Non Toxic Beauty – Page 4

5 Natural Beauty Ingredients to Welcome Into Your Skin Care Regime

Image source: Unsplash

When it comes to caring for your skin, there are a huge range of products available, but many of these will contain harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients that can be harmful to your skin and the environment. However, our beautiful planet is awash with wonderful, natural ingredients that are primed for use in beauty products – bringing you a natural and healthy glow inside and out.

Packed full of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants, in today’s post, we’re exploring five truly underrated natural beauty ingredients you definitely need to know more about.

Marshmallow root

Despite being used for centuries as an ancient herbal remedy for respiratory and digestive ailments, the benefits of marshmallow root extract when used in natural skin care products are still not as widely known as they should be. But this underrated oil is bursting with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that offer a myriad of benefits to the skin.

Extracted from the root of the marshmallow plant, the liquid substance appears more like a gel than an oil, containing polysaccharides and flavonoids which are associated with tissue repair. When applied to the skin, these properties provide a protective and soothing layer to reduce inflammation and seal in moisture, while also rejuvenating skin from deep within.

With exceptional moisturising properties, mallow oil soaks gently into the skin without leaving a greasy residue, and is ideal for both oily and sensitive skin types. With the added presence of mullein, delicate areas of skin around the eyes and mouth are beautifully replenished with moisture, and naturally plumped up – making visible lines less pronounced.

Jojoba oil

Pronounced, ho-ho-ba, you may have seen jojoba featured in a number of beauty products like body milk, face creams and hair conditioners – but to truly benefit from this natural wonder, it’s best to find organic skin care products which use this ingredient in its purest form.

Extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) plant, native to south Arizona, California and Mexico, jojoba oil is in fact a liquid wax rather than an oil. Boasting outstanding moisturising capabilities, this waxy liquid works very similarly to our skin’s natural oils, absorbing quickly into the skin – giving almost instant hydration, while helping to balance your skin’s oil production.

Suitable for all skin types, jojoba oil brings a generous helping of vitamins E and B, as well as copper, zinc and chromium and plenty of antioxidants, all of which work together to nourish and protect skin – making this a nutritious and gentle alternative to synthetic oils.

Apricot kernel oil

Apricot kernel oil is packed full of essential fatty acids and vitamins, which are key to keeping your skin healthy, supple and radiant. Cold pressed from the dried kernels of apricot fruit, this oil has a pleasant, nutty scent and is found in range of balms, lotions and creams – but organic options that contain its purest form will be most beneficial.

Brimming with high levels of vitamins E, C and A, along with fatty acids like oleic and linoleic, these properties work to soften, moisturise and rejuvenate from within. As a light oil, often used for massage and in face creams, it’s easily absorbed and is particularly powerful when used on mature, dry or sensitive skin, where extra oils and moisture are needed.

This natural ingredient is also highly compatible with other ingredients, like lavender oil and tea tree, to bolster its use as an anti-inflammatory treatment.

Rosehip oil

Cold-pressed from the seeds of the Rosa rubiginosa plant, rosehip oil is fast overtaking coconut oil as a miracle ingredient for moisturising, as well as treating the signs of aging. Like most natural ingredients, rosehip oil is gentle and kind on the skin, providing much-needed moisture without the use of chemicals or synthetic ingredients.

Filled with natural anti-inflammatory fatty acids (including oleic, palmitic and linoleic) and a multitude of vitamins (E, D, C and A), this wonder ingredient effectively hydrates skin, while also repairing damaged tissue – creating a more youthful and radiant complexion. The high levels of vitamin C and vitamin A work to rejuvenate skin cells and reduce pigmentation, like age spots and sun damage, making it a worthwhile addition to beauty regimes for mature skin or anyone keen to stay looking youthful for longer.

Echinacea

Harvested from the leaves and flowers of the Echinacea plant, this powerful ingredient can be put to many uses when it comes to skin care products, as well as supplements and tinctures. Featuring a distinctive flower with a bright, spiky centre, you can find Echinacea flowers in varying colours and can even grow them in your garden.

When ingested as a supplement or a herbal tea, Echinacea is thought to help the body’s immune system to recover after illnesses, such as the common cold, as it’s known to boost the production of white blood cells – while the antioxidants and antimicrobial substances help to ward off negative microorganisms, helping you feel better faster.

