Your Sephora Sale Shopping List: Clean Beauty Favorites Worth Adding to Your Cart

 Can you find truly clean beauty at Sephora? That depends on your definition of “clean,” but I’ve found a few favorites that make the cut in my book.

Clean beauty, as has been discussed in many ways and many places, basically has an infinite amount of ‘definitions’. My idea of clean and yours probably differs, and it certainly differs amongst companies, organizations and certifying agencies. And frankly, clean beauty is big business these days…you hear the term ev-er-y-where (greenwashing all over the place). Sometimes I feel like retailers are expanding their definition of “clean” to bring more brands and products into the fold, rather than getting more selective about the ingredients they allow.

As for Sephora, Clean at Sephora = “…products formulated without certain ingredients, such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and mineral oils” (a full list of excluded ingredients can be found via the link). And Sephora has definitely added to this list since I last looked at it, and I’m happy to see that! I also appreciate that they’ve begun a Planet Aware program that recognizes products and companies that adhere to a criteria for “ingredient sourcing and formulation, packaging, environmental commitments, and consumer transparency”.

What this all means to you and I is that while they do carry some very clean brands, they also carry some other ‘clean’ products that are less icky than others but might still contain ingredients you’re not cool with. So if it’s not a product you’re already familiar with you’ll need to do a bit of digging to decide if it meets your standards. I like to use helpful tools like EWG’s Skin Deep, Think Dirty and Yuka to look up products and ingredients to make sure it fits my idea of clean.

All that said, the Sephora Savings Event is coming (queue the confetti!), and I’ve got some clean beauty favorites that get my thumbs up…and you know a sale is the time to stock-up…or splurge on a new lippie (insert evil laugh here)!

EADEM | Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm

It’s safe to say that this gal would never turn down a chance to try a potentially amazing new lippie, and with this being described as a lip treatment AND beautiful gloss, I was instantly intrigued! Truly an all-in-one, Le Chouchou promises to exfoliate, plump, moisturize AND look fabulous. Don’t let the exfoliation factor scare you…they use ultra-gentle lactic acid and hibiscus enzymes in that department, and the plumping doesn’t come from anything scary either – that’s courtesy of some amazing butters (Brazilian Acai and African mongongo). This feels so freaking good on. Nice and thick, great staying power, and the color I was gifted (Pain au Chocolat) = beautimous! I’ve since purchased Fig Sauce, and it’s just as gorgeous, and my daughter adores a new shade, Sakura Shaved Ice. I love using this as a pre-lipstick treatment sesh as well as a gloss/balm on its own or with a lipliner. One of my favorite finds for 2025, and named Best Lip Gloss That Doubles as a Lip Treatment!

ILIA | Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon

Don’t let the pencil-ness of this fool ya. This is not your average lip liner! One, it’s truly hydrating — this is not going to dry you out — especially important when you have an aging lip area (or just happen to have dry lips). And two, it’s easily used as an all-over lippie (BIG plus for me) — it gives a gorgeous soft-matte finish without feeling (or looking) like your lips have been to the desert. So good! And while the product isn’t new to the line, the shade Untitled IS…and it’s gorgeous! It’s that perfect Adele mauvey-nude lip shade that I’m always trying to replicate. A new Ilia go-to in my bag!! You can read my full Ilia spotlight and more of my favorites here.

ILIA | Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss

This little gem is brand-new to the line this year. Thanks to Ilia I was given the opportunity to try this, and I can hardly wait to try other shades (like now during a sale!!!)…it’s AWESOME. Moisture factor lasts for ages and it just feels SO good on the lips — it’s kind of difficult to describe the texture, but it’s somehow cushiony and glossy without being sticky. I don’t know what sort of innovative magic they put into this, but it truly makes your lips feel like you’ve used a lip treatment, but it just so happens to have exceptional color in it too?! Crystalline is a lovely every day neutral, but also fab as a topper over a liner. I can hardly wait to get ahold of Motif and Clay…love me a brown lippie! Another one of my favorite ILIA products.

Kosas | Air Brow Tinted Volumizing Treatment Gel

They call this a ‘Volumizing Treatment Gel’, but it’s definitely got more of a mousse-y texture to it. Full of goodies such as Castor Oil and Panthenol Provitamin B5 to help with growth, but also has Biodegradable Plant-Based Microfibers to help fill in those sparse areas and even everything out. Love everything about this. Color is fab (I used to use Soft Brown but have switched to Taupe as my hair is a bit more highlighted these days), stays on all day, easy to apply and looks natural. AND one tube lasts forever. I’ve not found anything I love for brows as much as this…believe the hype.

