FAVORITE NON TOXIC SKINCARE PRODUCTS & WHY YOU SHOULD CARE.
I’ve given in to my fair share of skincare phases and trends but trust me, this is one worth learning about.
It wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I started to care about the products and chemicals I was putting on my skin. I always reached for the most expensive looking or well known brand so that I was kept in the beauty and skincare loop. But now I’m over the hype behind the big name brand companies because half of these brands don’t care about your actual health or clearing your chronic acne like they claim they do.
The way I look at skincare now is through a holistic mindset where I focus on not only the products I’m putting on my face, but also what I’m putting into my body. Ever since going plant based my skin has improved tremendously, as most people’s do when switching to a whole foods diet. The minerals and vitamins needed for our skin to glow, and produce collagen and elasticity is all found in a well balanced diet. Free from processed foods, refined sugars and high in antioxidants. I could talk on and on about diet and how much it affects our skin but in this post I am solely going to focus on non-toxic beauty and skincare. Don’t worry though, I will most definitely being doing a separate post about diet and skincare.
WHAT DOES NON-TOXIC MEAN?
When companies claim to be non-toxic that means they have left out certain ingredients that have been known to be linked to cancer, hormone disruption, neuro-disruption and impaired organ function. Sounds like common sense right? Sounds as if that is how skincare should be, non-toxic. Well unfortunately that isn’t the case.
Companies are legally allowed to use the words bio, eco, organic, and all natural without any evidence on the packaging to back these claims up.
So, how do you know for sure if a product is non-toxic?
Look for the labels on the back that say,”Vegan, USDA Organic, Not Tested On Animals or Fair-trade”. This is a great way to know a true clean beauty company from competitors who’s main goal is to greenwash you into believing you are buying a non-toxic product.
greenwashing: Also called "green sheen", is a form of marketing spin in which green PR and green marketing are deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly and therefore ‘better’; appeal to nature.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
I feel like if you are someone who is well immersed in the health and wellness space you have heard the fact over and over again that our skin is our body’s largest organ. It’s true! Our skins primary function is to act as a barrier and protection from mechanical impacts and pressure, temperature changes, radiation and all sorts of chemicals. It regulates our bodily functions like sweating and it even sends signals to our brain to warn us of the changing temperatures. Now would it make any sense to be putting chemicals onto or into our body that are known carcinogens (substances capable of causing cancer in living tissue) and being released into our blood stream all throughout our body? Absolutely not.
FIRST STEPS IN SWITCHING TO NON-TOXIC SKINCARE
Did you know the EU has over 1,300 ingredients banned from being used in skincare and beauty because they are at known levels of toxicity, while the USA has only 11 ingredients banned? If that doesn’t prove how careful we must be while out shopping for new products than I’m not sure what does. To think that companies claim to have a mission that is all about helping the consumers skin health be at its very best while using dozens of toxic ingredients not only causing skin irritation, dryness, skin conditions but also diseases, is mind blowing to me.
So what are some small steps you can do in order to make this switch?
My first step to adapting to non-toxic skincare was downloading the “Think Dirty” app on my phone. It’s a free app where it allows you to search the product you use and they rate it on a scale of 0-10 depending how toxic the product truly is. After learning that some of my favorite brands were using many toxic ingredients, I didn’t just throw everything away. I rather became more aware of the products I should be reaching for next time. For example, at Sephora and Target I’ll shop the natural beauty section, they have both made it very easy and accessible to find these brands in their stores.
I think being more aware and just knowledgeable about this topic is the smartest first step to take because it can get very overwhelming when you realize how many of your products aren’t good for your health whatsoever, trust me I was pissed (considering how much money I spent on these products).
MY FAVORITE NON-TOXIC PRODUCTS AND BRANDS
Ok so I’m pretty new to this side of the wellness spectrum so I don’t have that many products I’ve tried out. But!! I do have a good little list goin. I’ll link everything below and mention where you can purchase it!
MyMatcha All-Over Moisture Stick : Amazing for all over the face, your lips, if your nose gets a lil dry in the winter, and really helps even out my complexion. Available at target.
Stem Cellular Cleansing Oil: One of the best cleansers to remove makeup!! It leaves my skin so dewy and cleansed, I rarely have to use a moisturizer or oil after because it leaves your skin so moisturized after. Available on their website.
Steam Cellular CC Cream (SPF 30): I am in the shade “warm glow” and this CC cream is a great consistency. I find It gives me the perfect amount of coverage for everyday use— although I rarely wear makeup. If I were to wear it everyday, it would be great for that. It’s not a whole lot of coverage so if you are more acne prone maybe try out their foundation instead, that is if more coverage is what you’re looking for.
Black Mascara: This stuff hella good. Makes my lashes lonnngg, although not so much thick if that’s more your vibe.
Manuka Honey & Yogurt GLOW GETTER HONEY MASK: Best mask I’ve ever used tbh. I hateeee masks that dry my skin out and cause irritation and redness, especially since my skin is so sensitive. This mask literally leaves your skin glowing. Available at Target.
Coconut Milk Cream to Foam Face Wash: this is a great cleanser for anyone wanting to make the switch immediately— I think swapping your cleanser is a great place to start. This one is affordable, and gets the job done. I’m obsessed with the fresh coconut smell and how there are gentle exfoliating beads that help my dry skin sort of repair itself. Also yes, the name is extremely accurate. Goes from a cream to foam instantly so it’s very hydrating. Available at Target.
The Tea Tree Trio: I was so thankful to have received this as a gift for Christmas and all I can say is I’m obsessed with all the products. The Tea Tree Balancing Oil is my favorite though!! Available at Sephora.
I ordered their Midi Committee set during the Black Friday sale, and have been loving their products. I still Have some I need to try out but 2 that have really stuck out to me and have been helping my dry skin during the winter months are the Protini Polypeptide Cream and B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum. Available online.
Jet Lag Mask: All I can say is, get this mask and use it as a moisturizer... your life will be changed. I’m not sure how else to say that this product is amazing… especially if you have dry skin!! Available online.
SMART PEOPLE WHO I LEARN THE FACTS FROM !!!!
Loni Jane (@lonijane)
Celeste Thomas (@celestethomas)
Emily (@depthsofbeauty)