Ready to start creating your non toxic skin care routine? We cover the basics including identifying harmful ingredients and 6 of our favorite non toxic beauty brands to get you started.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in May of 2023 and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in August 2023.
If you are dialed in to all things beauty, you know the buzz around clean, non toxic skin care is impossible to avoid. And if you're anything like us, it's captured your attention in a big way.
For years we had no idea about the laundry list of sinister chemicals we used on our skin everyday. We assumed that if we bought them at the drugstore, then they must be safe, right? We had no idea how wrong we were!
The Dark Side of The Cosmetics Industry
Once we started learning about the dark side of the cosmetics industry, we were shocked at the lack of regulation and the astounding number of harmful chemicals we were readily exposing ourselves to every day. We knew we needed to overhaul our beauty routine ASAP.
You're likely here because you are also interested in minimizing the harmful chemicals you expose yourself to daily. But you may also feel a tad overwhelmed about where to start - don't stress! We're thrilled you're ready to start a non toxic skin care routine and hope you'll find this to be a helpful guide.
We'll go through what "non toxic" skin care means and how it will benefit your skin and overall health. We've also included a list of some of our favorite clean beauty brands to help you on your way to revamping your routine.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.
Unseen Risks: The Sneaky Side of Everyday Chemicals
It's worth noting that we shouldn't put a blanket label of 'dangerous' on all chemicals. We can find potentially unsafe chemicals in many aspects of our daily lives, not just in our beauty products. They can be in the processed foods we eat, the beverages we drink, the furniture in our homes, and even the medications we take.
The real issue is the gradual build-up of these chemicals as we are exposed to them over time. Frequent exposure, even in small doses, allows these questionable chemicals to accumulate in our bodies over time, which can result in dangerous health effects over the long run.
What Is Non Toxic Skin Care?
When it comes to skin care, we all want effective and safe products for ourselves and the environment. Non toxic skin care refers to skincare products that are free of harmful chemicals and ingredients. Specifically, chemicals linked to toxic responses in humans like neuro-disruption, hormone disruption, and cancer.
Common harmful chemicals to avoid include phthalates, found mostly in household products, shampoos, and conditioners. They give products a uniform consistency that makes them easier to pour.
Other significant offenders in our skin care products include:
- Formaldehyde - found in nail polish, hair gel, and cosmetics
- Petroleum - found in moisturizers and lip balms
- Asbestos - found on cosmetics labeled as talc or hydrous magnesium silicate
- Lead acetate - found in hair dye and lipstick
- Coal tar - found in hair dye and anti-dandruff shampoo
Why Is Non Toxic Skin Care Important?
Non toxic skin care provides a safer and healthier alternative for your skin and overall health since they aren't packed with unnecessary harmful chemicals that act as fillers. Natural skin care products are less likely to irritate your skin or lead to potentially serious long-term health consequences.
Beyond being safer, non toxic skin care can also be more effective. For example, the plants and botanicals used in non toxic skin care products must be grown organically, resulting in a higher level of antioxidants to nourish the skin. Plus, ingredients used in natural skin care are grown without harmful herbicides and pesticides that could otherwise be absorbed through your skin.
Starting Your Non-Toxic Skin Care Routine
Starting a clean beauty regimen can seem overwhelming if you're new to non toxic skin care. So here are some tips to help you get started.
Evaluate Your Current Skin Care Routine
Take inventory of the products you are currently using and read their ingredient lists closely. Identify which products contain the most harmful chemicals and consider replacing them with non toxic alternatives.
Identifying Harmful Chemicals To Avoid
Here are some helpful resources for identifying harmful ingredients in your skin care products:
- EWG's Skin Deep Database: This website from the Environmental Working Group allows you to search for a wide range of personal care products to see their full ingredient list and potential associated health risks. They also offer a mobile app.
- Think Dirty: This mobile app allows you to scan the barcodes of personal care products to see their ingredients and potential hazards. The app also offers cleaner product suggestions.
- CosmEthics: This mobile app allows you to scan a product barcode and get an immediate, easy-to-understand breakdown of the product's ingredients and any health concerns.
- Chemical Maze: Available as both a book and an app, Chemical Maze provides a comprehensive guide to food and cosmetic additives, helping you identify potentially harmful ingredients in you beauty products.
- INCI Beauty: This is a website and an app where you can analyze the composition of cosmetic products based on their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list. It provides a detailed analysis of each ingredient and assigns each product a safety rating.
- Asbestos.com: this website summarizes the risks of potential asbestos exposure through makeup, including talcum powder, and also lists cosmetic products that have been found to contain asbestos.
