Lead.
Mercury.
Formaldehyde.
Tar.
No, these are not the components to some science experiment. They are some of the “ingredients” commonly found in many beauty and personal care products on the market today. As shocking as it may sound, hundreds (if not thousands) of products that we use every day contain substances like these, that can cause a variety of health issues and diseases including headaches, allergies, hormone disruption, reproductive issues, impaired brain development and cancer. Yet, there they sit on our store shelves, advertised on our TVs and splashed across our magazine pages.
It’s sad to say that we can’t “blindly trust” what’s being marketed to us but the truth is, we can’t. It’s up to you as the consumer to educate yourself about what you’re really putting on and around your body.
And that’s exactly what I did in 2013.
After struggling with some health issues for over a year, I started seeing a naturopathic doctor and began taking a closer look at what I was eating and the products I was using in my everyday life. I cut gluten out of my diet and limited my dairy and sugar intake, while upping my proteins and veggies. That all seemed pretty straight-forward but the idea of “cleaning up” my beauty and household products seemed daunting.
What’s really in the products I’m using?
What’s safe and what’s not?
What products should I switch to?
Will the new products work as well?
I, like many people, had assumed that the skincare line I used – from a popular chain store that promotes themselves as a “natural” company – would be “clean.” In fact, I was in the middle of a discussion about that very thing with a friend of mine when I went to my bathroom to retrieve my moisturizer and show her I was right! Imagine my surprise when right there, in the small writing, it said there was wheat (among many other things!) in it. What?! Here I had been so conscious about cutting gluten out of my diet (due to a sensitivity) and I had been slathering wheat on my face this whole time?? And then there was the time I was shopping with another friend and we were looking at another very popular brand of make-up that appears to be very natural and made of only minimal ingredients. Yet, when I flipped it over and read the VERY tiny writing, there it was… formaldehyde.
That’s the thing… I believe many of these companies get away with these ingredients because no one ever looks. Myself included. Until you do start looking. And then you can’t believe your eyes!
So, here’s the GOOD NEWS!
Just because you want to cut all the yuckiness out of your daily beauty regimen, does NOT mean that you can’t still look fabulous! There are a lot of great products out there that are free of all the bad stuff – gluten, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, etc. You may have to do a few trial and errors to find what works best for you, but at least you can rest a little easier knowing you are not willingly putting carcinogens on your body.
And to make things a little easier for you, I’m going to share some of the “yuck-free” products that I love. First up – beauty and skincare. Here are my favs:
1. Take A Whiff Natural Deodorant by Pristine Beauty
I LOVE this deodorant. Seriously. Not only is it aluminum-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, proplene glycol free, gluten free and vegan… a portion of the proceeds also go to cancer survivors and cancer prevention. And most importantly, unlike a LOT of other “natural” deodorants I’ve tried… it actually works!!
2. Alterna Bamboo Smooth Anti-Humidity Hairspray
It’s free of gluten, parabens, sodium chloride, phthalates and synthetic color, and it holds your hair in place without being stiff or sticky. What more could you want?
3. Physician’s Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream
If you’ve ever used a BB cream before, you know how awesome they are at doing double duty. They moisturize and even out your skin tone plus this one is gluten-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free.
4. Andalou Naturals Argan + Mint Lip Remedy
Ill be the first to admit, I am addicted to lip gloss. I do not like my lips to feel dry, so I put some sort of gloss or balm on about 20 times a day. Andalou’s lip remedy provides the perfect amount of moisture without being too greasy and ALL Andalou products are free of: GMO’s, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes, fragrances, triclosan, DEA and parabens.
5. Mineral Fusion Volumizing Mascara
Next to hairspray, the gluten-free beauty product I had the most trouble with was mascara. I have been blessed with pretty nice eyelashes naturally, but I really love using a mascara that accentuates them. I had, of course, found the perfect “yuck-filled” mascara from a popular department store brand but all the “natural” ones I found were another story. Until I tried the volumizing mascara from Mineral Fusions. It makes my lashes look long and it’s free of gluten, parabens, talc, artificial colors and fragrance. AND it’s never tested on animals. Score!
Another hard find for me, natural or not, has always been a good liquid eyeliner. I’ve never been a fan of pencils and used to use a gel eyeliner and brush from an upscale make-up line until I went toxin-free. So I was overjoyed when I found this liner by ZuZu that comes in a variety of great colors, is easy to use and is free of 17 different “yuck” ingredients found in other products. Check it out on their website.
7. Honeybee Gardens Nail Polish Remover
Many mainstream nail polish removers include chemicals that are also used in glue, paint thinners and dry-erase markers. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be putting that stuff on my nail beds where it can seep into my body. Instead, I love this remover from Honeybee Gardens that’s gluten-free, vegan and acetone-free.
8. Blum Naturals Eye Make-up Remover Pads
Another one of my favorite beauty care items has always been eye make-up remover pads. Since I like to wear mascara and eyeliner, I need a good make-up remover but I’ve never been a fan of oily or runny removers that you have to use with a cotton ball. These Blum Naturals pads are moist enough to remove my make-up without leaving my face feeling oily and are free of parabens, SLS, alcohol, fragrance and synthetic preservatives.
9. Acure Pure Mint + Echinacea Stem Cell Volumizing Shampoo
This volumizing shampoo is safe for color treated hair and is: gluten free, sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free and vegan. Plus, it smells great!
10. Andalou Naturals Lavender Thyme Refreshing Shower Gel
Andalou Naturals’ Lavender Thyme Shower Gel is like a breath of fresh air in the shower. It’s relaxing and luxurious without being full of harmful chemicals. Like all Andalou products, it is free of GMO’s, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes, fragrances, triclosan, DEA and parabens.
Next time… my favorite natural household products!
Read Previous Post
