How to Detoxify Your Beauty Routine

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Did you know that your skin can absorb just about anything you apply on it? And unfortunately, many beauty products are loaded with toxins that ​can be highly detrimental to your overall health and well-being.  Now is the time to make some better beauty choices!

​In the US, the law does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, except for color additives, to be approved by FDA before they go on the market.  So, many of the chemical ingredients in your personal care products are unregulated and untested for their long-term effects.  Many are endocrine disruptors that play havoc with the hormones in your body. This includes the thyroid, insulin (blood sugar), estrogens, testosterone, cortisol (stress hormone), and growth hormone. ​Many cause chronic diseases, or even cancer. They are also allergenic, neuro-toxic, and can cause developmental disorders. They can also cause weight gain*.  These toxic chemicals can (ironically) make your body age and your skin look older even faster than necessary!
* Read my article Are Toxins Making You Fat? The Connection. 

The Environmental Working Group (ewg.org) lists the most harmful ingredients to watch out for.  The worst offenders to always avoid include:
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• Triclosan and triclocarban
• Vitamin A (listed as: retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate) 
• Oxybenzone
• Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in nail polish
• BHA
• Fragrance
• Boric acid and Sodium borate
• Coal tar hair dyes and other coal tar ingredients (including Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine)
• Hydroquinone
• Parabens (specifically Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Butyl-, and Isobutyl- parabens)
• Phthalates

How many toxins are you exposed to? 
Your body is only as young and as healthy as its detoxification system. Unfortunately, with the unprecedented number of chemicals bombarding us every day, that burden can sometimes outweigh your body's ability to detoxify effectively. This leads to illness, metabolic problems, and accelerated aging. In fact, some holistic health experts believe that toxins are the #1 cause of chronic disease - even more than nutritional deficiencies. This is because toxins have such a harmful effect on your enzymes. Toxins also cause oxidation, which depletes your antioxidants at a rapid rate. That is why minimizing toxin exposure is paramount.
(Learn more about enzymes & antioxidants.)  
(Read my article Factors that Trigger Cancer &  4 Steps to Avoid the Disease.)

So, in addition to eliminating the toxins in your foods and around your home, reducing the toxins in your beauty routine will improve your well-being.  In a perfect world, anything you put on your skin should be so harmless that it's edible. If you buy your beauty products from a store, it's imperative that you scrutinize the ingredients ( just like the food you eat).

This doesn't have to be a daunting task!  Everytime you need to relace something, make a choice for a cleaner, healthier product available. Or even make it yourself instead.  Over time, you'll be an Au Naturale beauty!
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​Here are my 6 best "Au Naturale" Swaps to Purify Your Beauty Routine:

​Cosmetics

I encourage you to do your homework, which is super easy when you consult the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics database.  ​This is where you can check if specific skin and body care products contain toxic ingredients. They even have an app for your phone to use while in the store. Products are ranked from 1-10.  10 is the most toxic. Aim for less toxic products ranked 1-3.​

​My absolute favorite organic, all-natural cosmetics beauty firm is 100% Pure. I love that their cosmetics are naturally fruit-pigmented and are packed with antioxidants and nutrients.  They offer a full and colorful line of foundations, primers, concealers, blush, eye makeup, lipstick and gloss, and much, much more.  You can choose from either cream or powders, too.  

The 100% Pure products live up to their name, because they are completely free of synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents, or any other unhealthy toxins. ​​​
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​Sunscreen

I love the sun!  We all need some direct sunlight on our skin every day, if possible, to optimize our vitamin D levels.  No one should ever get sunburned, however, which is quite unhealthy. So, when in the sun for extended periods of time, it's good to use sunscreen to prevent sun damage and photo-aging.

I use Elta MD sunscreen on my face, neck, and ears.  It comes in different formulations for different types of skin, including sensitive.  It goes perfectly under my makeup and is very light-weight.  They also have water-resistant varieties.

Badger Sunscreen is perfect for babies, kids, and adults - everyone! Their natural and organic sunscreens contain simple, safe, USDA Certified Organic ingredients.  It comes in sport, water-resistant, baby, and sensitive varieties.  

Make your own sunscreen!
You'll save lots of money over time with this simple sunscreen recipe you can make at home.




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​Skin Care (face and body)​

Your skin needs nourishment from the inside (healthy foods) and from the outside, too. The best beauty products or treatments for the skin contain nourishing fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.
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This homemade whipped body butter is pure gold and you're going to love what it does for your skin.

And with just two ultra nourishing ingredients, cocoa butter and coconut oil, it couldn't be simpler to make at home!

To make your own facial serum, combine a few drops of your favorite essential oils with a lovely carrier oil. 

