You can’t pick up a magazine or go to purchase your favorite beauty products without hearing or seeing the term “Clean Beauty”. What is Clean Beauty and why is it so important?
Clean Beauty means a non-toxic product that is made without ingredients that have been linked to having harmful health effects. You need to know what you’re putting in and on your body. Terms like natural, green, eco and others literally have no enforceable definition. The terminology a company uses to market their product may not match what’s inside. It is important that you do your own research and educate yourself when purchasing products.
You may be surprised to learn that the United States is actually behind the times in relation to the European Union. First it’s important to note that the FDA has no authority to recall toxic beauty products unless a manufacturer volunteers. The European Union has banned more than 1,000 chemicals found in personal care products and the United States has banned just two. Very disappointing!
It can help to think of Clean Beauty like Clean Eating. Eating organic, unprocessed foods deliver vitamins and antioxidants for a healthy immune and digestive system. The same goes for skin care. Chemicals in the products you use absorb into your skin and can have a positive or negative effect on your well being.
Here are some of the most common toxic chemicals that you are probably seeing in some of the products you use. Many of these synthetic chemicals are skin irritants, skin penetrators, hormone disruptors and can be cancer causing.
Common List of Toxic Ingredients Found in Beauty Products:
Parabens
Syntheic Colors
Fragrance
Phthalates
Troclosan
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
Formaldehyde
Toluene
Aluminum Compounds
Ethocylated Agents
Talc
Propylene Glycol
Silica
Oxybenzone
Refine Petroleum
Wondering how to get started on your Clean Beauty journey? Start by taking a common sense approach. For me, the thought of throwing out all of my beauty products and starting fresh was overwhelming. I started one by one. First with deodorant, then body lotion and then skincare. The crazy thing that I began to realize with my skin care was that I was getting more compliments on my skin than ever after using natural products for a few weeks. I had always used retinols and harsh peels and now was using natural oils and fruit enzymes and skin was the happiest it has been.
I have more good news for you! Do you think that because you have issues like acne or pigmentation that you need to use harsh chemicals? This is not the case. There are many natural ingredients like essential oils, fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids that can combat these issues and give you healthy, glowing skin. In many cases these natural products also smell amazing. My bathroom smells like a spa by the time I’ve finished with my nighttime routine.
You don’t need to sacrifice your health and well being for effective products that are healthy.
Have questions or need help getting started? I’d love to hear from you.
Xo
Suzanne