Small changes can have a big impact when it comes to cleaning up your beauty routine. The average woman uses 12 different products in her daily routine (source) and the amount of toxic ingredients and dangerous chemicals hidden inside those products is astounding.
There is little to no regulation over the personal care industry and although we have made some amazing strides towards ensuring that everyone has access to safer products (check out the California Safer Fragrances Bill, Toxic Free Cosmetics Act and the Federal Sustainable Chemistry R&D Act) we still have a long way to go. This means that regulating what we put on our skin (your body's largest organ) and our family's skin is up to us.
I've said it before, but do your research. Read the labels and do some Googling. One of my favorite resources is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The EWG is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. Check out their Skin Deep database to see how your products are rated and find EWG verified products to add to your routine.
I've been working to swap out my products for a little over a year now and I have come to find some amazing products (and some not so amazing ones). The list below is comprised of items that I personally use and love. Are they perfect? No. Are they cleaner, safer alternatives to the toxic-heavy items that I used to use? Absolutely!
Makeup My makeup is 99.9% Beautycounter. Clean/not clean argument aside - this is the best makeup I've ever used. The Skin Twin Creamy Foundation is THE BEST and I still can't get over how pigmented the eyeshadows, blush & bronzers are. The only item in my routine that is not BC is my mascara. If you've ever asked me about BC mascara then you know I'm not a fan. I did hear that corporate is working on a new formula, so stay tuned for that! I'm currently using the Honest Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer. I grabbed it on a whim at Target and have been very impressed.
Dry Shampoo I've tried my fair share of dry shampoos and nothing compares to Primally Pure. I've recommended this product to just about anyone who will listen and I've never had someone not love it. It's a powder and comes in two colors for light and dark hair. Use this link to get 10% off your first purchase!
Skincare This is a no brainer - Beautycounter morning & night! The products are safe, high-performing and oh so luxurious! I look forward to my morning and nighttime routine so much! I mostly use the Countertime line along with some of the Counter+ items including the Overnight Resurfacing Peel, the Vitamin C Serum & the Charcoal Mask. I've also really liked this Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub from Mary Ruth's. (I also love their Elderberry Drops).
Nail Polish I'm a big fan of at home manicures & pedicures. I have been polishing my own nails since I can remember and had no idea that most brand name polishes are full of dangerous chemicals like Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), Toluene and Formaldehyde . I stumbled across Cote Nail Polish about a year ago and haven't looked back! The polish goes on smooth & thin and with a great top coat it lasts longer than any other polish I've ever used. My current favorite color is #41.
Sunless Tanner This is for all the pale girls out there (like me!). It's tough to find a good sunless tanner. Add in wanting it to be clean and non-toxic and your options are pretty slim. Luckily a friend recommended Beauty by Earth Self Tanner and it works great. There are two things that I wish I could improve about it - 1) It's very dark. I wish there was a lighter version for those of us with very fair skin. 2) It's thick. You have to use it sparingly and be prepared to really rub it in. The results are pretty amazing and the color is a true brown, no orange tint. I've never used the face tanner, but you can get the body + Face + application mitts in a bundle here.
Whitening Strips I LOVE the Lumineux Whitening Strips! I have very sensitive teeth and have never been able to use traditional white strips. These are awesome! Little to no sensitivity, superior results & they're certified non-toxic. win, win!
Sunscreen If you're still using chemical sunscreen STOP IT RIGHT NOW. Not only is it bad for you it's bad for the environment. I love Beautycounter's Mineral Sunscreen and it comes in a variety of forms to meet your needs (lotion, stick, mist). There is even a tinted one to give you a little extra color for the beach. I have been using this sunscreen on myself and on my son since he was about 6 months old. Also, as of January 1, 2021 Hawaii became the first state in the US to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. Check your labels and trade them in for a cleaner alternative.
Chapstick Primally Pure Lip Balm is the winner here for me. Made with ingredients like beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils the balm is soothing and doesn't cause increased dryness & chapping. I personally love the peppermint scent, but it also comes in cocoa, lavender, grapefruit and creamsicle!
Deodorant Beautycounter launched their Clean Deo in January and I could not be more excited to share it with everyone! This hardworking deodorant fights body odor, absorbs sweat, glides on smoothly, leaves no white residue and comes in a refillable case. The team at BC put 5 years into the making of this product and it is well worth it. You can choose from fresh coconut, soft lavender and clean rose. I typically hate floral scents, so I thought I'd be a fan of the coconut scent, but it's actually my least favorite. I've been using the clean rose and love. (side note - if you've never used a clean deodorant before your body will take about 1-2 weeks to adjust and detox.)
Body Wash I recently started using the Necessaire Body Wash and really like it. We spend so much time focusing on the skin on our face (which you should) that it's easy to forget about the rest of our bodies. I'm pretty sensitive to smells, so I opted for the fragrance-free version, but it also comes in sandalwood, bergamot and eucalyptus. I also grabbed a travel size of the Body Serum, which contains hyaluronic acid (a staple in the skincare industry). It definitely feels luxe, but I will have to report back on the results!
Cleaning up your beauty routine takes time, but every little swap adds up to big results in reducing your toxic load. Also, you don't have to sacrifice performance to get clean products into your routine. There are high-performing options in every category and making the swap is good for your health -- win win!
*Right now Beautycounter is offering 20% off for all new customers! Use code CLEANFORALL20 when you shop to save big!
Do you have some clean beauty favorites that aren't on the list? Share them with me in the comments!
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