July Favourites - Clean Beauty Edition
Can you believe it’s already the middle of summer? Crazy how fast time is flying!
As we move through the first few weeks of summer, I’ve noticed a major shift in the beauty industry. Bigger brands are shifting gears and investing into cleaner and greener products.
Why the sudden hype around clean beauty? Just like we fuel our body with healthy foods, we need to fuel our skin with fresh and natural beauty products with all the right ingredients.
As we move back into a post-quarantine world, we’ll be investing more of our $$$ into our beauty regime. With that said, I want to help make sure you’re spending your money correctly!
Below, I’ve listed some nasty chemicals found in your regular beauty products, that you should AVOID:
(to see my clean fave’s scroll down)
Skincare/hair/makeup product
What to avoid: BHA/BHT
Why: These are used as preservatives and are linked to endocrine (hormone) disruption and skin irritation
Nail Polish/Make up
What to avoid: Formaldehyde
Why: Often used as a preservative in cosmetics, it releases formaldehyde which are chemicals that have been linked to cancer and skin sensitivity
Sunscreen
What to avoid: Oxybenzone
Why: It blocks ultraviolet light in sunscreens. This chemical is also an endocrine (hormone) disruptor and is harmful to coral reefs, fish, and other marine animals like dolphins.
Make Up
What to avoid: Parabens - Avoid ingredients that end with the word ‘paraben’ such as methyl-, butyl-, propyl-, and ethyl-paraben.
Why: They are suspected to be endocrine (hormone disruptors)
What also to avoid: (PFAS) - Ingredients with “fluoro” in name
Why: PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals”, and can be extremely persistent in the environment. They are also often added to beauty and hygiene products to make them waterproof or provide a slippery texture. These chemicals can accumulate in the body and are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and many other adverse health effects.
Cologne - Perfume
What to avoid: Phthalates
Why: Phthalates are added to fragrance mixtures as stabilizers and to make them last on the skin longer. These chemicals are endocrine (hormone) disruptors, toxic to reproduction, and impair brain development. Phthalates are also linked to the decrease in male fertility.
Other ingredients to AVOID in products include the following:
Ingredient: Talc
Where it can be found: This chemical is an absorbent in pressed and loose powders, such as baby powder.
Why you should avoid it: Talc is linked to ovarian cancer if applied to genital area. More specifically, Inhaling talc in loose powder form may be harmful to the lungs.
While most talc products that are available to consumers in Canada meet strict purity standards, in some cases, talc may be contaminated with asbestos, a cancer-causing fibrous material.
Ingredient: Siloxanes (i.e. Cyclomethicone, siloxane D4, D5 and D6)
Where it can be found: Siloxanes are silicone-based compounds used in personal care products to moisten or prime skin and hair.
Why you should avoid it: These chemicals are linked to skin irritation and are also harmful to the environment. When washed down the drain, they are released into waterways and are toxic in aquatic ecosystems and fish.
Now that I’ve hit you with the ingredients to avoid, I want to share some products I personally love!
I know it seems like A LOT to take in, but your skin, body, and the environment will thank you. With that said, I’ve listed my fave green beauty products, along with my readers’ recommendations below:
Deodorant: If you’re going to start with at least one green beauty product, THIS is the one to start with!
