Face and hair thanks to all-natural, safe products. No chemicals here!
I’ve been playing with makeup as long as I can remember. It started with palates of Tinkerbell-brand cosmetics that were little more than toys and never really gave the payoff my 5-year-old self wanted. I moved on through the years with help from my grandmother who was like me, a total makeup addict.
It wasn’t until the last few years that I really started thinking about what I was putting on my skin and the long-term effects those products have. Parabens, ethyl, propyl–what even are these products to us non-scientist consumers? It seems like every product on the shelf contains these hard-to-pronounce and potentially harmful chemicals. So what do we do? I know product junkies like myself can’t live with apple cider vinegar and coconut oil alone!
There are so many brands that offer safe, earth friendly products that work just as well or even better than the chemical-ridden ones. One of my favorite resources to check on product safety is the EWG’s skin deep project. You can look up almost any product to see what is really in the product and how safe it is to use.
Here is a list of a few of my favorite safer brands and products just in time for the holiday season. Remember, not everything is perfect and some products from these companies might not be 100% natural, but they do offer better alternatives and organic options.
1. Josie Maran Cosmetics has a fantastic line of 100% pure Argon Oil, which is great for your skin and hair. It’s made without paragons, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, or Triclosan. JM makes other products that rate extremely well on the EWG scale, but the Argon oil is my favorite!
2. One of my all time favorite brands, Origins has so many options most with a rating of 2 or below on the EWG scales. I love their Origins Clear improvement active charcoal mask. If you’re looking for a fantastic safe skincare line, you can’t go wrong with Origins.
3. I can’t say enough about Lush. Not only do they have fantastic bath and body products but they have a great line of makeup and fragrance that’s earth friendly and cruelty free. I love their lipsticks–they have a joba oil, rose wax and candelilla wax base that really moisturizes your lips and holds pigment well.
4. Etsy is a great resource for natural makeup. They have anything you could want at almost any price point. I do recommend reading reviews and doing a little background research on the sellers to make sure you’re getting the best possible products.
5. Even though some older Tarte Cosmetics products might have a higher score on the EWG, many of Tarte’s products range in the 0-3 category. I’ve used their Amazonian clay blush for years and love it.
Being your own scientist and doing a little homework will get you far in the safe cosmetics game. I know there will always be more natural options and those work very well, but sometimes we just want a beautiful lipstick or a facemask we don’t have to make ourselves.
Allison Klaine is a mom of two awesome kids in Illinois. She spends her days working with customers at Mom’s Milk Boutique and playing eco-friendly supermodel on her nights off!
