I started to do a ton of research and the best way to set myself as well as my family up for better health.
I started to dig through my beauty drawer and cabinet, and was slightly disappointed that my throw out pile was much lager then my keep pile.
As I slowly started to change out these products for safer alternatives, I started to notice a drastic change in my skin, my energy, and my overall mood.
I have been talking a lot about safer skincare, and non-toxic living lately, and it is only because I truly believe that it is such a large component of our health.
Navigating your way through all the ingredients and figuring out which ones to avoid can be so overwhelming, half the time you can barely pronounce - never mind the fact that you are suppose to figure out what they are.
There are so many out there, but there seems to a few more common ones. So I thought I would try and break it down a little more. For a more comprehensive list check out the Beautycouter Never List. I just love how they have removed 1,500 questionable or harmful ingredients from their products.
Why should you removed these toxic and harmful ingredients from your skincare routine?
Your skin is actually your largest organ, and it absorbs these chemicals faster then you can apply them. Think about all the products that just sits on your skin and that you reapply sometimes more then once, like lotion or even lipstick.
Hormones issues, cancer, infertility, acne, and even allergies are on the rise, and switching to safer products, eating clean, and switching to non-toxic cleaning products is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family.
Parabens are a whole family of chemicals that act as a preservative to prolong the shelf life and the stability of products. This is the most common offenders, that is present in almost all everyday life products. Parabens are pretty scary since they can mimic estrogen in the body, disrupting our very delicate hormonal balance. They have been linked to breast cancer, and since they act as a hormone disruptor they can lead to reproductive and fertility issues, such as a decrease in sperm production.
Most commonly found in: face cleaners, face moisturizers, body wash, shampoo, body lotion, foundation
Swap for this: orange flower face wash, cleansing balm, charcoal cleansing bar, nourishing day cream, frankincense & mandarin shower cream, revitalizing orange flower shampoo & revitalizing orange flower conditioner, tint skin foundation, touch-up concealer pen
2. Phthalates
Phthalates is a group of plasticizing chemicals. This means these chemicals are used to soften and increase the flexibility of plastics in cosmetics and in return it helps make-up and fragrances stick to our skin. Phthalates greatly disruots the endocrine system and can even cause birth defects. Phthalates are mostly found in items containing a fragrance and can be apart of the company's 'secret formulas.'
Most commonly found in: deodorant, perfumes, lotions, hair sprays
Swap for this: primarily pure deodorant, lemon & coriander deodorant, pure frankincense perfume, geranium & orange body balm, sea salt styling hair spray
3. Frangrances
This word doesn't sound scary, now does it? But fragrance is considered a trade secret (and the term was created to protect companies formulas) by companies which means that they don't have to disclose the ingredients. More then not the ingredients include tons of harmful chemicals that can cause allergies, hormone disruption, and it can lead to bigger health issues, reproductive problems, and even infertility.
Most commonly found in: moisturizers, hand creams, hair products
Swap for this: calendula & oat lotion, citrus rose body oil, rejuvenating eye cream, nurturing rose shampoo, rosemary & cedarwood hair treatment
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
This item is found in over 90% of products in the make-up and skincare aisles, as well us cleaning products like laundry soap. Some of the chemical compiunds of SLS or SLES can react with carcinogens. SLS or SLES are known to cause skin irritations (that can lead to acne) and it triggers different allergies.
Most commonly found in: laundry detergent, shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, foundation
Swap for this: molly's suds laundry detergent, daily shampoo, super duper clean kids body wash, citrus mimosa body wash, sea soak, aromatic foaming bath, tint skin foundation, touch-up concealer pen
5. BHA and BHT
These are synthetic antioxidants. BHA and BHT is used to extend the shelf life of products. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors that may cause liver damage. The liver is the body's main form of detoxification and so if the liver is not functioning properly, chances are that other organs aren't functioning at their best either.
Most commonly found in: lipsticks, lip gloss, moisturizers, diaper creams, other cosmetics
Swap for this: lip sheer, lip gloss, geranium & orange body lotion, calming diaper rash creams, powder blush duo
6. Lead
Lead is heavy metal, and in the body it is a neurotoxin. The highest level of lead are unfortunately found in the leading drug- and department store brands. Researchers found that women tend to apply lipstick from two to fourteen times every single day. That means that about 87 milligrams of product gets ingested and absorbed a day. According to science there is no safe levels of lead exposure. It has already been removed from things like paint and even hasoline, but not from products we apply onto our skin. Lead is a neurotoxin linked to learning disabilities, behavioral problems, menstrual irregularities, reduced fertility, and delayed puberty.
Most commonly found in: lipsticks, lip gloss, other cosmetics
Swap for this: lip sheer, lip gloss, powder blush duo, matte bronzer, color shade eye duo, color outline eye pencil
7. Retinyl palmitate & Retinol (also known as Vitamin A)
Retinol is known to help soften wrinkles, but the negative effects far outweigh the "positive". It may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when applied topically.
Most commonly found in: moisturizers, anti-aging skincare
Swap for this: rejuvenating day cream, rejuvenating radiance serum
7. Formaldehyde
Hmm, the stuff you used in your biology class to help preserve dead animals, is actually also an ingredient in most cosmetics. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, that is linked to developmental toxicity, asthma, and neurotoxicity
Most commonly found in: shampoo, body wash, bubble bath
Swap for this: repair & nourish shampoo, English lavender bath & shower gel, aromatic foaming bath
There is a whole huge list of really nasty ingredients that find their ways into our homes and our products. This is just a short list of the most common culprits that I found in my own space.
How did your beauty drawer do? Which are the most common offenders that you found? Got any other safer skincare companies you love? Please share below!
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