Your Skincare Routine Might Be Funding Things You Stand Against

Most people never think twice about their skincare. You see a nice bottle on social media or in the store it's trendy, it smells good, the packaging is aesthetic, you buy it. I get it. I really do I did the same thing for years.

But what I'm about to tell you is worth knowing. The beauty industry is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. And a huge chunk of that money flows directly to corporations that have publicly stated support for, or have direct financial ties to, things many of us find morally deeply wrong. When you buy a L'Oréal product for example, a percentage of that purchase goes to a company that has been repeatedly called out for its stance on issues that matter to a lot of us. Same with Estée Lauder. Same with Johnson & Johnson. Same with The Ordinary. And so many more. It's actually so exhausting.

And it does not stop there. Many mainstream beauty products contain ingredients that are not halal like carmine, which is a red dye made from crushed insects, gelatin from animal bones, collagen from non-halal sources. These ingredients are in lipsticks, foundations, skincare creams. On shelves everywhere. With no warning on the front of the packaging. And on top of that many are not cruelty free.

This is not about being perfect. Nobody is. But when you know, you cannot really unknow it. And once you start looking, you realise that choosing differently is actually not that hard you really just need to know where to look.

That is exactly what this article is for. I'm going to show some products you can include in your skincare routine that are halal, vegan, cruelty-free and BDS-safe. Brands that are small, independent and actually deserve your money.

Because your skincare routine is a choice. And choices have consequences, whether we think about them or not.

The Routine: Three Products, Every Box Ticked

Step 1 — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil

I genuinely love cleansing oils and I think everyone should try the double cleanse method at least once. The idea is simple — you start with an oil cleanser on dry skin, massage it in, and watch it dissolve everything. Sunscreen, makeup, clogged pores, just everything. Even the heaviest waterproof mascara comes off without scrubbing.

What makes this gentler than a regular face wash is that the oil does not irritate your skin barrier it leaves your face hydrated after washing it. And if you like to then you can go in with a water based face wash of your choice to make sure there is no oil residue. Washing your face with a water based face wash is also easier now and better for your skin barrier since you don't really have to scrub anything off of your face anymore. But this step is really optional I think you're good with just the oil cleanser (tbh double cleansing is for when you feel a bit extra and want to put more time into your self care but not necessary at all).

Anua's version is built around heartleaf and centella extract, both completely plant-derived. No alcohol, no animal ingredients, no carmine. Just clean, effective cleansing that leaves your skin feeling calm rather than tight. I love this product so much it does all of the above and it leaves no oil cast on your skin just a fresh plum and hydrated face.

👉 [Shop Anua Heartleaf Cleansing Oil ]

Step 2 — SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule

If centella asiatica is new to you, this is what you need to know. It's a plant extract with decades of research behind it, known for calming redness, repairing the skin barrier and reducing irritation. It's one of the most reliable soothing ingredients in skincare. Not a trend, just something that genuinely works.

SKIN1004 sources their centella specifically from Madagascar, where the plant grows with a particularly high concentration of active compounds. The formula is 100% centella extract, nothing added, nothing unnecessary. It absorbs fast, layers well under moisturiser and calms reactive skin down quickly.

Fragrance-free, vegan, completely free from animal-derived ingredients. If your skin gets irritated easily, this product is definitely something you should look into.

👉 [Shop SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule]

Step 3 — PURITO Seoul Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF50

I want to be direct about this one. Sunscreen is not optional if you care about your skin long-term. UV exposure is the leading cause of premature aging — fine lines, dark spots, loss of firmness. Wearing SPF every day, even when it is cloudy, is the single most effective thing you can do to keep your skin looking good as long as possible. And Koreans have known this for decades that's why we always see these beautiful Korean grandmas with the most beautiful skin. They've BEEN taking their sunscreen seriously!

The reason most people skip it is not because they do not know this. It is because most sunscreens are unpleasant to wear. White cast (ugh I HATE it), greasiness, that heavy feeling that makes you not want to put anything else on top.

PURITO Seoul eliminated all of that. This sunscreen blends into skin completely, feels lightweight, and gives you SPF50 with ceramides to support your barrier. You will forget you are wearing it, which means you will actually wear it.

Vegan, cruelty-free, free from harmful chemicals. This is the product that made daily SPF a habit for me.

👉 [Shop PURITO Seoul Sunscreen]

A Note on BDS Safety and Halal Compliance

All three brands are independently owned Korean companies. As of writing this, none of them have known ties to corporations on the boycott list. I always recommend doing your own research and checking updated lists regularly, brand ownership can change and I am not a definitive source but to the best of my knowledge you are safe with these three.

On the halal side, none of these products contain carmine, gelatin, lard, animal collagen or ethanol. They are alcohol-free in the way that matters for halal compliance — no ethanol or alcohol denat in any of the formulas. You can get more information about halal ingredients here.

Conclusion

All in all building a skincare routine that works and aligns with your values is not only possible, it is easier than the mainstream beauty industry social media gurus would have you believe. You just have to know where to look.

These three products are where I would tell every Muslim woman, BDS-conscious consumer and just a morally conscious person to start. Clean ingredients, ethical brands, and they actually work.

Follow me on Pinterest search Conscious Glow for more halal, cruelty free and BDS-safe beauty finds posted regularly. And save this article for your next skincare shopping trip. Your skin and your values both deserve better than compromise. Love y'all xxx!! 🩷

Written by the author. AI was used for editing assistance only. This article contains affiliate links.