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!
I use Dr. Bronner’s soap and just received the Honest Company’s trial. I make my own sugar scrubs using organic sugar, olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, raw honey, and essential oils. I also use Aura Cacia products, such as their day and night oils. I also make a toner out of apple cider vinegar and distilled water. I love finding new, natural ways of not only making my body beautiful and healthy, but also my home.
I love Eminence’s Organics Stone Crop line of products, especially the serum and hydrating gel. The line is very gentle and soothing, great for sensitive skin!
I have not yet had the opportunity to try any natural skincare products. I’m excited to see everyones’ recommendations! I have switched to an all organic diet, and I can’t wait to start decreasing the toxins going on my body as well!
Besides Annemaries products, I use organic coconut oil. As a nighttime moisturizer, and oil pulling for healthy teeth.
I LOVE Annmarie’s products and use the citrus mint facial cleanser, facial oil, and mud mask. I would love an article on makeup options though! I use a lot of LUSH and bare minerals make up, which are better than the average, but still have some questionable things in them.
Coconut oil!
Just finished treatment for breast cancer, and now discovering the joys of being post-menopausal at a very early age, I’m a little lost on what to do about my skin. Everything has changed. I started oil pulling with coconut oil about 6 months ago and notice that my skin IS better, but I could really use some help in figuring this out. AnnMarie’s line looks promising and uses all things I love!
Organic coconut oil used as a nighttime moisturizer.
I love Acure’s fragrance free sensitive facial cleanser. Sooo creamy and smells lovely. And no bad stuff in it!
this is all very new to me & sooooooo exciting. am now in love with Rejuva pressed foundation & mineral
powder foundation. also love, Maia’s Mineral Galaxy eye shadows. the Maia’s Paradise Pink lipstick is pretty great too.
thank you so very much for this give-away.
Hugs to all of you,
Karen
I moisturize with coconut oil.
I use Skoah, a local and all natural product line from Vancouver, Canada. They have locations in the US as well, and are expanding as we speak. I LOVE their products and am an evangelist for them. My husband’s even converted and his skin has never looked better. Check them out online at skoah.com (they ship internationally!).
I fell in love with Annamarie’s aloe cleanser after the first use! My face felt clean but not dry like it does after many other products I’ve tried in the past. Although her products are most wonderful they are also expensive so I am limited with what I can afford and when I can afford them. This prize would be the perfect solution!!
I learned about AnnMarie’s products from an earlier post you did and hands down, my favorite is the anti-aging serum & oil — they smell SOOOO good and my skin feels FANTASTIC. The aroma has also become a natural bedtime signal for me — when I put this on each night, my body & mind are ready to drift into peaceful sleep. Thanks for introducing me to her products AND for this awesome giveaway!
After watching your video, I love Soapwalla deodorant cream! 🙂
Well of course my non-toxic, 100% plant based skincare line is my favorite! (Crazy Sexy featured me a few years ago). The only product I use that I don’t make is a Floral Hydrosol made by Annie @ botANNicals.com
Thanks for a great article
Elise
I love all the stuff I use like, Dr. Bronner, Anne Marie Giannini, Savy Bohen Bumble and Bee ~ I’m 71 so my skin is different in different spots. Love all the products on the glamorganicgoddess.com and all the information from Kris Carr on cancer.Thank you to all of you ~ you are helping people more than you will ever know. <3
I love love love Honey Girl Organics Night Creme Extra Sensitive. That whole line is good stuff!
I love Annemaries products!! My favorite has to be the herbal facial oil!! My daughters and I use it daily. I do love the dead sea scrub. I cannot wait to try the sunscreen!! Try her stuff if you have not!!
I have so many favorites it is hard to choose…I love organic raw, unrefined coconut oil and Organic, first cold pressed unrefined Olive Oil. I use it to as a skin moisturizer..hair conditioner…making deodorant..and in facial masks. I also love organic essential oils.