8 Toxic Beauty And Skincare Ingredients To Avoid (And Why)

About a year and a half ago I was still totally oblivious and clueless that most of my beloved skincare had toxic and potentially harmful ingredients.

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.

1. Parabens
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!

Why You Should Seriously Rethink Your Beauty And Skincare Products

Have you ever wondered what your makeup and skincare might be doing to your body?  Other then making our skin less or more broken out, we mostly don't think that any of our products really makes a big difference in our overall well being.

As my wellness journey continues, food will always be a major component of balancing out my body, but overtime I have learned that what I am putting on my skin is equally important.

Why? The skin is the bodies largest organ, and it just so happens to be extremely porous.  Before I started to learn more about "natural  living", I never even thought of the skin as an organ - even though it makes sense.  For example sweating is the body's way of removing toxins - you might notice that you tend to smell less "lovely" during a stressful phase in life because your body is expelling more toxins then normal through the skin.  So so gross, but so so cool.

The fact that the skin is porous goes both ways - just like the skin sweats and expels toxins, it just as easily absorbs toxins.  So basically anything we apply to our skin (make-up, lotions, creams, sunscreen) adsorbs directly into the bloodstream.  So if we are using products with toxic chemicals, well, we can see how that might be a cause for concern.

To put things into a little bit of perspective - the European laws ban 1,328 toxic chemicals from their skincare and beauty products that are suspected of causing health problems like cancer, gene mutations, infertility or reproductive harm, and even birth defeats.  In comparison the the United Sates that has only  partially banned 11 toxic chemicals.  Isn't that insane?  This makes me miss living in Germany so much, we could easily shop on the economy and we din't have to question every product in so much depth.

Before I started to learn and research all of these things, I simply assumed that everything on the shelves must be safe, because it's regulated.  Seems not - I was way to trusting.

The main problem with all these toxic chemicals is that they are endocrine disruptors.  What does that mean? Basically these toxic chemicals disguises themselves as hormones, and therefore interfere with our bodies naturally occurring hormones, and that wreaks havoc on the systems in our body that rely on these hormones to function well.  These endocrine disruptors are also (mostly) the main causes of break outs, infertility, weight gain, oily skin, migraines, high toxicity of the liver, sleeping disorders, and a whole bunch of other hormonal issues also known as lady problems.

I have been wondering why all these other toxic chemicals aren't banned in the United States.  After much reading and gathering of information, it seems that they reason these toxic chemicals are allowed in our skincare and beauty products is - because delivered in small doses these chemicals can't cause harm.  But when you think about it - we apply multiple products a day - face wash, cleaners, toner, moisturizer, serums, night creams, masks, body wash, body lotions, makeup, shampoo, other hair products, perfume, and even deodorant.  All of these products include a small dose of toxic chemicals, which when you add it up is way more then what a single product would have.

Once I learned all of these things I became more conscious of my own skincare and beauty products.  I was dumbfounded that all my beloved products had tons and tons of toxic chemicals - these are some of the most common ones - parabens, fragrance, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, triclosan, and petrolatum.

Toxic chemicals are everywhere, and it shocked me.  Even in the beauty brands that I considered to be top of the line, and a little more "natural."  It was so discouraging, well actually just plain disheartening, but over the last few months, I have been slowly weeding out all the nasty ingredients and been replacing them with safer alternatives (it is working progress.)  It has been just a few months and my skin has never felt better.

Soon I will be sharing my all time favorite clean beauty brands with the products that I love and use - so stayed tuned if you are looking for some suggestions to clean up your own beauty drawer.

In the meantime if you are interested in learning more about safer skincare and why it really matters, check out this page and this page.

Do you use any safer skincare products? What is your favorite brands? Have you noticed any changes since using them? Please share below in the comments.

My Top 10 Essential Oils

I started my oil journey a couple of years ago, but mainly keep it to myself because of the controversy.

Essential oils have a dark side when used incorrectly, but when used safely it can definitely help improve health.  Some ways essential oils are used; to improve immunity, speed illness recovery, hormone imbalances, in homemade cleaning- and beauty products, as an air-cleaners, and topically when dilute - just to name a few.

My favorite way to use essential oils is to diffuse it, the oil gets released into the environment and everyone benefits.  I do this everyday instead of using candles.

 I thought it would be fun and helpful to share my ten favorite essential oils, and what I use them for.

I am a minimalist oil user, and do not have a ton of oils. I think it is important to stick with what you need/want in an oil, what works for you, what works for your budget, and what you are comfortable using.  I do not recommend ingesting essential oils, and always dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil before applying it topically.

No two essential oils are the same, and it is important to find pure therapeutic graded essential oils with no added fillers, and or synthetic fragrances.

My two favorite companies to buy oils from is Neil's Yard Remedies and doTERRA.

1. Wild Orange - This oil is uplifting and considered cleansing, it is also said to stimulate the immune system.  I diffuse this a lot for a fresh fragrance around the house - and honestly it just makes me feel happy.
* I don't use it on sun exposed skin or in skincare products since it can increase sun sensitivity.

