How do we define clean beauty? It can be subjective, but overall, these are typically very transparent products regarding the ingredients used and mindfully created. I also consider them free of harmful chemicals, parabens, alcohol, sulfates, and aluminum. I’m sure you have also seen clean beauty referred to as natural beauty, green beauty, or perhaps organic beauty.
These are all relatively the same term. Switching to these types of products can be very beneficial to your overall well-being. Plus, depending on the company, natural brands typically are far more committed to environment-friendly production compared to their non-natural brand counterparts.
- Should you switch to clean beauty products?
- What are my favorites clean beauty products?
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Should you switch to clean beauty products?
Why I Switched
Committing to making the switch is completely up to you. I decided to begin my switch because I was tired of all the unnecessary junk in products. Plus, my sensitive skin and hair felt damaged from all the harsh chemicals products. I’m prone to rashes and dry skin and hair.
At 32 years old, I was OVER IT. We all need natural products that are effective and don’t cause any ill effects. I decided to start small with aluminum-free deodorant and have steadily worked my way up since then.
I am still on a bit of journey but I couldn’t be happier with the difference switching has made. Below are my current favorites, but I will update you in the future as I research even more natural and ethical brands!
Don’t Expect Too Much Too Soon
You may come across clean beauty products that aren’t for you. Products work differently for everyone because we are all different. That is totally okay. I have been testing out quite a few clean beauty products over the last year, so I completely hear you. Be patient with yourself until you find the right products that work for you.
Tip: If you don’t want to commit too soon, then check the travel-sized aisle at Target for clean beauty products, for instance. They carry sample-sized versions of products that you can test out before committing to a full-size product.
What are my favorites clean beauty products?
Aluminum-Free Deodorant
This one has been a massive trial and error situation. However, I finally have a few favorite clean beauty deodorants to share with you. Switching to natural deodorant can be tricky to navigate, but it’s worth it in the end.
Understanding Natural Deodorants
Before I share my favorites, I want to highlight a common misconception regarding natural and aluminum-free deodorants versus traditional antiperspirants. With natural deodorant, you will still sweat without the aluminum clogging up your sweat glands.
When you switch to natural deodorant, you may notice a period where you seem to smell more quickly than usual. This is referred to as the “detoxing period.” It’s completely normal and temporary, so don’t stress over it. Check out Brydie’s article on the best way to transition to natural deodorant.
Should you be worried about aluminum?
No, not necessarily, but you should do your research and make up your own mind. There is little science confirming a direct link between aluminum exposure and breast cancer, memory issues, and kidney disease.
However, there has been much debate about the build-up of aluminum exposure throughout a lifetime from not just antiperspirants by also medications, lifestyle choices, and the environment. You can read more data at Healthline.
My take? I feel like there’s no need to expose yourself to an unnatural product containing aluminum. There are plenty of natural deodorants out there. It is 2021, after all! The more natural, the better in my book. Look at the ingredients list to determine if they work for your body.
For instance, if you have sensitive skin, then baking soda could be an irritant. Instead, you could opt for a deodorant with arrowroot, magnesium, or charcoal. These ingredients help with keeping you semi-dry.
My Favorite Natural Deodorants
Not My Mama’s Aluminum-free Deodorant, Day Dream, Honeysuckle Scent
Non-toxic, Aluminum-free, Paraben Free, Phthalate Free, Synthetic Fragrance Free, Alcohol Free, Propylene Glycol Free
Ingredients: cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, maranta arundinacea (arrowroot) powder, magnesium hydroxide, beeswax, jojoba esters, lactobacillus ferment, diatomaceous earth, natural fragrance, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), tocopherol (vitamin E)
I’ve tested several natural deodorants, and Not My Mama’s Deodorant is by far my favorite. I love the texture and the long-lasting aspect of it. The honeysuckle scent is really nice too. I have sensitive skin, but the sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) doesn’t irritate my underarms.
Potential cons? It can be difficult to apply to dry skin, so I tend to use it straight out of the shower when my underarms are still slightly damp. It makes it super easy! The $14.00 price tag can also be a bit of a put-off, but it is worth it, in my opinion.
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant for Sensitive Skin, Citrus
No aluminum salts, artificial fragrance, filler ingredients, propylene glycol, phthalates, or parabens.
Ingredients: Magnesium Hydroxide, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot) Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Natural Fragrance, Charcoal Powder, Tocopherol (Vitamin E, Sunflower Derived)
Schmidt’s sensitive natural deodorant line is worth a try for deodorants that don’t contain baking soda. They have a variety of different scents and even unscented depending on your needs. This line is pretty great, and I haven’t had any weird side effects or rashes. I typically pick this up at Target, but you can easily find it on Amazon for $6.24. This deodorant is quite affordable as well compared to others.
Clean Shampoo and Conditioners
We all have different hair types. Yet, what we all do have in common is the simple fact that we don’t need to include harmful chemicals in our haircare routines.