Tips For Reading Ingredients Lists On Skin Care Products
- The top ingredient listed is the most prevalent in the formula. So ingredients listed at the beginning of the list make up the largest concentration in your product, while those at the end of the ingredients list exist in the lowest concentration in the formula.
- Active ingredients should be listed at least in the first 5 ingredients to ensure that the product will do what it claims. Many products market certain active ingredients in their products but only include them in very low, non-effective amounts.
- If a product has fragrance, look to see that the list identifies how the fragrance was derived, like essential oils. Fragrance should also appear very low on the list, meaning it makes up a very small component of the product.
- Incidecoder.com is a great, free tool for simplifying your product's ingredient list.
Start Adding Non Toxic Skin Care Products Slowly
You don't need to replace all of your skin care products at once. Instead, start by replacing one or two at a time, starting with those that pose the largest health risks. This will allow you to test new products before fully integrating them into your routine.
Toxic Products To Consider Tossing Right Away
Body Sprays and Perfumes
Bubble Baths
Sunscreens
Anti-aging Creams
Some anti-aging creams may contain retinol or retinyl palmitate, which could potentially increase skin sensitivity and risk of sunburn. They could also potentially cause harm if used during pregnancy.
Nail Polish
Many nail polishes contain toluene (which affects the nervous system and can cause birth defects), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (linked to hormone disruption and birth defects), and formaldehyde (a potential carcinogen).
Deodorants and Antiperspirants
Some contain aluminum compounds (linked to Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer), parabens (potential endocrine disruptors), and triclosan (an antibacterial agent that may impact thyroid and reproductive hormones).
Toothpaste
Certain types of toothpaste may contain triclosan (linked to hormone disruption), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and artificial sweeteners like saccharin.
Shampoos and Conditioners
They may contain sulfates (like SLS/SLES, which can irritate the skin and eyes), parabens, and synthetic fragrances (which can contain an undisclosed mix of potentially harmful chemicals).
Lipsticks and Lip Balms
Some may contain lead, a neurotoxin, and other heavy metals. Parabens and synthetic fragrances are also common in these products.
Makeup Removers
These can contain PEGs (polyethylene glycols) that could potentially be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, classified as human carcinogens.
Tips For Buying Non-Toxic Skin Care Products
- Look for products labeled as "non-toxic," "organic," "natural," or "clean." However, be aware of greenwashing since these terms are not regulated and can sometimes be misleading.
- Researching individual ingredients is crucial.
- Test new products before fully integrating them into your routine. Apply a small amount on your skin and wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction.
Our Favorite Non-Toxic Skin Care Brands To Add To Your Skin Care Regimen
- All products are EWG Verified, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, and dermatologically tested.
- All formulas are created with the highest standards of quality and transparency, using only the most effective naturally-sourced ingredients.
- ATTITUDE continuously monitors developments in scientific databases, such as California's Proposition 65, to continually update their ingredients if new harmful chemicals are identified.
Its packaging sets the ATTITUDE Oceanly PHYTO-GLOW Face Cream apart from others on the market. It comes in a stick which is not just plastic-free (hello, sustainability!) but also incredibly easy to apply.
This face cream boasts a potent mix of vitamin C and algae extract that brightens the skin. After using this solid face cream for a week, we saw a noticeable difference in our skin tone, and our skin felt brighter without makeup.
The cream's encapsulated and stabilized vitamin C is its secret powerhouse ingredient, supplemented with phytoglycogen, peptides, and watercress extract to enhance its anti-aging benefits. Plus, it's unscented, which is great for those sensitive to fragrance.
- Babo Botanicals was born as a line of personal care products using only natural ingredients, so they are safe for your entire family.
- Their mineral-based, fragrance-free sunscreens offers broad-spectrum protection without any harmful chemicals.
It is hard to find a natural mineral sunscreen that doesn't take forever to rub in and doesn't leave an awful white cast. So we were immediately impressed with Babo's completely clear zinc formula that seamlessly blended into our skin. The lotion itself is lightweight and doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy.
We loved that this sunscreen is free of silicones, parabens, and phthalates and contains no fragrance. Its main active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide (22%), recognized for its broad-spectrum protection. This sunscreen is especially great if you are active since it offers over 80 minutes of waterproof skin protection.
- Beautycounter has a strict list of ingredients that they never use, called the "Never List," which includes over 1,800 ingredients that have been linked to health concerns.
- They source their ingredients responsibly and use sustainable packaging.
- They also have a program called the "Beauty Counter Give Back" program, which donates a portion of their profits to environmental and social impact organizations.
