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!
Egyptian Magic hand salve. Finally something that works on my dry skin and I can feel good about using it.
I started using Annmarie Gianni Anti-Aging Facial Oil and Repair Serum about 6 months ago. I had always bought expensive creams from well-known brands before and prided myself on my skin care. I was skeptical to try something new but took a chance on a recommendation from Chris on this website. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff and it has worked better than all those super expensive creams…
My fav all-natural skin care products include witch hazel and virgin coconut oil! Witch hazel is a great cleanser/astringent and virgin coconut oil is a wonderful moisturizer and natural antibiotic. A ‘mushed’ up banana works great as a facial mask as well 🙂
My favorite non-toxic products are from Dr. Scheller, particularly the intensive serum with Jojoba and Shisandra. I’ve been using it years now and it really soothes my sensitive skin perfectly. Anyways, I’m heartbroken I can’t win the awesome giveaway because I live in Europe – but thanks for the article!
Thayers Witch Hazel fragrance free toner
My favorite all-natural beauty product is a sugar scrub that’s super easy to make (and incredibly moisturizing)… Fill a container with sugar, add grapeseed oil & your favorite essential oils. Mix & enjoy!
Hi Kris!
MY favorite non toxic product will have to be the apricot night cream by earth science. Holy man is it awesome!
My go to detox facial is Aztec secret Indian Healing Clay. Just mix it with apple cider vinegar. relax and leave on for about 15 minutes or until dry. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Skin is clean, fresh and radiant looking. I love the stuff!
I also use Dr. Bronner’s soap for almost everything. And coconut oil for moisturizing, especially for my hands and feet.
Hi Kris
My fav is just organic coconut oil. It is good for so many things, eye makeup remover, moisturizer, oil pulling. I use it daily
I just recently changed my makeup from Mary Kay to Tarte and love the way it’s helped my skin!
My real concern is the cleanser & toner I use….proactiv. I know, I know…soooooo bad for me. But at 44, I still struggle with occasional acne and nothing has worked as good. Will AnnMarie’s line direct me where to start?? I don’t want a drawer full of expensive products that just don’t work. 🙁
I like Yes To Carrots products. 🙂
My favourite non toxic product is the French Green Clay face mask from Garden Apothecary. Not only do you look like shriek for a bit there it cleanses your pores. It also comes in a single use recyclable card tube. Try their other salt soaks too.
I love Dr Bronners soaps!
I love her aloe herb facial cleaner. It nourishes my skin and wipes it clean of dirt and makeup!
Egyptian Magic is my go-to and a little goes a long way.
Great for moisturizing, makeup removal, overnight “masks” or even taming flyaways and ends of hair. During the dry months, I apply it to chaffed skin, lips, elbows, knees, anything!
Coconut oil 🙂 awesome moisturizer!
thank you for sharing this with us, I am always looking for better and more natural products to use!!
One of my very favorite natural beauty products is Vapour Organic Beauty’s Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation. I’m not a big make-up wearer, but this foundation has the feel of a moisturizer, but with luminous coverage. Also, being sensitive to many chemicals, I’ve found this to be the gentlest (and loveliest) option available.
I LOVE the Vapour line! Their lip and cheek stains are gorgeous. Everything is sheer and moisturizing. I refuse to put anything on my lips especially that I couldn’t eat. Vapour’s lip conditioner is my go to. Love it!
Just diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast in December. So…. just now having energy to begin my search for switching away from all the chemicals in my life! Actually, stopped wearing makeup most days. Can actually smell the fragrance in some of the products. This is a great resource for me and I love the idea of just one product a month. I can afford that!
Only change so far is my sunscreen – used the EWG site to pick out a new sunscreen. The next chemo round will be an agent that causes photo-sensitivity – and I live in Florida!. So, I picked the True Natural brand that uses vegan and mineral for sun protection.
thanks Kris for al your efforts – we appreciate you and your staff….. dawn