My Favorite Non-Toxic Go-Tos for Vibrant & Nourished Skin
Skincare shouldn’t come at a cost.
Yet, our culture says otherwise. It’s all about the “next best thing”, the “magic” ingredients, or what so and so is using. Even before Nutritional Therapy school, I was researching skincare with cleaner ingredients because I didn’t want to put toxins on my body anymore knowing it was affecting my health.
There is so much noise in this world that it’s hard to decipher what skincare product is safe and non-toxic. I don’t know about you, but I have been overwhelmed trying to figure out what skincare products I should use. Do I need this product? Is it really worth the cost? What makes it safe to use and how do those “magic” ingredients work? I can’t even pronounce some of them! I like to know what’s in my food, as well as what’s in the products I apply to my body and I bet you do too.
Whether you’ve experienced the overwhelm or not, you get the gist.
“The thing about skincare- it matters just as much what you put on your body as what you put in it. ”
Knowing what's actually in your skincare products will probably shock or scare you. And it should. Every day you apply products to your skin - your LARGEST organ- they are absorbed like a sponge. Parabens, sulfates, red this/ blue that, long words you can't pronounce, etc. are endocrine disrupters. By applying these products to your skin, you are giving toxins a free pass straight into your bloodstream. The disrupters can affect your thyroid, sex hormones (think infertility), adrenals, etc.
Toxins inflame your body and add to the load of your liver. Toxins can have lasting effects. The saddest part is what is deemed safe in America isn't that safe. For instance, 40 nations have banned around 1,400 different types of chemicals and toxins from cosmetics, but the United States trails behind with only banning 9 chemicals or toxins (EWG, 2019). 9. We’ve got to stand together and do the research with statistics like this. Our health depends on it!
Now, don't worry, friends! I'm sharing some of my favorite non-toxic skincare products with you by giving you insight into my morning and nighttime routine. It is a mix of homemade and store-bought products. I include Young Living’s essential oils into my skincare routine, as well.
Again, I have tried A LOT of clean beauty products and some have been great while others didn’t do the trick. While I stay behind each of these products, they may not be as suitable for you as they are for me. We are all bio-individual, meaning our bodies require different things. This goes for what nutrient-dense foods we consume to what type of skincare products we use. That said, these companies tailor to your bio-individual needs and they have your best interests at heart.
The two companies I love and adore are Primally Pure and Beauty Counter. Primally Pure and Beautycounter create divine non-toxic skincare products that your skin will fall in love with and you will feel at ease using knowing they are safe and provide lasting benefits. I have happily supported both companies for over three years now, trying different products as my skin transformed, and I have never been disappointed by anything I’ve tried. That’s a win in my book!
Reasons why I LOVE both companies:
• Their products are incredible and truly nourishing
• They believe that the fewer ingredients, the better- natural vs science
• They are transparent with their ingredients and explain the purpose of each ingredient
• They take our health and the health of our families to heart
• They continue to educate and advocate for safer skincare
If you’re anything like me, you want to know more about a company before buying anything, and that is completely understandable. Please do yourself a favor and take the time to read up on their stories by clicking the links below. I won’t kid– both are pretty inspirational.
*I am an affiliate with Primally Pure. If you use HGWSAM at checkout, you will receive 10% off your entire first order!
Bye toxins, hello nourishing ingredients.
Morning Routine
Face Cleanser
Beauty Counter’s Charcoal Bar
cleanse and detoxifies the skin-alleviates acne.
Or
Raw, unpasteurized honey
anti-bacterial and probiotic properties cleanse and moisturize the skin without stripping it of its natural oils- alleviates acne- fairly inexpensive.
You only need about 1/2 tsp to apply to your face. Quality of the honey matters so make sure it is raw and unpasteurized.
Toner
Primally Pure Everything Spray
anti-bacterial/ fungal/ viral- tones, reduces inflammation, and balances pH levels of the skin. Can also be used as an underarm refresher, prevent in-grown hairs, and reduce inflammatory skin conditions. I love a versatile product!
Or
Homemade Rosemary Toner
*adapted from homemadeforelle.com*
2 cups of filtered water
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Combine water and rosemary in a small pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer, until reduced by half. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain through a fine strainer and add apple cider vinegar. Store in a reusable container, preferably glass.
Eye cream
Wild Carrot Nourishing Eye Balm
nourishes, brightens, smooths, and protects. Bonus- it usually lasts me 6+ months!
Face oil
Beauty Counter’s Counter+ No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil
hydrates, brightens, and tones the skin. It provides a smooth finish, dewy and the citrus smell (vitamin C) is divine! This is my favorite product.
Moisturizer
Beauty Counter’s Counter Match Adaptive Moisture Lotion
adjusts hydration skin levels throughout the day and leaves your skin glowing and smooth. This was a game changer for my skin.
Nighttime Routine
Face Cleaner
Primally Pure’s Cleansing Oil (normal skin)
detoxifies and removes impurities and leaves your skin feeling silky, smooth, and refreshed.
Or
Homemade cleanser (my husband uses this more than me because I love oil cleansing) *adapted from breagettingfit.com*
1 cup filtered water (If you want to use tap water, please boil it first!)
1/4 cup organic liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil
10 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
10 drops Citrus Fresh Essential Oil
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
10 drops Melrose Essential Oil
Make sure that everything you use to make the cleanser are clean. Add the ingredients to your glass jar in the order listed and give everything a good stir. Screw the lid on and you’re ready to go! Just make sure that your container is glass, as the chemicals in plastics don’t like essential oils and may start to degrade. Due to the nature of these ingredients, you’ll find that your face wash may separate, and that’s okay. Just give it a gentle shake before dispensing.
Your DIY face wash should hold for approximately 30 days. Keep an eye on it, and if it changes in color or smell, it’s time to dump it and make a new batch
Toner
Acne spot treatment
Young Living Tea Tree oil- neat
Eye cream
Wild Carrot Nourishing Eye Balm
Moisturizer
Primally Pure’s Clarifying Serum
anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory- promotes smooth, even skin tone, fights acne, and moisturizes.
Or
Beauty Counter’s Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream
hydrates, provides elasticity, plumps, and firms.
TIP: After I have applied my serum or moisturizer, I use my gua sha stone to work in the product better and promote lymphatic drainage, release tension in my muscles, and calm my nervous system. It’s quickly becoming my favorite part of my skincare routine because it’s like a massage for my face. Oh joy! You can read about the benefits of gua sha here.
Self-care is self-love.
It’s time to take care of you.
It’s time to become a part of the clean beauty movement.
It is time to nurture your body from the inside out.
It’s time to invest in you!