My tragic flaw: I have high standards.
Ask any of my family members, and they would wholeheartedly agree with me. And when it comes to buying products for my home and body, I follow suit. A couple of years ago, I started learning more about the “clean living” movement and the waves it was making in the consumer industry. As more research continues to come out about the toxins and chemicals being used in American beauty, cleaning, and household products, I can’t help but make more conscious decisions in what I consume. That’s why more and more people are demanding safer products be on the market. It’s time we fought for more straightforward advertising that explicitly divulged what we’re buying and utilizing.
It’s frightening to think of the amount of chemicals we take in, both passively and actively, every day. Chemicals like formaldehyde, oxybenzone, phthalates, parabens, toluene, synthetic fragrances, ammonia, triclosan…everyday exposures to toxins like these are slowly wrecking our immune and reproductive systems. Not to mention some of these chemicals are KNOWN carcinogens and yet they are still on the market for consumption.
Now you are probably asking yourself,
WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Well, the biggest wave you can make in changing the current state of things is by voting with your dollar. What does that mean? It means making educated decisions with what you know and only buying products from companies with ingredients you can trust. Do I follow this mantra each and every day? Heck-to-the-no! Wanna know why? Because I’m human and sometimes I buy beauty products with less than wholesome ingredients because they have pretty packaging, and I’m a sucker for anything that’s shiny and pretty. So sue me! But do I try to be more intentional and diligent when buying cleaning wipes and bathroom spray by reading the labels and discerning the ingredient list? YES! The clean living movement isn’t about a complete overhaul of what you buy and consume. It’s a movement that starts with one small change or healthy swap.
WHAT IS A HEALTHY SWAP?
A healthy swap is a healthier alternative to whatever you currently use, eat, or consume. Next time you go to the grocery/Target/Ulta and have an item that needs replenishing, intentionally look for a healthier swap. Maybe it’s toothpaste or dish detergent or hand soap or face powder, but whatever the case, be mindful and swap your old product for one that you are confident in using. One of my first healthy swaps was in cleaner beauty products.
A friend of mine from college started selling Beautycounter a few years back, and that initial exposure to evidence-based truth about the beauty industry got me asking questions and making small changes. A couple years ago I wouldn’t have blinked an eye about what the ingredients in the beauty products I bought, but now I’m choosing to make decisions with intention and mindfulness knowing what I know.
Now for the fun part…Here are some of my favorite clean living products to-date!
Seventh Generation Free & Clear Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent
one of the few laundry detergents I’ve found to work and not leave residue
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray
when flu season hits, this is your best friend
Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castille Soap
use for hand soap, dish soap, cleaning makeup brushes, it’s multi-purpose!
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil & Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel
use this every night to help with puffiness and periorbital darkness
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
when I need a hit of deep moisture, this is the stuff
Beautycounter Adaptive Moisture Lotion
great everyday face lotion that leaves your skin moisturized without being oily
Cocokind Turmeric Spot Treatment
for blemishes or comedones
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
I use this RIGHT when I get a zit to target and treat
Beautycounter Lip Conditioner in Calendula
the only lip balm that calms my winter chapped lips
Beautycounter Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil
use this every night to wash face and remove makeup (added bonus: it has anti-aging properties)
Beautycounter Counter+ Overnight Resurfacing Peel
use 1-2X/week for maintenance
Beautycounter Charcoal Facial Mask
can use for spot treatment, hormonal breakouts, or just to detox
BareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder
seals in your primer, foundation, and concealer so flawless all-day wear
tarte shape tape concealer
liquid gold! if you struggle with under-eye baggage, this is your bff
Beautycounter Necessary Neutrals Palette
the only palette you will ever need
tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara
fuller, defined lashes without the clumps
Essential oils. Essential oils. Essential oils.
And if you are buying them from the grocery store, you are doing it all wrong. I buy YoungLiving EO and hear me out as to why. I can faithfully stand behind their methodology and distilling processes. They provide the highest quality products with some of the highest concentrations of oils on the market, meaning they don’t put in unwanted fillers of additives. They give you purer oils. End of story.
But if you are a candle queen and love the whimsy of a burning flame, look for these three things:
1. a cotton/wood wick
2. made with soy or beeswax
3. phthalate-free, made with 100% essential oils and/or all natural fragrances
If you stick to these three non-negotiables, you can’t go wrong!
Are you on a clean living journey?
Are you choosing products that support a healthy endocrine, respiratory, and integumentary system?
If so, what products are you loving?
Feel free to let me know by commenting below! If you have any questions regarding my journey to cleaner living, feel free to reach out and ask. I love learning about new products, evidence-based research, and practical ways in which I can limit the toxins in my life. Hope this post was both informational and motivating to get you on the road to cleaner living!
kitchyliving.com 