The Beautycounter Counter + All Bright C Serum is an A+ product that minimizes imperfections while brightening and moisturizing without causing any irritation, even for those with sensitive skin.
The fast-absorbing formula is one of the most effective Vitamin C serums we've used and its great for diminishing those pesky sun spots.
We're also in love with how good this product smells! The Vitamin C, turmeric, and Camu Camu blend smells like a mini-vacay in a bottle.
- Biossance leverages biotechnology to create the latest innovations in effective, sustainable, and safe skin care.
- Biossance's skin care line leverages their proprietary skin-identical hydrating molecule—squalane— made from sustainable fermented sugarcane.
The Vitamin C and rose oil is a gentle Vitamin C formulation that is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin that has been left irritated by Vitamin C serums in the past, you might want to give this one a try. Each application left our skin feeling soft, hydrated, and with an undeniable glow.
The serum goes on easily and penetrates quickly, working its magic without any uncomfortable, greasy residue. The scent is also lovely, reminiscent of a bouquet of roses, adding a touch of luxury to our morning skin care routine.
While this oil is on the pricier side, the remarkable results and the high-quality ingredients make it a worthwhile investment.
- Juice Beauty has been a pioneer in the beauty industry for years. Known for offering clinical grade skin care products formulated with authentically organic ingredients.
- All of their products are formulated without any harmful ingredients. No parabens, petroleum, pesticides, propylene or butylene glycols, silicones, talc, carbon black, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMO, artificial dyes, or synthetic fragrances.
Finding an all-natural product that effectively combats acne can be really challenging. But we struck gold with the Juice Beauty BLEMISH CLEARING Cleanser. The high-quality, potent ingredients include a blend of willow bark, salicylic acid, and organic fruit acids that work together to deeply cleanse the skin. In addition, coQ10, Vitamin C, and organic aloe support a stronger skin barrier.
This cleanser is specifically designed to target mild to moderate acne-prone skin. We opted to use this cleanser only periodically, mostly when we had an active breakout, since we found it to be pretty drying when we used it every day. If your skin is easily irritated, we would recommend using this product only when needed and not as a daily cleanser.
Give this one a try if you are having trouble finding an effective alternative to the harsh chemicals found in most of the acne treatments out there.
- Youth To The People is a certified B Corporation, which means they meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
- They use a variety of superfood ingredients including kale, spinach, avocado, and acai berry.
- These ingredients are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that can help to protect the skin from damage and promote healthy aging.
This 2-minute microdermabrasion facial is our go-to when our skin is looking dull and tired. It exfoliates and energizes the skin, leaving our complexion impossibly smooth and glowy. This exfoliating scrub is perfect for those days when you just can't be bothered to put on any makeup.
Yerba mate, known for its high caffeine content, is the secret ingredient for glowing skin. Guayusa, another caffeine-rich component, and yerba mate create a winning combination for an instant skin pick-me-up.
A word to the wise, start slow with this scrub. If you don't exfoliate often, the sustainable bamboo and diatomaceous earth micro-exfoliants can be irritating if you scrub too hard or too often. Adding a little water to your face or the scrub will help soften the experience. We also recommend only using this scrub once or twice a week until your skin becomes accustomed to the treatment.
However, if exfoliating is a regular part of your skin maintenance routine, this scrub will get the job done! You'll love how clean and refreshed your skin feels.
Tips For Choosing Clean Beauty Products Based on Your Skin Type
For Dry Skin:
- Look for products with natural moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and natural oils like jojoba, argan, or coconut oil.
- Avoid products with high alcohol content as they can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.
For Oily Skin:
- Opt for oil-free and non-comedogenic products, meaning they won't clog your pores.
- Natural ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree oil, and green tea can help regulate oil production without harsh chemicals.
For Sensitive Skin:
- Avoid products with fragrances and dyes, as these are common irritants for sensitive skin.
- Look for products with soothing ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, and oatmeal.
- Always patch-test a new product to ensure it doesn't cause irritation.
For Combination Skin:
- You might need to use different products for different areas of your face, such as a lighter moisturizer for your T-zone and a more intensive one for your cheeks.
- Look for gentle, balanced products that don't over-dry skin but can still help manage oil in the T-zone area.
This post was all about non toxic skin care.
Starting a non-toxic skin care routine is a great way to protect your health and the environment. You can find non-toxic skin care products that meet your needs by following the tips above. Remember to take your time and test new products before fully integrating them into your routine. With a little patience and research, you can create a clean beauty regime that works for you.
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