Have you ever really looked at the ingredients in your beauty products? Most women are putting HUNDREDS of harmful chemicals on their skin everyday without even realizing it. Overtime these chemicals can have serious effects on your skin and even your overall health. Recently I discovered an app called "Think Dirty" which measures the toxicity of your skin care and beauty products. I was SHOCKED to see that most of my "organic" products were filled with harmful chemicals and dyes. I dove into research, looking for an answer to my skincare woes. I found an abundance of all-natural products, and was pleased to find that they were a fraction of the price I was paying for my department store makeup!
You can read my demo/review of the app here
https://steemit.com/health/@magynkennedy/how-toxic-are-your-skin-care-products-an-app-to-find-out-instantly
Toner:
Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner
Guys. You have no idea how excited I was to find a witch hazel toner WITHOUT ALCOHOL!!! This one also includes rose water which leaves my face feeling clean but hydrated. I used to skip toner altogether because of the super dry feeling I would experience afterwards. This one is AMAZING and also comes in an aloe vera formula for our oily skinned ladies and a lavender formula for those with sensitive skin!
Moisturizer:
Evening Primrose Oil
I recently switched my birth control from the pill to Nuvaring and experienced THE WORST HORMONAL ACNE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. I hadn’t had a pimple since I was 15, and as soon as I switched I had painful acne all over my face.I did some research and found that primrose oil was good for acne caused by hormonal changes. It took maybe four days for my acne to COMPLETELY DISAPPEAR.
Bonus product: If you don’t have hormonal acne, I would recommend jojoba oil instead. Jojoba has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat sores and bruises. More recently it’s been discovered to treat acne, psoriasis, sunburn and chapped skin. It also has anti-aging properties. I make my own wrinkle cream with jojoba as a base and I absolutely love it!
Primer:
Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera
Another challenge was finding a primer without SILICONE. It seems like everything in the beauty world has silicone snuck in the ingredients.This is because it is CHEAP and has a “slippery” texture which allows your skin to look temporarily smooth. Although it provides a sort of “barrier” on your skin, this is not as beneficial as it sounds. Silicones trap debris in your pores, cause acne and congestion, make your skin dull and dehydrated and even interferes with cell renewal!
Aloe vera has become my absolute favorite primer. It soothes skin while simultaneously providing a smooth base for my makeup. But before you pick any old aloe vera off the shelf, STOP and look at the ingredients. Most gels have additives like yellow 5 and blue 1 to give it a green color (why, just why?) and alcohol. Lily of the Desert has neither, and has added benefits like Vitamins A and C. This can feel a bit drying in the winter, but I just mix it with a few drops of oil and I’m good to go!
CC cream:
Physicians Formula Organic Wear CC Cream
I like my coverage natural and glowy, so I usually reach for a BB or CC cream. This one by Physicians Formula looks absolutely BEAUTIFUL on skin and I am super impressed by the ingredients! It’s rated a “3” on the chemical detecting app "Think Dirty" which is a difficult feat for a product providing any sort of coverage! Not to mention it lasts 8+ hours on me. Even when the product wears off, it fades evenly, and looks more like a tinted moisturizer.
Lip Moisturizer:
Burt’s Bee’s Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm with Kokum Butter
Don’t even get me started on lip products. So many of them that claim to “lock in moisture” are loaded with alcohol and salicylic acid to dry out your lips (ensuring you need to keep using the product.) This one has neither and OMG. I can’t even explain the texture. It feels rather moisturizing but also doesn’t disappear into your lips as soon as you apply. It’s a wonderful mixture between immediate absorption and a natural reservoir. Not to mention it smells lovely
Lip Color:
Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint
I like my lip color just how I like the rest of my makeup: natural and radiant. These provide a flush of beautiful color without looking like you painted your lips. They do have a hint of shimmer which I usually hate, but this is subtle enough to make my lips looks moisturized and plump without the dreaded “frosted” look.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more color payoff, I recommend their Natural Lipstick. They are absolutely lovely, with a bit more color and staying power. I can’t seem to find an ewg rating anywhere, but I didn’t read anything in the ingredient list that was immediately alarming.
There you have it! 5 of my favorite all-natural products. Your skin (and your wallet) will thank you for the switch! I challenge you to replace your skin-care routine with holistic products, and be AMAZED at the transformation to your skin. Until next time friends!