Clean Beauty: How to Switch to a Non-Toxic Beauty Routine

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The skin is our largest organ, and since it covers our entire body, it is responsible for our contact with the outside world. What we put on it will end up absorbed by our inner organs, so we should really consider what we choose to use. We are all familiar with the adverse effects of chemicals we consume through our food or even by breathing polluted air, but only recently has the broader public realized the harmful effects of cosmetic products we use. Clean beauty is and should be our future. With that in mind, let’s see how we can switch to a non-toxic beauty routine and help our bodies become healthier.

What does clean beauty even refer to?

Clean beauty is the term used to describe beauty and skincare products that are suitable for your health and well-being while simultaneously environmentally-friendly. Being sustainable means being careful and respectful towards ourselves and nature. If we don’t take care of the world we live in, we cannot hope for it to remain green and clean. And, we will be the first ones to suffer the consequences, that is for sure. But, let’s get back to our clean beauty. There is nothing clean about toxic ingredients most cosmetic products are made of, but many companies do their best to hide the list of components they use for manufacturing beauty products. Unfortunately, showing a detailed list of ingredients is not obligatory in many countries worldwide, so people use toxic products without knowing it.

Clean beauty is all about health and environmental protection.

What are the toxic ingredients we should avoid?

Before we list the harmful substances you should stay away from, let us remind you that your beauty routine doesn’t just include the use of makeup, moisturizer, face creams, and lotions. It goes further to include soaps, shampoos, conditioners, shaving and aftershave products, and many more. So, it’s not only women that are at risk of harming their health by using toxic products on their skin; guys are in danger too. Now, let’s see what you should try to avoid. The rule of thumb here is that if you find an ingredient difficult to pronounce, you should probably stay away from it.

The list of toxic ingredients

These are the most common toxins in beauty and skincare products:

• Parabens – if you have heard of a single harmful substance used in skincare products, then it is probably this one. Parabens are known to affect your hormones, which can be a serious thing if your skin absorbs them regularly.
• Fragrance – this is not even a substance, but it’s a shady way to avoid stating what makes the product smell appealing. Fragrances can be all-natural, but they can also be made from toxic chemicals, so this one doesn’t tell us a thing, but it can hide a lot.
• Formaldehyde – or rather formaldehyde-releasing ingredients – are used to preserve skincare or makeup products better. These substances are proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals and humans.
• Diethanolamine – this pH adjuster might cause irritation, hormonal changes, and even cancer, which is why it is banned in Canada and most European countries.
• Polyethylene – this substance is used to hold the ingredients together, but at the same time, it can cause endocrine disruption, hormonal disorders, and even congenital disabilities.

The list goes on, and there are hundreds of harmful ingredients used in the cosmetics industry. It is impossible to know them all, but you can use some helpful apps when you are considering a product in a store. They can tell you what the harmful substances are, and they can even suggest healthier replacements.

The switch to a non-toxic beauty routine can be expensive; take one step at a time.

How can you switch to a non-toxic beauty routine easily?

We get it that breaking a habit can be difficult. But once you get to know the side-effects of the products you expose your skin and entire body to every day, it would be irresponsible not to take action. The year 2021 might be your opportunity to introduce these changes. In 2020, we have spent most of our time in our homes, and our contacts have been minimal. This is the perfect time for you to adapt your beauty regime while wearing a mask. Since there is no need for you to be using full makeup every day, you can spare your skin and treat it with some better quality products. Even if you make a mistake in terms of shades and colors, it won’t matter that much since the mask will cover it.

Practical steps

Now, here are the practical steps you can follow:

• Go through your makeup and skin products (don’t forget the shampoos, bathing products, and toothpaste) and get rid of everything that has one of the obvious bad boys we have listed earlier. By doing so, you will also make a place in your home for all your beauty products that you will use in the future.
• If you cannot afford to replace all of your skincare products at once, and we admit that it can be rather pricey, you can make a plan of doing so. For instance, once you use up a particular product, try to find its proper replacement, so nothing goes to waste.
• Find a brand you love – with clean beauty product lines emerging every day, this won’t be too difficult. You will probably have to try a few before picking your new go-to brand, but it will be worth it.
• Choose your new essentials and don’t be hard on yourself – you will notice that some products are more difficult to replace than others. People often find it challenging to adapt to a new deodorant or a foundation, for example. The good news is that using your old and not so clean beauty products for special occasions won’t do you any harm. For instance, don’t feel bad for using your old foundation if you are getting ready for an important date or a deodorant for when you know you will be sweating a lot and you don’t want others to notice.

Learning about some common toxic ingredients in cosmetic products is just the tip of the iceberg, but it should be enough for you to consider a switch to a non-toxic beauty routine. Stay with us and explore some more tips for a sustainable and eco-friendly beauty routine; we promise your entire body will be thankful.