Merit | Flush Balm Cream Blush

I’ll be honest, this brand is one of those ‘happy medium moments’. Yes it meets Sephora’s standards, but those with stricter clean beauty standards will not love the use of safe synthetics, along with a few other ingredients. But for the most part their products are rated low-hazard by EWG (for example, the highlighter below is ranked 1, this blush is a 2), so I do my research and decide product by product.

Now for the fun stuff! This blush truly melts right into your skin…the finish is kind of amazing. It’s not as creamy as the T28 below, so I tend to grab this more in the warmer months when my skin is not so dry. My two favorite shades are Beverly Hills and Bespoke, both just gorgeous, and a bonus with my skintone: I can also use the Bespoke as a kind of contour when I’m not rocking a tan…so pretty.

Merit | Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm

I’d gotten away from using a highlighter in the past few years (shimmer + fine lines = no bueno). But this one from Merit has proven to be a fantastic multitasker and very #midlifebeauty friendly: no visible sparkle or shimmer, just a subtle ethereal glow! Plus it gives my skincare a boost, as it’s hydrating and nourishing (squalane and olive oil among other rad ingredients!). I use it just beneath my eyebrows, down the top of my nose and a bit just at the top of my cheekbones, then when glamming up I’ll dot it in the corner of each eye. Cava is a gorgeous neutral champagne shade. If you loved Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector (I know, taking it waaaay back) in Champagne Pop, you’ll love this highlighter! Made my Best of Clean Beauty for 2022, and still the only highlighter I use!

Tower28 | BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm

One of my very favorite cream blushes. Great on cheeks AND lips. So far I’ve tried Power Hour, Office Hours and Magic Hour, and all are fab. Magic Hour in particular…gets reached for almost daily!

Tower28 | ShineOn Lip Jelly Lip Gloss

I have loved Tower 28 from the day they launched onto the scene (how could not, the line was created for us sensitive-skinned peeps!). And I have LOVED this lipgloss from day 1. It’s super cushiony (there’s that word again…I guess we know how I like my lip glosses!) and moisturizing. These are the sheerest of this bunch, but you still good color payoff all while feeling so good on the lips. AND they smell like a cupcake…nothing wrong with that! Cashew, Almond and Sesame shades are all in regular use for me, and I love them all equally. Named Best Clean Lip Gloss Under $20 in my 5 Best Non-Toxic Lip Glosses!

Westman Atelier | Eye Want You Mascara

Westman Atelier’s Eye Want You Mascara gives terrific length AND volume, holds a curl, gives more of the full, feathery look that I like and best of all…NO FLAKING or SMUDGING! Stays on even in crazy humidity, but magically washes off quite easily. I do wish the brush was a bit less big for more control in the inner eye, but that’s my only wee gripe. Outstanding! I will say that I initially put off purchasing it as the price is more than I really like to spend on mascara. But I was desperate, and there was a sale, and now I’m hooked. And while it is on the spendier side, please note that it also has lasted a LOT longer than any tube of clean mascara I’ve ever tried. I’m on month 5 (no judging), and no signs of drying out, etc. Given I would’ve typically gone through 2 tubes in that time, I’m calling it a wash in the budget department. Tied for 1st place in my battle of the top non toxic mascaras!

Westman Atelier | Lit Up Highlight Stick in Brûlée

You’re about to get hit with a lot of WA! It’s a spendy line (for me), so a sale = splurge time. And as I’m real picky about spending mucho dinero on cosmetic items, be sure that these truly are wonderful products (plus my sensitive skin loves all of these that I’m recommending)! And speaking of, now is the time to get this one. Cheeks, eyes, lips…it does it all. So pretty, just a lovely glow without glitter/shimmer, and Brulee truly gives that look like you’ve been out in the sun…not orange-bronzy, just a bit of that perfect rosy-bronze truly sunkissed look. Absolutely gorgeous.