2. On Guard - This oil smells like fall in a bottle, I love the combo of all the oils blended together, it contains a mix of sweet orange, rosemary, clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. The smell is amazing and it is natural disinfectant. I diffuse this oil a lot during the fall and winter months, especially when have people over (hello small group) since it is great air freshener.  It supports healthy immune function, it cleanses the air, and helps protect against environmental threats. Another way I use it is to dilute it with a carrier oil and then to rub it onto the soles of the kids feet to support their immune system - for example when they are in class set up with other kids like Sunday school.

3. Lavender - I use lavender oil every single night in our diffusers in the bedrooms (with a drop of wild orange) since it has calming and relaxing properties. It promotes peaceful sleep, and I just love the ritual.  Lavender oil also soothes the occasional skin irritation like bug bites, or even sunburn.

4. Peppermint - I use peppermint oil (ALWAYS diluted) for low grade fevers, nausea, upset stomach, congestion, and for headaches.  Peppermint oil promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing.  It can be diffused for an energizing and cooling aroma.

5. Lemon - I diffuse lemon and other citrus essential oils aromatically.  I use lemon oil in most of my cleaning product for a clean and fresh smell without all the chemicals.  Lemon oil cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces since it contains natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antihistamine properties. It is also great for insect bites as well as for salves used on wounds. 
* I don't use it on sun exposed skin or in skincare products since it can increase sun sensitivity. 

6. Melaleuca - Also known as tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial. It is best know for it's purifying properties.  I use tea tree oil in all my cleaning products to help eliminate environmental threats.  Tea tree oil is also great for the occasional skin irritations.

7. Deep Blue - I love the smell of this oil, it is a blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, ylang ylang, helichrysum, blue tansy, blue chamomile, and osmanthus,  It is soothing and cooling to skin.  This my favorite blend (ALWAYS diluted) for migraines, as well as muscle aches and pains.

8. Frankincense -  I love the smell of frankincense, it is in my favorite safer perfume.  Renowned as one of the most prized and precious essential oils, it has extraordinary health benefits.  It can be used for pretty much anything from perfume to salves and soothing skin.  It's beautifying properties are to rejuvenate the skin and to help reduce the appearance of imperfections.  When diffused it promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction, and overall wellness.  This oil is a little pricey, so I use sparingly.   I use it when we are sick - a drop on the fingertips gently rubbed behind the ears, to help with congestion - and the smell just makes us feel slightly better.

9. Eucalyptus - The main chemical components of Eucalyptus radiata are eucalyptol and elpha-terpineol, making it ideal to promote feelings of clear breathing and relaxation.  It also has purifying properties.  I mainly use this oil for congestion, and for pestering coughs by diffusing, or diluted on the soles of our feet.

10. Purify - This combination of lemon peel, siberian fir needle, citronella grass, lime peel, melaleuca leaf, and cilantro herb purify and eradicate odors in a safe and natural way.  It has a refreshing aroma.  I diffuse this oil (or just plain citronella oil) to deter mosquitoes in the summer and it is also great for soothing insect bites.

  From fighting allergies, to relieving skin irritations, to promoting peaceful sleep, and disinfecting your home essential oils can provide safe and natural remedies for your home.

I like to keep it basic and simple.

Let me know your favorite essential oils and why.

Want to learn me more? Click here.

{Beauty} Be An Influencer For Beautiful Beauty Changes

Exactly nine months ago, I felt pretty miserable - my head felt like there was no clarity, constant exhaustion, lacking passion and motivation, and I was just not as bubbly and joyful as usual.

I knew had to make some changes in my personal life - routine, some self-care, as well as focus on my beauty products in order to cut out some unnecessary toxins from this routine.  I also had a big health scare months prior and I randomly started suffering from constant migraines - I knew I had to figure something out and at least try out some changes.

I was introduced to Beautycounter along with a coupe of other amazing companies like Neil's Yard Remedies, whose mission is to educated people on why safer skincare is so important and working to get safer skincare in the hands of everyone.

That concept and mission alone made me so excited, and it weirdly brought me so much joy.

I decided to give them a try, but what I didn't expect was how intrigued my friends and family would the products I use every single day and how open people would be to the fact that the products we use every single day affects us more then we realize - especially woman and their hormones.

 I am so excited to walk this journey, and to help educate people - because what I have come to realize is that people in generally really just don't know any better.

The changes you make daily is making a difference - whether you realize it or not.

The lipsheer,  face oil, or even lotion you purchase goes  beyond they way your skin feels, how your hormones start to interact when eliminating toxins, and the why your child with thrive.

It is making a chance on a larger scale.

When you say YES to safer beauty products, you are apart of a movement to get safer products in the hands of everyone - all over the globe.

Beautycounter is not just working in creating safer and effective skincare and beauty products , but also working on a much larger scale to push for change in the entire industry.  Beautycounter has banned over 1500 questionable and or harmful ingredients in their products through their very  rigorous Never List, and is diligently working to pass laws and to encourage more skincare and cosmetic companies to take a better look at their ingredient list.  A major law regarding the cosmetics industry have not been passed since 1938!

