Before the New Year begins, I think it is the perfect time to do a bit of cleaning. Will 2019 be the year you “clean” out all your beauty and skincare products? For me it will be! I have already made some major steps in that direction and wanted to share my transition over to non-toxic skincare and how it is going.
There are so many items in my life and household that I had already started to make the switch to non-toxic. But being a product junkie, it surprises me that I have put off the skincare arena until now. Motherhood changes you in so many ways blah, blah, blah…but it’s so true! When you are pregnant there are so many things that you shouldn’t eat or put on your skin. My thought is, if I shouldn’t do it while I am pregnant, why would I do it at all?! LOL! But seriously, your skin is your biggest organ and constantly soaking in not only the air around us, but the topical treatments we put on it.
My skin
Like I said last week, I have had problematic skin that is combo and prone to breakouts since my twenties. I once had someone ask me “what’s up with the adult acne these days?”. SO embarrassing! And I think that has really played into my hesitation to make the switch. For some reason, I felt that if it didn’t have strong, maybe even “harsh” ingredients, it wouldn’t fight my spots.
There are still some products that I would like to find better alternatives to, there are still some products I need to swap to non-toxic. But here, I’m sharing with you what I’ve switched over to so far, and what’s working for me. I always love trying new products so I will keep updating you along this clean journey and all my to be staples.
So what I have switched so far
Cleansers
I am an avid fan of the two cleanse method. Using an oil or a balm to melt away make-up. Then you go in with a more traditional face wash.
Cleansing oil or balm
- USED TO USE: Clinque Take the Day Off
- NEW STAPLE: One Love Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil
- This smells so good! Like a Pina Colada but not too sweet. It also is just thick enough to not make a mess but glide beautifully to erase all tracks of make-up.
Face Wash
- USED TO USE: Kate Sommerville Exfolikate Cleanser
- NEW STAPLE: Osea Ocean Cleanser
- This also has a beautiful light citrus smell but even better is the texture. Almost like a gel but with a bit of grit to be slightly exfoliating.
Toners
I alternate between am and pm with my toners. Something that is going to leave my skin feeling clean but restore my ph balance. I was always alternating toners in the regular skincare world so just starting to dip into the clean toner selections.
AM
- Indie Lee Lotion COQ-10
- Great mist pump and leaves my skin feeling like normal skin. Which is what a toner should make your skin feel like. 🙂
PM
- Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
- So many natural product lovers already know the MANY benefits of ACV. But it is great for clearing the skin as well. I mix equal parts ACV and distilled water. Keep it in an amber dropper bottle.
Moisturizers
This is always such a tricky category for me. I am in my 30s and live in a dry climate, so my skin definitely needs moisture! Even my oily skin! It can’t be too heavy or it will clog my pores. This is also a category that I was constantly changing up looking for my holy grail. I also find that watering from the inside works wonders!
AM & PM
- Osea Blemish Balm
- A lovely lotion texture that smell of tea tree oil. Obviously the tea tree oil aids in keeping my skin clear.
- Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream
- When my skin needs a bit extra moisture this is what I reach for. It is still light weight enough that it isn’t clogging my pores but is a beautiful night cream. And it smells of black current!!
Masks & Treatments
Something that I have gotten MUCH better about in my non-toxic skincare journey is a mask regimen. My skin really needs an exfoliating treatment at least twice a week and I like to follow up with a mask the following night. Just choose a mask depending on what your skin needs that day. Now these are both very special products and an indulgence for me. I save for them and really cherish them with a spa experience.
Exfoliating treatment
- USED TO USE: Kate Sommerville Exfolikate
- NEW STAPLE: May Lindstrom The Clean Dirt
- This is one of my rituals where I take my time mixing and applying this treatment. I like to play around with it a few different ways. It is slightly warming because of the spices in the powder but it smells like gingersnaps because of it. Can you tell I am into aromatherapy!? HAHA!
Masks
- May Lindstrom The Honey Mud
- This masks does wonders to my face!! It smells good enough to eat and since it is so nourishing, I can put it on and start writing or cleaning the house without it drying up my face.
Continuing the journey
Like I said before, in my transition over to non-toxic skincare there are still products I would like to try, and products that I have yet to switch out. For me I have chosen to go the long route and use up the products I currently have. It might be a little bit of a slow process, but I am on the journey to a more natural, non-toxic life. Not only in my skin-care, but in my house and home for my family. Taking the steps, one at a time.
Are there any favorites that you have found along the way in your journey? Comment below!
XO
Callie