I began switching my beauty products to clean/natural/safer options when I was pregnant with my son. What you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body. Never was this more relevant to me than when I was growing my first tiny human in my belly. Like many people, I actually didn’t know that so many personal care products contain toxic ingredients. Why wouldn’t we assume that the items on the store shelves were safe? Turns out they are most definitely not, which is why I’ve spent nearly a decade swapping out all my personal care and household items. Most of it was easy to switch at the time my son was born and the offerings continued to improve after the birth of my daughter. I can honestly say that my beauty cabinet is now as clean as can be, with nail polish, hair care and makeup being the last to switch (a couple of years ago when there were finally products available that did the job well).
I’ve been a beauty product connoisseur for as long as I can remember. My mom sold makeup in department stores when I was a kid so I had access as soon as I was old enough to wear it (age 14-ish). I spent my 20’s + 30’s with various contributing editor/writer posts on my resume that gave me access to the latest high-end beauty products. I’ve done my fair share of spa and hair salon reviews as well. It wasn’t until I found out the personal care + cosmetics industry is surprisingly unregulated in the U.S. that I made a full commitment to clean beauty. I believe this switch to clean beauty products, without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and other known harmful ingredients, is very necessary. Goop has a great article full of facts on this subject and I encourage you to give this a click if you are not already aware.
I have an assortment of products that I love and switch from time to time to try new things, as well as a number of items that are always in rotation (and have been for years). Having turned 40 recently, I’ve definitely begun to play favorites. Here are some of my current selections:
+ Kypris SPF Pot of Shade: Heliotropic
I’ve been searching for the perfect facial SPF/primer for a while now and this is the first one that is perfect for my skin. It feels like silk. “A multifunctional, translucent veil of non-nano, broad spectrum SPF 30 and moisturizing botanicals to prime skin for daily radiance.”
I apply this morning + night to my face, neck and chest. “Featherweight texture. Intense hydration.”
No matter how many times I refill my S’well bottle each day, my skin tends to be on the drier side if I don’t moisturize enough. Serums and facial oils have been part of my beauty regimen for a couple of years. I have a few faves that I rotate between and am always happy to try new + different formulas from my most-trusted brands. This one is a welcome addition to my rotation. I use it AM + PM on my face, neck and chest. “This luxuriously lightweight, fast-absorbing face oil helps to instantly energize the look of the skin, leaving a silky-soft, hydrated surface with a brighter and firmer appearance.”
I’ve never been a fan of the way lipstick feels… maybe that’s because most are full of nasty ingredients. Ilia is not and it remains my go-to choice for lips. This one feels like a balm but delivers serious color in an impressive palette. “Combines organic ingredients to soothe and condition the lips. Each shade carries a sheer touch of color that increases in intensity when applied liberally.”
Sometimes I want to go waterless with my cleanser. Saturate an organic cotton ball with this magic potion and you’ll cleanse, exfoliate, nourish + restore the pH balance of your skin. “This low-maintenance daily cleanser is beneficial for all skin types.”
+ Beauty Counter Citrus Mimosa Hand Cream
This is a more recent discovery and has become a daily must-have moisturizer. It’s lightweight and smells lovely while providing much-needed hydration. I use it a few times per day at home. “Dries quickly with no stickiness, leaving a subtle, refreshing citrus scent.”
Stay tuned for more in this series. Next up, more makeup.
