How can I say what I’m about to say about skin care products without coming across as a know-it-all?
I began switching all of our personal care products to healthier versions when I became very sick. (See my list of fabulous, safer brands and products below!)
I even stopped ‘cold turkey’ coloring my hair and painting my nails! (See my safe skin care product picks below)!
My Integrative M.D. told me how these toxic ingredients were endocrine/hormone-disruptors (amongst other problems), leading to cancer, developmental and reproductive issues in our children, and autoimmune diseases like mine.
I was astounded that EVERY product (my beautiful, expensive makeup that I thought was so ‘perfect’) contained nasty ingredients – GASP!
I was shocked because I thought the high-quality products were made from safe, high-quality ingredients. I felt I’d been ripped off and fooled — by the pretty packaging and marketing.
High Risk Chemicals in Skin Care Products…
Toxins and unnatural, man-made chemicals are not just in your food – they are also widely used in your favorite skin care products and beauty products. You know – the ones you apply right to your face and body. Our body suit (our skin) is our largest organ: the average adult has 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and 22 square feet (2 square meters) of it.
Don’t be bamboozled!
If you think the FDA does a poor job in regulating what goes into our food supply, you’ll be equally disgusted by its lack of regulation of personal care and beauty products. The same way you look at food labels, you should investigate what you put on your skin.
The cosmetic and body care industry is shamefully un-regulated. These companies can use any ingredient or raw material without government review or approval. Cosmetic agencies have spent $3.5 million lobbying against control, saying that it would curtail innovation and compromise trade secrets.
This isn’t just an opinionated rant on what’s wrong out there! In a moment, I’ll give you some beautiful, healthy alternatives for skin care products I’ve found to set things right again, but first be informed and know what will harm you and your family!
So, what’s in those products you spray, slather, spritz, apply, and rub onto your body?
Toxic Ingredients in Skin Care Products
1. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)/Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
Found in more than 90% of personal care and cleaning products (think foaming agents). A major concern is its potential to interact and combine with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, a carcinogen. These combinations can lead to a host of other issues like kidney and respiratory damage. They can be found in shampoo, body wash/cleanser, mascara, hand soaps, and acne treatment.
2. Parabens
P
arabens are preservatives that inhibit the growth of yeasts, bacteria, and molds in beauty products. Parabens carry estrogen-mimicking properties that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer and identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. They are found in deodorants, lipstick, body washes, shampoos, and facial cleansers.
3. Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to increase softness and flexibility in hundreds of plastic products and in skin care products. Hairspray is really soft plastic!
- One study found that women with the highest levels of cosmetics-related phthalates in their blood were at an elevated risk for diabetes.
- Another discovered a link between phthalate blood levels and obesity in children.
- They are linked to ADHD, altered thyroid function, breast cancer, decreased motor and mental development in children, and “less male-typical play behaviour in boys.”
Due to a major loophole in the law, phthalates are not disclosed on every product, rather it’s added into ‘fragrance’ (see the “secret formula” below). You aren’t likely to see any of them listed on a label, so don’t bother memorizing these names. Found in deodorants, nail polish, perfumes/colognes, hair sprays, and moisturizers.
4. Unnatural Fragrance
This particular category is pretty scary, because in the U.S., manufacturers can legally hide hundreds of synthetic chemicals in the one word – ‘fragrance’ – without revealing what those ingredients are. This term was created to protect a company’s “secret formula.“ It’s a loophole large enough to drive a tanker truck through. Found in perfume, cologne, soap, conditioner, shampoo, body wash, and moisturizers. Other names: Parfum (classy, eh?) or aroma.
5. Toluene
Toluene is a petrochemical derived from petroleum or coal tar and is a potent solvent able to dissolve paint and paint thinner. The EPA considers nail polish a household hazardous waste. You may see toluene listed as benzene, toluol, phenylmethane, methylbenzene. Pregnant mothers should avoid exposure to toluene vapors as it may cause neurotoxicity and birth defects. It can be found in nail polish, nail treatments and hair color/bleaching products.
