Liza Koshy on Embracing Clean Beauty, Skincare Lessons, and Self-Care Realness
How Liza Koshy champions clean beauty, challenges traditional beauty rules, and shares honest skincare advice for everyone.

Liza Koshy has always been a beacon of energy, humor, and authenticity. But beyond her viral videos and magnetic presence, she’s also become a voice for transparency and intention in beauty. In this exclusive interview, Liza lets us in on her personal skincare journey, her dedication to clean beauty, and dispels myths about who needs sunscreen. Get ready for skincare tips, honest confessions, and the kind of encouragement that only Liza can deliver.
What Is Clean Beauty? Liza’s Perspective
Liza Koshy’s passion for clean beauty is born from experience and a genuine desire to know what goes onto her skin. Clean beauty, in Liza’s world, isn’t just about the latest trends, but about formulas that prioritize safety, transparency, and intention. It’s a response to an industry where “clean” doesn’t have one definition and regulatory gaps can allow brands to label products ‘clean’ without meaningful standards.
- Clean beauty means non-toxic ingredients, no synthetic fragrances, and no harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, silicone, or talc.
- Liza highlights the need for *brands that are transparent about their formulas and have integrity in labeling.*
- Her preferred brands—like C’est Moi, where she serves as a brand ambassador—focus on ingredient integrity and honest marketing.
Liza says, “There are good humans out there who are trying to intentionally regulate what they put into their formulas. They aren’t looking to cause more issues with their products.” She chooses products that clearly list ingredients and avoid hidden nasties, reflecting a commitment to safer beauty standards.
Growing Up with Eczema: Liza’s Early Skin Struggles
Liza’s journey with skincare started early, shaped by real-life struggles. As a child, she spent time in dermatology offices battling eczema, breakouts, and insecurity about her appearance. These early challenges shaped her approach to beauty—prioritizing not only results but also safety for her sensitive skin.
- Liza recalls feeling especially self-conscious, noting how skin issues compound the universal insecurities of childhood.
- She focused early on finding solutions that were gentle, smoothing, and safe enough for compromised skin.
- She credits finding natural and organic brands—like C’est Moi, which offers thoughtfully formulated, often vegan products—for helping her gain confidence in her skincare routine.
Her advice for anyone struggling with skin insecurities? “The last thing you want to be is insecure about the first thing people see: your face.” That’s why she’s passionate about beauty products that truly care for skin from the inside out.
Liza’s Approach to Beauty “Rules”
If you’re expecting a rigid set of beauty rules from Liza, think again. Her beauty routine is as real as it gets—especially during quarantine, when schedules went out the window and self-care took on new meaning.
- Sleep is the ultimate skincare secret, according to Liza—but it’s easier said than done, especially with late-night editing sessions and odd sleep routines.
- She believes in listening to your skin over following arbitrary beauty regiment routines.
- Liza doesn’t always wash her face in the morning—especially after an intensive nighttime routine. Instead, she sometimes opts to just “wipe the crust out of [her] eyes” and let her skin’s natural oils do their job.
- She focuses on not over-stripping her skin, knowing that over-cleansing can lead to dehydration and more breakouts.
Liza’s take is refreshing: don’t obsess over every ‘rule’ you see online. Instead, build habits that work for your skin and lifestyle—and never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep, even if it only happens once in a while.
Skincare Lessons: Breakout Hacks and Honest Mistakes
Skincare isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning from mistakes. Liza’s not afraid to get real about her routine and the missteps she’s made along the way:
- Her top tip for dealing with breakouts? Patience—don’t pick or pile on harsh treatments. Gentle attention and sticking to basics go a long way.
- Multi-masking is an essential strategy, especially for combination skin. Target different areas of your face with the products that suit them best instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Liza is clear that consistency beats trends: Staying true to a gentle, regular routine is better than chasing the latest miracle product.
Her honesty resonates: “If I do a super evening routine—when I cleanse, mask, lip scrub, and hydrate—the next morning, I’ll just…skip my cleanser. I don’t want to dehydrate my skin too much by stripping my natural oils.”
Liza’s Clean Beauty Essentials: What She Can’t Live Without
When it comes to products, Liza keeps it simple but effective. She swears by a concise arsenal of clean products designed for daily use:
- Sunscreen—Her number one, non-negotiable recommendation for everyone.
- Gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin of natural oils.
- Soothing masks, especially for sensitive or reactive skin days.
- Hydrators: Lightweight, non-clogging moisturizers and face mists.
- Lip scrubs and hydrating balms for nourishing the often-overlooked lip area.
Liza recommends products that are not only free from harsh chemicals but are also vegan and responsibly sourced. Her preferred brands carefully formulate without synthetic fragrances and ‘filler’ ingredients, prioritizing formulas that soothe rather than stress skin.
The Power of Sunscreen: Breaking the Myths
For Liza, sunscreen isn’t just a product, it’s a mission. She’s especially passionate about dispelling the myth that only certain skin types need SPF.
- “You don’t wear [sunscreen] exclusively at summer camp or the beach,” she says, highlighting how her own upbringing didn’t emphasize daily SPF—especially as a person of color.
- Liza points out a prevalent belief in the brown and Black communities that a natural ‘protective tint’ makes sunscreen unnecessary. She disagrees, urging everyone to use SPF daily.