As a skin care ingredient, Echinacea is ideal for those who suffer from acne or have an oily complexion. Its mild astringent properties help to minimise pores, while its healing properties work to soothe redness and tissue swelling – making it a gentler alternative to strong acne treatments. These skin-tightening qualities also work to reduce the appearance of fine lines, firming the skin’s surface. But the use of Echinacea isn’t limited to the face and body – applying it the hair and scalp can also alleviate dandruff and even improve hair growth.

Image source: Herbfarmacy

Whether you’re looking for the next miracle anti-aging ingredient or you simply want to swap out chemical-filled products for more natural alternatives, all of these ingredients have unique properties that can greatly benefit your skin. From herbs with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties to vitamin-rich oils, inviting natural ingredients into your skin care regime can be a fantastic way to find kinder treatments, while also helping the environment.

Best Ways To Deal With Wrinkles And Acne At The Same Time

Introduction

Are you aging and experiencing changes in your skin texture? Worry no more! This is because research has shown that, with age come many unwanted changes, especially to the skin. Most of the common change that accompanies aging is wrinkles on the face, neck, chest, and even acne.

This is a very unpleasant state of affairs especially for females who like to maintain their young look and tenderness. There are several powerful remedies that are outlined in this article that may help aging men and women to overcome wrinkles and acne in the skin. These methods have been scientifically proven and have been practically used over the years with tremendous success.

Although artificial methods such as chemical peels and lasers are used by some people as a way of reducing wrinkles, there are other natural ways of treating wrinkles and acne in the body.

These methods are relatively inexpensive, and as well pose a lesser risk of developing health complications. When the skin loses its collagen especially in the skin of an aging person, it would be prudent to seek help on the treatment of wrinkles and acne. Such treatment would include coconut and olive oil. By applying these oils to your skin on a daily basis, the skin will with time develop as a soft and moisturized texture.

Wrinkles and acne have been found to affect almost every adult worldwide.

According to research conducted by several beauty companies, many people are looking for a solution to sort out these problems to no avail. However, it has been discovered that these two problems can be solved all at once! Isn’t that an interesting discovery? I have compiled several anti-aging tips for you below:

Best anti-aging tips

According to research by various beauty experts, there are many ways in which a person can keep his/her skin from developing wrinkles and acne. One of the main anti-aging tips is to quit smoking. Generally, cigarette smoking has been associated with faster aging as well as the skin looking older than it looks. Almost 60% of people who are habitual smokers cannot treat wrinkles and acne successfully.

The next anti-aging tip is using antioxidants which keep the body healthy and in perfect shape. These antioxidants include fruits, vegetables, and other meals that contain a high degree of vitamins.

Another great example of these vital elements may be obtained from fish products, poultry, and even sunflower. Their main function to the body is that they prevent free radicals in the body from breaking down the elasticity of the skin and also maintain collagen within the skin structure thus keeping the skin healthy and in perfect condition. If you correctly follow these anti-aging tips, I am certainly sure that you will reap the maximum benefits from my advice.

Chest and neck wrinkles

Chest and neck wrinkles are some of the common problems that people encounter especially when they start to acquire a mature age. The most common causes of chest and neck wrinkles are extreme exposure to the sun, lack of enough sleep, and even ill-fitting clothes. There several ways in which chest and neck wrinkles may be mitigated.

Some of the methods include drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods. Drinking plenty of water ensures that the body has plenty of moisture which means that there is less probability of acquiring chest and neck wrinkles.

Also, if you are severely affected by chest and neck wrinkles, you can consider using an SIO beauty skin pad. This skin pad is trapped on the affected patch and left to stick there for a little while. It is specifically used for chest and neck wrinkles where it moisturizes the skin and normalizes the production of collagen which is vital for the young and healthy skin. Also, this method is not only used to treat chest and neck wrinkles, but it can also be used to treat wrinkles on other parts of the body such as on the face, brows, and even on the lips. If you want to help your skin increase its collagen production, you may also wish to consider getting some hyaluronic serum wholesale, as this can increase collagen production by up to 350%, as well as even out skin tone and increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture.