Westman Atelier | Vital Pressed Skincare Powder

Another one to grab on sale as it is spendy. This gives a PERFECT finish – even on my driest day you wouldn’t guess I had powder on, it just looks so. natural. Takes down any shine from my skincare/SPF/t-zone, smooths the skin not settling into pores and lines, and sets makeup wonderfully prolonging wear. Plus it has skincare benefits!? And all of this while safe for my crazy skin. LOVE. I’ve tried the Translucent, Créme and the Pink Bubble. Translucent is great for me anytime, the Créme being a bit too dark for me until summer…and then it’s PERFECT for giving my skin a tanned effect without bronzer! The Pink Bubble is AWESOME for brightening me up…just switched to that recently. Several other shades available as well so there’s an option for most skintones.

You don’t need a lot, and it lasts forever, so while it’s on the spendy side, mine has lasted a year. It gets my vote for best non toxic pressed setting powder.

Westman Atelier | Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick

This has been one of my fave blushes for several years now (in shade Petal…the perfect dusty rose for a truly natural flush of color), and I recently added Chouchette to my stash, which is fab for creating lovely peachy-pink cheeks on sunkissed (real or otherwise 😏) skin. You know I love me a multi-use product, and these can be used on lips and eyes too! I think these are particularly perfect for mature skin…perfect balance of creamy hydration and a super natural finish. The hype for these is real. So great for travel, too!

Westman Atelier | Face Trace Cream Contour Stick

I’m a longtime fan of the Face Trace Contour Stick…in fact I’m on my 3rd one, and I don’t do any heavy contouring. Like Baby Cheeks, it’s that wonderful creamy texture that melts into the skin, looking completely natural. I use the shade Biscuit, and it’s the perfect natural hue for contouring – I used it along my jawline when I’m feeling poofy/jowly, along either side of my nose (lightly), and below my cheekbones. And added bonus, it also works great as a quick eyeshadow…the perfect natural neutral shade to ‘push back’ my hooded lids! Which also makes it the best travel companion. I’ve tried others, and this hands down has the most natural shades and texture.

Westman Atelier | Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer

Back before I cleaned up my routine, I used the iconic Guerlain Terracotta bronzer for well over a decade. It was the only bronzer that looked natural on me, was somehow moisturizing and surprisingly didn’t irritate my skin. So it was going to be a toughie to find a clean replacement. But Westman saved the day! Great color, moisturizing and NO FRAGRANCE. You might choke when you see the price of this bronzer. I get it (grab it on sale!!!). But a teeny bit goes a long way, so this beautiful compact literally last ages! I use the shade Coup de Soleil.

Alpyn | Barrier Repair Cream

You. Guys. I wouldn’t normally mention a product that I’ve been using for less than 2 weeks, but (and hopefully I’m not jinxing myself) this might be one of my best finds of the year. I’ve been looking for a new night cream that doesn’t irritate my extremely sensitive skin (as my previous fave is hard to come by, and expensive), but I’ve been very wary of trying anything new because my &#%ing skin keeps trying to have a perioral dermititis episode AGAIN. I decided during another recent sale to give this one a try, because A, the reviews are really quite amazing (rarely do you see a full 5 star average with hundreds of reviews!), and 2, it has the National Eczema Association’s stamp of approval…so I figured it HAD to be safe?! I literally had the PD beginnings popping up on both cheeks, lived dangerously and applied this before bed anyway, and the next morning the PD spots were GONE. Gone! And my skin felt gloriously plump and hydrated. I’ve been using it every other night, just in case, and so far so fabulous…flare ups have stopped (fingers crossed!!!). If you’re sensitive like me and worried about a reaction, there’s a mini version that’s perfect for a test drive, and the sale is the perfect time to give it a go.

ILIA BEAUTY | Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

This Super Serum Skin Tint is TRULY super! Not only does it have a higher SPF than most, the finish is satin-y perfection…my favorite kind. It definitely provides a blurred appearance to my pores, and my skin feels so bouncy and moisturized. Incredible! And obviously no irritation on my very sensitive self. This is light to medium coverage for those looking for more of a foundation, but for me it’s wonderful as it evens me out but doesn’t age me by settling in lines, etc. like a foundation does. I need only the lightest amount of concealer on broken capillaries on my nose, but that’s it! Such a great product, HIGHLY recommend, and top of my list for nontoxic tinted moisturizer with SPF!!!

