August 9, 2018
(updated April 19, 2022)
Over the past year+, I’ve been slowly but surely replacing and experimenting with safer skincare. As someone with highly SENSITIVE skin… (hello, hives and breakouts for the dumbest reasons), I was slightly mortified at the thought of switching out the products that were working “well” for me (as in, not making me break out). That said, I knew my former products had questionable ingredients and also know that if I’m investing the time and care to eat well, what my skin is essentially “eating” is also very important! I’m sharing some of my every day safer skincare baesics (yes I did mean to spell it that way LOL)… BECAUSE I LOVE THEM and highly recommend them. I’d also like to share more about how I went about replacing my beloved, albeit, toxic products without having a skin freak out and without going broke.
Firstly, DON’T feel like you have to or that you should switch it all out overnight. Not only is that a big risk (what if you HATE it all?), and a strain on the wallet, but when you change everything so quickly on your skin… it might a) cause a reaction like a breakout or rash, and b) if only one of the items is a real sensitivity or allergy for you, how will you know which one it was? Go slow.
Secondly, be careful with marketing and picky about where you spend your money. Companies know that “non-toxic”, “natural”, “healthy”, “plant-based”, and whatever another phrase of the like IS SO HOT RIGHT NOW. They’ll slap a green leaf label on anything and have you thinking you need not worry or look elsewhere, but sadly that’s misguided. We still need to be educated consumers when it comes to what we buy and put on or in our bodies. If that annoys you, you’re not alone. This is why I like to research brands as well as products. If I find a brand with a strong company mission and great personal founder story as to why they started the company that aligns with my mission – you’ve got my full attention and ultimately, a certain level of trust with products. A couple of examples …
Beautycounter – their woman founder (hi, I’m already interested lol)… is in this for all the right reasons, and you can read more about that here. She has turned her high expectations for products into her company mission and quality assurance and if a product doesn’t fit the bill anymore because some new study came out about an ingredient used… it’s good-bye, re-called and re-created.
Primally Pure is such a minimalistic yet powerful brand! I just love how little ingredients are used and how well their products work. Also women-owned!
Saje Wellness‘ founder also had a huge “why” and reason to use plants to heal… and has made some beautiful products in the form of essential oils and skincare that I love. Their Peppermint Halo product for headaches IS MY EVERYTHING.
Thirdly, my tip to stay educated on products would be to use the EWG app. I use this for food (mainly the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen resources) and for the products. The app helps to rate the product based on the ingredients and helps you make an informed decision.
My last tip is to do all the other things a smart consumer does! Read reviews, talk to friends, and as you run out of your old stuff, do your research on a safer replacement to try! Give it a few days and stagger too many new products so you can keep track of any reactions you might have.
Want to shop around? Check out my shopping link here and read below to check out what I use regularly.
If you have any questions about the products I use, especially from Beautycounter since I am a consultant, please do let me know!
Beautycounter Faves:
Saje Wellness Faves:
Amazon Faves:
Primally Pure Faves:
Want to shop around? Check out my shopping link here.
If you have any questions about the products I use, especially from Beautycounter since I am a consultant, please do let me know!
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