Clean Beauty is an Inside Job
Through my own health journey, I came to an important conclusion: clean beauty is an inside job. When my health was at its worst, I had acne, rashes, bloating, weight gain, and inflammation. The glow was gone.
Getting my health back was a long process that involved healing my gut with dietary changes, sleep, exercise, stress management, supplements, medications and focused elimination of environmental toxins.
I truly believe that any beauty routine starts with good nutrition and lifestyle practices, and addressing underlying health issues. When I got my health back, I got my glow back. And in doing so, I revamped my beauty routine and ditched the toxic chemicals I used on my skin and hair.
We Have To Advocate For Ourselves
Did you know that many personal care products expose you and your family to toxic chemicals? While the European Union has banned approximately 1,400 harmful chemicals1 and ingredients from personal care products, the United States has only banned about 30.
An analysis by the Environmental Working Group2 found that
“more than 1 in 5 of all products contain chemicals linked to cancer, 80% contain ingredients that commonly contain hazardous impurities, and 56% contain penetration enhancers that help deliver ingredients deeper into the skin. Cosmetic ingredients penetrate the skin and may pose health risks, particularly for children. Personal care products may be the primary exposure route for many chemicals that raise significant health concerns. Consumers can be exposed through skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion.”
If you’re not convinced that the products we slather on our skin are actually absorbed, think about the topical medications we prescribe, like hormone creams. It is well known that topical estrogen raises systemic estrogen levels.
And to make matters worse, the average woman uses 12 personal care products a day, exposing her to over 168 unique chemicals3…. before she even walks out the door.
You Don’t Have To Compromise Health In The Name Of Beauty
Skin care and beauty products can be both safe and effective. That is why I counsel my patients to utilize resources like the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database and Think Dirty to evaluate the safety of their personal care products. You can also look for the EWG VERIFIED mark on products that meet EWG’s strict criteria based on a variety of health standards.
It’s also why I endorse companies like Beautycounter and The Detox Market (try their subscription box!).
My Safe and Effective Clean Beauty Routine
Below, I share my favorite products and resources for my own clean beauty routine.
Skin Care
Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm – This is a luxuriously hydrating cleansing balm that I use nightly.
Charcoal Cleansing Bar – This is a great for removing excess makeup at the end of the day. Since it can by drying, I don’t use daily.
N1o1 Nitric Oxide Activating Serum + Age Defying Face Cream – I’m obsessed with this nitric oxide serum and face cream because I SEE THE RESULTS! Nitric oxide vasodilates, increasing blood flow, collagen production, oxygen, hydration, and nutrients in skin cells. Use MAREN10 for 10% off + free US shipping.
Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream – This one is runner up for smoother, firmer, more hydrated skin.
Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream – I use this day and night for the sensitive and delicate skin around eyes. Plant-derived Retinatural Complex and Persian silk tree extract reduce the appearance of under-eye shadows and crow’s feet.
Clean Vibrations Facial Brush – This cleansing brush is part of my nightly routine. I use it with the Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm to prep my skin and make my other products more effective.
Safer Skincare and Beauty Products
If you want to learn more about Beautycounter and their commitment to safer, non-toxic skincare sign up below!
Makeup
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer * – This tinted moisturizer provides SPF 20 and sheer coverage, which makes it ideal for days without makeup and also gives me extra coverage when I do wear foundation. I use Medium.
Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation* – This lightweight, creamy foundation is a game changer, and I love the new formula. It’s easy to use and looks natural. I layer it over the Dew Skin tinted moisturizer for extra coverage. I use Medium 350: Medium w/ golden undertones (Honey).
Skin Twin Creamy Concealer– I use a little bit of this concealer under my foundation to hide dark circles and other imperfections. I use Tan 1.
Illuminating Cream Highlighter – I use these sheer blendable highlighters to create contour and add a subtle glow. I apply Bronze Glow below cheekbones for contour, and sometimes use the Pearl Glow above cheekbones as a highlighter.
Satin Powder Blush – Delivers buildable color without questionable ingredients. I use Date.
Precision Liquid Eyeliner – love this one for a rich matte-black eyeliner.
Brilliant Brow Gel* – Flake-proof, foolproof, and easy to use.
Hair Care
Daily Shampoo + Conditioner* – A tiny bit goes a long way and leaves hair shiny and silky. I use these several times a week and they don’t dry out my hair.
Acure Dry Shampoo – avoid the talc. This one is Paraben free, Sulfate free, Mineral oil free, Petrolatum free and Formaldehyde free.
Body Care
Kenna Nicole DUSK Essential Oil Blend – I am obsessed with this warm and sultry blend of 8 essential oils, and I use this instead of perfume. Plus, Kenna Nicole is a local Michigan company that is generous enough to offer my tribe 15% off! (use the coupon code MAREN, and buy their candle while you are there).
The Clean Deo in Fresh Coconut– This is my favorite natural deodorant followed by NATIVE Deodorant (note: if buying NATIVE look for sensitive and unscented).
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Pure Castile Tea Tree Soap – A house full of doctors deserves a natural antibacterial soap made with Tea Tree Oil. This has a permanent place in our shower. Say no to triclosan!
Alba Botanica Unscented Very Emollient Cream Shave – this is my fav for a close shave.
True Botanicals Pure Radiance Body Butter – this one is a total splurge, but it’s got the most beautiful scent and feels like such luxury.
Dry Brush – I use a this brush on dry skin before my shower to stimulate circulation, lymphatic flow, and detoxification. Just brush from the extremities in toward the heart.
Oral Hygeine
RiseWell Toothpaste – I look for toothpaste that is gluten-free, fluoride-free, and also free of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I also avoid anything too abrasive, like many whitening products and tooth powders can be. But the reality is, we still need a safe and effective alternative to fluoride. Enter hydroxyapatite. There’s aren’t that many products on the market with this ingredient, which has been used in Japan for decades. Use code MAREN10 for 10% off!
Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss – you should know that dental floss is often coated with PFCs — Teflon, and PTFE. Yuck! This one is lightly waxed with a vegetable/beeswax blend, and is free of BPA, PTFE, PFAS chemicals and petrochemical wax.
Tongue Scraper– once you try it, you’ll never go back.
Philips Sonicare rechargeable electric toothbrush – An electric toothbrush is also essential for good oral hygiene.
Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser – I also love a good waterpik!
Period Care
Tampons/ pads – there really are a lot of great options that you’ll find in most natural grocery and drug stores, but my favorite brand is Cora and I’ve got monthly deliver set up through Amazon Subscribe & Save. Natracare is also great.
Interested in trying Beautycounter?
If you make an order through Beautycounter you’ll always get free returns, and if you become a Band of Beauty member you’ll get free shipping, a 15% product credit, and a sweet welcome gift when you spend $50+. I’d sure appreciate it if Dr. Christine Maren is listed as your consultant at checkout.
—–> SHOP BEAUTYCOUNTER HERE <—–
If you’re interested in learning more about a functional medicine approach to improving your health, please read the other articles on my website. Also, follow me on Facebook and Instagram where I share some of my favorite articles, emerging research, healthy recipes and trusted wellness products.
Safer Skincare and Beauty Products
If you want to learn more about Beautycounter and their commitment to safer, non-toxic skincare sign up below!
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Sources
- http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:342:0059:0209:en:PDF
- https://www.ewg.org/news/testimony-official-correspondence/statement-jane-houlihan-cosmetics-safety#.Wllm1EvauRs
- https://www.ewg.org/news/testimony-official-correspondence/statement-jane-houlihan-cosmetics-safety#.Wllm1EvauRs
