So we don’t know exactly how much lipstick a woman swallows in a lifetime, but that doesn’t make the fact that most personal care & beauty products are packed with toxins any less alarming.
Just visualise this – that lipstick stain on your Martini glass might mean that you’re devouring traces of lead, lanolin (aka grease from animal fur) & other petrochemicals. Fancy that? Don’t get me wrong, if you’ve been Instagram-stalking me you’d probably know that I’m a makeup & beauty junkie. A pair of perfectly winged eyeliner and lustrously rouge lips make any day a glamorous one. I’ve been battling with this huge dilemma of knowing what I put on my skin might not be good for my body in the long run, but trying to find excuses like ‘okay, I couldn’t be swallowing that much lipstick right?’. Because to me, makeup & skincare goodies are like my brownies & peanut butter. To wear or not to wear was never an option.
From chatting with my BFFs I realised I’m not alone in fighting this battle. We just choose to turn a deaf ear to those horrifying talks of how much toxic chemicals we’re absorbing into our blood stream through our skin. The wakeup call for me was when I got sick earlier this year and had the luxury (yes – I’m overtly positive) to read extensively about natural remedies and non-toxic skincare products. ‘So you meant I could still have my glam lips day & glitter manicure without minus the nasties?’, I heard you just asked. Yes, and thankfully we’re quite spoilt with choices when it comes to beauty & skincare products that are toxin-free, organic, gentle to our bodies and the environment. So there are really no excuses to keep your ears blocked about turning your beauty cabinet green. Non-toxic alternatives are readily available and they’re not necessarily more expensive than the chemicals-filled fancy brands. Most of us are just too stuck to our beauty routine and don’t feel comfortable with venturing into new territories. Here at Lace n Ruffles, I feel it’s part of my blogger’s social responsibilities to spread the spirit of this green revolution. Take this as your beginner’s guide to kick start your non-toxic skincare journey, packed with my curated list and personal opinions on the WHY, WHAT and HOW to be a true green beauty.
WHY should I care about using non-toxic skincare products?
As if you still need more appalling facts about what goes into most synthetic skincare products. Now take a deep breath before you read these:
- Almost any chemical can be used as an ingredient in personal care products
Labels are allowed to be misleading and incomplete – companies don’t have to list all their ingredients.
- Up to 60% of what we put on our skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream. Source here.
- A study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has detected 16 potentially toxic chemicals in blood and urine samples from 20 teen girls. Studies link these chemicals to potential health effects including cancer and hormone disruption. Source here.
- An average woman uses 12 products per day containing over 168 ingredients, absorbing around 2kg of chemicals a year. Source here.
- Products commonly contain penetration enhancers to drive ingredients deeper into the skin, which results in more chemicals absorbed into your blood stream. These chemicals have been scientifically proven to be linked to cancer, endocrine/hormonal disease, thyroid function disruption, learning disabilities, asthma, respiratory disease, skin disease, liver damage, brain damage and development problems, immune system damage, reproductive hormone disfunction and fetal development issues. Source here.
Wow – so it turns out that there lies a mighty beast in what we use to beautify our skin. Does that set off your alarm bell?
WHAT are the main toxic ingredients to avoid?
Here I present the evil Toxic 8 – eight commonly present toxic chemicals that are added to most skincare & beauty products because they’re cheap, readily available and unregulated. The list is by no means exhaustive as there are way too many hidden nasty chemicals that try to sneak their way through to our beauty cabinets.
PARABENS: Disrupt hormone function which is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive fertility. Linked to is early puberty in children (source) and early menopause in women (source).
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLS): Originally made as a pesticide and a heavy duty chemical cleaner for garage oil stains and in car washes (yuk!). The manufacturing of SLS creates ethoxylation which is contaminated with dioxane, a carcinogen (source).
MINERAL OIL: Petroleum by-product that interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne and other disorders. Slow down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products such as baby oil which is 100% mineral oil (source).
PROPYLENE GLYCOL: Direct contact can cause brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in US requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with it. Yet, we’re putting it in our mouths in toothpaste and makeup (source).
DEA/TEA/MEA: Suspected carcinogens used as emulsifiers and foaming agents (source).
TOLUENE: A pregnant woman’s exposure to toluene vapors during pregnancy may impair fetal development. Associated with toxicity to the immune system (source).
OXYBENZONE: Commonly used in chemical sunscreen that is linked to allergies such as hormone disruption and cell damage (source).
