clean Beauty We Love
“Essential oils are kind of a snooze when it comes to all the beautiful perfumes on the market. But Biology is doing it so right with beautiful blends that are natural but rival my $$$ fragrances.” —BG
“This polish is easy to spread and doesn’t dry too quickly while it’s being painted on, making it ideal for DIY manis. On average, I get a week of shiny, chip-free wear, and the shade range is stunning.”
—AF
“I can’t remember the last time I fell in love with a new brand so quickly. Everything about Nature of Things—from the packaging to the scents to the formulas—is just so lovely. And the range of products is impressive: I’ve been using the body wash and body lotion obsessively.”
—LB
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.












































