Started digging into skincare formulation a while back because I got tired of buying $40 'clean beauty' face masks that were basically just bentonite clay and water with a nice label.

A few things I learned that changed how I look at organic skincare:

1. Clay type matters more than the brand. Kaolin is gentle (good for dry/sensitive skin), bentonite pulls more oil and impurities (better for oily/acne-prone skin). Most brands don't tell you which one you're getting or why.

2. Scrubs need the right particle size. Too coarse and you're micro-tearing your skin (walnut shell scrubs are notorious for this — dermatologists have been warning about them for years). Finer, rounder particles like rice or sugar-based exfoliants do the job without the damage.

3. "Organic" is a marketing word unless it's paired with an actual ingredient list. A lot of products slap the word on the label while still loading up on synthetic fragrance and preservatives that irritate sensitive skin.

This is basically why I started making my own combos — a face pack and scrub duo where I control exactly what clay and exfoliant goes in, and I'm upfront about it. Not selling a miracle, just skincare that does what it says without the guesswork.

If you're shopping for organic skincare, ask the brand what clay/exfoliant they use before you buy. If they can't answer, that tells you something.