Having had some experience in the beauty industry, I have dabbled in clean beauty for several years. As a result, I believe that my knowledge and expertise in this area could be of value to others.
However, it was my personal experience with PCOS that prompted me to fully embrace clean beauty. Through my research on hormones and their influences, I discovered that chemical ingredients in beauty products can have a detrimental effect on our hormonal balance.
Transitioning to clean beauty requires a comprehensive strategy, one that I have already implemented and hope to share with others. Here are some steps to help you switch to a non-toxic beauty regimen:
1- Know what ingredients to avoid
This marks the initial phase in establishing a meticulous beauty regimen. To commence your journey, it is imperative to bid farewell to the following highly toxic components, in addition to parabens and sulfates, due to the associated health hazards they pose:
- 1,4-Dioxane
- Triclosan
- Formaldehyde
- Dimethicone
- Heavy Metals
- Petro-ingredients
- PEG Compounds
- Fragrance
- Toluene
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Propylene Glycol
- Sunscreen Chemicals
2. Read the label
I understand the concern of needing an exceptional memory to recall all the aforementioned ingredients. However, there are convenient and user-friendly applications available to assess the quality of skincare products. Presented below are three recommended apps that can assist you in comprehending the components, even those with complex scientific names:
- Think Dirty
- GoodGuide
- CosmEthics
3. Products most important to swap
Hair Products: Hair dyes, hair straighteners, and perms are considered to be among the most detrimental hair products due to their high chemical toxicity. These products have the ability to alter both the shape and color of hair.
Nail Care: It is advisable to steer clear of nail treatments that involve the use of acrylics, particularly those that contain formaldehyde glue. Additionally, nail products containing acetone, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, or formaldehyde should be avoided.
Liquid Hand and Body Soap: It is important to note that liquid hand and body soaps often contain a multitude of harmful ingredients, including excessive amounts of SLS, fragrance, and unsafe preservatives. Given that these products are used frequently throughout the day, their potential harm should not be overlooked.
Deodorants: Deodorants can be particularly problematic, as many conventional antiperspirants utilize aluminum zirconium as their primary ingredient. Furthermore, these products often contain an abundance of synthetic fragrance, unsafe preservatives, and other harmful substances.
Moisturizers: Conventional face and body moisturizers typically contain preservatives and fragrance, which may have adverse effects.
Brands I’m currently using
If you’re feeling completely overwhelmed by the options out there, I wanted to share my tested and approved clean beauty brands and products.
Skincare Brands I’m Currently Using
- Mad Hippie
- Dr Hauscka
- Korres
- L’Occitane
Body Care Brands I’m Currently Using
- Sussane Kaufman
- Oway
I hope this guide will help you to embrace a natural beauty journey.