When I was in the process of switching all of my conventional makeup and skin care products over to more natural and organic choices, I wanted to just go to one website or store and be done with it. Many trials and tribulations later, I ended up with a lot of duds and went to countless sites and bought way too many products to count. Some worked, some didn’t, but it became really confusing. What I really wanted and still want is a one-stop-shop sort of situation where I can go to one site or use one line and know that most of what I buy or try is safer and more natural, organic even. Below you will find my top choices for all natural makeup and skin care products – that you can buy all in one place. I’ll also let you know some of my favorite choices in each product line.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend these products because they are products that I personally use or companies that I have found trustworthy.
Why Switch to All Natural Makeup and Skin Care?
Before taking on the daunting task of switching all of the makeup and skin care you own over to all natural brands, it’s important to understand the why. The skin is our largest organ, and as such, it absorbs a lot of what we put on it. This is a great thing if what you are putting on your skin is good for it, it is a completely different story if you are putting on industrial chemicals and carcinogens. Many cosmetic companies want you to have products that work and that you will pay for over and over again, not necessarily something that is safe or good for you. Studies have shown that many personal care products contain pesticides, reproductive toxins, endocrine and hormone distruptors, plasticizers, surfactants, and degreasers. I am going to venture a guess that you and I both know that these things can’t be great for our bodies or our skin.
You may be wondering why chemicals in cosmetics are not regulated more. Good question, that doesn’t have the best answer. The good news is that there are a lot of groups who are trying to change that. Good websites to visit are The Campaign for Safer Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database to learn more.
Toxic Ingredients to Avoid
Parfume, Perfume, or Fragrance
I know, I know! Having a great smell is a lot of the fun of buying beauty products! The trouble with synthetic fragrances and parfumes is that many have been linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. On the lesser end of the spectrum, you will see allergic reactions and more people having problems with asthma. You will see a lot of information on the internet about phthalates, and synthetic fragrance is one of the top places where this chemical lurks. You can still have great smelling products, just make sure that they are using natural essential oils that you can recognize. (Visit my post How to Avoid Phthalates: Easy Product Swaps to Make to learn more about phthalates.)
Parabens (methyl, propyl, ethyl, benzyl and butyl)
There has been an endless concern about parabens for years now. Parabens are also used as preservatives and have been shown to be a carcinogen, mainly breast cancer. Parabens mess with your hormone balance and mimic estrogen, exactly where the link to breast cancer starting is.
Formaldehyde Carriers
Formaldehyde, you know, the stuff they use to embalm deceased people…Used in a lot of cosmetics, formaldehyde carriers can release formaldehyde, which can cause cancer. Look out for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine, and quarternum-15.
PEGs
PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol) are a class of ethylene glycol polymers that help to keep products stable, moisturize and let ingredients penetrate better. You will usually see PEG followed by a number, differentiating how many units of ethylene glycol they contain. PEGs themselves can be irritants, but they also help other harmful chemicals (1,4 dioxane and heavy metals) leach into the skin.
Steareth-n
The “n” means a number. On the label, you will see steareth-20, for example. It is reacted with ethylene oxide, which is a known carcinogen.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol can cause allergic reactions. It is also thought to be a neurotoxin that can damage the kidneys and liver.
Petrolatum
Petrolatum is derived from crude oil. That should pretty much say enough. But, if you need to know more, it is susceptible to contamination, considered a carcinogen and environmental toxin.
Those are seven of the top offeners, but there are obviously many more to worry about if you do a little more research. Kind of scary when you think about it… Just take one step at a time and try to reduce the chemicals slowly but surely.
So, where to begin?
My Picks for Comprehensive All Natural Makeup and Skincare Lines (one-stop-shops):
Honest Beauty (The Honest Company)
Honest Beauty is part of the Honest Company, you know, the one Jessica Alba created. She started it as a baby care company, selling nontoxic diapers, etc… Well, she eventually did an off-shoot part of the company for clean makeup and skin care. She has a great line of all natural makeup and skincare. This is a great place to get everything you need for your face, and you can even pick up some cleaning, baby and body products as well. (The shampoo + body wash is wonderful.)
My Favorite All Natural Products:
Jane Iredale
Jane Iredale is probably not as well know. If you ask your dermatologist, they will probably know though. Jane wanted to create a skin care line that was actually good for your skin. She will have a few more synthetic ingredients in her products, but almost all of them get low score’s on the EWG’s Skin Deep database.
My Favorite All Natural Products:
Ilia Beauty
Ilia Beauty was not on my radar for awhile, but once I discovered it and tried a few of their products, I was hooked. Ilia believes in clean, skin-centric beauty. So, makeup and skincare that is safe, potent and also good for your skin. They don’t completely ban synthetic ingredients, and they don’t have a lot of skincare options, but they do a very good job of creating clean products.
My Favorite All Natural Products:
See, that wasn’t so bad, was it? I’m trying to make it a little less difficult to switch to natural and organic makeup and skin care. It can be a daunting task to want to change your good ol’ standards, but it can be done, and done fairly seamlessly. Just start with the product you use the most and see if you can switch it out for something a little more natural with fewer chemical ingredients.
Any products that you swear by and that I should try out and mention here? Let me know in the comments!
