I didn’t think about toxins until I had children.

I especially never thought about the ingredients in my cosmetics, deodorant, and skincare.

Learning that what I applied to my skin was absorbed into the bloodstream was pretty shocking and now that my girls are teenagers it’s becoming even more important to think about natural skincare products.

If you have teenagers or you’re learning for yourself then keep reading to learn a few essential tips to keep in mind when switching over to natural products.

1. Know The Top Offenders

Becoming a label reader is a must if you want to shift to organic or natural skincare.

You’ll need to have a basic understanding of what ingredients are concerning and which ones are simply the scientific name of something natural.

Dihydrogen monoxide, for example, is a compound that’s responsible for thousands of deaths per year.

While this may sound terrifying, Dihydrogen monoxide is the scientific name for water.

Some of the ingredients below are irritants and fillers, while others have links to numerous illnesses.

Take time to learn about each component so that you can quickly identify them when researching a product.

Some of the top offenders to look out for in beauty products include:

• Heavy Metals
• Phthalates
• Formaldehyde
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Siloxanes
• Oxybenzone
• P-Phenylenediamine
• BHA 
• BHT
• Carbon Black
• Benzophenone

2. Learn The Regulations

There are no enforced regulations over the word “organic” when it comes to cosmetics.

The USDA will certify certain organic skincare products but doesn’t enforce or spot-check companies afterward. 

Use an independent source to research products before you use them.

The Environmental Working Group is an excellent source for organic product information and reviews.

3. Know Your Skin

Remember that just because something is natural, doesn’t mean that your body will like it.

You might react to an organic product due to an unknown sensitivity.

This situation doesn’t mean that the natural product is bad; it’s just not right for your skin.

Take the time to learn what your skin needs, likes, and dislikes are while searching for natural and organic skincare products.

Samples will be your friend during this exploration.

Related: 22 Reasons to Wear Organic Cotton

4. Make Your Own Natural Skin Care Products

To ensure your safety and the quality of your skin care products, think about buying ingredients to make them. 

By purchasing organic raw materials, you can create your own skincare products and take comfort in knowing what’s included.

Many natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, essential oils, powdered bentonite clay, and argan oil, can be used in various natural skin care recipes.

Tip:  The Simply Earth Subscription Box makes it easy to get all the natural ingredients you need to make your own products plus videos on how to use them!
Use code “STACYRUSSELLFREE” to get a $40 rebate coupon to use on your second order.

Simple DIY Skin Care Recipes

Easy Mascara Remover

Use fractionated coconut oil with your fingers or on a cotton ball to gently remove even waterproof mascara.

Hair Masks

Go here for my recent post about how to use coconut oil for your hair

Face Mask For Acne

Mix the following ingredients together in a small jar, apply mixture to face, rinse off after about 10-15 minutes.

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Several drops argan oil
• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon honey

Ice Facial by Simply Earth

Mix the following ingredients according to the video.

• 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1 tsp rose clay
• 2 drops Frankincense essential oil
• 7 drops Orange essential oil

Related: How To Make Body Wash Without Castile Soap

5. Start With Small Changes

Making your own cleansers and face scrubs is one thing but if you are like me you’ll probably end up buying items like lipliners, lipsticks, and foundation.

Rather than throwing them all out and starting from scratch, make small, sustainable changes in your routine.

Start by replacing some of the most toxic skin care products and cosmetics first.

Some common offenders include:

• Moisturizers
• Foundation
• Lip products
• Sunscreen

Start by replacing one product at a time until you’ve transformed your beauty routine.

Taking this sustainable approach will help you find the right product for each aspect of your skincare routine and give your skin time to adapt.

Which Natural Skin Care Products To Buy

Toxic-free beauty products are becoming easier to find these days. 

My suggestion is to research ahead of time so you don’t get overwhelmed by all the “natural” options when you go to the store.

Remember, just because a product says it’s natural doesn’t mean it is free of toxins.

By using these websites for your research: Campaign For Safe Cosmetics or EWG Skin Deep you’ll discover that just because one product of a brand is safe doesn’t mean all the other products are.

For instance, Burt’s Bee Baby Cream rates a 5 (not so good) but their Lip Crayon and powder foundation rate a 1 (the highest rating).

Tip: The Skin Deep website is just a starting point when you’re new because once you start to recognize the ingredients to watch out for you’ll be able to spot safe products easily.  

Some Of The Products I Use

• Moisturizer  

Body Balm by Pam’s Touch – Handcrafted, free of harmful toxic chemicals, and preservatives. High-quality coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax combined with essential oils hold moisture and protect the skin.

My 4 oz jar of body balm has lasted me a year! 

• Toothpaste

Pearl by Pam’s Touch or Primal Life Organics Tooth Powder

• Teeth Whitener

Castor oil or Coconut oil for oil pulling which helps whiten teeth naturally.

• Essential Oil Recipe Box

Simply Earth offers single oils, blends, and a subscription box that is great for essential oil pros or newbies.

In their box, you’ll get 4 full-size pure essential oils plus recipe cards. In your first month, you’ll get a BIG box of extra supplies.

We’ve made body scrubs, make-up, cleaning products, and relaxing diffuser blends with the oils we’ve received.  Read my reviews

Use code STACYRUSSELLFREE to get a $45 rebate when you order your first box. Cancel anytime.

Give It Time

Your skin won’t change overnight.

It can take weeks to see differences once you’ve changed products or shifted to natural cosmetics.

Your skin may go through a detox period and take some time to adapt to a new product.

For example, many cosmetic moisturizers have parabens and silicones that create the illusion of hydration. Taking that away may cause your skin to overproduce oil until it adapts to the new product.

Situations like these are among the main reasons people give up on their organic skincare goals in the first few weeks of the transition.

Stay the course, and try each new product for at least three weeks before moving on.

With these simple tips, you can make the transition to organic skincare products and help your family live less toxic.

Keep Reading

Look Out For These Toxins In Your Bathroom

DIY Skincare Recipes Using Essential Oils

Top Anti-Aging Oils To Use On Your Skin

Sources:
https://www.dictionary.com/e/tech-science/dihydrogen-monoxide/