“Beauty salons are some of the most hazardous places to spend time due to poor air quality, pregnant or not!” ~Jacqueline
6. Sunscreen chemicals
Sunscreen chemicals are easily absorbed as we slather these creams or oils onto our bodies or our children’s. They function as a sunscreen by absorbing ultraviolet light. they also possess a hidden feature: endocrine hormone disruption. Certain forms of benzophenone, for example, inhibit the action of thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme necessary for the production of thyroid hormone. Another study showed that application of sunscreen containing benzophenone-2 for five days lowered T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. They may also cause birth defects, cellular damage, and cancer in the body. Common names are benzophenone, oxybenzone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate and methoxycinnmate.
Read labels carefully and choose skin care products with a short list of recognized and pronounceable ingredients.
If you’re curious about the skin care products you use, or a new one that you’re considering, enter it on the Skin Deep database to learn about the safety (or toxicity) of its ingredients.
My Skin Care Products Picks For NO/Low Risk Beauty
These are ‘safer’ lines and products to look at (do check ingredients since they may change):
- *the 100% Pure line- They produce makeup and skin care products using food-grade plant-based ingredients (it’s safe to eat, so it’s probably safe to put on your body). They’ve also come up with their own preservative system to replace parabens, using a complex blend of herbs, vitamins, and antioxidants in place of industrial antimicrobials.
- Beautycounter. See their Never List. Includes the over 1,400 chemicals banned or restricted in personal care products by the European Union, plus additional chemicals screened by Beautycounter and found to be of concern.
- *100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara
- *Giovanni Styling Mist, L.A. Hold Hair Spritz – the only hair spray we can use!
- *Dr. Wood’s Body Wash, Liquid Soap, and Bar Soaps
– it’s made with all organic ingredients, mostly oils, including coconut, olive, peppermint, jojoba, and essential oils.
- *Alaffia body lotion; other *Alaffia products (shampoo, conditioner) with safe ingredients
- Barlean’s Coconut Oil (my makeup remover, anti-aging nightly facial and skin moisturizer)
- *Burt’s Bees is now owned by Clorox 🙁 Check the ingredients as they may be changing– *Lip Balms, Hand & Body Lotions, Facial Creams & Scrub, Belly Butter, Acne Care
- *Badger Organic full line of lip care, balms & sunscreens
- *Kirk’s Coconut Castile Bar Soap – Fragrance Free I buy mine by the case when on sale at Meijer for 2/$2.99.
- Aubrey Organics
- *Sibu Beauty
- *Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream
- *Bite Beauty (Sephora) – lipstick that you can safely eat (because we actually consume our lipstick)
- Josie Maran – Argan oil-based makeup. *Best Mascara (the brush looks cheap but don’t be fooled! It effortlessly separates eyelashes and prevents clumping)!! They also use food-grade ingredients like avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, and mango seed butter.
- *Zoya Nail Polish – (now 5-Free) Free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate
- Mountain Rose Herbs has pure essential oil fragrances that are my personal favorites
- Pacifica Perfume – Another maker of safe fragrances; still check ingredients!
- Pacifica 7-Free Polish is better than ever!
- Weleda, full line Weleda grows the bulk of their ingredients in their own biodynamic gardens. They’ve got acres of gardens scattered across the world. This allows them to grow hundreds of species of medicinal plants from a variety of climates.
- Suki – “skincare systems” for every skin type.
- Lemongrass Spa has lovely simple and safe ingredients you could eat.
- Indigo Wild – They’re best known for their Zum Soap, made from goat’s milk, but the rest of their rapidly expanding skin care line is safe and effective.
- Trillium Organics – a line of non-toxic skin care products, but also treatments for conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, dermatitis, and diaper rash.
- *Thai Crystal deodorant – they’ve got a spray and a roll-on.
- *Nutribiotic deodorant – my favorite roll-on.
- Acure Organics – Acure offers face and body care, but they are best known for their organic shampoos and conditioners. The Moroccan argan oil and argan stem cell shampoo gets particularly high marks for being effective and non-toxic.