Neil's Yard Remedies is not just working in creating safer and effective skincare ad beauty products but also on a much larger scale to push for sustainability only using ingredients nature ca afford to give.  Neil's Remedies use organic and natural ingredients (you can see the list here and here,)  and is diligently works towards effectiveness, protecting the environment, and empowering people to live a more holistic way of health.

Choosing to change and influence your own life, energy, and health is the very first step, but if you are intrigued or motivated about this subject and want to educate and empower other woman, you can be an influencer like me.

I don't say that I sell make-up or skincare products - I educate, encourage, and empower woman to take charge and to take small steps towards bettering their own health.

If this resonates with you - join me in this amazing movement - and become a Beautycounter consultant.  Click here to join the Beautycounter movement.

You can also become a Neil's Yard Remedy consultant by clicking here - and joining another movement for better and safer skincare.

To learn more about why safe skincare is so super important and to learn about my all time favorite products, head over to my Beautycounter and Neil's Yard Remedies page!

{Beauty} Why I Made The Switch To Natural Deodorant

I have never been one to have endless beauty products, lining my bath rooms shelves, drawers, and cupboards.  I don't own a ton of creams, spritzers, perfumes. and lotions - all the things that most females seem to accumulate rather intensely.

Most days I am pretty simple, I rarely wear make-up at home, wear the bare minimum when I leave the house - and I will probably always be like this.  I will be honest even though I am a simple girl - I do love all things pretty - lace, fresh and colorful blooms, and feeling fresh and glow-y in my own skin.

At the beginning of the year I took a good look at all my products that I use daily and I was totally convinced that I needed to make a change.  I have personally had some reoccurring health issues since our move to the United States - migraines, hormonal imbalances, and also the unfortunate event of find a rather large lump in my breast.

See I have gotten the eating super healthy part down , but I have been convinced that that alone is simply not enough.  Creating your own personalized healthy lifestyle is the key.

I have had a few friends asked me about the products I love and use, so I thought I would share my thoughts and routines here on the blog.  Knowledge is power, but always remember to figure out what works for YOU!

It was overwhelming at first - I  mean where do you start? I decided to start super simple.

Enter deodorant.

I decided on deodorant since it occurred to me that the lump in my breast was right around the area where you apply deodorant.  I use to use the antiperspirant deodorant - I mean who doesn't?  I honestly didn't realize all the dangers associated with that.

I have tried a few more natural brands while in Germany, but I didn't find one that I absolutely loved and that actually worked.  So I ended up wasting a bunch of time and money.

I continued my quest, and stumble upon Primarily Pure.  Not only is the package simple and pretty (bonus) it actually works.

📷: Primally Pure

 I have been surprised that at the end of a busy and productive run, my arm pits still smell pretty fabulous.  Also after a three months of using this deodorant the lump in my breast have shrunk - yay!

I have also tested this deodorant on Nate since his job is high strung and super active, and I am happy to report that after a long day of going on calls, and putting out fires, he doesn't smell at the end of the day.  He has actually made the switch with me, and he is the pickiest when it comes to deodorant.

So why should you switch to natural deodorant?

Simply because your body adsorbs it all day long.
 Your skin is your largest organ, so it absorbs everything you put onto it, good and bad.  Also our armpits contain a bunch of lymph-nodes, so that means that the toxins in the deodorant enters our lymph system, and our lymph system is responsible for removing waste.  So why would we add toxins to it?

Your body needs to sweat, it is good for you.
Sweating is one of the most important ways that your body is able to detox.  Using an antiperspirant deodorant, can greatly interfere with the bodies natural way of detoxing.  It is crazy that once your body regulates after the switch you actually end up sweating less.
** Disclaimer: in the first few days of the switch your body may release more toxins (it is a good thing) but it means you might smell a little - but it will pass quickly.

You avoid all the bad chemical list.
Conventional deodorant is full of all the bad ingredients that ends up inhibiting your hormones and your body from functioning properly.  Aluminium is an active ingredient in antiperspirant deodorant - and have been linked to breast cancer as well as Alzheimer's disease.  Other ingredients like parabens, phthalates, fragrances, and triclosan are all endocrine disruptors - this means that they can mimic the effects of estrogen, which causes lots of hormonal imbalances.

The big picture.
Hormonal imbalances and struggles are really real.  Taking the step to eliminate toxins from your every day life will help to balance and rejuvenate hormones.  We often times don't even realize the reality of these hormonal struggles until years down the road, and it can also manifest different from person to person.  Think long term - whatever you do now will impact your future.

  I personally like the lavender deodorant, while Nate prefers the lemongrass deodorant.  We both just use the regular deodorant, but they do have a sensitive deodorant option for those who might need it.  I also love that they offer mini-sizes deodorant for travel or to throw into a gym bag.

Take a little step today and switch to safe deodorant.