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Trending Beauty Products vs Clean Alternatives: Face, Body, Hair & Nails
- May 21
- 6 min read
In today’s world, it has become increasingly common to purchase skincare based on social media trends, influencer recommendations, or purely aesthetic appeal. At the same time, however, we are also seeing a growing number of consumers becoming far more ingredient-conscious, actively seeking out products that are genuinely beneficial and effective for their skin.
With the rise of “clean beauty” as a marketing term, it has unfortunately become more difficult to navigate the space with clarity. Greenwashing is widespread, and many brands position themselves as clean despite formulations that don’t fully align with that promise when examined more closely.
At Beirut Boutique, we are proud to take a different approach. We are the exclusive EU stockist of one of the leading clean beauty brands in the MENA region: Potion Kitchen. You can also learn more about the brand’s philosophy and story through our interview with the founder here.
Potion Kitchen is not only our best-selling brand, but also the one with the highest rate of returning customers. The results speak for themselves, once introduced into a routine, the products quickly become staples that customers continue to repurchase.
Below, we explore some of the most trending skincare products right now, alongside our Potion Kitchen alternatives curated for a more conscious, effective routine.
Face Wash: Everyone is raving about the CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser which is the the current viral staple however we recommend you try the Geranium Face Wash.
Why? Potion Kitchen offers a more elevated daily ritual. With its lightweight gel texture and fresh geranium profile, it gently cleanses while leaving the skin feeling balanced, soft, and comforted without the stripped feeling some foaming cleansers can leave behind.
If CeraVe is about reliable performance, Potion Kitchen is about a more sensorial, refined cleansing experience that still respects the skin barrier of all skin types.
Face Serum: Another viral brand at the moment has to be BYOMA and their Barrier Oil product which is ultimately designed as a multi-functional barrier treatment rather than a targeted facial serum. We would instead recommend the Rosehip Serum.
Why? This serum takes a more focused approach. Built around rosehip as the hero ingredient, it delivers a purer, more intentional formulation that prioritises skin nourishment, regeneration, and radiance without layering multiple competing actives. Where BYOMA leans into a science-led, multi-ingredient barrier complex, Potion Kitchen offers a simpler, more ingredient-led formulation philosophy, allowing rosehip to work at its full potential without dilution.
Face Spray: Since the launch of Rhode, its products have gone viral and received mixed reviews, though much of this may come down to the fact that the range feels particularly suited to dry and dehydrated skin types. Their Glazing Mist designed as a modern glow-boosting mist with a multi-active formula focused on instant radiance and a dewy finish, it leans into a more cosmetic, performance-driven approach to hydration. Instead of this product, we would recommend the Aloe Rose Hydrating Mist.
Why? The Potion Kitchen Rose Aloe Spray, by contrast, follows a more minimal formulation philosophy. Built around rose water and aloe vera, it focuses on simple, plant-based hydration and skin comfort, without the complexity of a multi-layered active system or texture-enhancing ingredients.
Where Rhode prioritises an immediate “glazed skin” effect, Potion Kitchen offers a more lightweight, stripped-back mist designed to soothe, refresh, and support the skin’s natural balance throughout the day.
Potion Kitchen is a softer, more understated alternative.
Body Wash: While the Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is a well-known luxury staple, celebrated for its invigorating scent and sensory shower experience, it is ultimately designed as a fragrance-led, performance body wash with a more complex formulation and strong aromatic profile. Instead we would recommend the Harmony Body Wash.
Why? As the Harmony Body Wash is built around gentle, plant-based cleansing ingredients, it prioritises skin comfort, hydration, and balance, rather than a highly fragranced or sensory-driven experience.
Where Aesop leans into a bold, essential-oil-rich ritual that focuses as much on scent as on cleansing, Potion Kitchen takes a more soft, understated approach that supports the skin barrier while remaining simple and non-overwhelming.
For those looking for a more gentle and everyday body wash, Potion Kitchen is a considered alternative.
Body Lotion: While the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is one of the most iconic body care products on the market, it is primarily designed as a fragrance-led, sensory body cream, known for its addictive gourmand scent and instant soft-focus glow on the skin. Instead we recommend the Jasmine Body Oil.
Why? Rather than relying on heavy fragrance and a rich butter-based texture, the Jasmine Body Oil is formulated as a lightweight oil that absorbs easily into the skin, helping to nourish, soften, and enhance skin radiance without feeling heavy or overpowering.
Where Sol de Janeiro focuses on an immediate scent and texture experience, Potion Kitchen prioritises a long-term skin comfort and hydration. The jasmine infusion adds a subtle natural aroma, but the focus remains on the skin benefits rather than a strong perfumed trail.
