Happy Health by Carla

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Non Toxic Living

My Favorite BeautyCounter Products To Date

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Did you know, over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned 30 to date. Also, the United States has not passed a major federal law to regulate the safety of ingredients used in personal care products since 1938. The products we use don’t just lay on top of our skin, they get absorbed into our pores and end up in our bloodstream. We deserve something better and Beautycounter is doing something about it. I’ve been using their products for a couple of years now and recently decided to become a consultant. Below are my favorite products:

–The Countertime Collection. This line will turn dry, wrinkled skin into hydrated, glowing skin. You can get it as a collection or buy the products individually. I will probably use this collection for the rest of my life, tbh.

–Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer. If you want to look tan and glowy, get this moisturizer! While it doesn’t provide super heavy coverage, I actually prefer it to foundation because of the way it makes my complexion look. Good for an every day, “I didn’t try” look ;).

–Color Intense Lipstick Shade: 9 to 5. This shade looks amazing on every skin tone.

–Radiant All Over Bronzer. Because everyone looks better with a tan!

–Counter Control Clear Pore Cleanser. Love this daily exfoliating cleanser, designed for oily and blemish-prone skin.

–Cleansing Balm. I love this balm for taking makeup off and dermaplaning. You can also use it as an overnight mask.

Clean Skin Care for the Modern Day Woman

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Since writing this blog post, I have become a Beautycounter consultant.  I am obsessed with their clean skincare & makeup products and proud to work for a company that is advocating for safer beauty in our country.  You can buy directly through me at beautycounter.com/carlakeith.

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I hope you’re all having a fabulous Hump Day.  I talk a lot about the importance of eating clean, healthy foods on my instagram account so I also wanted to shed some light about something else that I think is really important: putting clean products on your skin!  

Non toxic beauty isn’t just trendy..it’s important.  Your skin is the biggest organ on your body. The products we use don’t just lay on top of our skin, they get absorbed into our pores and end up in our bloodstream.  Did you guys know that the US does not regulate beauty products? There is no government oversight in the products we are using daily–lotions, mascara, shampoo etc. That means companies can use toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors.  And trust me, they do this often.

Endocrine disruptors increase production of certain hormones; decrease production of others; imitate hormones; turn one hormone into another; interfere with hormone signaling; tell cells to die prematurely; compete with essential nutrients; bind to essential hormones; accumulate in organs that produce hormones.   Basically, we do not want this shit on our bodies. Mainstream beauty products CERTAINLY don’t help us promote longevity or anti-aging as they advertise. (EWG)

The worst part is that a lot of these companies label their products as “natural” or “organic” because they can get away with it, and people buy these toxic products actually thinking they are doing right by their skin.  It’s extremely manipulative and fucked up. 

So what can we do to change this?  Support companies that are creating nontoxic products with our dollars, and bring awareness to this issue.  I’ve rounded up some of my favorite non toxic beauty products in this post. I hope that you will find this information useful!  Try not to get overwhelmed when going non toxic. I’ve been using up all of my old makeup and skin care products and slowly replacing the old products with new, clean products.  Rome wasn’t built in a day!

I hope that in the near future, we will be able shop for beauty products without having to think twice about whether or not they are toxic because this industry will be more regulated and actually give a shit about the health of it’s consumers.  Until then, I’ll be supporting the companies listed below:

Native

If you’re going to start somewhere, start with natural deodorant.  Seriously, I think it’s bizarre that women shave their armpits, thus opening up their pores, and then swipe toxic chemicals on them that prevent sweat from coming out… Sweat is meant to leave our bodies, not get trapped inside. Where does it go if it doesn’t come out of your armpits? I honestly think that toxic anti perspirant deodorants contribute to breast cancer.  That’s just my personal opinion. I’m obsessed with Native deodorant, especially the coconut flavor! Just make sure if you work out later in the day, you reapply it since it obvi isn’t as strong as toxic deo. 

Cocokind

This company is amazing, not only because their products rock but also because they are AFFORDABLE.  The founder of the company is also very present on Insta-Story showing us how to use the products effectively.  I am obsessed with their chapstick, face oil, matcha stick, chlorophyll face mask, and body butter. They also just released a new line of mushroom infused highlighters that everyone is raving about!  I can’t wait to try them. Find their products online or at Whole Foods!

W3ll People

This is a company that I recently discovered but am loving so far because of their wide array of beauty products and great prices!  The bio correct-multi action concealer works like a damn CHARM. The mineral setting powder is also amazing for setting my eye liner.  I tried their expressionist mascara and I think it’s great for lengthening. Thick lashes, not so much, although some women swear it’s the best mascara they’ve ever tried so it’s very possible my makeup application skills need work. Lolz.

Acure

I started using their shampoo and conditioners recently and my roommate said they made the bathroom smell so good that she ended up buying them too!  The body lotion also smells heavenly. I got these products at Whole Foods out of convenience but you can get them cheaper on Amazon.  

Now Solutions

I don’t know how I ever lived without this body oil in the freezing, dry DC winters.  Seriously makes my skin feel so supple and smooth. It’s pretty greasy so I’d recommend doing this one before bed.  I get mine via Amazon.

Tula

I honestly didn’t believe that this company was non toxic because the mask I tried worked SO well.  The products are made from probiotics which is pretty cool. This mask is perfect for my skin in the summer.  For the winter, it’s a little bit too harsh for me because my skin gets sooo dry in this lovely northeastern climate *rolls eyes.*

Toothpaste

I’ve been using Dr. Bronner’s toothpaste lately and have been getting a lot of compliments on my teeth!  Before that, I was using Fraud’s toothpaste powder which I also loved.  The application process was different because it comes in a little dish that you dip your toothbrush in, but it’s kinda fun and makes your mouth feel very clean. 

Coconut Oil

The queen of wellness right hur. Coconut oil is not only amazing for cooking but also great for oil pulling, body oil and as a makeup remover!  I oil pull 1-2 days a week which just means I swish coconut oil in my mouth for 15-20 min when I first wake up. I do this to remove bacteria from my mouth and also because it makes your teeth white affff.  Coconut oil is honestly so much better than any makeup remover I’ve tried because it doesn’t rip your lashes out. In fact, it makes them thicker. #blessed. I even use coconut oil as a moisturizer when I’m out of my typical ones since it’s something that I always have stocked. 

Some other brands that I want to try soon are Beauty Counter and Honest Beauty by Jessica Alba (defff where I will get my baby products when I’m a mama one day!)

Edit: I am now a beauty counter addict.  I use the cleansing balm, eye makeup remover, brightening oil and resurfacing peel and my pores are noticeably less visible.  I also use their body lotion. Buy them here. 

If you guys are ever unsure of whether or not a product is clean or toxic, you can go to ewg.com/skindeep or download the “Think Dirty” app and search the product in their databases.

I know that buying nontoxic seems kind of “extra” or like just another annoying thing we have to think about, but it’s so worth it for long term health.  I am a big believer in the idea that we do not have to get old and sick when we age.  Everything we eat and put on our bodies, in addition to our lifestyle, either fights or fuels disease.  Do it for your future self, babe.

Xx

Carla