Chest and neck wrinkles can also be treated by other natural methods such as applying Aloe Vera on these specific parts. Aloe Vera slows down the aging of the skin by providing the skin with collagen and elastin which specifically help in preventing chest and neck wrinkles. It also prevents chest and neck wrinkles by sealing the skins’ natural moisture and preventing it from evaporating away quickly. This, therefore, keeps the skin healthier and younger for a very long period.

On the other hand, to prevent wrinkles and acne all over the oily skin, every individual should ensure that they maintain healthy and oily skin and one can also use Nerium Ad Age-Defying to prevent wrinkles. Oily skin primarily eliminates wrinkles and acne that are most common in adults. As a matter of fact, in a previous study, the results showed that 8 out of 10 of the respondents suffered from dry skin as opposed to only 2 who had oily skin. There are several tips that you can use to maintain an oily skin that is always radiant and naturally perpetuating. One of the most commonly advised methods by beauty experts is the application of cleaning products. These products primarily help the skin to keep healthy and revitalized.

An oily skin

Staying hydrated is another great secret for keeping oily skin. This is mainly because hydrated skin does not lose moisture easily and the chances of retaining its oily nature are very high.

On the other hand, if you want to always retain an oily skin, you should always make sure that your face is clean. In this way, all the applied products are wiped out, and the pores are left dry and perfectly open.

Conclusion

Are you suffering from severe wrinkles and acne all over your skin and may need to maintain it? Of course, you do. A simple practice and application of the above guidelines should get you the right texture of the skin you need. After carefully following my advice, you will have to worry no more about wrinkles and acne either on your chest, neck, or even your face. Finally, say goodbye to the skin problems that have always been such a pain in your life!

Author Bio:

Kathy Mitchell is a Travel & Beauty Blogger. She likes to Go Out with her Friends, Travel, Swim, and Practice Yoga. In her free time, you can find Kathy curled up Reading her Favorite Novel, or Writing in her Journal. To know more about her follow her on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Ultimate Guide to Safe, Non-Toxic Makeup

Looking for safe alternatives to your daily beautification routine? Here’s everything you need to know.

In the age of health consciousness, women have finally started choosing organic and safe alternatives to their makeups. Now that more and more us as are finding out just how many toxic chemicals companies stuff into their ingredients, such as “fragrance”, the hunt is on for healthier substitutes.

There’s a lot of information out there on what is safe and what these chemicals do to our bodies, which can be a little confusing. What exactly are parabens and what harm can they really do? Is it worth shelling out the extra cash on organic lipsticks?

I’m here to clear the air and answer some pivotal questions in what could be consider one of the largest epidemics in the beauty industry.

The Danger is Real

According to the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, almost 90% of the over 10,000 ingredients the FDA approves in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by them or similar institutions. That’s a scary thought! Research has begun to show us that many of these ingredients contain known carcinogens, often linked to breast cancer.

Currently, no system exists to regulate the potential toxins found in traditional cosmetics products. If you’re ready for the scariest part, let’s take a look at exactly what goes into your daily routine.

The Culprits

I encourage you to go through the labels on your makeup and look for these common red flags. Ingredients such as phthalate, sulfate, paraben, triclosan, and toluene have all been linked to different forms of cancer, as well as organ and reproductive harm. Companies will try to hide these ingredients by combining them into larger words or counting them as part of their “fragrance”.

Finding the Right Brands

It isn’t always easy to find an alternative that looks and feels like you want it to, but more and more companies are jumping on board the organic makeup bandwagon. You’re going to have to shop online to find truly green products, but that’s half the fun!

Several companies are blowing major name brands like MAC out of the water with a focus on non-toxic ingredients, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly practices, and vegan certified products. Alima Pure and Juice Beauty are two excellent companies to start your search with.

While some of these organic products might cost a little more than what you are used too, can you really put a price on your health? I personally think opting to continue using toxins on my body is crazier than spending a little extra on quality makeup, but that’s just me. What are your thoughts on safe makeup alternatives?

My Top Safe Makeup Alternatives

After a lot of searching, I have finally put together my list of favorite organic makeup products.