Kosas | DreamBeam SPF 40 PA++++

I may cheat on this to try out the latest offerings, but I always come back to it – it’s my old reliable! No reactions, feels great on, plays nicely with my other products, and I LOVE that it’s got a bit higher SPF than your typical daily sunscreens. Don’t let the ‘tint’ fool you though…the slight beige-y/apricot hue just takes away the issue of whitecast, but doesn’t provide any sort of coverage. A favorite sunscreen for sensitive skin!!

Kosas | Kosasport LipFuel

This is my ‘Best Clean Daytime Lip Balm’ (aka purse lip balm) in my list of best clean lip balms! Great job of sealing in moisture, and while not quite as thick and waxy as ye olde Chapstick (though I call it my clean chapstick), it feels like butter and has terrific staying power. It also checks the mint box, though for those that don’t like it overly minty, it is actually fairly subtle. And the tube shape…it’s simply the perfect container for your purse, wallet or pocket. Baseline (clear) is a staple for me and I use it daily, but the tinted options are lovely for a wash of color too. Never without it! You can check my full Kosas review for additional products I love from this line.

Tower28 | SOS Faceguard SPF 30

I was happily chugging along with the Dreambeam last summer, when Tower 28 reached out to see if I’d like to try their new sunscreen. Um, yes please! T28 is represented heavily in both my skincare and cosmetic arsenals, as their products are specifically created for sensitive skin (the SOS Rescue Spray alone is on regular order as it’s a miracle-worker when my skin freaks out from PD or anything else!), so this was a no-brainer. And I absolutely could not love it more! I tested it all summer, and happily ordered a replacement when I finished it. This has a unique whipped, airy texture, hydrating but lightweight, and has the best finish; and this is where it beats out Dreambeam for me — that does have a bit of ‘radiance’ to it, and Faceguard provides a fully satin finish on me. Beautiful under makeup, no white cast. A favorite non-toxic beauty find for 2025 and top another favorite SPF for sensitive skin!

Tower28 | SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

The glowing reviews are all well-deserved as this mist is something special. If you have any type of skin sensitivity, jump on this. You’ll see redness start to dissipate IMMEDIATELY (including “redness” from too much sun *oops*). When my skin is acting up I spray this on and let it dry while I get dressed, before I begin layering on my other products. I’ve been loving it for 5 years (it was one of my top picks in clean beauty for 2021), one of my favorite products for battling perioral dermatitis and definitely a must for sensitive skin.

NÉCESSAIRE | The Deodorant

Another one of my favorite finds for last year! The key ingredient for keeping stink away is the Mandelic Acid which also helps with discoloration and smoothness, and absolutely love that it also has niacinamide to protect that skin barrier. Genuinely keeps odor away all day, no irritation. The Olibanum scent is gorgeous, warm and cozy, and went so well with all of my fall/winter fragrances; the Eucalyptus scent was awesome in the summer as gives a bit of a cooling sensation (which is perfect for those of us enjoying the hot flashes of it all…). Needless to say this is a stock-up situation during the sale…better hope I don’t grab all of the Olibanum!

Salt & Stone | Body Mist

This body mist is the non toxic fragrance option I’ve been searching for! GORGEOUS scents (get the sampler pack or get thee to Sephora to smell them all!), and they last ALL DAY. This is not your typical body mist that disappears on you. I hate to smell like everyone else, but I have to say the Saffron & Cedar is my JAM…so cozy, comforting and sexy, and smells a helluva lot like the uber-expensive Baccarat Rouge 540!

The Ordinary | Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

You might be wondering why I don’t have this under the ‘beauty’ header for skincare. And the reason is because I probably couldn’t use this on my uber-sensitive face, but boy does it do wonders for my feet and armpits! Yes you read that right. Soak a cotton ball in this and rub it over any dry/white places on your heels (and during flip-flop seasons the sides of my feet), and the next day those areas are smooth as a baby’s bum. No need for crazy scrubbing or shaving at the nail spa! Put a bit on a cotton round and apply to your armpits, and it helps not only with discoloration and smoothness, but also removes and lessens future odor…I do this at night 2-3 times per week. One of my favorite little helpers I found in 2025, works like a champ! And it’s inexpensive and lasts forever.

There’s my picks! Each and every one of these is in my current stash and well-loved, so please comment below if you have a question about any of them. And let me know if there’s a clean product at Sephora that you love and think I should try! Other than a few staples (deodorant lol) I’m in good shape, but I have seen lots of love for several of Sarah Creal‘s products recently, so feel free to entice me with any scoop there ;).