Formaldehyde

PEGs

Mineral Oil

Fra-grence

Carbon Black

Sulfates

And now the six merry murderesses of the beauty industry in their rendition of…

The Cosmetic Tango.*

Ok, they’re not really murderesses but they are doing some harm to our bodies. They basically need to be behind bars. There hasn’t been an updated law since 1938 that regulates the safety of cosmetic ingredients…until then, we are doing something about it.

Beautycounter has launched the Clean Swap campaign! There are 6 common offenders that are found in the beauty industry and we are highlighting 6 safer alternatives. With spring cleaning around the corner, let’s clean your bathroom counter first!

First, let’s introduce our 6 “murderesses” in the beauty industry.

#1 Formaldehyde

When I think of Formaldehyde…I think of that poor fetal pig I dissected in anatomy and physiology in high school. That nasty chemical that the pig laid in to be preserved so I can keep picking at it the next class. I can still feel my eye balls BURNING!

Many traditional eye and face creams are made with preservatives which can potentially release Formaldehyde and wreck havoc on the immune system. Formaldehyde releasers? That would be “compounds that slowly release Formaldehyde as it decomposes in a product formulation. They are used as an anti microbial/antifungal preservative in cosmetics and hair care products. In short, they known allergens and sensitized.” (Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc., 2018)

Girl Bye.

Now that’s an eye opener! Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream and Adaptive Lotion are naturally preserved with phytic acid from green rice. CM is my favorite skin regimen line. It is the ultimate regimen for hydrated, radiant skin. This line was created with bio mimic technology, each product contains the unique properties of plants to match our skin, giving it precisely what it needs and nothing it doesn’t! If you wanted to try CM, the time is now.

Hit Refresh and Catch this Eye Opener. Check your face creams. Do you know what ingredients are harmful?

Read about the Eye Cream & Adaptive Lotion here: Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream & Countermatch Adaptive Lotion

2 Polyethylene Glycol

Otherwise known as PEG. Traditional facial masks can be formulated with PEGs which is primarily used to extend the life of the product. Beautycounter states that it is “widely used in cosmetics as thickeners or solvents, that can possible be contaminated with trace amounts of dangerous chemicals.” The reason is it dangerous to our health is because PEGs can cause the opposite response such as rashes or contact dermatitis. Including, cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity. Your masks should have nothing to hide. At Beautycounter, all our masks contain naturally-derived glycerin, which helps condition and soften skin.
Start clean with a hydrated face.
Our Charcoal Mask is hands down my favorite. You can literally see the mask lifting the impurities off your face, leaving you with a clean slate. Balanced, beautiful skin. Check it out here: No. 3 Charcoal Mask.

3 Mineral Oil

What is mineral oil? It is an oil made from petroleum. Like gas? Yas girl.

The thought of mineral oil makes me think of spa-like quality. Soaking in water and having a fabulous massage. Drinking a margarita in the Mexican sun. In reality, mineral oil has some dangers.

Like PEGs, it may be contaminated with toxins.
It can clog your pores leading way for acne and blackheads.
Lastly, it doesn’t do your skin any good. It just sits on your skin, it is not absorbed but rather creates a barrier. Essentially, your skin is unable to breathe.

Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion contains a moisturizing blend of marula and mongongo oils which are rich in essential fatty acids to revitalize and nourish skin.
That’s the dirt on Mineral Oil.

#4 Artificial Fragrance

Fragrance is a trademark secret. It is a term companies use to market their product which may contain dozens of undisclosed ingredients linked to dermatitis, even reproductive disruption. Companies are not legally required to list the chemicals that compose their scents. It’s not surprising that fragrance is top known allergen.

When I found out the secrets of “fragrance” I was livid. This is the reason I get so many allergic reactions because of scents in perfume, cologne, deodorants, body washes, etc. Because of this, I’m extra careful about what I put on my body because I do not want another trip to the ER. My body can’t handle it and my wallet can’t either. Laws need to change for the safety of everyone.

With lipstick, it is no secret that bits of the products are ingested. Your mouth is right there, duh! Beautycounter Sheer Lipsticks are vibrant in color, transparent in ingredients, and scented only with natural vanilla.

Put on some lip sheer and conquer the world.
Check our all our amazing shades here: Lip Sheers.

5 Carbon Black

Do you love black, glamorous eye lashes? Get that perfect lash look all the models have on the magazines? Did you know carbon black is used to get that sleek dark color?

But, what is carbon black? It is a powder that is made from the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum (Wikipedia, 2018). It sounds scary and the health concerns are just as frightening. Carbon black is linked to organ toxicity and is a known carcinogen.

Read what Center of Disease Control’s (CDC) has to say about the effects of carbon black

Mascara shouldn’t be scary. We need to be easy on the eyes. The Volumizing and Lengthening Mascaras are pigmented with naturally-occurring iron oxides. I can’t pick between the two because I LOVE them both. Not ashamed I own both. Shop here: Beautycounter Mascara.

#6 Sulfates
Sulfates has had the spotlight recently when it comes to hair care. Sulfates otherwise known as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are responsible for getting the oil and dirt out of hair and producing the suds you get from lathering your hair with shampoo. Why are sulfates getting so much publicity? There was a rumor that sulfates are carcinogenic, meaning they cause cancer. But it hasn’t been proven, but it does cause a lot of skin irritation. In the same way that PEGs do the opposite than intended on your skin, sulfates can rid your hair of essential oils needed to moisturize.
Your scalp deserves a lot better. Beautycounter Volume & Shape and Beautycounter Smooth & Control shampoos feature PureFoam Cleansing Technology which is derived from beetroot sugars to deliver the rich lather and cleansing performance you love in a gentler way.

Want to nerd out? Read the National Center for Biotechnology’s article on sulfates in household products.

Ready to join our movement and make the Clean Swap?

From 2/22/18- 3/7/18, purchase any of the above products and receive your choice of a deluxe sample* for free. Limit three samples per order.

Deluxe samples:

Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion 7ml
Body Wash 59ml
No. 2 Plumping Facial Oil 5ml
Volume & Shape Conditioner 50ml
Smooth & Control Conditioner 50ml

Are you interested in the Beauty Movement? Do you want to be an advocate for safer, cleaner beauty? Let me remind you, it’s not a women’s health issue. It’s an everybody issue.

Shop on my personal website here or leave a comment below! Reach out to me and I would love to talk to you about how you can get involved!