It’s been some time since I discovered the horrendous amount of toxic chemicals companies stuff inside of so many women’s daily makeup routine. Not wanting to go another day knowing that I was poisoning my body, I began my search for organic alternatives that worked just as well, if not better, than my current lineup. If you are also on the hunt for the perfect chemical-free makeup, then check out this list of my favorites (so far).

Foundation

Alima Pure offers powder foundations that can match your skin tone, no matter what that tone may be. They are made from soy-based inks, are carbon-neutral, and come in refillable compact containers. The goal here is minimalism; less is more when it comes to ingredients.

Cruelty free, this company refuses to test on animals. They are also a Certified B Corp company, proving their commitment to environmentally friendly practices and transparency with their customers. Personally, I like the way these powders feel and look more than others I have tried.

Eyeshadow

Finding an organic eyeshadow that actually made a difference was tougher than I initially thought. I ended up going with Elate Cosmetics and their highly-pigmented products that come in eco-friendly bamboo packaging.

Their products are certified vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free. It’s rare to find all three things together, especially if you want the product to work like its chemical-ridden counterparts, but I’m satisfied with my results.

Lipstick

This was another tough one, but I found that a company called Lotus makes pure bio-mineral lipsticks. Their natural line comes in a variety of shades, and they even feature plenty of skincare products made from the same ingredients. I only own a few, but I love the way they look and feel on my lips.

Beautification

It takes a lot to keep my skin in tip top shape, and I really though I would never find a line of skincare products that would work as well as my old ones did. Thankfully, I encountered Tata Harper.

Their products are certified vegan, cruelty-free, and made entirely in the United States. I own a couple of serums, skin masks, and creams from these ladies, each of which works better than what I used to use (in my opinion).

So far, these organic products have performed the best with my skin. Every person is different, and I would love to hear what products you’ve found that work the best! Best of luck with your safe makeup hunting!

Organic Makeup Brands Worth a Try

I’m back with even more safe makeup alternatives to add to your daily routine!

Since finding out that the makeups I used to use on a daily basis were filled with toxic chemicals that can cause damage to my body’s vital systems and organs, I have been actively hunting for safer alternatives to replace them.

The more I search, the more I find. It seems like women around the globe are taking a stand against the crooked companies that poisoned us for so long. If you are looking to swap out your current go-to’s with something more health friendly, then this list is for you.

Herbivore Botanicals

This company makes a line of skin care products in recyclable containers, all of which are ethically sourced and cruelty-free. That extra step to be eco-friendly meant a lot to me, and it is always a relief to hear that no animals were harmed during production.

Their products are non-toxic, but still smell great if you ask me. A lot of other ones on the market lack a…let’s be honest, they stink. I skipped the “ultimate skin care set” and opted for just the hair and face mist.

100% Pure

As the name suggests, their makeup is crafted from all-natural and organic ingredients. This company was my first venture in safer shampoo and conditioner, but they also offer a variety of creams and masks. All of their products are vegan-certified, and they focus on delivering essential oils alongside vitamins and antioxidants to your body instead of chemicals.

They do have an anti-aging serum I would love to get my hands on, but I settled for their shampoo, conditioner, and a few face masks at a great price.

ILIA Beauty

I would recommend this organic line for tinted lip conditioners and lipsticks. Yes, finally a company that makes organic lipstick you can wear without looking like a dweeb!

Their ingredients are sourced from organic farmers and manufactured in their organic-certified lab. (I had no idea that was a thing.) They also have Gluten-Free, USDA Organic, and Leaping Bunny certifications. I did give their foundation a try, but ended up just ordering lipstick from them after that since I liked it the best.

That’s all I have for now, but the hunt for some new makeup continues! As always, I would love to hear what products you have found to replace your old makeup routine! What products do you like the best and which ones do you like the least?

The Products That Turned Me On to Safe Makeup

Most women use some form of makeup nearly everyday of their lives. Unfortunately, these products are full of potentially harmful chemicals.

It wasn’t that long ago that makeup was just another instinctual part of my daily routine, but I recently became more informed about the potentially harmful chemicals that go into everything from foundation to lipstick. This made me re-think what I put on my face each morning.

Toxic ingredients like parabens and phthalates have been shown to cause damage to our vital organs in a wide variety of studies. So, if you are looking for safer alternatives, then check out this list I have compiled of safe makeups.