FORMALDEHYDE: The National Toxicology Program in USA classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen under conditions with high or prolonged exposure. Commonly used in nail hardeners and hair straightening treatment (source).
HOW do I go green?
Congrats! If you’re still reading on that means you’re quite sold about the green beauty revolution! Here are some of my personally tested tricks and tips to help you get started:
♥ Always read the labels carefully before buying and only choose to buy products without the nasties.
♥ Most of us aren’t chemists but luckily there’re a few brilliant mobile apps that make identifying toxins in personal care products on the go as easy as A-B-C. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep database app (iOS and Android) provides information and safety assessments for more than 72,000 personal care products, 2,500 brands and 9,000 ingredients, culled from product labels and from their scientific research. Simply scan a product’s bar code, and the app spits out a safety rating from zero (super safe) to 10 (extremely toxic). There’re also Think Dirty app (iOS only) that comes with smaller database than EWG but with an added feature to track your progress towards a greener skincare routine. I check products on both apps before buying.
♥ If a product isn’t covered in any of the above database, I look for the seal of various certification bodies on the packages or on their websites. In Australia, look for the ACO (Australian Certified Organic) or OFC (Organic Food Chain) seals.
♥ Pick brands that are open about the origins and effects of their ingredients as well as their manufacturing process. If you’re uncertain, email or message the brand on social media. In most cases, those who are happy to chat means they have less to hide!
♥ Similarly, if you feel disappointed with the nasty chemicals present in your products, take it to the public space and contact the brand on social media for explanation. Don’t ever underestimate your consumer’s power – every single voice makes a difference for a greener skincare industry in the long run.
Feel a bit overwhelmed and wonder where to start? I did an inspection of all my skincare products and threw away a couple that are clearly marked as containing highly toxic ingrendents such as parabens. Replacing those that are most toxic with organic products were my priority. My first tackle list included toners, hairspray and nail polish. I’m still working my way down the toxic scale and replacing other stuffs in my beauty cabinets as I finish using them one by one.
TOXIN-FREE PRODUCTS I’m loving right now:
Still need a kick to hop onto this revolution? Rejoice, my fellow gorgeous, as I had the honour to research, trial and review some babely non-toxic skincare products out there! The very first brand I got introduced to in my quest for ‘greener’ skin was the Australian brand La Mav. Their Rose Hydrating Mist got me obsessed. It feels gentle, has no nasty smell of alcohol, and calms my post-yoga skin redness quickly for a dash of Taylor Swift’s post workout glam. 🙂 I currently keep one in my yoga bag and one on my work desk. What to love about the brand? Their products are 100% natural, certified organic, free from artificial colours and fragrances. La Mav is very transparent about ingredients and production methods, and if you’re unsure you can tweet them your questions using #asklamav – genius, right? I also love how you can purchase samples online with them to trial before committing to buying full-sized products for that extra peace of mind.
The beauties at La Mav has generously sent in this prize pack of their newly launched Body Collection Range for one lucky reader of Lace n Ruffles.
The pack includes:
1. Coffee Bean Body Scrub 200g:
It combines the goodness from ground coffea arabica, coconut oil, camellia oil and macadamia oil to soften skin, promote cell generation, improves skin tone and the appearance of cellulite. Recommended for all skin types and is ideal for dry and senstivei skin that lacks nutrients.
2. Nourish Body Moisturiser 200ml:
Aloe vera leaf juice, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil, shea butter and natural vitamin E work to deeply hydrate and nourish, improve skin tone and elasticity. Recommended for all skin types and is ideal for dehydrated and sensitive skin.
3. Nourish Hand Cream 50ml:
Co enzyme Q10, natural vitamin E, aloe vera leaf juice, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil and shea butter work to maintain and restore the moisture barrier of the skin. Recommended for all skin types and is ideal for dry skin that is prone to rough patches.
Giveaway ends on 3rd November 2014 and is open to Australian residents only – bon chance!
I have to confess though that it’s difficult to bid farewell to some of my fancy skincare products that I’ve loved and used for years! And I’m guilty of still holding onto some the them. So tell me fellow lovelies, do you have a similar story to share? Do you check what goes into the tube of your favourite skincare product? I need you all to help me stay firm on switching to a greener beauty routine so please share any knowledge, tips and tricks that work! I’ll also continue trialing and reviewing several other toxin-free products in the coming weeks on Lace n Ruffles so jump onto my mailing list to follow my journey.
