Clean Beauty Favs
I posted on Instagram the other day about my new favorite app, ThinkDirty, that I use to vet beauty and cleaning products. If you're anything like me, you grew up on Johnson & Johnson and Clearasil and are now realizing the harmful chemicals we're exposing our bodies to. It terrifies me - seriously. As much as I value bringing only clean and safe products into our home, I'm so intimidated by replacing everything. Where do you even start?Last year, we switched to green cleaning products (I'll post on that another time) and this year has been all about transitioning my beauty and cosmetic products to safer options. I've spent countless hours researching the toxins in my "old" products and looking for cleaner alternatives.I'm absolutely no expert, but below are the products I used to use, the ThinkDirty rating (0 = best / 10 = worst) , toxins they include, and the effects on the body.
+ Dove Cool Moisture Conditioner contains:
• DMDM Hydantoin: Cancer-causing preservative
• Unnatural Fragrance: Can disrupt hormones
• Ammonium Chloride: Creates organ system toxicity
+ Redkin Volume Shampoo contains:
• Synthetic Fragrance: Can disrupt hormones
• Chlorhexidine Dihydrochloride: Preservative that can cause skin irritation
+ Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash contains:
• Triclosan: Antibacterial agents that are toxic to reproduction, can cause impaired muscle function and are linked to infertility. (OMG)
• Synthetic Fragrance: Can disrupt hormones
+ Aveeno Positively Radiant Face Cleanser contains:
• Synthetic Fragrance: Can disrupt hormones
• Quaternium: Cancer-causing preservative
+ Dove Beauty Bar contains:
• Synthetic Fragrance: Can disrupt hormones
+ Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisterizer contains:
• Synthetic Fragrance: Can disrupt hormones
• Butylparaben: Hormone-disrupting preservative that can be toxic to reproduction
• Benzalkonium Chloride: Mutagenic ammonium disinfectant preservative
+ Almay Blemish Control Concealer contains:
• Ethylparaben: Immuno-toxic and endocrine-disrupting preservative
• Talc: Possible ovarian cancer-causing agent
• Methylparaben: Lossibly linked to breast cancer
• Propylparaben: Linked to endrocrine disruption and breast cancer
+ Maybelline BB Cream contains:
• Phenoxyethanol: Preservative linked to skin irritation and nervous system depression
+ Maybelline Dream Matte Powder contains:
• Butylparaben: Hormone-disrupting preservative that can be toxic to reproduction
• Ethylparaben: Immuno-toxic and endocrine-disrupting preservative
• Isobutylparaben: Hormone-disrupting preservative; found in breast cancer tumors of 19 out of 20 women studied
• Talc: Possible ovarian cancer-causing agent
• Methylparaben:Possibly linked to breast cancer
• Propylparaben: Possibly linked to endrocrine disruption and breast cancer
• Phenoxyethanol: Preservative linked to skin irritation and nervous system depression
+ Ulta Buttercream Eyeshadow contains:
• Butylparaben: Hormone-disrupting preservative that can be toxic to reproduction
• Ethylparaben: Immuno-toxic and endocrine-disrupting preservative
• Isobutylparaben: Hormone-disrupting preservative; found in breast cancer tumors of 19 out of 20 women studied
• Talc: Possible ovarian cancer-causing agent
• Methylparaben: Possibly linked to breast cancer
• Propylparaben: Possibly linked to endrocrine disruption and breast cancer
• Many, many more...
+ Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara contains:
• Talc: Possible ovarian cancer-causing agent
• Methylparaben: Possibly linked to breast cancer
• Propylparaben: Possibly linked to endrocrine disruption and breast cancer
+ Glossier Galaxy Greens Mask contains:
• Phenoxyethanol: Preservative linked to skin irritation and nervous system depression
• Note: I don't have particularly sensitive skin and this made my face red and itchy IMMEDIATELY after use.
+ Sonia Kashuk Powder Blush contains:
• Butylparaben: Hormone-disrupting preservative that can be toxic to reproduction
• Methylparaben: Possibly linked to breast cancer
• Propylparaben: Possibly linked to endrocrine disruption and breast cancer
• Talc: Possible ovarian cancer-causing agent
As you can see, most drug store beauty products contain a handful of parabens, preservatives and synthetic fragrances that are linked to very serious side effects. A few of my favorites without these additives are below with a list of ingredients and reasons I love them over some other natural products I've tried.