Getting Started

The hunt for safer makeup was on after I learned about the toxic chemicals companies often hide in ingredients like “fragrance”. To make sure that I was actually choosing safer alternatives, I turned to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) with their catalog of over 60,000 products each ranked with a hazard score from 1 to 10.

Even if nothing on this list appeals to you, I urge you to look at their catalog an find safe products for your everyday routine.

RMS Beauty

RMS develops a broad range of makeups without adding in ingredients that damage the body’s vital systems. From their line, I picked out a raw coconut cream to act as a moisturizer, a colorless un-powder, and an un-coverup to take care of some of my essentials. I also found a wonderful blush along with a bronzed taupe eye shadow that I’ve fallen in love with.

Dr. Bronner

Since the toxic conspiracy leads all the way into bath and body products, I decided to find some of those as well. After all, my makeup routine does start with a good cleaning.

I was able to purchase a bar of castile soap, but I ended up going with the rose castile liquid soap instead because I liked the smell. I even found a hand sanitizer from Dr. Bronner that fits right in my purse! Unfortunately, I did not find any shampoo or conditioner from this line.

Juice Beauty

When it comes to making myself look 20 again, there are a few things I simply cannot do without. Fortunately, Juicy Beauty offers an in-depth line of skin care products that aren’t half as corny as their name sounds.

The first item I put into my online shopping cart was a green apple Brightening Gel Cleanser, immediately followed by algae mask for those home spa days. Next up was a brightening eye cream that featured the same green apple smell and a booster serum to help make full use of my moisturizer. Last, but in no way least, I picked up a sensitive peel to exfoliate my skin.

All of that put me over my spending limit for the month, so I’ll be back with more recommendations for other products when I can make another purchase. It was well worth the investment though, and I feel a lot better knowing my body isn’t being affected by toxic chemicals. What products have you swapped out in your routine?

The Modern Makeup Killer

Cosmetics and makeup might make us look beautiful, but at what cost to our well-being?

It’s no secret that switching to a plant-based diet, swapping out harsh cleaning products for natural ones, and changing out synthetic skin care products for organic ones are all part of changing your life for the better. However, one of the easiest to overlook areas is the makeup we ladies apply nearly every day! From the mascara that takes your eyelashes to a whole new level to the foundation that seems to erase time, modern beauty products can have a high cost to your health.

The FDA

Currently, the FDA does not require cosmetic companies to conduct safety assessments on their products. Toxic chemicals are labeled in disguise as “fragrance” or nearly impossible to pronounce names like methylisothiazolinone.

The products sitting on your vanity or bathroom sink may or may not contain these toxins, but how would you know? It’s not like makeup companies warn anyone about what they put into their products. Here are some of the awful chemicals I found out were in my beauty products.

Phthalates

These nasty toxins mimic estrogen, effectively disrupting the endocrine system. They can lead to reproductive issues including abnormalities in unborn babies and premature delivery.

You can find phthalates in everything from deodorant to nail polish and scented lip balm under the ingredient “fragrance”. Since fragrances are considered trade secrets by makeup companies, they get away with not having to tell us what lies inside of them.

Lead

This one hasn’t been an issue since lead paint the 50’s, right? I wish. The truth is that lead can still be found in foundations, lipsticks, and even whitening toothpastes!

The worst part is that we as a nation know lead is bad for us. It leads to miscarriage, delays puberty, and is poisonous when ingested. You won’t find it any ingredient list, but over 400 popular brands were found to be contaminated with it nonetheless.

Formaldehyde Releasing Preservatives

Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Researchers, as well as the International Agency for Research on Cancer. You will most likely find this toxic gas resulting from the breakdown of Quaternium-15.

Q-15 is found in everything from pressed powders to eyeliners. While a company could choose rosemary, tea tree oil, or even vitamin E instead, they stick to this tried-and-true poison instead.

Just the Tip of the Iceberg

I could get into parabens, butylated compounds like BHT and BHA, and PEG compounds, but I think it’s more important to talk about safe alternatives for a moment. While nothing is ever 100% toxin free, there are products you can buy to decrease your exposure risk.

Just like with food, look for organic ingredients like almond oil, rice, and hemp. There are organic, cruelty free, toxic free, and vegan-friendly alternatives out there. What would you recommend?