Me-Conscious, Eco-Conscious ...

So what you see here are four new products I've been using in an attempt to go with products that are more natural in their ingredients and paraben-free. Prior to this I was using brands we all know and love, but unfortunately I learned aren't very natural and contain many toxins (a great resource for learning more about what you use is the EWG–a great rec by my SIL Elizabeth). I didn't intend to use so many Yes To products but I love how their entire line is free of parabens, petroleum, SLS, and pthalates (plus, their prices are amazingly low!) so I thought I'd give them a go. And I went with Tom's of Maine deodorant (also free of parabens) because I was simply looking for an aluminum free deodorant. So far I like what I'm using but I'd like to learn about more products out there.

So my question to you is, do you have any suggestions on products? Advice? I want to keep learning about and using the best products until I find what works for me. Not only care products (face, body, hair, etc.) but make-up too! So I'd love to hear what you're using (high or low end). I'm in no way an expert on this subject so this novice would really appreciate what you have to share! Thanks a mil in advance.

Graphic: Happenstance

19 comments:

Tiffany Kadani said...

I use sulfate free shampoo from the natural foods co-op near me. My mom is a secret hippie and she totally knows all about these things (she brushes her teeth with natural soap. gross) so I've kind of learned a thing or two from her.

Jenny said...

Josie Maran makes great makeup!

Erin said...

One of my friends has been ridding herself of chemical laden products & she's been loving the makeup brand Tarte. A skin care line I've been wanting to try is Mario Badescu. She swears by his products & they are suprisingly not too expensive, via Nordstroms.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/mario-badescu

Lillian C said...

I just learned about this tip last week at a spa - the lady working on me was telling me that you should exfoliate two to three times a week! That's so against common knowledge (I was always under the impression that once a week is max otherwise you'd strip your skin). But if you get the right exfoliant, the enzymes will do the work for you (rather than the granules) and it will keep your skin moisturized and the skin turnover fresh. She was also telling me that the traditional soaps completely clog your skin up, and that most of the common ones we get at grocery stores have the same ingredient as drain cleaner! SO - the products she recommended to me (for body) was Dermalogica body exfoliant (found at Ulta) and Alba body creme (found at Sprouts). I just got them yesterday and tried them out and I love the way my skin feels so far!

As for the face, I recently discovered Kate Somerville and I LOVE her stuff (available at Sephora or Nordstroms). I went to her spa for the first time recently, and learned that the same principle applies for the face. So I also use her ExfoliKate 2-3 times a week for better cell turnover and I love the results thus far! I'm not sure about the ingredients in these products, but I know the results are pretty great! :)

And for makeup (again, I can't speak for ingredients), I swear by Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer. I never wear foundation anymore (even for a night out!). I just pile on layers of the tinted moisturizer, paired with a concealer (I use Cle de Peau). And the BEST makeup primer I've found is from Smashbox (you can test it out on your hand, and you can already feel the difference!).

Whoo! It's fun to be girly and talk about these things :) Hope that helped!

Mary said...

thanks for sharing! i just bought the cucumber soothing eye gel and the carrot night cream after reading this post. i've been needing to get a few things, but wasn't sure where to start. I love Yes To's prices, too. I've been using Tom's deoderant for a while after I started having some sort of allergy/irritation problem. it's worked really well, but it is hard to get used to at first. i hope you like it! great blog, btw.

Anonymous said...

I've been using Mario Badescu products for a while (via the store's web site) - some work better than others, but overall it's great stuff and very reasonably priced for a boutique. I really like Korres, the Greek skincare line (via Sephora). They're not 100% natural but they're better than most - their Quercetin and Oak night cream is my favorite - tightens and makes your skin super smooth. I also recently started using Ole Henriksen's serum (via Sephora, also low on chemicals) and LOVE it, but it's not cheap so requires me to use it sparingly.

the girl is craftee said...

