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!
My favorite nontoxic personal care product I started using after my breast cancer diagnosis was Crystal deodorant. I only have to put it on every other day and it works great!
Recently I’ve started using coconut oil and I love it. I use it in my skin and hair.
I love using Juice Beauty Organics skin care line and coconut oil as a body and hair moisturizer. I’m open to trying the line in your giveaway offering!
healthy, pure….aveda sunscreen, and bare minerals bare skin foundation.
I am looking for a good shampoo to help my hair grow thicker, as it seems to be
losing thickness in some spots.. Tried the dead seafacial scrub and really love that.
I would love to help my mature skin look fresher and healthier.
My favorite non-toxic skin care product:
“Suntegrity “5 In 1″ Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen – Tinted , Broad Spectrum Spf 30
Received a #1 Rating by the EWG/Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database and was Featured in the “Best ..”
I just started using L’Bri Aloe Cleanser.Nice!
I’ve been using coconut oil as a moisturizer as soon as I pat dry from the shower. I am loving it! I’ve recently discovered Pacifica’s solid perfumes and am loving them. Great smells and they last a long time. My husband loves and has been using Gabriel Organics facial cleansing products for years now. 100% Pure has some products on my love list too.
Pure Argon Oil from Josie Maran is probably the only “healthy” product I use, and I don’t use that as often as I need to!
I love coconut oil for hair and body moisurizing and for removing makeup.
I guess I need to try coconut oil!
Kabana Organic Skin Care products are the the best!
I make my own deodorant out of coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch and tea tree oil. The coconut oil is anti-fungal, which is the original reason I started making it. Either it works well for odors, or I just don’t stink.
My favorite natural product is a face moisturizer by a new company jaq+jam. This all natural no preservatives cream has just few ingredients, is luscious …love it…you should try it out
My all natural beauty tip is to drink tons of water each day. I also drink lemon water. I am looking for skincare that is natural and feels good. So, I hope I win! C’est La Vie!!!!!
A homemade body butter with shea butter, almond oil and coconut oil. Also AnnaMarie Gianni’s Citrus mint facial cleanser!
I love Naturopathica Calendula Cream. great for dry skin.
I have just started investigating my beauty products – as of this blog post – so I don’t yet have a personal recommendation but I know the first product that needs to go – my cleanser! Thankfully most of my makeup products are by tarte. A whole new world has just opened up for exploration. Looking forward to finding new better beauty alternatives. Thanks Kris for the info!
My absolute favorite product is the all in one, does everything, COCONUT OIL. I use this as a moisturizer, makeup remover, anti aging serum, after shave balm, lip moisturizer, and I eat and cook with it. It is also an antibacterial so can be used on toe jam. It smells great and may cats love it. The best!!
I use MyChelle sunscreen and especially love the creamy tropical skin smoother.
Rose hip seed oil for my face, almond oil for my body.