+ Beauty Counter: I was introduced to this clean beauty line by my friend Kim and have absolutely loved everything I'm using. Created by a real person who really cares about what she puts on her body, BeautyCounter has trademarked "The Never List": a list of harmful agents that are never in any of their products.
• Volume & Shape Haircare: I was super skeptical of these at first. I'm picky about hair products because my hair is so fine so I need voluming products that actually work. It's taken forever to find a few I like so I was worried that I'd have to trade the thickening power for better ingredients when I made the clean switch. But no! I use all three - shampoo, conditioner and styling spray and love the lift it gives my roots. My hair is super soft and holds curl well!
• Nourishing Cream Cleanser: I alternate this cleanser with Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser and love them both! They both smell amazing and are *just* lathery enough to clean effectively but not be goopy or foamy.
• Citrus Mimosa Lotion: I could tell a difference in my skin after the first day of using this. Lightly scented with essential oils and natural ingredients, it smells amazing. It's noted "dries quickly" and it so does! Not sticky or greasy at all.
• Hydrating Foundation: I've been wearing this (and the powder and mascara) for about 2 weeks now and i. love. it. It's moisturizing and has great coverage without making me look caked or really like I have makeup on at all.
• Mattifying Powder: I love that this doesn't have a color. Not sure why we've been putting color powder on top of color foundation but this does the trick of keeping shine at bay without making my face look chalky.
• Volumizing Mascara: I love the way my lashes look with this mascara but honestly it's not my favorite brand I've ever used. I'm sticking with it though, because the brand that *looked* the best on me (above) will probably make my eyeballs fall out one day if I don't switch to something safer.
+ Urban Oreganics: I started using UO last year and still love it just as much as when I started. Everything is all-natural, recyclable, cruelty-free, and made in small batches. Emily is so passionate about her work and it shows!
• Cleansing Bar: It took me forever to tear away from the Dove bar I grew up with but I am so glad I did. Made with coconut oil, non-GMO vitamin E, distilled water, and organic castor oil, it cleanses skin without that "sticky" soap feeling. Emily adds natural oils and spices for scent so I switch to a new one every season! Pumpkin spice is my current fav :)
• Rosewater Toner: Contains distilled rosewater, witch hazel, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice. This. stuff. is. amazing. I can tell a huge difference in my skin's brightness since using this over the past year.
• Makeup Remover: Finally. A non-oil-based remover that actually works. I loved this stuff when I bought it but then tried to cut corners ($$$) by switching to micellar water but it has carcinogens and preservatives. I love how easily this takes off mascara before I wash my face.
• Facial Cream: My favorite face cream I've ever used. From $30 Lancome to $75 Aesop, nothing is as rich and thick as this one. I use it twice a day and it never leaves my skin feeling oily. Perfect for before bed and under makeup.
• Face Mask: This is a newbie for me and I can't wait to try it out!
+ Glossier:
• Cloud Paint: I didn't realize that I was using such awful blushes until I found this stuff. It's magic.
• Balmdotcom: Maybe my favorite beauty product ever. Perfect for lips and cuticles and dry skin and - spoiler alert - if we're friends, you'll probably receive it as a gift from me at some point. I'm a sucker for the coconut!
+ Mineral Fusion Eyeshadow: I found this brand through the ThinkDirty app. When you get a dangerous rating from a product, the app will suggest safe favorites and the reviews on this brand were great. Other natural lines I use and love are:
+ Little Barn Apothecary: My favs are the Honeysuckle Grapefruit Body Oil and the Collect Stress Relief Roller. My friend Mary gifted me a few other newbies to try and I'm so excited to give them a go! She was also so kind to offer new friends 15% off with code "MATTIE"!
+ Dr. Bronners: I finally found a natural toothpaste I love with Dr. Bronner's and also love their Dish and Hand Soap.
+ The Honest Company: I'm new to Honest but thrilled with everything I've tried. I love their shampoo and conditioner for days when I'm not fixing me hair because it's more affordable than Beauty Counter and I don't need volume when I'm just throwing my hair into a wet pony.+ I also started using natural deodorant this year and have tried several that I wasn't pleased with. Schmidt's and Kaia were not my fav (smelling like a hippy by lunchtime) but I've been using MeowMeowTweet for a few weeks and love it so far!This is obviously an ongoing learning process and I'm always open to suggestions of safe products for my home and body. If I've missed any that you love, send 'em my way!