care for the skin you're in
CLEAN BEAUTY
"Up to 60% of what you put onto your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream in only 26 seconds. Sometimes the effects of these toxins presents immediately as an allergy, skin rash, headache, mood disturbance, brain fog, or fatigue, however, for the most part, the chemicals continue to compound day after day, collectively building up in our bodies eventually leading to cancer, fertility issues, birth defects, neurological disturbances, and auto-immune issues. Unless you’re mindful about reducing your exposure you could very well be on your way to a toxic overload. I don’t know about you but I’d rather not take the “wait and see” approach. Many of these chemicals are not even required to be listed on the labels of said beauty products due to a severely underregulated industry that currently bans only 30 ingredients in the US. As a young mother who used to pour over ingredient labels, checking each one for toxins before purchasing and putting most things back on the shelf or leaving empty handed, I appreciate more than ever companies who are committed to safety and transparency when it comes to the ingredients they are using and how they are sourced. "
The beauty industry in the United States is FAR under regulated, currently banning only 30 ingredients from skin care and makeup products, our shelves are often lined with products that contain irritants, carcinogens, hormone disruptors, allergens, and thousands of chemicals that can cause a myriad of health issues such as cancer and autoimmune disease. Your skin is your largest organ and what you put on it ends up inside it.
I'm passionate about educating and creating change within the beauty industry. Voting with our dollars, so to speak. We all deserve products that are GOOD for us. I have been an advocate for clean beauty for over 8 years and have partnered with companies who are at the forefront of safety and research in the beauty industry. Many are a certified B-corp focused on ethical sourcing, sustainability, transparency, and advocacy, and I want to share them with you!
more information
RESOURCES
01
A great book covering the ugly side of the beauty industry.
02
How a 6,000 Year Old Answer Holds the Secret to Finally Getting Well, Losing Weight & Feeling Alive Again
03
Great Instagram account explaining ingredients + suggesting alternative products
04
Helpful documentary explaining the dangers in beauty products
a brief list of
ingredients to avoid
01
A disinfectant used as a preservative and surfactant associated with severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies. Found in: sunscreens, moisturizers.
02
03
BUTYLATEDHYDROXY ANISOLE + BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE
Synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.
COAL TAR
A known carcinogen banned in the eu but still used in north america. Used in dry skin treatments, anti-lice and anti-dandruff shampoos, also listed as a color plus number (ie fd&c red no. 6)
04
05
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DEA/TEA/MEA
Suspected carcinogen used as an emulsifier and foaming agent for shampoos, body washes, soaps.
ETHOXYLATED SURFACTANTS AND 1,4-DIOXANE
Never listed because it’s a by-product made from adding carcinogenic ethylene oxide to make other chemicals less harsh. The environmental working group (ewg) has found 1,4-dioxane in 57% of baby washes in the us. Avoid any ingredients containing letters “eth".
ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID (EDTA)
A chelating (binding) agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs. Found in: hair color, moisturizers.
07
ETHANOLAMINES (MEA/DEA/TEA)
Surfactants and ph adjuster linked to allergies, skin toxicity, hormone disruption, and inhibited fetal brain development. Found in: hair dyes, mascara, foundation, fragrances, sunscreens, dry cleaning solvents, paint, pharmaceuticals.
08
09
FORMALDEHYDE
Probably cancer causing carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake eyelash adhesives, shampoos. Banned in the EU
FRAGRANCE/PERFUME
An engineered scent or flavoring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000-plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed. Found in: all types of cosmetics.
10
HYDROQUINONE
Banned in the uk, rated most toxic on the ewg’s skin deep database. A skin-lightening chemical that inhibits the production of melanin and is linked to cancer, organ toxicity, and skin irritation. Found in: skin-lightening creams.
11
12
LEAD
Known carcinogen found in lipstick and hair dye, but never listed because it’s a contaminant, not an ingredient.
MERCURY
Known allergen that impairs brain development. Found in mascara and some eye drops.
13
METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE + METHYLCHLOROISOTHIAZOLINONE
Chemical preservatives that are among the most common irritants, sensitizers, and causes of contact skin allergies. Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body wash.
14
MINERAL OIL
By-product of petroleum that’s used in baby oil, moisturizers, styling gels. It creates a film that impairs the skin’s ability to release toxins
15
OXYBENZONE
Active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption (increases estrogen), cellular damage, low birth weight. Found in sunscreen + moisturizer.
16
PARABENS: METHYL-, ISOBUTYL-, PROPYL- + OTHERS
A class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.
17
PHTHALATES (DBP, DEHP, DEP AND OTHERS
A class of plasticizing chemicals used to make products more pliable or to make fragrances stick to skin. Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and may cause birth defects. Found in: synthetic fragrance, nail polish, hairspray, and plastic materials.
18
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG COMPOUNDS)
Pegs are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture-carriers. Depending on manufacturing processes, pegs may be contaminated with measurable amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, which are both carcinogens. Found in: creams, sunscreen, shampoo.
19
PARAPHENYLENEDIAMINE (PPD)
Used in hair products and dyes but toxic to skin and immune system.
20
PLACENTAL EXTRACT
Used in some skin and hair products- it is linked to endocrine hormone disruption
21
RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE)
An ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). Data from an fda study indicate that retinyl palmitate, when applied to the skin in the presence of sunlight, may result in adverse health consequences like lesions and photosensitization. FDA, Norwegian and German health agencies have raised a concern that daily skin application of vitamin a creams may contribute to excessive Vitamin A intake for pregnant women and other populations.
22
SILICONE-DERIVED EMOLLIENTS
Used to make a product feel soft, these don’t biodegrade, and prevent skin from breathing. Linked to tumor growth and skin irritation.
23
SODIUM LAURYL (ETHER) SULFATE (SLS, SLES)
A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy, it’s a toxin absorbed into the body and irritates skin.
24
TALC
Similar to asbestos in composition, it’s found in baby powder, eye shadow, blush, dry shampoo, and deodorant. Linked to ovarian cancer and respiratory problems.
25
TOLUENE
Known to disrupt the immune and endocrine systems, and negatively impact fetal development. It’s used in nail and hair products. Often hidden under “fragrance.”
26
TRICLOSAN
Found in antibacterial products, hand sanitizers, and deodorants, it is linked to cancer and endocrine disruption.
