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 am from Germany so I have been using Dr. Hauschka and Weleda products for years as my skin care line.
I do not use make-up, but sometimes I like to use a concealer and mascara from Dr. Hauschka.
I do not use lotions either I use oil instead and only when needed. (Less ingredients), I agree with all the statements about coconut oil too.
My favorite product(s) are raw honey with jojoba oil to remove makeup and a raw ACV tonic diluted with filtered water as a toner. I would love a great moisturizer and her products look amazing! Thank you for offering and for this important information!
Coconut oil is the best. It’s so versatile that I use it on my skin, in my hair and for cooking. The brand I buy is Lou Ana. My family swears by this. Using coconut oil is a beauty tip passed down from Grandma.
I LOVE ‘doTerra’ products. I use their skincare line and essentials oils.
Thankyou!
Hello all you beautiful people!
I love AnneMarie Gianni’s skincare. It has worked the best for my sensitive skin and I adore the natural smell and feel of it. It is by far THE BEST stuff out there. Hope everyone can find what works best for them. Remember, we glow from the inside-out 🙂
Peace and glowing skin,
Heidi Demars
I am still pretty new, but I would have to say I am most impressed by coconut oil. I also like Dr. Bronner’s lavender soap.
HI! Oh my goodness, skincare has always been an ongoing battle! From acne as a kid, to taking and using things that are oh so toxic and if I only knew back then! Over the last 5 years I have been searching for products to use as face wash and body wash and have not had great success. Until over the last year…for body wash I use Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap in Almond scent 🙂 For face wash I have tried AnneMarie’s face wash once and although it broke my face out at first, it did re-balance it after using a harsh african black soap before that. I use coconut oil as a moisturizer and real face food for my face moisturizer 🙂 Would love to find a spot treatment and something that helps with dark spots or to even out color. Oh and something that naturally lengthens eye lashes 😉
I looooooooove using organic, unrefined coconut oil on both my body and face! It feels nourishing and smells great…plus it’s super safe and affordable – yay!!
Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap!
I use body grade sesame oil to moisturise my face in the winter. It is warming and doesn’t leave a greasy film. I can use it everywhere. You can’t use culinary sesame oil for your skin. Tied with first choice is coconut oil. You can use organic food grade coconut oil for your skin, and your frying pan!
cinnamon + cornstarch= bronzer. Love it!
I love natural castile soap. I make my own shower gel by adding organic essential oils. I use it to make my own cleaning & body products. So much goodness without the yuck & at a fraction of the cost. Thanks for the opportunity!
I use DeVita Skin Cleanser and Sunblock along with a Vitamin C serum from BPA. In six months my skin has gone from pock-marked, blemished, and acne-prone to a smoother, healthier face that I don’t need to cover up with foundation any more.
I like to use coconut oil all over my body as a moisturizer and it removes eye makeup too!! Thanks for a great looking give away!
Cheers w/Green Smoothies!
Nelda
I LOVE LOVE LOVE AnnMarie Gianni’s herbal facial oil and citrus mint face wash (among many others) — for the first time in my adult life I have been able to banish acne with all-natural face care products!! No harsh chemicals or additives or prescription creams — it’s WONDERFUL!!!! I could not be more of a convert.
Dancing Willow Herbs Sensual Body Butter (made in Durango, Colorado) – heavenly!
I use baking soda in place of dry shampoo to lift the roots of my hair on the second day after washing. I tend to have drier ends and oilier roots and the baking soda does the trick every time! Also, I have recently discovered Chi Roller Anti Aging Jade Therapy from GingerChi. I follow the directions that the roller came with and massage the face after applying my all natural skin care products before retiring to bed. This is a quote from their website:
“Jade Rollers have been used for centuries, to refine and enhance skin elasticity, stimulating meridians points to promote facial Chi. The stone is believed to have mystical powers and considered a symbol of beauty, grace and longevity. The semiprecious stone has properties that allow it to remain cold on contact (even in warm weather). This cooling effect helps to close the pores, tighten the skin and increase lymphatic drainage.”
I love DermOrganic shampoo, conditioner, and masque with Argon oil!!! Their leave-in treatment Argon hair oil is the BEST! I even use their Pure Argon Oil as a moisturizer.
I used to believe that oil would make me break out. Now I wash my face with it! I use DHC for that. I’m enjoying the posts with how to make my own oil cleanser. Thanks!
Love you Kris Carr…..such an inspiration!
I used to use all kinds of makeup. I had drawers full of eye shadows, concealers, blush and ‘BB creams”. I now only use natural mineral makeup (Jane Iredale) for everything!! bronzer, blush, eye shadow in one product with a short list of natural , pronounceable, ingredients!! I am now a very aware consumer and will not put anything full of chemicals on my face or body. I would love to try the skincare line as I haven’t found anything I love yet. I only use Dr Bronners cleanser and coconut oil, but need other products…Hope I win!!
I use an olive oil bar soap from a natural skincare line. I love the way it cleans my face with so few ingredients.