Beauty- Natural or Nah?
- Morgan Leigh
- Jul 27, 2018
- 4 min read
A year ago I went to Target to get replenishment of my hygiene essentials: deodorant and toothpaste. I was busy picking out which unscented and sweat-reducing deodorant to purchase when a woman next to me began to tell me her story about the deodorant I had picked up and half placed in my cart. Usually, my awkward tendencies make me leave conversations, but she told me she has cancer from specific ingredients in Dove products, notably their deodorant. During her ongoing lawsuit, she had multiple doctors backing her while others were telling her it had to be other things, such as genetics, that caused her cancer. I stood there, stunned and horrified, and walked out of Target empty-handed (which is hard enough considering how amazing their @joylab workout collab and @whowhatwear collection have been lately).
I only tell this story because I was so scared by this one woman’s story that I went home and bought the first all-natural deodorant I could find on Sephora while scrubbing my Dove deodorant off my armpits. I ended up with Lavanilla Sports Luxe, which I’m happy enough with, but I recently had yet another health-focused conversation after my friend @FittGirlFood posted that her Lavanilla regular contained carrageenan. What is carrageenan, my friends? It’s just another ingredient claiming to cause cancer.
However, after reflection and conversation with my lifelong friend’s dad/dermatologist, he asked me if natural meant healthy to me. We then played a game where he asked me if an ingredient was both natural and healthy or a mix of the two. After two rounds of the game--and embarrassing myself in a conversation about uranium and some other radioactive natural source, he reminded me that just because something is natural, or unnatural, does not mean it will or won’t cause cancer.
With my family’s history of cancer, I couldn’t help but be concerned with these kinds of issues. He reminded me that just because makeup is natural or organic doesn’t mean that it’s the best choice for me or my health. This brings back issues @GelCream had in the past with @RMSBeauty
claiming that other makeup caused cancer while theirs doesn’t.
These kinds of threats have filled the beauty and health industry and cause extreme worry for consumers, especially those who are looking to reduce risk substantially. While researching both extremes stating that clean beauty is a necessity or merely a marketing ploy, I found little can be done to minimize fear factors sprayed across social media channels or even through encounters with consumers, like mine at Target.
Regardless, I’m trying to find a happy middle when it comes to health and the role clean beauty can play. When I like something natural that works for me, I keep using it. However, if I need to save a couple of bucks and not buy my favorite clean toothpaste (Davids or LeBon), that’s what it will be.
All of this being said, here are my favorite MOSTLY clean products for hygiene and skin care as well as some brands I would love to try.
HYGIENE
Doesn’t stain clothes yellow
Keeps me fresh smelling (for everything except spin class)
A pretty short natural ingredient list
No harsh fragrance smells (good for sensitive skin)
What I want to try:
Megababe Deodorant produced by @12ishstyle
Native Deodorant with its super short list of ingredients and great reviews
Why?
Helps with ingrown hairs
Apply to razor burn, newly waxed areas, and alllllll over armpits and legs
Excellent oil to keep skin hydrated. I use it in place of lotion right after a shower
Smells incredible and packaging is perfection
Why?
Honestly not sure why. It’s reasonably priced and available on Amazon, but am open to trying new brands that aren’t Colgate, which gave me canker sores. Would also prefer to shop small businesses when possible (but that’s a conversation for another post).
Short ingredient list
SKINCARE
Why?
Recently my skin has finally stopped with constant breakouts, and I think it’s due to this incredible cleanser. I get the occasional small zit, but this formula is nourishing, hydrating, and smells incredible.
Creates that fantastic clean face feeling
Did I mention it smells unreal?
Milky Jelly by Glossier
Why?
Another face wash, but not quite as ‘clean’ of ingredients. However, if I’m not using micellar water to get my face makeup off, this does do an excellent job at getting my mascara and gunk off my eyes especially while not feeling thick or uncomfortable (if you have contacts you get it).
Why?
I’m not really sure why I own this exfoliating cleanser aside from the fact that @IntotheGloss and my sister told me it’s necessary for my well-being.
However, it does a great job of helping with bumps and keeping my skin tone even. I don’t look as blotchy after I’ve been using it consistently.
My favorite part of using it is P-50 that after a weekend of drinking and eating terribly, the use of this product makes my face burn and it feels like I’m rubbing off the bad of the weekend. Try it to understand the excellent burn.
Indie Lee’s Blemish Stick
Why?
Helps dry out my zits during the day to ensure no uncomfortable whiteheads.
The precision stick allows for accurate placement of drying solution so that the rest of your skin stays hydrated.
Compact and less evident than my other favorite zit solution, zit patches.
Why?
Honestly, some blogger said she was using it, so I tried it for cheaps from @Amazon.
While it may seem like one of my regular impulse purchases, it does a great job hydrating and keeping my skin bright and plump.
I love it for when I’m jade rolling because it’s inexpensive and I don’t mind slathering myself with it as opposed to my…
Why?
While I love my Vintner’s oil and it is such a fantastic blend of oils, it was a purchase that I made after a weekend trip to LA where I didn’t buy anything else and thought, why not splurge at Violet Grey on Melrose? AKA: $$$$.
It’s worth every penny if you can afford it. I use it sparingly on my cheeks and where I’m most dry or prone to breakouts.
Want to try:
LEO OIL! Dena, or @LeoWithCancer, created Leo Oil, a woman I now idolize for practicing as maximalist a beauty regimen as I’ve ever seen. Her blend is handmade and based with rosehip oil. Compared to competitors, Leo Oil is reasonably priced when considering her direct customer service and hands-on creation in small batch beauty production.
Don't even get me started on beauty products. That'll take years to complete.
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