Clean Makeup and Self-Care Products
Diving into the world of wellness is a process that all too easily can become overwhelming. When heading into that world it’s apt to be a researcher by nature. A hefty amount of reading and podcast listening is ahead because there are no endpoints to knowledge of caring for the body. Immersing into the wellness world happened in stages for myself, and I’ve seen it happen that way for a host of others. Somehow the bits and pieces of doing research become a never-ending hobby. It's like the Wikipedia game, where one search leads to another. And then one day a plethora of information you may or may not have wanted to know about your health and the environment is weighing on your mind.
This weight can be a lot to handle. Here is where I suggest you breathe. Be reminded that this immersion is a process with no endpoints. Use what you have right then and there to make the most informed next move, giving yourself space along the way to feel out what’s right for you.
For my own immersion process, it started by switching to primarily organic food from conventional. Getting rid of the majority of pesticides was a major step. Then I started eating produce seasonally, and seasonal eating transformed me to eating locally whenever (and wherever) possible.
So I didn’t want toxins in my food, check. I then asked what else could be getting into my body that was toxic. Step two looked at the largest organ of my body, skin.Simultaneously I was diving into the world of understanding the endocrine system… I’m a sucker for research, and would like an 6 extra hours in my day to just pour over information. I was specifically looking into the function of the thyroid as some bloodwork earlier in 2017 came back to me with a diagnosis of having hypothyroid function.
The chemicals used in the majority of products I used everyday are hormone and endocrine disruptors. Cringey, but thankfully the world is starting to take notice.
It's pretty neat that this clean process has simplified the amount and number of products I use. I was ashamedly of the mindset that clean products wouldn't do the job of conventional. With trial and error, I've found the ones that do the job if not do it better. Whether you’re looking to dive all-in or just replace a product or two, here is a list of products I use or have tried. I don't use all of these everyday, but anything listed here works effectively and safely.
Makeup
Nu Evolution powder foundation
Vapour Organic Beauty liquid + stick foundation
Lily Lolo mascara and bronzer
RMS Beauty living luminizer highlighter
Hurraw! lip balm
Face + Body
Ursa Major face balm, face wash
RMS Beauty facial oil (for dry winter skin)
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar toner
Oat Flour, Salt, Coconut Oil (homemade exfoliant, mix in equal parts)
Dr. Bronner’s castille soap (body wash/shaving)
Carina Organics body lotion
Primally Pure unscented deodorant, body butter
Xyliwhite toothpaste
TenOverTen nail polish and care
Hair
Phylia [de M] clean (shampoo)
Josh Rosenbrook nourish (conditioner)
Yarok feed your ends (detangler/heat protector)
Captain Blankenship mermaid sea salt spray (duals as hairspray for me)
Getting into clean products has been a more labor-intensive process than getting into clean eating was. Part of this problem is the sheer number of products and items we’re exposed to everyday. Another problem is that reading labels for toxicity is troublesome, for starters consider the list of the "dirty dozen". There are more than this dozen, but here is a good place to begin.
Top ingredients making the "dirty dozen"
BHA, BHT
Coal Tar
DEA
Dibutyl Phthalate
Preservatives (Formaldehyde-Releasing)
Parabens
Fragrance
PEG
Siloxanes
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Triclosan
I'm fairly certain I simplified the number of products I used out of frustration trying to replace them at first. The fact that I simply didn’t need them hit later. I was probably listening to that slew of podcasts on minimalism and capsule wardrobes during this same period of time. Life has been more enjoyable with less stuff.
Some excellent resources I've found to help finding clean makeup and self-care products are Follain, Credo, and Detox Market. Most of the products I use I found in their stores or on their sites.