I remember sitting across from my physician many years ago in my twenties and he said to me “do you work with chemicals?” I said “no!” My boyfriend at the time said, “yes you do?!” The Dr. said, “what’s your occupation?” I said I’m a makeup artist! He wrote down on his clipboard ..WORKS WITH CHEMICALS. It was the very first time as a young girl I even thought about makeup as containing chemicals. Back then it wasn’t really a discussion like it is today. But it hit me like a bolt of lightning.

Today’s consumer is much savvier and twice as demanding when it comes to knowledge of ingredients within products and expecting efficacy especially in beauty. On a whole, the beauty industry is virtually unregulated. Let’s say… Loosely regulated.

The average woman can apply over 500 chemicals a day before she leaves for work! Let that sink in.

I will leave this link below for those who wish to read a short page from the FDA’s actual website regarding cosmetics. It’s quite scary considering whatever we put on our bodies in the form of deodorant, lotions, perfumes, makeup, serums, hair products eventually get absorbed into your largest organ which is your skin and then travels through our bodies.

The FDA does not require any pre-market testing or approval before you purchase your beauty products off the shelves. In the US, many of the ingredients in the products on our shelves here have been banned in many other countries around the world like Europe because the scientific studies have shown that they could be linked to reproductive harm, neurotoxicity, and cancer!

CERTIFIED ORGANIC– A certified organic product must be between 95-100% chemical-free ingredients.

NATURAL PRODUCTS-a natural product usually is 50-70% chemical free.

So just take a second here, and read the above two sentences again slowly and take it in. The words that stick with me are “chemical free” So looking at this, to me says that either option is a head start and a good bet that the cosmetics that have not been certified as natural or organic. I have had so many conversations with people saying to me that something has to get you in the end and where do you draw the line? I will say- so if I go and now pour a small shooter glass of a known carcinogenic product and asked you to consume it would you? It’s funny when something makes you look pretty, is a pretty color, smells nice or tastes nice…Cannot possibly harm us? We choose to turn a blind eye.

So who is looking after our health and safety? Clearly, there are many professionals that advise us to use caution and purchase wisely when it comes to our beauty routines. Ingredients in our beauty cabinet and bathrooms contain certain ingredients are known to be endocrine disruptors, irritants even carcinogenic. So why are we still buying them? For those who may be pregnant reading this, this is super important you take note and reassess your beauty routine while a baby is on board.

GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK

Thank goodness some smart, caring entrepreneurs have our backs when it comes to beauty. There are so many eco-chic safe products that look good, smell good, work great and are safe for us to use. Below are some of my tried and true favorites. It’s time to go Au Naturel.

1. NATIVE DEODORANT– I’m obsessed with this product. Because it actually works. It smells delicious. You get a great bang for your buck. Their customer service rocks and their marketing is genius. It’s $12 but pretty big so great value for money. I found the coconut and vanilla to be my go to. Their website has the opportunity to purchase travel sizes in different scents so you can try them all. It works. Also look for Vapour Organic Beauty Aer Next Level Deodorant.
2. RMS BEAUTY- Rose –Marie Swift is the brainchild behind this cult brand. She is a makeup artist to Miranda Kerr and Giselle Bundchen. This makeup line is all good when it comes to efficacy and price. You can use several products several different ways. Love this range!
3. ZOCA LOTION — SPF 30 Reef-Safe Zinc Oxide Sunscreen. This beauty sells out quickly. It’s all organic and reef safe. Also, the amazing company STREAM2SEA sells a zinc oxide sunscreen on their website that is in a tinted formula so you don’t have that thick white zinc look. Happy you happy Fishies! Check them out!
4. ILIA BEAUTY – This beauty range is making waves for all the right reasons. Stylish and efficacious this brand has dialed up the style while keeping it good for you and the earth. Inika Beauty is an Aussie brand that has been a go-to for me for a long time. They have countless beauty awards that prove that their expectations are as high as yours!
5. Honoré des Prés Nu Green Eau de Toilette – All certified ingredients, this heavenly line was created by world-class French perfumer Olivia Giacobetti. Another perfectly layered scent is by Ayurveda Apothecary Kapha Balancing Perfume Oil, $28. I went natural with my fragrances years ago and I haven’t looked back. They always take a unique scent that I find many are curious about when I wear them.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

1. PHTHALATES-linked to cellular damage. It’s found in hairspray, nail polish, perfumes, and lotions. It’s called “fragrance” on your labels if listed at all.
2. PARABENS-linked to breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. Europe has banned parabens 6 years ago. The US is yet to regulate its usage. This has even been found in breast cancer tumor biopsies. SERIOUS STUFF LADIES!
3. FORMALDEHYDE-cleansers nail polish, mascara and more. It is a known human carcinogen.
4. CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS-causes cellular damage and cancer. Benzophenone, PABA, avobenzone, homosalate, methoxycinnamate and Wear Titanium Dioxide and zinc as they are not absorbed by the body. Look for REEF-SAFE also to keep it safe for the fishies! An estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotions end up in coral reefs each year. L
5. SYNTHETIC COLORS-carcinogenic and linked to ADHA in kids. Europe has banned these. Look for combos of letters and numbers such as such as FD&C Blue No. 1 or Blue 1.

Whether you choose to do organic or all natural beauty, one of my favorite places to shop for safe products is The Detox Market. They have tons of products and are very picky about what goes into them.