You should check out Boscia. I have very troublesome skin and have tried many, many, many (get the point) skin care products. I don't use their whole line but I do use their daily oil free moisturizer. I believe their products are not only paraben free but preservative free, which apparently can cause serious irritation. I love this stuff I buy mass quantities at a time because I hate running out. Let me know if you end up giving it a try.

Joanna said...

Please keep us posted! I use many of these things myself and have been trying to replace all my toxic skin, hair, and makeup items with alternatives as close to natural as possible.

So far, I only have a list of things that haven't worked for me: The Oil Cleansing Method, Maybelline stick concealer (the one with a 2 rating on the EWG site), and Rejuva Minerals Mascara (way too sticky and wet!), so I can't wait to see further recommendations from you as you try more.

Jennifer Woods said...

I've started using Trader Joe's jojoba oil for hair and face moisturizing (tho' I don't love the scent), and believe it or not, Milk of Magnesia for deodorant. I read about it online and it really works. I just use the regular unscented bottle at the drugstore but you can buy it in a roll on too.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/deodorant/

it's crazy, I know but it actually does the job :)

Abby (Diligent Joy) said...

Yes To is amazing. I've tried quite a few of their products and love every single one, especially since I can pick them up at Target!

Unknown said...

Wow, thank you guys for all of the great suggestions and advice! I'll report back on this topic as I try new things or even to report that I've decide to stick with one.

julia wheeler said...

the salon where Jo (david's jo) works carries all natural products that are awesome! i've been using their liquid mineral make-up for a few years and i'm obsessed! i just read about that ExfoliKate exfoliant that lillian uses on xoJane and people were raving... i want to try it! i've used Pevonia since high school and it got a "fair" rating on this site... i'm thinking i'm kinda safe? great post!!

Krissy :: Miss B and Hustle said...

I use Jason's Powersmile toothpaste and I love it! It just doesn't make sense to me to use too-sweet, bright blue toothpaste every morning. I have super sensitive skin, so I also love Kiss My Face Moisture Shave(unscented) and Shikai shower gel...

Jenna said...

I started off 'the switch' to more natural products using Toms deodorant but found that it stopped being effective on me after a while - I've since switched to Crystal roll on deodorant and haven't looked back since. Tarte make up is my favorite! :)

vicky said...

check out spirit beauty lounge! (just google it)They've done the legwork for you in terms of making sure all of the products they carry don't have toxic ingredients. You have to be careful of companies that sort of have good intentions but are marketing their products as "natural." I love RMS beauty for a natural looking foundation. Dr. Alkaitis for skin care and I personally like Blum naturals for face wipes better then the yes for carrots (you can find them at whole foods). Good luck and it's great you're trying to learn more about natural products!

Heather Feemster said...

Great job! Dr. Hauschka is amazing, so are Anne Marie Borland products.

joeycake said...

I loved reading this post and all the comments!

I am currently loving Josie Maran's serum foundation. It's light but offers good coverage and because it contains some argan oil it never feels cakey.

Also--a facialist recently told me to try a few drops of unrefined, cold-pressed grapeseed oil as a moisturizer. She said the antioxidants help soothe irritation. So far I'm digging it.

And Dr. Hauschka has great clean products. Love the toners and the day rose cream the best.

Love your blog:)

rebecca said...

i'm with you on the all natural train. but all natural deodorant gives me an all natural smell if you know what i mean. watch yo self!

Jamie B said...

I looked at the Yes to line and found they still have a lot of stuff and filler, even though they kept being pumped as "natural" by refinery29. I've been transitioning to products that are actually natural for about 5 years. Below is what I've tried and used for quite some time.

I use Burt's Bee's lemon oil for body moisturizer and their facial scrub once or twice a week. I use Trader Joe's tea tree shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, TJ's tea tree oil face wash, and the TJ's spa line facial moisturizer (which I especially love). I also use the TJs pure vitamin E oil at night just around my eyes and on my neck for a moisturizer.

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