Safer Products

Several years ago, I started to learn about the importance of consuming a variety of plant foods to protect myself and my family on a cellular level. I have never looked back and support plant foods 100%. It has literally changed the health of myself and my family.

While I was reading labels and learning about whole food nutrition, I was buying products like Dove, Maybelline, Cover Girl, Estee Lauder, Johnson & Johnson, Bath & Body Works body wash/lotions/plug ins, Glade plug-ins, etc. I had no idea of the ingredients that were in these products and really had no clue they could/were truly harming myself and my children.

One day my friend said to me “if you are eating clean and organic but slathering toxic chemicals on your body you are doing it all wrong”. Honestly, I was offended and thought “what the heck is she talking about” but it got my attention and I started to learn more about the skin care, make up, and house hold products and how the industry works. I learned that this industry has not been regulated since the 1930’s! Say whhaaaattt? I learned that there are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today that many do not have safety data. Did you know that the FDA does not have authority to remove harmful ingredients from the products we put on our bodies and our children’s bodies Every. Single. Day? Ya’ll this is sad. It’s sad that the chemicals in these products are known carcinogens, linked to cancer, known endocrine (hormone) disruptors, harmful to our respiratory systems, and environmentally unsafe.

As I was learning all this valuable information my friend introduced me to safer/cleaner beauty products. So over the years I have SLOWLY replaced products in our home with safer/cleaner products. I buy some of these at Target and some I order online. What I love about all these products are they last a long time. My make up and skin care has lasted six months or longer and my skin has never felt/looked better. Plus, my children are being protected as much as possible. After all, don’t we all want our children to have a brighter future that is full of knowledge, health, and well being? Wouldn’t we all like to see risks for cancer and other diseases decrease rather than be at an all time high like it is now?

If you are like me, you may be struggling to find the products that are safe. You may feel overwhelmed. You may feel like you don’t know where to start. I felt like that and honestly sometimes I still do feel like that. One thing is for sure and that is there are companies like Beauty Counter that are helping us learn more and more. There are companies out there helping us to protect ourselves and our families. I choose to vote with my dollars and not support companies that continue to put harmful chemicals into products. My hope is that you will do the same and we can all come together and create a healthier future for our children.

First, you can find the never use ingredient list here https://www.beautycounter.com/the-never-list. This will help you know what ingredients to stay away from and why. Also, I have made a list of some of my most favorite go to products. If there are products that you love and use, please comment and share so we can all learn from each other.

Beauty Counter Kids Line: Beauty Counter believes children deserve to be protected, which is why we’ve taken special care to create a bath collection that is gentle, effective, and kid-friendly. This assortment includes the berry-scented Kids Body Wash, along with Nice Do Shampoo and Not a Knot Conditioner, both of which feature an orange-vanilla swirl scent kids love. I personally use the kid’s conditioner for extra moisturizer in the shower and as my shaving cream. Click here to learn more and shop.

Beauty Counter Baby Balm: OMG! Let me tell ya’ll all about this baby balm. It is the best thing since sliced bread. I use it for everything. It can be used for diaper rash, eczema, rashes, dry skin, chapped skin, Chapstick, hand lotion, and mosquito bites. These are just some of the things we use it for. My daughter and I get eaten up in the summer by mosquitos and I spread the baby balm all over our bites and the next morning they are almost gone. They also help relieve the itching that goes along with mosquito bites. To check it out click here

Beauty Counter facial cleanser and lotion: Beauty Counter has different lines of skin care for different types of skin. I personally use the rejuvenating line, which is an antiaging line. I have noticed fewer dark circles under my eyes and less crow’s feet by my eyes. Another thing I have noticed is the visibility of my pores. Yall! My blackheads on and around my nose are literally almost gone and my pores are not as visible. Take this skin care quiz to learn what line is best for you and to get 10% off: click here.

Beauty Counter Body Lotion: I have learned that many lotions contain fragrance or parfum as a listed ingredient and this can mean there are hundreds of added chemicals under that one named ingredient. Also, many products contain formaldehyde which is a respiratory irritant and linked to nervous system complications. I love the Beauty Counter body lotion in Citrus Mimosa. It is clean smelling from a natural plant ingredient and leaves your skin smooth and hydrated. Click here to learn more.

Beauty Counter’s Flawless in Five: This set includes the following:
• Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation
• Touchup Skin Concealer Pen
• Color Define Brow Pencil or Brilliant Brow Gel
• Lengthening or Volumizing Mascara
• Satin Powder Blush
• Lip Gloss

To me this set is worth every penny and allows you to finally throw out your old make up and start fresh with products that are part of your everyday make up routine. Even for someone like me who doesn’t wear a lot of make up I absolutely love this set and don’t go a day without it. Click here to learn more.

I’ve also tried cleaning out my house hold cleaners that have toxic ingredients in them. I started out with switching to Seventh Generation products found at Target, but I make sure there is not a “fragrance” ingredient listed. I have also been introduced to the following products that I am currently loving.

Young Living Tea Tree oil: I love this oil as it acts as a natural disinfectant. I mix with water and wash off my countertops or mix with water and vinegar to mop the kitchen floors. It leaves a wonderful clean smell to the house. Essential oils are great for so many things. We also mix with fractionated coconut oil and place on the skin for other things as well. My friend is a YL rep, so I am happy to connect you with her to purchase and/or learn more about essential oils.

Norwex everyday towels: I use these to clean the counters in the kitchen, bathroom, and walls going up the stairs. The great thing about these towels are they can be washed, kill germs, and just need water. I haven’t bought any type of traditional cleaner in months.

Norwex window wipes: These window wipes are amazing. I was a little unsure when I ordered them but decided to give it a try. I use them to clean the windows and mirrors. They do not leave streaks and they get all the dirt off. I just wet them with water and go to town cleaning. I haven’t bought Windex in over six months.

Norwex salt crystal deodorant: So, I’m gonna keep it real and say this deodorant takes a little getting used to. It looks like a crystal rock and you must slightly wet it before putting on. It holds me most of the day, but I do find myself needing to reapply after I work out. The cool thing about it is it’s supposed to last one full year. I was talking to my friend that is a radiologist and she was telling me that she is seeing more breast cancer in females my age than ever before (I’m almost 39) and ya’ll it is showing up more in the arm pit area. I can’t help but wonder if deodorants that are made with toxic chemicals are contributing to this. I don’t think it’s only deodorant, but I do whole heartedly believe that our products are no doubt contributing to cancer. There are many deodorants on the market today that are of better quality, so we have many options to choose from. I have a couple of friends that are Norwex distributers, so I am happy to connect you.

I hope this blog helps you start the journey of finding safer products for your family. I love Beauty Counter so much because not only are they creating safer products they are also making a change in Washington and fighting for tighter regulations in this industry. I am more than happy to give my dollars to a company that is making a difference in our lives. The EWG is also a wonderful app or website that you can enter the name of the product and find out the safety rating. Please reach out with any questions. Love, Lindsay