For almost 2 years now, I've "officially" been a safer beauty & skincare advocate. While part of the job is helping you figure out what products would be great from the company I've partnered with, a huge part of the gig (one that means the most to me) involves education and advocacy. You can't do better unless you know better. I'm here to help you with that. There's a ton of great information in this email around the SIX worst offending products on the beauty and skincare market and why you may want to switch to a safer, more conscious brand. I truly hope you will take this information and make at least 1 change (I'd love to hear about it!) I will share product recommendations for the categories that I've tried and liked. Psst... here's a food swap version I posted a couple years ago of pantry items I've swapped. At the end of this post, I include the current Beautycounter Clean Swap promo, good through March 7, 2018 (deluxe travel size freebies with each Clean Swap product purchase). It's my favorite promo to date!
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS TO SWAP
1. Eye Cream
Many traditional eye and face creams are made with preservatives which can potentially release formaldehyde (gross!!!) and wreak havoc on the immune system. Beautycounter's Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream and Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion are naturally preserved with phytic acid from green rice.
Other Great Brands: FatCo's Face Cream, Primally Pure's Beauty Cream
2. Face Masks
Traditional facial masks can be formulated with PEGs, which are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners or solvents, that can possibly be contaminated with trace amounts of dangerous chemicals. At Beautycounter, all our masks contain naturally-derived glycerin, which helps condition and soften skin. These are some of my personal favorite products.
Other Great Brand: 100% Pure's Masks
3. Body Lotions
With more skin to cover, body lotions offer the most exposure to potentially toxic ingredients, like mineral oil. Permitted in beauty products, mineral oil is a conditioning agent that may be contaminated with trace amounts of toxins and can suffocate skin. Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion contains a moisturizing blend of marula and mongongo oils which are rich in essential fatty acids to revitalize and nourish skin.
Other Great Brand: Primally Pure's Body Butter, FatCo's Body Butta
4. Lipstick
As lipstick is applied on your mouth, it’s no surprise we ingest what we put on, including artificial fragrance. Artificial fragrances can be a blend of ingredients that are not required to be disclosed by U.S. law and can include trace amounts of phthalates (potential endocrine disruptors). Beautycounter Sheer Lipsticks are vibrant in color, transparent in ingredients, and scented only with natural vanilla. My favorite color for any skin tone: Twig!
Other Great Brand: 100% Pure's Lipstick
5. Mascara
Carbon black, a pigment used in mascaras to create the deep black color, has been linked to a range of adverse health effects. Beautycounter Volumizing and Lengthening Mascaras are pigmented with naturally-occurring iron oxides.
Beautycounter's mascaras are the ONLY ones I've had success with personally! I've tried other natural brands and they ran down my face or did not do anything for my lashes and I can't recommend them!
6. Shampoo
Harsh sulfates, such as SLS and SLES, are found in many shampoos and can cause skin irritation. Beautycounter shampoos feature PureFoam Cleansing Technology which is derived from beetroot sugars to deliver the rich lather and cleansing performance you love in a gentler way. I recommend the Volume & Shape!
Again, I've not had great success with any other natural brand. Some girlfriends have told me about Love Beauty and Planet but I haven't tried them myself!
BEAUTYCOUNTER'S CLEAN SWAP PROMO
Now through March 7th, purchase any of the following products and receive your choice of a deluxe sample* for FREE!
Clean Swap Products:
Countermatch Eye Rescue Cream
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion
Hydrating Body Lotion
ALL Face Masks
ALL Lip Sheers
BOTH Mascaras (Volumizing and Lengthening)
BOTH Shampoos (Volume & Shape, Smooth & Control)
Deluxe Sample Freebies*:
Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion 7 ml
No 2 Plumping Oil 5 ml
Body Wash 59 ml
Volume & Shape Conditioner 50 ml
Smooth & Control Conditioner 50 ml
*Limit 3 samples per order.
BONUS: Right now (written 2/24), Beautycounter's Band of Beauty Membership ($29/year) is offering a FREE Charcoal Mask gift ($49 value) with enrollment purchase of $50 or more.
This is a wonderful promo for so many reasons. I've been getting lots of "excited" messages, too:
"This makes it more affordable to try some more of the beauty products."
"I've been wanting to try the face oil but didn't want to commit to a full bottle. This is a win-win!"
"I'm getting a brightening mask, mascara, lip sheer... plus 3 samples and the charcoal mask for free? Am I seeing this right?!"
Oh, these comments make my heart happy :) Safer beauty wins!
SHOP CLEAN SWAP + BEAUTYCOUNTER >> Let me know how I can help you! Reach out to beauty@holistickate.com xo, Kate
Please note: I am a Beautycounter consultant and will earn a commission from your purchase of the Beautycounter products mentioned above. I appreciate your support of my small business, blog, and family. I promise to continue to be a resource for you!