I use either organic tamanu oil or Rosehip oil for the carrier oil on my face + the essential oils.  
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For hand soap, body wash, and shaving I simply use Dr. Bronner's Pure Liquid Castile Soap.  It's good to clean pretty much everything!

It comes in many different, lovely  natural scents.  My favorite is citrus.

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Primal Life Organics:  
Cosmetics, skin & facial care, serums, acne treatments, shampoo, deodorant, sun protection, toothpaste.

Primal Life Organics products are all natural, organic, and made fresh when ordered. Paleo. gluten-free, vegan. For women, men, kids, and even babies!
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​MadeOn Hard Lotion: 
​Lotion bars, natural soaps, bug block, diaper rash cream, lip balm, hair butter.  Great gifts!  

What is Hard Lotion? Beeswax, shea butter, & coconut oil... in a bar. That's all you need to fix dry, cracked skin. Rub it in instant relief.  Great for eczema, chapped skin and lips, cracked heels, and diaper rash.  
Supplies to make-it-yourself, too!

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​Nail Polish

Triphenyl phosphate, or TPHP, is an endocrine/hormone disrupting chemical found in more than 1500 nail products.  HERE is a list of some very popular brands that contain TPHP.  Researchers at Duke University found it in the body of every single woman who used the nail polish.  Pretty scary!

I was ultra-skeptical about switching to a more natural nail polish because I'd figured they wouldn't last, go on evenly, or look good without chipping.  I found the exact opposite to be true with the nail polishes by Karma Organic Spa.  They're incredible! And Non-Toxic, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free! Each manicure I give myself lasts about 2 weeks - I actually feel like changing nail colors sooner than it wears off or chips. Definitely use their Two In One Base/Top Coat, too.

While you're ordering makeup, 100% Pure also carries nail polish that is "10 Free".  This means it's completely free of the top ten toxic ingredients found in most nail polishes. No formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, nor and animal ingredients. 

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​Hair Care

This is probably the one place you'll do a lot of experimenting to find the products that match your hair texture and thickness.  It's difficult to switch from a shampoo filled with engineered synthetic ingredients to one that's more natural. They feel different, may not be as sudsy or slick, and may impact the sebum/oil on your scalp.  Be patient! But, it's still important to make the swap, especially because when you rinse out your shampoo and conditioner in the shower, they touch just about every inch of your body.

Beauty tip:  Before switching to a natural shampoo and conditioner, first clarify your hair thoroughly, which will strip it down so you can start from scratch - chemical free.

• 100% Pure makes the natural shampoo and conditioner I personally use.  And my long, thick locks are pretty picky!  

It made me happy immediately! And it continues to, day after day. It smells so naturally lovely, too.
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Whether you want hair care for volumizing, restoring, a glossy shine, or a heathy scalp, 100% Pure gets an A+ in my book.

​Gentle enough for color treated and all hair types. ​

​The natural shampoos and natural conditioners from 100% Pure contain no petrochemicals, no parabens, and no silicon beads. It's free of all the toxins found in Brazilian Blowouts, like formaldehyde. Never any artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals, toxic preservatives, or any other unsafe ingredients either. Made with the highest quality organic nutrients to naturally bring your hair to life!
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• Morrocco Method Int'l:

​​All natural shampoos, conditioners, natural henna hair color, styling products, and brushes.

This one is my husband's favorite. It doesn't lather up, but with short hair, that doesn't really matter.

All of their products are sulfate free, gluten free, and all natural. Each product is created using a ingredients that detoxify and nourish your hair and scalp. 
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​Perfume/Artificial Scents

"Fragrance" seems to be found everywhere, not just in perfumes and colognes.  It's in lotions, deodorant, shampoo, plus many, many household products like laundry detergent and air fresheners.  But do you know what’s in it? US Federal law doesn’t even require companies to list any of the chemicals in their fragrance mixture on product labels. In fact, the average fragrance product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label. What we do know is that fragrances commonly contain hormone disrupting chemicals and are among the top 5 allergens in the world.   (Read more on ewg.org)
Fragrances STINK!

In fact, I, myself, am so horribly allergic to perfumes and artifical fragrances that I have to hold my breath walking through department stores, switch pews in church, and request rental cars not be sprayed with air "freshener".  The stuff is poison!!

Buy fragrance-free whenever possible!

If you still want to wear perfume and use air fresheners around the home, the solution is naturally simple: Essential oils! 

While essential oils provide many more benefits than just pretty smells, some of the best oils that can double as perfume include:
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• Lavender
• Ylang-ylang
• Rose
• Jasmine
• any of the floral oils

Carrier oils: There are dozens of options, but my #1 go-to (again) is jojoba oil.  On my face, I use either organic tamanu oil or rosehip seed oil.  The best carrier oils you find right in your kitchen are pure olive oil like Kasandrinos olive oil,  Avocado oil, and Macadamia Nut oil.

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