My Favorite Natural Shampoos and Conditioners
Sheamoisture Hydrate & Repair Shampoo & Conditioner
Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Phthalates Free, Petrolatum Free, Mineral Oil Free, Formaldehyde Free, DHT Free, Cruelty-Free
Ingredients: Full list available via their website.
SheaMoisture was originally inspired by Sofi Tucker, a mother of four and an entrepreneur in her own right. She began selling African black soap in Sierra Leone back in 1912. The official company was founded in 1991 by Liberians Richelieu Dennis (Sofi’s grandson) and Nyema Tubman in Harlem, NY.
Since then, CEO Cara Sabin leads the company and continues its mission by producing products with raw shea butter crafted by women in Africa. The company reinvests money in local communities with every purchase. Their products are reportedly sustainable and ethically sourced.
They have so many great products it’s hard just to put one here. I was happy to discover this brand after deciding to step away from shampoos with sulfates and parabens because those are quite bad for people with PCOS. I also have super dry hair, so I really love their SheaMoisture Hydrate & Repair conditioner For Damaged Hair Manuka Honey & Yogurt Set.
Potential Cons? The conglomerate Unilever attained this brand in 2017. Depending on how you feel about major conglomerates, it may not be for you. Do your own research and decide. It can be tricky finding brands these days that haven’t been acquired. Check out Ethical Consumer for a list of ethical shampoo brands. After I run out of my current shampoo and conditioner, I think I will give the brand Attitude a try.
Love Beauty And Planet, Coconut Oil and Ylang Ylang Scent
Paraben Free, Sulfate Free, Silicone Free, DHT-Free, and Cruelty-Free
Ingredients: Visit Love Beauty Planet’s website.
Love, Beauty, and Planet have several products that they claim are 93 percent naturally derived. They also claim to reduce plastic in the environment by making their products 100 percent recyclable. I absolutely love the earthy yet subtle floral smell. The scent is as if honeysuckle were to meet jasmine.
The coconut oil and ylang ylang shampoo and conditioner are for damaged and dry hair. Each of their products is for different hair types, so be sure to take the quiz on their website to figure out which is right for you.
Potential Cons? This brand is also owned by a conglomerate called Unilever. Depending on your personal values, this line may not be for you. Check out Ethical Consumer for a list of ethical shampoo brands. I’m going to be trying these brands in the future. Another potential downside is that some of the products have powerful scents. I’m not a big fan of the rose or lavender-scented ones because they were way too strong. Be sure to test them out first!
Clean Makeup Products Worth a Try
Yep, that’s right; there is bad junk in your makeup products as well, from Parabens to Formaldehyde releasers (gross). Let’s ditch these harmful ingredients and move on to products that don’t harm our skin. Want to learn more about bad ingredients? Check out this article highlighting the 20 ingredients to avoid.
My Favorite Clean Makeup Products
Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Makeup, Ivory
Dermatologist-tested and formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, petrolatum, talc, synthetic fragrances, or silicones. Never tested on animals.
Ingredients: Full list on their website.
This stuff sells out quickly, and I can see why! It truly does provide full coverage while also leaving your skin with a glow. I love how it doesn’t look cakey on my skin. It feels like I barely have anything on at all. I buy this in ivory because I’m super pale, but they have a growing shade range. You may have to check out your local drugstore, Walmart, or Target to find the perfect shade. This product sells out quickly on their own website and Amazon.
I have been a longtime user of Burt’s Bees’ Bees, which came from Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby in rustic Maine back in the 1980s. The brand has quite a unique history which you can read in full on their own website. Their products are quite natural and feel great on the skin.
Potential cons? The only real con I have to say about this foundation is that when you initially put it on your skin, it has a subtle yet distinctive earthy scent that may not be for everyone. However, this becomes a non-issue because it goes away once it dries. Just something to be aware of so you aren’t surprised.
Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Matte Lip Crayon, Redwood Forest
Dermatologist-tested and formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, petrolatum, talc, synthetic fragrances, or silicones. Never tested on animals.
Ingredients: Full list on the website.
While I’m not a big lipstick person, I am a big fan of tinted lip balm. I like a good lip balm that is moisturizing, long-lasting and has a variety of shades. Burt’s Bees ticks all those boxes. I love this lip balm in redwood forest, and Niagara overlook. You could even use a couple of dabs of this lip balm and blend it into your cheeks as a blush as well.
Potential cons? Honestly, I don’t have any complaints about this lip balm. It works great and lasts a long time. For a lip balm, it may seem a bit pricey compared to your average lip balm, but it’s tinted and free of harmful chemicals.
Hello everyone! I am a Boston based blogger that loves all things travel and lifestyle. You can usually find me working away at my university job, snapping pictures, thrifting, or trying out some new recipes.
Tiffany McCullough - Metaphysical Mama says
For the last few years I have been trying to switch to as many clean products as possible. I hate the idea of harsh chemicals, especially in my beauty products. Thanks so much for sharing your favourites!