I’ve added more: Favorite ‘Clean’ Products For Home, Face and Body: My 35 Top Picks
I want to preserve my health and vitality so I do my research, and I hope you will, too!
Please share your favorite safe skin care products with us here! I’m especially looking for a safe eye liner that is not a pencil. Any ideas? Thanks!
(Me, Jacqueline, in my edible honey almond yogurt facial scrub)
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Thanks for reading!
Deborah Wallace says
What can we use for hairspray or hair gel,Mousse ? Both me and my husband have flyaway hair, and need something to keep it in place. I have been pro active in detoxing my house, diet, and striving to be as conscience as possible due to a recent mission to destroy eye cancer ( tumor) in my retina. I already used radiation and have finished the 5 rounds of treatments.
Thanks
Deb
Jacqueline says
Deborah,
Look at Giovanni Organic Styling Mist, L.A. Hold Hair Spritz. http://amzn.to/1qXBW2z It is the only one that doesn’t mess with my lungs, but I only use it very lightly and at most once a week. I did try to find it on EWG’s Skin Deep database and couldn’t find it. Here are the ingredients: AQUA (PURIFIED WATER); *ROSEMARY OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT; *URTICA DIOICA (NETTLE) EXTRACT; *THYMUS VULGARIS (THYME) EXTRACT; BUTELA ALBA (BIRCH) LEAF EXTRACT; *SALVIA SCLAREA (CLARY) EXTRACT; *LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) EXTRACT; *TUSSILAGO FARFARA (COLTSFOOT) FLOWER EXTRACT; *ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM (YARROW) EXTRACT; *CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (CHAMOMILE) FLOWER EXTRACT; MALVA SYLVESTRIS (MALLOW) ROOT EXTRACT; SD ALCOHOL 40-B; ACRYLATES/HYDROXYESTER; ACRYLATES COPOLYMER; AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL; ESSENTIAL OIL FRAGRANCE
I hope this helps 🙂
Cheryl says
I have been wanting to begin changing my beauty products, but have felt overwhelmed by the task. I did follow your advice on a previous post and started using coconut oil for my nightime moisturizer. It has worked wonderfully on my rosacea. I added essential oils; frankincense, lemon, and lavender. So it also helps me sleep better. Really enjoy your posts.
Tammy says
You might try Cowgirl Dirt http://www.cowgirldirt.com/Eyes_c_21.html
I have liked their mascara and concealer and lipstick.
Thanks so much for this list! I have been wanting to replace some of my personal care items but wasn’t sure where to look.
Tammy says
I have also liked Shea Moisture products (shampoo, soap, lotion, body scrub – although the shampoo seems a little heavy for my hair) 🙂
Shelia says
Thank you for sharing. I found it very valuable. I love your WordPress theme page. Can you share which them it is?
Jacqueline says
Hi, Shelia,
I’m sorry to reply so late! Thank you! It is the WP Foodie Pro theme. I love it, but the only negative is that I must often change up the featured posts on the scrolly thing. A bit time consuming, but I think a marketing plus.
Blessings!
Ellie says
I like Avalon Organics lavender shampoo and conditioner. The smell is pleasant but mild. I loved this post, thank you for sharing!
Susan McCurdy says
Redeeming Beauty Minerals is a great company. A Stay-at-Home Mom company that provides wonderful products with a great philosophy. http://www.redeemingbeautyminerals.com/ …check it out.
Laura - CaledonAcres says
Oh the truth right here!! This has been at the back of my head for years! I had a bit of a shock at reading about hair dyes and hormonal issues… I might go back to what mom taught me (use wall nuts outside skin – the green one- to dye the hair brownish).
I started getting rid of toothpaste, face scrub, moisturisers and I now use coconut oil + baking soda, honey + sugar, coconut oil… I have a great recipe for powder foundation that I need to gather the ingredients and mix up… Next on my list are shampoo and deodorant!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
PS. when I first saw your picture from this post I said out loud “My God she is so beautiful!” 🙂
Diana says
I’m lucky on this one, because I stopped wearing makeup a few years back – that simplifies things considerably! 🙂 As far as our other toiletries, we are slowly making the move to more natural products – we use Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods generic brands and love them.
