The benefits of clean beauty & non-toxic skincare

With the new year upon us, now is the time to refresh your skincare and discover the benefits of clean beauty products.

Over the past decade, clean beauty has evolved from a niche buzzword to a key concept in modern skincare. There’s no question that today’s consumers are more informed than ever before, and we now know that products laden with chemicals can often irritate skin, your overall health, and the environment.  

But what is clean beauty, and how do you go about choosing a skincare brand that really is chemical-free? The term ‘clean beauty’ is not legally defined or regulated in the UK, meaning that what one brand views as ‘clean’ can vary widely from another.

At Thrins, we take the term ‘clean beauty’ seriously. Our founder, Olga Brennand, has distilled more than two decades of skincare expertise to deliver a range of clean beauty products of uncompromising quality, each one inspired by the healing botanicals found in thorn-bearing bushes and plants that grow abundantly across the UK.

Each Thirns product is handmade by Olga in small batches to order from the highest-quality natural botanicals and skin-identical compounds that nourish and care for skin while delivering visible and lasting results. We believe in taking a holistic approach to skincare, one that nurtures mind, body, and soul, contributing to a life well lived without harsh chemical formulas.  

Clean beauty means chemical-free formulas 

Clean beauty brands like Thirns prioritise formulas that are natural and chemical-free, avoiding traditional ingredients that can often irritate skin or have a damaging impact on the environment. Our curated skincare line harnesses the healing power of wild and cultivated thorn-bearing bushes and plants that thrive across the UK.

 

Below are some of the risks and pitfalls of choosing non-clean beauty products:

• Harsh synthetic ingredients: Traditional skincare products are typically filled with parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and phthalates that have been linked to irritation, hormonal disruption concerns, or allergic reactions when misused or combined in complex formulas.
• Occlusive or pore-clogging agents: Certain silicones, heavy emollients, or mineral oil derivatives can form a barrier over the skin, interfering with breathing, exfoliation, and nutrient exchange.
• Ingredient synergies and “cocktail effects”: Even ingredients considered “safe” in isolation may interact in unpredictable ways when layered. Over time, this can lead to sensitivity, dullness, or inflammation.
• Lack of biodegradability / environmental residue: Many synthetic actives or preservatives persist after rinsing, entering waterways, and causing ecological damage.
• Short-term gratification, long-term compromise: Some conventional products deliver dramatic short-term effects (bleaching, intense peeling, toning) but at the cost of skin barrier depletion, rebound sensitivity, or longer recovery time.

In short, non-clean beauty products may yield fast results, but sometimes at the expense of skin health, comfort, and sustainability. Our clinically approved range of natural skincare products is designed to nurture your skin while delivering lasting results, naturally. 

What does clean beauty really mean? 

As we mentioned earlier, the term clean beauty isn’t regulated in the UK, which leaves it open to interpretation. Here’s how we define it:

Luxury clean skincare begins with ingredient integrity and simplicity. We favour botanicals, plant-derived actives, and non-synthetic compounds wherever possible, while avoiding known irritants, controversial preservatives, and unnecessary fillers. 

Equally important are safe but potent actives. At Thirns, we believe that clean doesn’t have to mean skincare that isn’t hardworking. We utilise plant cell technologies developed in France and Switzerland, which are then optimised to deliver visible results. This technology harnesses the full medicinal and healing properties of the active botanicals. We then blend plant-cell-derived ingredients with the finest carrier oils and hydrolats from handpicked suppliers in the UK, France, Germany, and Switzerland, ensuring products of uncompromising quality. 

A commitment to sustainability and ethical ethos also defines true clean beauty. That includes cruelty-free testing, eco-conscious packaging, recyclable or compostable materials, and responsibly sourced ingredients that minimise environmental impact wherever possible. We never test or use ingredients that have been tested on animals, and we continually work to minimise our ecological footprint. 

Finally, authentic clean beauty is guided by skin-first performance. Every formulation must deliver real results - hydration, radiance, firmness, and comfort - without compromise or delay. Our clinically approved clean skincare products are carefully formulated to provide lasting results that compound over time. All our skincare products boast rich and nourishing formulas designed to protect and nurture skin, ensuring it looks its very best, naturally. 

Why choose clean beauty skincare products? 

Switching to clean skincare brands like Thirns offers a host of advantages that are both immediate and cumulative.

Without harsh preservatives or synthetic fragrance blends, the skin experiences reduced irritation and sensitivity, becoming less prone to flare-ups, reactivity, and barrier disruption. Over time, long-term skin health and resilience are enhanced. 

Our clean skincare products are designed to support barrier repair, antioxidant defence, and gentle cell renewal, rather than forcing aggressive change. The finest botanical ingredients sourced from thorn-bearing plants and bushes, such as rose, sea buckthorn, rosehip, raspberry, and juniper, work in harmony with high-quality essential oils and hydrolats to reveal a luminous, lit-from-within complexion. 

Not only are clean beauty products like Thirns beneficial for your skin, but they are also more environmentally friendly. 

How to start a clean beauty routine 

The best way to start a clean beauty routine is to replace your current products with high-quality, chemical-free skincare products. We believe in a no-fuss approach to skincare, featuring a curated collection of high-quality products, handmade to order in our laboratory in Bath, UK. 

Thirns has been purposefully designed as a minimalist range for mature skin, with each product carefully crafted to work in unison, supporting and restoring metabolic cycles and nurturing the skin to ensure it looks and feels its very best. This means you can bid farewell to cluttered bathroom cabinets filled with ineffective skincare products.

Not only do our products offer a simplified routine, but they also offer a moment to pause and reconnect, transforming everyday skincare into a gentle spa ritual. Each application invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy a few quiet seconds of indulgence, creating space to recentre yourself while nourishing your skin, naturally. 

Our hero products include our Cleansing Balm, infused with vitamin-rich rosehip to boost collagen and improve elasticity, and our Firming Emulsion, a deeply hydrating moisturiser that can be used day and night, with Damascene Rose to tone and tighten the skin, Vitamin C to brighten, and sea buckthorn to boost collagen and improve the skin’s barrier functioning. Finish with our decadent, lightweight facial mist serum, Energising Mist, with apothecary rose and seaweed to replenish moisture levels. 

Ready to enjoy a clean beauty routine and enjoy visible and lasting results? Browse our exclusive, made-to-order luxury clean beauty skincare products and start embracing your best skin, naturally.