Until next time, stay beautiful inside & out!
Disclaimer: I was gifted by La Mav while all opinions are genuinely my own. I can’t guarantee that all products I recommend will suit you. I only use products I personally think are good having tried them on myself while everyone’s skin is different and it’s possible to be allergic to anything. Wherever possible, test products out on yourself before purchasing.
Great article..and love La Mav products.
Thanks Ruby! Good luck 🙂 La Mav rose mist has been my post workout life saver! Their stuffs are gorgeous, right? What’s your fav product? x J
I”m a big fan of making my products myself where possible so I know exactly whats in them. But I also love to find a brand that is nice and pure! x
You little DIY genius! 🙂 I need to get some recipes from you for sure, I’ve bought some beetroot powder and coconut oil trying to make some natural beet stain. Hope it works!
Thanks for the informative article Juliet – it’s very eye-opening!
Hey C, thanks for entering & good luck! Keen to know how your body scrubs work and what sort of ingredients are in it.
Great article, just shared this post with my gf Josi’ah, she love their products, please keep me posted for future post and giveaways, she would definitely love it! 🙂
You girl Josi always looks pretty doesn’t she – what a natural babe! 😉
Natural skin care makes so much sense, preferable in every way to keep toxins out of system
I have very sensitive skin so I try to buy products with the least amount of chemicals in them. From sunscreen to lipsticks. If I find something I like in a shop I come home and google it to see whats in it and the reviews it gets, and also who makes it and how they test it. Any help I can get from others makes a difference.
I look for not only organic ingredients but packaging that is recyclable too. True organic skincare cares for their product AND the environment too!
I absolutely love home made products and I have my own honey bees so I have many uses for honey in my skincare
Oh I hope my avatar changes soon I don’t know who those 3 kids are
Hi Jessica, so sorry for the weird avatar! Have no idea how that happened! Hope this is right now? Otherwise I’ll try to take it off completely – sorry love!
Thanks a billion I have the right avatar now
Honey bees is such a cute idea – genius! Are they hard to maintain? I saw a lady selling candles made from organic honey and they’re so beautiful. I’m thinking honey lip balm and in my bircher – NOM!
Homemade products give you a sense of achievement
Hi, that was so interesting to read, thankyou. My mum didn’t wear makeup and always pointed out that if we wore lipstick, we would obviously be eating it, and therefore to be very careful to always choose chemical-free. So I grew up being fairly conscious about makeup safety, however it’s all too easy to slack off and just assume products are safe because they are on the shelves, so it’s really good to be re-educated! 🙂 So in answer to the question – to create a greener skincare routine, information is power – make informed choices! 🙂
I combine exquisite organic products with lavish homemade, edible skin treatments!
Because of my sensitive skin, I always try to use the most natural skincare products available. Since then, I have also become quite concerned about how what skincare products I am using and ensuring that I’m always using products that respect the environment and the world around us.
I’ve been making my own face masks for a while now and totally stopped purchasing anything remotely tested on animals. Egg-white and lemon juice is a great skin cleanser and toner! Pores are reduced considerably! Great before a night out!
I’ve always read the ingredients carefully and gone organic where possible – it’s made more difference for my eczema than any medicated cream has.
I try and choose organic products wherever possible. Your skin loves you for it.
Natural is the best these products are awersome and wholesome
I always use organic natural skincare with no harsh chemicals as my skin is very sensitive
I’m trying to avoid shop bought products and reverting to home remedies like a DIY face scrub which incorporates coconut oil, sea salt and vitamin E oil and a DIY makeup remover (olive oil, vitamin E oil and witch hazel into purified water. I would love to experiment more when time allows but this organic skincare range looks divine and without the need for making a big mess in my kitchen.
I’m trying to swap out my skincare for more natural versions one thing at a time – otherwise it just gets a bit overwhelming to think about (and expensive!)
Skincare is the only thing I would be happy to spend more on to ensure it’s organic and that our planet is not being destroyed as I am lathering the cream onto my skin!
I stick to natural products that are great for my skin, I also have experimented with a lot of DIY natural remedys as well.
I often use natural products, such as olive oil, lemon juice, and sugar in my skincare routine.
I’m after organic skincare products and people’s reviews help me choose the right one for myself.
I had to start using natural/organic beauty products out of necessity. When I was diagnosed as diabetic, I was surprised that so many skin issues & immune system issues came along with that. My skin has become drier & more sensitive (especially to SLS.) Now my Mom uses oxygen, & cannot use anything with petroleum based product in it, since it can cause burns!