For those looking for a more elevated, understated alternative to heavily scented body creams, Potion Kitchen offers a more refined daily body ritual.
Body Scrub: While the OUAI St. Barts Scalp & Body Scrub is a cult favourite known for its luxurious tropical scent and spa-like experience, it is ultimately designed as a fragrance-led exfoliating treatment that focuses as much on sensory pleasure as it does on skin renewal. Instead, we recommend the Arabica Coffee Scrub
Why? The Arabica Coffee Scrub, by contrast, takes a more purpose-driven, ingredient-focused approach. Formulated with coffee grounds rich in natural exfoliating properties, it works to gently buff away dead skin cells while helping to smooth and revitalise the skin more directly, without relying heavily on fragrance or a multi-sensory “vacation” experience.
Where OUAI leans into a highly perfumed, lifestyle-driven shower ritual, Potion Kitchen prioritises a more functional exfoliation that focuses on skin texture, softness, and visible results. The emphasis is on the performance of the ingredients rather than the scent profile.
For those looking for a more straightforward product, Potion Kitchen offers a more grounded alternative to the more indulgent, fragrance-forward scrub experience.
Shampoo & Conditioner: While the Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner is a true luxury haircare icon, it is designed as a high-performance, salon-grade system focused on repairing damage, strengthening the hair fibre, and delivering a rich, indulgent sensorial experience. Its formula combines advanced conditioning agents, proteins, and signature fragrance oils for a highly refined, multi-layered treatment approach. However we would recommend instead the Aromatherapy Shampoo and Conditioner, which takes a more holistic approach to haircare.
Why? Built around gentle cleansing bases and botanical extracts, it focuses on maintaining scalp balance and supporting the hair’s natural health, without the heaviness of a rich, protein-heavy or silicone-led formulation.
Where Oribe prioritises a luxury, transformative treatment experience with a strong fragrance signature, Potion Kitchen offers a more lightweight, aromatherapy-led routine that feels calmer, simpler, and more in tune with everyday scalp comfort.
For those who prefer a more natural, understated alternative to high-performance salon formulas, Potion Kitchen provides a softer daily ritual while still keeping the hair feeling clean, fresh, and balanced.
Hair Oil: While the Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Oil has become a viral beauty icon, known for its luxurious honey-infused formula and high-shine finish, it is ultimately a fragrance-led, silicone-rich styling oil designed to deliver instant smoothness, gloss, and frizz control. Instead, we recommend the Hair Heroes Oil.
Why? With several different plant-based oils working in synergy, it is designed to hydrate, soften, and improve hair texture over time, rather than simply coating the hair for immediate cosmetic shine.
Where Gisou focuses on a highly sensorial, perfumed experience and instant polished finish, Potion Kitchen offers a more lightweight, multi-oil formulation that absorbs easily without heaviness or buildup, making it suitable for regular use across different hair types and routines.
Scalp Serum: While the The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a popular, science-led treatment focused on peptide technology to support the appearance of thicker, fuller hair, it takes a more clinical, functional approach to scalp care with a multi-active formula designed for measurable results. We recommend instead the Rosemary Scalp Serum.
Why? The Rosemary Scalp Serum focuses on creating a balanced scalp environment, supporting circulation, and encouraging healthier-looking hair growth through a gentler, nature-led formulation. built around rosemary and plant-based actives.
Where The Ordinary prioritises a highly technical, peptide-driven system, Potion Kitchen offers a more sensory, aromatherapy-led scalp ritual that feels soothing, lightweight, and easy to integrate into a daily routine.
Nail Oil: While the Chanel La Crème Main is a luxury hand treatment known for its elegant packaging, rich texture, and immediate softening effect, it is primarily designed as a cosmetic hand cream focused on instant comfort, fragrance, and skin-smoothing results. Instead we recommend the Nailed it Cuticle Oil.
Why? The Nailed it Oil takes a more targeted and treatment-focused approach. Formulated as a lightweight blend of nourishing botanical oils, it is designed to condition the nails and cuticles directly, helping to strengthen, soften, and improve overall nail health rather than simply moisturising the skin surface.
As you may have noticed, many trending beauty products tend to prioritise scent, texture, and overall sensory experience, with performance coming secondary. With Potion Kitchen, the approach is the opposite: the primary focus is always functionality, without compromising on clean, high-quality formulations.
This is not to say that other products are ineffective, but rather that they often include more complex ingredient blends and added extras designed to enhance the sensory experience. Potion Kitchen, on the other hand, remains intentionally focused on simplicity and results-driven formulations, prioritising what the skin and hair actually need.
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