Beauty products are, without question, one of my biggest guilty pleasures. I find it nearly impossible to walk past the aisles of face masks, perfumes, hair products, or make-up, and always have something sitting in my online shopping carts just waiting to find a home in my beauty cabinet! Over the past few years though, as I’ve tried to create a home filled with more natural and cruelty-free products, my beauty and hygiene arsenal has gotten quite the overhaul!
I’ve been drawn to products containing more natural ingredients for some time, especially since seeing some of the side effects of using harsh, chemical-filled acne-clearing lotions and potions on my face for so many years, and driven even more to them recently, as I’ve developed adult-onset allergies to certain ingredients in deodorants and fragrances.
In addition, as an animal rights advocate, cruelty-free products—that is, products that don’t rely on animal testing or animal-derived ingredients—have been incredibly important to me.
It’s an even bigger bonus if I’m able to find beauty products that are also more eco-friendly in terms of their packaging. Recyclable bottles and jars and reusable glass pots are a huge win for our planet! Lots of companies are also committed to giving back a portion of their proceeds to environmental efforts or non-profits, which is a beautiful cherry on top!
When I say I’m implementing more natural products into my beauty routines, know that I’m not ditching anything and everything store-bought and turning to foraged plants and essential oils for everything—though I absolutely don’t judge those who choose to do so! I’m more focused on cutting out those irritating ingredients and ingredients that have been proven to be harsh or cause harm with long-term use.
If you’ve been wanting to move toward products that are more natural, cruelty-free, and environmentally-friendly, too, here are some of my best tips!
Do Your Research
There are plenty of trustworthy resources out there that help you to make sense of what it means for products to be natural, cruelty-free, or eco-friendly. Read up on what you’re most concerned with. Are you getting rashes from your current products? See what ingredients they may have in common that could be causing them and learn more about them. Are you most concerned with feeling confident that what you’re buying isn’t tested on animals? Research brands that are committed to not testing on animals.
Read the Labels
Learn to look for some of the key ingredients that can be harsh or toxic on the product’s labels. Some of the main irritating and potentially toxic ingredients to look out for include:
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Lead
- Coal Tar
- Aluminum
- Formaldehyde
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- BHT
Many beauty products now have some of those “free from” items noted right on the front of their packaging, making it clear that they’re free of these ingredients “Sulfate Free!” “Free of Parabens!” Keep in mind though that just because a product doesn’t contain one or two of these harmful ingredients does not mean that they don’t contain a handful of others. Also, note that some brand’s may use other names for these common ingredients, so be sure to do a quick search if you come across anything that looks unfamiliar!
Remember That Natural ≠ Cruelty-Free ≠ Eco-Friendly
If you’re looking for options that are all of the above, don’t be fooled by some of the branding or wording that may lead you to believe they hit all the marks. I’ve gotten excited about a lot of products thinking they’re natural because the word “organic” is prominently displayed on the front, or the label artwork portrays lots of greens or natural elements. Or I assume that because a product contains only natural ingredients, it’s also cruelty-free, only to discover upon further research, it’s not.
If the product label doesn’t make it clear whether a product uses all organic ingredients or is tested on animals, and so on, a quick Google search can usually provide you with an answer!
Give New Products Time to Work
Swapping out anything in your routine may require an adjustment period (if you’ve ever changed up your shampoo or face wash, you probably know this)! Your skin may take a little more time to adjust to new products, especially when their natural (and especially when it’s deodorant)! Give your products plenty of time to work their magic (usually 6-8 weeks) before moving onto something else or going back to your old staples.
Store Products Properly
Many natural products may not be shelf stable for as long as those filled with chemical preservatives, while others are shelf-stable much longer because of the natural preservatives used. Once you get a new product, be sure to read the suggested method of storing on the label. Most products (even non-natural) are best stored in a cool, dry place, and some even fare better in the refrigerator! Always pay close attention to expiration dates, too. If they’re not listed on the product label, a quick online search can usually help you discover how long a product is good for once opened.
A Few Brands I Love
Here are a few of the more natural and/or cruelty-free brands (and their products) that I love:
- PACIFICA: I frequently use their nail polishes and cuticle oil, perfumes and body sprays, and hair products (currently loving their Pineapple Curls styling cream)!
- NATIVE: The one and only natural deodorant I’ve found that actually works, doesn’t irritate my skin, and goes on smooth! The coconut and vanilla scent is my favorite so far.
- COCOKIND: Their Watermelon Hemp Oil is a daily staple for moisturizing my face and hands, and I love the My Matcha stick for a quick moisture boost on really dry areas.
- MAD HIPPIE: I’ve used and enjoyed a few of their face serums, but my absolute favorite product is their under-eye cream!
- LUSH: I’m a sucker for just about anything I can get my hands on from Lush! I always have a jar of their Dream Cream in the house and use it almost daily.
- PALMER’S: You’ve probably seen me singing Palmer’s praises here over the years. I buy the cocoa butter moisturizing stick in bulk and use it as my daily chapstick and on dry patches of skin. I also love the cocoa butter moisturizers.
- RAW SUGAR: This brand has never let me down! I have several of their lip products and love their soaps, too.
- SHEAMOISTURE: My wavy hair loves Shea Moisture’s styling products, especially the Curl & Style Milk.
- MAUI MOISTURE: I almost always shampoo, condition, and style (read: air dry) with Maui’s line of products these days—specifically their Coconut Oil line.
- WELEDA: I only just recently got turned onto Weleda products and am in love with their original Skin Food formula. It’s great for dry skin all around, but I’ve actually started using it (just the smallest dollop will do) to lock in my face serums at night and noticed a huge difference in how soft my skin is each morning.
- TRADER JOE’S & HEALTH FOOD STORES: A few times a year, Jeremy and I will make a trip to Indianapolis to stock up on our favorites from Trader Joe’s (can’t wait to have on in Fort Wayne)! I always grab a few bottles of multi-purpose items like their Vitamin E Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Jojoba Oil. These are great for moisturizing skin and hair, using as carrier oils, disinfecting (tea tree) and more. They also have some real beauty product gems in stores, too! You can also find other brands of these items at most health food shops or online.
Keep in mind that actual lotions and potions aside, there are also more natural and environmentally-friendly items to help you use them—like toothbrushes (we use these biodegradable bamboo brushes), reusable cotton pads, loofahs, makeup brushes, and more—on the market, too! Usually, these kinds of products are made of bamboo, natural fibers, and other compostable materials.
My next major step in overhauling my beauty products is to start trying out cleaner makeup options. I’ve tried a few products here and there, but haven’t found any holy grails just yet. So, if you have suggestions, I’d happily take them!
Do you have any favorite all-natural and/or cruelty-free beauty products or brands you love, or tips for transitioning to a safer, cleaner, and more eco-friendly beauty routine?
xo, Aly
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