Clean Beauty Products
Whether you’re a novice or an expert in the clean beauty space, it can be quite overwhelming. But here’s the key. The cleaner ingredients you use to fuel your body, the better your body will perform. The same goes for what you put on your body. Our skin is our largest organ and practically absorbs everything that we put on it. It acts as a passageway for what’s outside to get inside, directly into our bloodstream, so less toxic is the goal here.
You’ve likely heard of the “natural” and “nontoxic” beauty industry by now. There’s a lot of controversy as to whether or not it’s just a marketing ploy. In some senses it most certainly is – greenwashing is very real! There are claims that only 10% of ingredients have to be natural in order to stamp the “natural” label on. And some ingredients that are “natural” still should not be put into our bodies. As with nutrition, it’s important to be our own advocates here and understand what we are putting in and on our bodies.
So how do you know what’s safe and what’s not? Don’t just buy something because it’s marketed as “nontoxic” or “natural.” It’s important to have an understanding of the main ingredients to avoid. Memorizing a list of harmful ingredients is a hefty task though. That’s why I always use one of two websites/ apps: Think Dirty and the Environmental Working Group’s app – Healthy Living or their beauty product website, Skin Deep. You can search their extensive database by product, brand or ingredient and see the harmfulness rating. I always search new products on one of these apps before purchasing.
Using one of those apps is an easy convenient option, but they don’t have every product on there. That being said, it helps to have a basic knowledge of the biggest culprit ingredients to avoid.
Parabens – a known endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen in the body and can cause hormone imbalance
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate – these are used as foaming agents and can be allergenic as well as skin irritants, but they are also often contaminated with carcinogens and they enhance the absorption of other harmful chemicals into your body
Fragrances – these are often endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, allergens etc.
Petroleum and Mineral Oil – they don’t nourish the skin, they are possible carcinogens according to the EWG, they clog pores and they are linked to estrogen dominance
Phthalates – another endocrine disruptor that can cause hormonal imbalances
Octinoxate and Oxybenzone – these are found in chemical sunscreens and they are major endocrine disruptors that can affect thyroid levels. Stick with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for your sunscreens instead.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – another known carcinogen used as a thickener
Formaldehyde – a known carcinogen that is used as a preservative in many cosmetics
Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) – not classified as known carcinogens, but there’s evidence that they likely are.
Talc – this one is used in more products than you’d think (just look up the Johnson & Johnson baby powder ordeal if you want to know more). It can contain asbestos.
Now as with all things in life, you have to find a balance. I certainly use some products that don’t have the best rating because I have yet to find a clean alternative that works as well. My goal is to only use those products on occasion though and to find cleaner versions for products I use every day. I’ve managed to find a daily lineup that is pretty clean, has great EWG ratings, and best of all is affordable. Here are some of my favorites.
FACE WASH
Honest Gel to Milk Cleanser – This stuff melts off your makeup and pulls it out of your pores. Makeup wipes push the makeup into your pores whereas a balm contains oil which draws out the oil in your skin giving you a deeper clean. Use this as a step 1 cleanser then use a gel cleanser after.
The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser – Another great option for removing makeup as a step 1 cleanser.
Honest Gel Cleanser – This is a great option for all skin types. It’s very gentle yet effective. I’ve come to realize that you don’t need to spend much on a face wash and it doesn’t need to be for a particular skin type. Use a gentle wash and use it consistently, then spend your money on serums etc. for specific needs.
BBE Gentle Foaming Cleanser – If you prefer a foaming cleanser, this is a wonderful option.
Indie Lee Purifying Face Wash – This option is a bit more expensive but I love this one. I’ve had great results with this line of products, but the Honest cleanser is pretty similar.
Indie Lee Brightening Face Wash – This one has a cult following. It’s not quite as gentle as the purifying face wash and can be used as an exfoliating mask if you leave it on for a few minutes. Both are great options.
TONERS
Thayer’s Witch Hazel – A great affordable, alcohol-free toner. Opt for the unscented version.
Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner – Another great toning option. Slightly more expensive but it lasts a while and does wonders for your skin.
MOISTURIZERS
COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream – Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. This is my HOLY GRAIL – my number one desert island product.
Honest Hydrogel Cream – A great option for oily skin that goes on like a gel moisturizer, but in cream form. Super lightweight and hydrating.
The Ordinary Squalene Oil – Squalene oil is really the only oil option for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. If you break out easily, this is the only oil to use. I like to use it for extra moisture around my eyes and to remove eye makeup.
SPOT TREATMENTS
Indie Lee Overnight Banish Gel – A slightly more expensive option that works well for oily skin.
Overnight Blemish Treatment – It’s weird but it’s cheap, clean and it works.
BODY PRODUCTS
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap – A great nontoxic body wash. It lasts forever and can be used in so many different ways. One of my favorite ways to use it is in homemade household cleaners.
Real Purity Roll-On Deodorant – When I tell you I’ve tried every natural deodorant under the sun, I’m not kidding. And they don’t work. This is the only one I’ve found that stops the sweating (without using aluminum) that is nontoxic and goes on clear. There is no scent though so I’d recommend combining with this one or this one to add some natural fragrance.
Body lotion and body oil – I love this brand. Keep an eye out for the Ulta sale to stock up.
Self tanner lotion and mousse – these are clear, transfer-resistant and contain no harmful ingredients or endocrine disruptors.
MAKEUP FAVORITES
Foundation: This one for dryer skin and this one for normal skin.