- The sun affects all skin tones, leading not only to cancer risks, but to wrinkles and sun spots—issues that impact everyone.
- Liza encourages wearing sunscreen even indoors and underneath makeup to fight cumulative damage.
She adds, “I’m always empowering my sisters to wear it every single day—under your makeup, even if you are inside.” Her advocacy is about health, empowerment, and breaking cultural stigmas about sun protection.
The Importance of Ingredient Labels: Liza’s #1 Skincare Rule
After years of navigating sensitive skin and eczema, Liza built a habit of checking ingredient labelels—a practice she believes everyone should adopt. She recently teamed up with Nneka Leiba, VP of Healthy Living Science at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), to stress the importance of label literacy for beauty consumers.
- Avoid buzzwords: ‘Natural’ and ‘clean’ aren’t regulated. Look for full ingredient lists instead.
- Be critical of fragrances: Synthetic fragrances often hide potentially harmful ingredients or allergens.
- Look for transparency and certifications, but don’t be afraid to do your own research beyond marketing claims.
Learning to read ingredients means no longer relying on pretty packaging or false promises. It’s a skill that puts control—and confidence—back in your hands.
Liza’s Quarantine Routine: Adaptation and Self-Care
Self-care became even more vital during quarantine, where routines blurred and stress ran high. Liza’s lockdown experience was as relatable as ever.
- She admits to odd sleep schedules, evenings spent baking banana bread, and less structure than her “pre-pandemic” life.
- Liza gave herself grace for not sticking to perfect routines and emphasized taking time for small joys and comfort—like home-baked treats and downtime.
- Her message? “Be kind to yourself. Perfection isn’t real, but self-compassion is.”
Expert Advice: Lessons from Clean Beauty Advocates
Liza’s conversations with experts reinforce her advocacy. In her discussion with Nneka Leiba, she learned important lessons:
- Invest time in becoming a conscious consumer. Ask questions about sourcing, testing, and ingredient transparency.
- Don’t let overwhelming information lead to inaction. Small changes—like choosing one product to swap for a cleaner alternative—add up over time.
- Building a skincare routine is personal. What works for one person might be different for another, so trust your skin and adapt with patience.
Key Takeaways: Liza’s Clean Beauty Manifesto
- Transparency above all: Know what’s in your products and why. Don’t rely solely on trendy labels.
- Listen to your skin: Prioritize gentle, nourishing care over harsh routines or endless new experiments.
- Wear sunscreen: Regardless of skin tone, SPF is a year-round, lifelong habit—that’s real self-love.
- Give yourself grace: Skin is a lifelong journey, and perfection is a myth. Progress is what matters.
- Advocate for better standards: Share knowledge, champion safe practices, and support brands that demand higher accountability.
For Liza, clean beauty is less about rules and more about a mindset: embracing informed choices, celebrating self-care, and championing authenticity in a noisy beauty world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What prompted Liza Koshy’s dedication to clean beauty?
A: Growing up with eczema and sensitive skin, Liza learned firsthand the impact harsh ingredients can have. Her passion for clean beauty developed as she searched for products that were both safe and effective, leading her to advocate for transparency in the industry.
Q: Does Liza wash her face every morning?
A: Not always. Especially after a thorough evening routine, she sometimes skips her morning cleanse to avoid stripping her skin’s natural oils, proving that rigid routines aren’t always best for sensitive skin types.
Q: What’s the one beauty essential Liza always recommends?
A: Sunscreen. She urges everyone, regardless of skin tone, to wear SPF every day—indoors and out—to prevent damage and skin aging.
Q: How does Liza approach product selection?
A: She always reads ingredient labels, avoids synthetic fragrances, and chooses brands with a commitment to intentional, non-toxic formulas with full transparency.
Q: How can beginners transition to clean beauty?
A: Start small—swap out one product at a time, prioritize basics like sunscreen and cleansers, and gradually educate yourself on ingredients and brands.
Liza’s Clean Beauty Routine: Sample Table
Product Type | Liza’s Tip | Clean Beauty Criteria |
---|---|---|
Cleansers | Go gentle, avoid stripping oils | No sulfates, no synthetic fragrance |
Masks | Multi-mask for different areas | Natural clays, soothing botanicals |
Sunscreen | Daily, under makeup | Mineral based, broad spectrum |
Moisturizer | Lightweight but hydrating | Non-comedogenic, fragrance-free |
Lip Care | Don’t neglect lips | Sugar scrubs, plant oils |
Resources for Building Your Own Clean Routine
- Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database: Research safety of ingredients and products.
- Ingredient label apps: Apps such as Think Dirty or Yuka can quickly scan and break down ingredient lists for safety and transparency.
- Follow credible clean beauty advocates: Seek out dermatologists, scientists, and experienced voices rather than just influencer marketing.
Your skin story is uniquely yours. Like Liza Koshy, you can choose a path that prioritizes health, confidence, and authenticity—one label at a time.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a32709582/liza-koshy-clean-beauty-interview/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a29357162/liza-koshy-interview-breakup-david-dobrik-youtube-video-liza-on-demand-season-2/
- https://www.thedrewbarrymoreshow.com/videos/liza-koshy-gives-drew-a-skincare-tutorial-of-her-one-of-one-products
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGq2v5D6B_s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV0FYKOgSNU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtzMVoy-KQU
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7CIgiZsdIk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5On-jtoZuE
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