One thing that really shocked me was your paragraph on sunscreen. After reading “The Beauty Bible” as a teenager, I spent YEARS slathering every inch of my exposed skin with sunscreen, every day, because the author was so frantic about the “terribly harmful” effects of ANY sun exposure. Not only was I depriving my body of much-needed sunlight (and vitamin D!), but I was opening myself up to serious health problems from all of the toxic chemicals. In the West, we have our priorities seriously screwed up!
Thanks for this post! As always, such good information! 🙂
Jacqueline says
Diana, I agree with you on the wearing of no make-up. My days ARE very much simplified and I feel my skin is far healthier, too. One thing I wish is that I had used less eye make-up since applying has stretched the tissues. I always wear a touch of mascara when I go out, but skip the liner and color. I do wish I could find a safe liquid liner, though, but I’m thinking all things black are probably petroleum based.
So sad about the popularization of sunscreen! A big hoax to make money and then we consumers buy into it. I bought into soy years ago, for example. So thankful God will one day restore us to glorified bodies 🙂
May the Lord bless you, dear one!
Lisa says
Thank you so much for this post and all the suggestions. I’ve been good at having switched over my makeup and all – except for nailpolish. I am going to change that now! I’m also thankful for the timing of this post as I was starting to get lazy in my thinking that maybe all this didn’t matter so much. But you reminded me it did.
Jacqueline says
Lisa, I’m ordering 2 colors from Scotch Naturals today. Can’t wait to try it and give it to my daughter! We are thinking a lot about what she puts on her body now that she is of childbearing age 🙂 I’m glad it has helped encourage you for your health’s sake and that of your family.
Blessings in the Lord!
Karen says
Hi Jacqueline,
A friend just told me about Christina’s Natural Qualities. It’s a small business which produces make-up and skin care items which are natural and free of chemicals. Here is the web address if you are interested in checking it out. I have only begun to look into their products; was curious to see what you think.
http://www.naturalqualities.net/rindex.html
Karen
Jacqueline says
Thanks for sharing the name of this company, Karen!!! I love what I see, especially their lotions here:http://www.naturalqualities.net/rlotions.html 🙂
Blessings!
Cathy Dodds says
Aloette is an all natural skincare company that uses medical grade, organic aloe vera as the delivery system in their products. It has made my skin so healthy. I don’t like all the chemicals in skin care products and my research came up with Aloette!
Jacqueline says
Thank you, Cathy!! I love what aloe does to skin, so I’m definitely checking Aloette out 🙂
Jennifer says
Hi Jacqueline! I’m glad to have stumbled upon your blog tonight. The 100+ Whole-Hearted Books list brought me here, but this article is also of great interest. I recently became a consultant for Beautycounter (www.beautycounter.com/jenniferpellegrin), a skin care and cosmetics company devoted to bringing health and safety to the forefront of the personal care industry. While the US has banned or restricted only 11 ingredients from use in personal care products, Beautycounter has promised to never use more than 1500 ingredients with known risks, including those you mentioned above. We offer skin care, makeup, and body care products as well as sunscreeen with non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient. We also have products developed especially for kids and babies. Our head of health and safety is Mia Davis (the woman who began the movement to remove BPA from use in baby bottles, sippy cups, etc.) and our creative director is Christy Coleman (renowned celebrity and fashion makeup artist). Our fragrances come from essential oils, and we disclose EVERYTHING that is in the product formulations. All that to say, our products our top-performing and an excellent choice for a safe beauty brand! Thought you might want to check it out and add it to your list. 🙂
Jacqueline says
Absolutely, Jennifer! I will be glad to do that! Appreciate your comment 🙂
Tammy says
Not sure if this liquid liner fits the bill, but this brand was recommended to me. I’ve not tried it yet…
http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-697048-zuzu-luxe-liquid-eyeliner-storm-0-1-oz
These are the listed ingredients:
Aqua (Infusion of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice)*, Sorbitol, Cetyl Alcohol, Iron Oxides, Mica, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Bentonite, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Euphrasia Officinalis (Eyebright) Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Cellulose Gum, Hectorite, Potassium Sorbate
Jacqueline says
Wonderful, Tammy, and Thank You!!! I am excited b/c at first glance, these ingredients look pretty benign! I know the ZuZu line and will definitely check it out this week! I’ve been hunting liquid eyeliner for a few special events, so you are so kind to help me 😀 God bless you, friend!
