What on Earth is “Safe” Skincare?
Do you go to the store and assume that your favorite lotion you’re buying is safe? Or that the sunscreen you’re slathering all over your baby or child (or yourself) is not harmful?
Or how about your makeup? Surely that mica is “all natural” right? Not lab created or tainted due to “shady” practices?
Or the mineral makeup is definitely better than the animal tested foundation you used to buy?
Let’s not even go into haircare…..
(Ahem. I’m looking back at the past me, here….no judgments at all.)
You guys!
I started realizing that my body was experiencing toxic overload about 15 years ago. Some of the signs were: I couldn’t lose weight. My skin was bad, my blood pressure was high, my hair was breaking off, I had no energy…I was a mess.
And I was only 43!
So I started doing my research and looking for more natural ways to live.
I got off several over the counter medications (including sleep aids) I used daily. (You can find out more about my journey into herbalism on my About Page.) I got off all the prescription medications that 1) weren’t working for me and 2) were causing issues in my body.
I started eating “clean” foods. Now this was a long process, and now, at age 56, I eat organic vegetables we grow or buy, 100% start to finish grass-fed meat from local farmers or hunting, and healthy fats. And that’s about it.
AND, I cleaned up the environment in our home, which I figured I could control to an extent. I really greened it up with natural cleaners I easily make myself.
As far as skincare went, I started making my own moisturizers, cleansers, and deodorants and some I still do…..
Here’s why:
The U.S. has not changed any cosmetic laws since *GASP* the 1930’s!
Large corporations with highly paid lobbyists have curtailed legislation of new laws to protect consumers from toxins (including carcinogens) in our skincare products….I’m pretty sure there is a lot of money changing hands, but perhaps I’m being a conspiracy theorist, here…..
There are over 80,000 chemicals used in our skincare products.
ONLY 30 of these are banned in our country.
In other developed countries, around 1,400 toxins are banned completely.
Beauty Counter has a NEVER list of banned potentially dangerous ingredients…numbering over 1,500! This is even more than other countries, and obviously WAY more than the puny 30 the U.S. bans. Also—-the products are primarily plant based, I’ve noticed.
Where does this leave us?
Well, unless you don’t want to use any skincare products at all, OR spend time and money making your own so you know what’s in them….. I guarantee you are slathering chemical toxins on yourself and your family.
How does that make you feel?
I thought so…..But don’t feel bad!
(And by the way, I am NOT fear-mongering, here. Do your own research on these facts. The Environmental Working Group at www.ewg.org is a good place to start. So are articles like this one: Just How Safe are Antiperspirants & Deodorants?)
***Toxic overload presents in a wide variety of ways in different bodies: inflammation, acne, liver issues, general toxicity, autoimmune issues, etc. So what I experienced may not be what you do.
You CAN turn to safer, cleaner products.
For many years I made my own products, and I still make many of them like homemade soap, lotions, toners, hair rinses, deodorants, and lots more…..
But I just don’t have the time any more.
I’m sure you can probably relate to this. Most people these days just don’t have the time or money (or desire, let’s be honest) to make (and formulate) all of their own products.
And I hate to say this, but I have tried a lot of “natural” products on the market, and they just haven’t worked as well as my homemade ones or (choke) the conventional ones. And sometimes even the “natural” products still have chemicals sneaked into them.
But I have FINALLY found a better way to go….
After searching high and low, I came across a company called Beauty Counter that one of my good friends shared with me.
I did my research on Beauty Counter, and I was SO impressed.
After seriously searching for a “clean” skincare and beauty company for literally years….I found one I can trust. This company is actually on a mission to change the laws in our country!
I am now using their products, and I feel super confident about them…. Plus, after just a few days of use, I can honestly say my skin looks and feels better already. I can hardly wait to see what a month will do!
At my age, that’s a big deal.
I’m looking forward to continuing this experiment so I can show you what my future skin looks like! I know it’s going to be a lot better than it is now.
In the meantime….
If you are interested in taking a look at clean products, please take a look through my link.
AND if you want safe, natural makeup that actually WORKS?
I’ve got you covered. The mascara is the only thing (I’ve tried so far) that I do not like. Just being honest. But all the other things I am seriously loving right now.
As a homesteader, I am outside a lot, and I work from home. My skincare routine is quite minimal most days. So, even though I make sure I’m taking care of my skin, I often skip the makeup.
BUT when I go to the store, or teach a class, or need to make a video (go to work), I like to present myself to the world as best as I can. And this means good skincare for healthy skin and a bit of makeup.
No matter what age you are, skincare is important. I know young girls in their 20’s who recognize this and have already started using Botox to make sure those little lines never start! But what if by using quality, CLEAN, safer skincare you didn’t have to do this?
And forget about slathering toxins on your baby when you apply that sunscreen, too.
I am SO all in with this company, and I am excited to share it with you!
You can find out more, here:
Not sure what your skincare needs are (because I wasn’t, lol)?
Well you can take a quiz right here that will point you in the right direction.
Keep in mind you can purchase entire sets, or piece by piece.
As I use the products for a longer period of time (I’m only a week in right now), I will give you my honest reviews of them. But if you check out the site, you’ll see there are literally thousands of reviews of the products and they are impressive.
P.S. I really LOVE the lipsticks! :-) And this homesteader is not afraid to say it.