I'm about to turn 25 and I'm feeling like an old hag. Tell me I'm being dramatic all you want but that's not going to take away from my back hurting every morning and my skin looking as dull as a tarnished old spoon.

I woke up about a month ago and decided I was sick of blindly buying products because I heard they were good or because they're what I always used and I didn't want to waste money trying new things. I wanted improvements.

So I did my research and found the products below. I've tried them each out for a minimum of two weeks now and I'm truly and honestly loving all of them.

Of course, this list isn't perfect. I'm sure there are more clean options out there and IF they really work I'd absolutely love for you to leave any recommendations in the comments. But I'm on my way! I'm working on bettering my purchases with each click of "Purchase Cart" and this is a huge improvement from where I started.

I encourage you to adopt this mentality and find what is best for you and your health! In the meantime, all I can do is provide a little bit of information of what cleaner options work for me! So, here are 10:

1. Burt's Bees™ Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment

https://www.burtsbees.com/product/overnight-intensive-lip-treatment/792850901605.html

This is my NUMBER 1. I have been having the worst, annoying chapped lip problems lately no matter how little or much of any lip balm I try - even Aquaphor, which everyone swears by. I use it all the time, not just before bed. The price is $9.

2. Cosmedix Clarifying Kit

https://my-site-108754-104807.square.site/product/clarifying-kit/30?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

I have combination skin. It's dry and red on the top of my nose but oily around my nose and dry and red between my eyebrows but oily half an inch up from there. Not to mention my pores suck. These products my esthetician pal Cassi Stovash recommended have done a great job clearing up my skin while balancing all of these problems. The price on this is beyond fair at $50.

3. Pacifica Alight Clean Foundation

https://www.ulta.com/shade-finders/pacifica/alight-clean-foundation/

This goes on and builds FLAWLESSLY with a damp beauty blender to look like natural healthy, glowy summer skin. If you're into a more matte look, you're definitively going to want to set and finish this with matte-finish powders but, in my opinion, this is perfect for my combination skin. It goes for $16 and offers a shade finder online.

4. L'Oréal EverCreme Deep Nourish Shampoo

https://www.ulta.com/evercreme-deep-nourish-shampoo?productId=xlsImpprod4130137

My good friend and I both swear by this line. It's sulfate-free, extremely hydrating, and affordable at only $8. I use their EverPure Moisture Conditioner with it or the 6-in-1 Ever Cleansing Balm if I'm traveling for the weekend.

5. Organic Sunless Tan Firming Lotion

https://www.ulta.com/organic-sunless-tan-firming-l...

I recently started using this after asking around for suggestions from friends. A good friend of mine with similar pale Irish skin said she'd tried everything and this is what she counts on to get her tan without all the streaks AND chemicals. This price on this is $46, which aligns with other fan-favorites like St. Tropez.

6. Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum

https://coola.com/collections/sunless-tan-face/products/organic-sunless-tan-anti-aging-face-serum

This gradual facial tanning serum contains Argan Oil and Hyaluronic Acid for anti-aging purposes while building a gradual glow. Although this is a more natural facial tan, it does still smell like a tanning product (but I oddly like that). This goes for $54, which felt a bit pricey to me before I reminded myself that it's a two in one product - tanner and anti-aging serum.

7. Burt's Bees Nourishing Mascara

https://www.burtsbees.com/product/nourishing-mascara/VM-792850900462.html

This mascara is so underrated, I can't express how surprised I am that no one had recommended this to me. The formula is made with Jojoba Oil and, most importantly, the brush is amazing, with bristles that tug on your lashes just enough to separate and lengthen them. This goes for $13.

8. Juice Plus

https://www.juiceplus.com/se/en/shop/bundles/premium-capsules-complete-shake-mix

This product transforms 30 fruits, vegetables and berries straight from the plants into capsule (or chewable) form. Literally... it's like ground up nutrients. It's $75 per month for the 3 blends pictured above. I added an omega blend for $30 more per month and their delicious chocolate Complete powder (pictured above) to aid digestion for $35 more. You're supposed to take 2 capsules per day but I take one - it's more than I was getting before, I eat a well-balanced diet to begin with, AND I'm cheap.

My good friend and wellness guide Gracie Moody recommended this to me. Message her if you want to learn more!

9. Pacifica Coconut Cream Clean Deodorant

https://images.ulta.com/is/image/Ulta/2561275?op_sharpen=1&resMode=bilin&qlt=85&wid=800&hei=800&fmt=jpg

Let me preface this by stating that I don't sweat a lot but I'm really liking this after using it for about a week and a half. They also have deodorant wipes but I found these more useful as a temporary freshen-up after the gym than as a preventative deodorant replacement. This goes for $12.

10. DIY Lip Scrub

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/diy-lip-scrub/

All you need is 2 teaspoons of sugar (I prefer brown sugar), 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (olive oil will do if you don't have coconut oil.) That's it. Make your own at home!