Crystal says
Have you evaluated Younique’s products yet? They claim to be safe and natural, and I’m curious how they hold up. Thanks! 🙂
M.S. says
Hello J-
I read thru this post and found it very useful!
I had a question and could not find it doing a search on your site..
Do you address anywhere your opinion/views/research on mammograms and its additional exposure to radiation?
You seem to touch on all kinds of wonderful topics, I was curious what your thoughts were on the subject of ‘recommended mammograms’..
Thank you for your continual sharing of ‘works’ : )
M.S.- Wisconsin
Jacqueline says
Hi, there, M.S.
No, at this time, I don’t have anything written on mammograms. I will say, though, that I am not for them as they expose us to more rads then would be safe and thereby contribute potentially to the very thing proponents of Mammograms are hoping to find and treat. You might find this article helpful: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/03/experts-say-avoid-mammograms.aspx
I haven’t had a mammogram in over 23 years! I do regular breast and axillary exams and lead a healthy lifestyle. I opt out of scans at the airport and get a pat down, too.
I hope this helps 🙂 Blessings, and thank you for the encouragement!
Christy says
What about Tom’s?
I use their deodorant and toothpaste???
Jacqueline says
Christy, I like Tom’s but don’t use the fluoride toothpaste and Tom’s deodorant (if unscented) is very good! Just keep reading your ingredients, and you’ll do great!
willainfo.com says
I feel so strongly about this cause, that I chose to become part of willa, a company dedicated to safe, clean, confident beauty for girls ages 13+ and women of all ages. I know it will be all my daughter will use on her skin once she is old enough to have a skin care routine. willainfo.com
Jacqueline says
Thank you! so far I like what I see and I’ll dig in deeper soon!
Donna says
Thank you very much for all the research you do for your articles…so very helpful! I love all of your posts…is there a way to view your archives to read earlier articles/posts? Thanks again.
Jacqueline says
Yes, Donna, there are several ways. You can use the search bar for possible topics or you can use the drop down tabs like homemaking, health, etc. at top by dragging your cursor over them and choosing the one that you want. I hope that helps!
Thank you for the encouragement, too!
Pamela Berry says
I recently discovered Beauty Counter company from another blog. They claim that this is their mission to make good quality healthy beauty products. Worth checking out.
Jacqueline says
Thanks, Pamela! I will 🙂
Jennifer Pellegrin says
Hello! I saw the comment above regarding Beautycounter and wanted to add that I am a Beautycounter consultant. If you have any questions about our mission or our products, or would like to try free samples please let me know!
Stacy says
I found your lovely site some time ago, but this particular post has blown me away! My dear hubby actually said your photo looks so good that it could be photoshopped! I know better, because your other photos are just as youthful!
I’ve “cleaned” my cleaning closet, many of my personal cleansers, and much of our food supply. I’m just beginning to embark on changing my facial products. I honestly had no idea that makeup could even be considered harmful. I appreciate both your insight and your youthful example!
Jacqueline says
Aww… thanks so much Stacy! I will be 65 in February and have some secrets that help me. One is good genetics, but I also slather (well, not quite) my face in coconut oil before bed: https://deeprootsathome.com/aging-dry-skin-my-secret-potion/
We/I also cook quite a lot with coconut oil and I eat it off the spoon 🙂
Bone broth is a BIG secret b/c of all the collagen it contains: https://deeprootsathome.com/8-age-defying-reasons-why-i-drink-bone-broth/ Very anti-aging!
Bisrat says
How about Consonant skin care Products,can you review their products? They are Canada company.
Jacqueline says
Bisrat, I hope to get time to do that!
Thank you!