Love this blog!
I love this article. Sounds like so me amazing products.
I only use Organic, All Natural, and/or Vegan face products.
I go greener by using Natural Products without chemicals, I have sensitive skin hence need to be careful and natural is safer!
I’d love to try some La Mav products. I’ve just started switching from department store, internationally produced skincare to Australian skincare that uses all natural ingredients and does NOT test on animals anywhere in the world, ever! My skin is loving it, so will have to change up the makeup next!
I never use those wasteful skin cleansing wipes as they seem like such a huge waste of resources which just get thrown into the bin.
I love green products but haven’t been lucky enough to use La Mav as yet….I use Kosmea, Trilogy, Mukti, Third Stone Botanical. That was an awesome post to read and I never knew those apps existed for checking out personal products…that’s excellent and I will be putting that to use.
That’s awesome to hear, Juanita. Thanks for leaving me a note here. Yep – definitely a tad bit obsessed with the apps and how scary & shocking was it to discover my long time fav products are loaded with tasty toxins – boo! Well, at least it’s never too late to turn green, right? Let me know how you find the apps and any shocking findings for you!
I love maikng my own face and skin scrubs so easy and always work great and I know exactly whats in them
Finely, natural ingredients safe for our outside and our inside. Thanks La Mav for your great products and thanks Lace n Ruffles for this great opportunity.
Indeed! Thanks Bronwyn – stay pretty inside & out!
We buy only natural and organic products that have no parabens, additives, no testing on animals. etc.
I use natural and organic products on my skin and hair without any nasty chemicals and try to buy locally.
I try to use as many organic and green products that I can, and I also make my own scrubs from natural ingredients, as well as face masks, hair masks, and moisturizers (coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, etc).
I like to use organic products that are certified !
True – seal of confidence especially for those who aren’t confident about reading ingredients on the labels. What are your fav brands?
Avoid all the toxic materials that a lot of skin care products have in them!
I’d have to confess that i don’t buy any organic beauty products, they’re just too costly… but i try to make my own DIY scrub and balms 😀 😀
What a savvy consumer you’re – smartie! LOVE DIY and I’ve just been inspired by my friend to make my own coffee and sugar scrub – smells too indulging!! What are some of your most brag worthy homemade skincare recipes? I have to say though not all organic skincare stuffs are expensive, I was so proud of myself picking up three pieces of certified organic products from drugstore for under $50!
By using beauty products with seaweed in them (:
Nature provides all we need in this world – we all need to embrace what is around us and nurture our bodies and mind – not pollute.
Wanting to embrace a greener skincare routine is the reason why I switched to Sukin a few years ago! I love their rosehip oil!
I create a greener skincare routine by drinking eight glasses of water a day. My skin looks glowingly clearer! I keep a bottle in my car to keep hydrated during the day and use natural beauty products as opposed to “industrial” branded cosmetics to bring out my natural, sophisticated, green beauty!
Such a simple thing to do but it works magic right? Good one Rachel 🙂
I would love to try these gorgeous La Mav products – I was hospitalised for eczema a few years ago (yes it was that bad! I didn’t know it could get that bad!!) and I had to completely strip back my skincare regime to the bare bones and only use very natural, very nourishing skin products that don’t have any nasties or perfumes!
I create a greener skincare routine by choosing to only use products that are guaranteed clean and green! I LOVE La Mav products, they tick all the boxes for me!! <3
Beautiful products. Thanks for the opportunity.
I love to use all natural products to create a greener skincare routine. <3
I’m new to finding a greener skincare routine so for me, this will be my first step. I will endeavour to replace my current products with greener, healthier, toxin free products as mine run out, and the plan will be to never go back!
organic creams and I use bentonite clay to draw out toxins
We all like 2 look good but at what cost to our health. Natural products aren’t something I have really thought about until today. Everything I have just read made me realise I need to change the way I choose my beauty products. Natural products here I come!
Hi,
I just stumbled across this article when reading your article on nail polish toxins you shared through Blog Chicks. Thanks for posting this one – changing to less toxic brands has been on my to do list for a while now and something I’m doing slowly. I just downloaded the Skin Deep app – it sounds super useful.
Hi there Mel! So glad that you found these helpful. Sounds like you’re definitely on the right track to a healthier, greener 2015 🙂 Would keen to see how you go so do share any amazing natural products you’ve come across along the way x Juliet