As a woman in my mid 50s, I’ve noticed that the beauty products I’ve used for ages just don’t work as well anymore. My skin is drier. I have random breakouts (still!) and my hair is now post-chemo hair, which is curly, thick, and crazy. My hair used to be thin and straight, FYI.

Aging means drier skin and hair because of decreased oil production, thinning of the skin, reduced blood flow, and of course, changes in hormones, which anyone dealing with menopause understands.

So, as I’ve been adjusting to these changes, I’ve taken the opportunity to also clean up my act when it comes to my beauty routine. A lot of beauty products we use daily unfortunately have a lot of harmful ingredients in them that can cause allergies, skin rashes, can be endocrine disruptors, and can even be carcinogenic. In haircare, more than 90 percent of products on the market still contain toxic ingredients.

Read More: Bobbi Brown Offers the 3 Simplest Beauty Tips for Women Over 50

How to Be More Eco-Conscious with Your Beauty Products

If you’re interested in becoming more conscious about your beauty products, here are some simple steps to start. Detoxing your beauty routine is a great way to reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and ingredients in your personal care products.

Try to reduce the number of products you use on a daily basis and opt for multi-use products, such as a tinted moisturizer that also contains SPF.

1. Identify the problem ingredients: While there is no universal definition of clean beauty, there are a few key ”baddies” that just about everyone can agree on. Start by reading the labels of your personal care products and identifying any ingredients that are known to be potentially harmful or irritating, such as parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and artificial fragrances. Fragrances are tricky because manufacturers don’t need to disclose what’s in them, so they’re places where phthalates are known to lurk. If you love fragrance (like I do), look for brands that clarify what’s in their fragrance.
2. Switch to products with good-for-you ingredients: Look for natural and organic personal care products that are free from harmful chemicals and ingredients. It’s important to not just avoid the bad stuff but also be giving your body good stuff, like aloe, grapeseed oil, almond oil, or seaweed.
3. Simplify your routine: Our beauty routines are unnecessarily complex. The average woman uses at least 12 beauty products a day. You can detox your beauty routine by simplifying it—and become more sustainable in the process. Try to reduce the number of products you use on a daily basis and opt for multi-use products, such as a tinted moisturizer that also contains SPF.
4. Use DIY beauty products: You can also make your own natural beauty products at home, such as face masks and hair treatments, using ingredients like honey, coconut oil, and avocado.
5. Prioritize skincare: Prioritize taking care of your skin and overall health to avoid relying too heavily on makeup and other beauty products. Eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly to keep your skin looking healthy. When your skin looks good, you’ll look and feel more vibrant.
6. Think about the box: If you really want to get “conscious” about your beauty beyond “clean” formulas, then also look for brands that focus on sustainable packaging, ethical production, and giving back to society. There are lots of amazing indie brands out there that are making fantastic (and highly effective) products while changing the beauty industry.

You don’t need to tackle all of your beauty products at once. As you finish up your current products, use that as an opportunity to reassess them one at a time and trade up.

Before you know it, you’ll have a completely conscious beauty routine. Your skin and hair will thank you.

Read More: Switch to Clean Beauty Products and Ditch the Lead and Mercury

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Lynn Power was formerly the CEO of J. Walter Thompson NY and has worked on advertising and marketing for many iconic brands throughout her career, including L’Oreal, American Express, and Clinique. Lynn is now the cofounder and CEO of MASAMI, a clean, premium haircare brand with a Japanese ocean botanical that’s all about hydration: lovemasami.com. She’s also a NextTribe lifetime member and has volunteered to send a goodie box of products by women-owned clean beauty companies to all new lifetime members.