Hi Sweet Friends,
Twice a year, Team Crazy Sexy gathers for 3-4 days of dreaming, planning, budgeting (look Ma, I’m a grown-up!), and Crazy Sexy Love Notes card readings (a business brainstorm must).
The majority of my crew are ambitious and highly conscious women, so self-care is a huge conversation for us. We know that the more we care for ourselves, the better we feel and thus the more creative we are at our jobs. And I won’t lie—we all want to look fabulous too!
During a recent retreat, I asked my team for their favorite non-toxic product recommendations. One of our new team members squirmed in her seat. Turns out she adores makeup and skincare but is clueless about non-toxic brands (another reason she chose to work with us, to learn about this shizzle!). When I asked how many lotions and potions she uses, she tallied over 30 products in her daily regimen! Like most women, none of the products in her regular routine were healthy.
The challenge we face today is that healthy products are not the norm. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG):
“The average woman uses 12 products containing 168 different ingredients daily. Many cosmetic chemicals are designed to penetrate into the skin’s inner layers, and they do. Consequently, some common cosmetic ingredients turn up in people’s bodies. Among them: industrial plasticizers called phthalates; parabens, which are preservatives; and persistent fragrance components like musk xylene.”
Pause for a moment and count how many personal care products you’re using. I’m talking about everything from your makeup bag to your shower rack. Surprised? Now, read the ingredient labels on those products. Even better, look them up at EWG’s Skin Deep database and see how they rate for things like cancer, immunotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Do those same products feel sexy now? If not, you’re certainly not alone.
You might be feeling like you just don’t want to know. You’ve been using the same moisturizer, shower gel and toner for a decade and they work—end of story. If that’s your mentality, I hope you’ll reconsider. Slowly making more conscious choices is not only empowering, it’s an investment in your longevity and everyday health. These chemicals are serious. We don’t know their long-term effects and we can’t rely on companies to look out for our health. Here are some easy ways to get started with cleaning up your beauty routine.
Choose products that support your wellness and help you feel gorgeous.
5 Tips for a Healthier Beauty Routine (Ya Know, Minus the Yucky Stuff!)
1. Cut down on the number of products you use each day. Sometimes, cutting down on your body burden is as simple as simplifying your beauty routine a few days a week. Less is more!
2. Choose one day a week to wear zero (or very little!) makeup. You are stunning. Period.
3. Do your research and swap out one product per month. You don’t need to throw everything away and buy a completely new shower, makeup and skincare line this week. Choose an item that’s almost gone and look for a better alternative. Natural beauty blogs often have great advice (hello, Google). Check out the Skin Deep database and read reviews online. If women use 12 products per day on average, you could have a whole new healthy personal care regimen by next summer.
Getting started tip: This $19.99 skincare sample kit from Annmarie Gianni (one of my favorite skincare lines) is a great way to begin exploring healthier products. I use Annmarie’s Aloe Herb Facial Cleanser and Anti-Aging Facial Oil every morning and night. Not only do these two products help keep my skin blemish-free and moisturized, they take me on an aromatherapy adventure every time I use them.
4. Learn the basics and become a label detective. Don’t worry about memorizing every chemical. EWG has created this handy list of the top ingredients to avoid for women, men and kids. Print it out and keep it with you. (This is also great for those of you who don’t have a smartphone. But if you DO have one, don’t miss EWG’s Skin Deep app.) You may also want to check out Think Dirty. And if animal testing and cruelty matter to you (and I know they do) have a look at Leaping Bunny and PETA to determine if your beauty products are cruelty-free.
5. Choose safe sunscreen. Whether you’re gearing up for vacation or replacing expired bottles from last year (check those dates!), we’re all going to be buying sunscreen and heading outside this season (right?). So why not choose wisely? Check out my sunscreen blog for tons of tips!
Oil! I cleanse my face with olive oil, moisturize with jojoba and coconut and smooth coconut oil through my hair.
I use coconut oil. I have tried a sample of AnnMarie Gianni’s skincare and LOVE IT!!
My favorite natural, non-toxic personal care product is Aloe- Herb Cleanser by Annmarie Gianni !!! However, when I don’t have it at home, I use other natural home products like coconut oil, witch hazel, olive oil and even honey!
I love Shikai Shampoo for sliver hair.
I love products that are multipurpose. Virgin coconut oil is great inside and out! I use it on my skin, face, hair, lips, scars, nails and for cooking. It also can be used as a gentle makeup remover or to soften skin in the shower. When I need a skin astringent, I use diluted organic apple cider vinegar and also use it occasionally as a hair rinse.
I love the ananné skincare products. I just discovered them last month and love them becuase it´s vegan and feels absolutely great and my skin looks better. My favourite is the oil for dry skin. (www.ananne.com)
I use AnnMarie Gianni’s Aloe Herb facial cleanser. I love it!!
I love love love AnnMaries’s Aloe cleanser and the Anti aging serum….also use coconut oil. great natural moisturizer and eye make up remover!!
Absolute favorite… coconut oil! Totally dig apple cider vinegar too, as a hair conditioner and toner on occasion!
I love Coconut Oil, I use it for a moisturizer, lip balm, hair conditioner. Works wonders!
Coconut oil!
Dr. Bronner is my fav!I have used the lavender soap on my face and body for quite some time now and it really helped clear my acne and keep my skin moisturized. I also love the jojoba oil from Mountain Rose Herbs. I use it on my face before bed and also as a makeup remover. It did WONDERS for my skin 🙂
I use USANA’s Sense skin care line.
I have had melanoma, so I love RAW sunscreen. I am looking for something a little less greasy. Hope I win this! Thanks for all you do Kris!
I love using coconut oil as a body moisturizer (+ it smells amazing!) and argan oil instead of eye cream! I also love Dr Bronner’s soap for everything (I use it as a face wash, you only need a couple drops!). I also love the Yes to brand :).
I’ve been using the Physician’s formula organic wear mascara and I really like it (I used Dr Haushka before but then I saw on the environmental working group website that it was rated 6… I did feel like the fragrance made my eyes dry sometimes).
I use Dr. Bronners, I also make my own deodorant. Since making it, I don’t use anything else. Just cornstarch, coconut oil, essential oils. The best and the best smelling!!!
Another vote for organic virgin coconut oil. I do oil pulling with it. Health and beauty from the inside out! And Bragg apple cider vinegar taken once a day before breakfast. It’s made my hair silky and no longer flying everywhere.
Coconut Oil. always.
Hello Kris!
I really love coconut oil for some things, but I am in search of better organic skin care products that are healthy and feel good on my skin.
Unicorn Love,
Leslie E. Miller
I love Acure hair conditioner… I was giddy the first time I used it… so soft and so natural. :o)