Start small, start big, but no matter how you get started on your ethical beauty switch, just start. For your health, for the environment, and for your beauty. Here is a 7 step guide to getting started with ethical beauty, our seven steps to help you more to a cleaner, less toxic beauty routine, that works better than the one you are using now.
Once you get started, I think you will find that it is easier than you thought it would be, and that you look better. Give it some time, though, as some of these ethical beauty solutions take a little getting used to.
A 7 Step Guide to Getting Started With Ethical Beauty.
1. Start with your lipstick
If there is one area to immediately clean, it is your lipstick. You are literally eating it (probably not the 7 pounds that the internet will tell you, but some is still getting ingested) so it really should be edible. Every single one of us has our lipstick in our blood stream. And almost all of it has lead in it. No thank you.
I know, we are attached to our perfect shades. And no, I have not found a natural alternative that has quite the same perfect fuchsia or the staying power as my conventional ones. But, I have found pretty perfect day to day lip glosses, -sticks, and moisturizers that are clean, non-drying and non-toxic. They work much better than the conventional brands at keeping my lips from peeling and chapping.
Some ideas …
2. Start Small, But Big
Most of us are pretty attached to what we put on our faces, but not as attached to what we put on our bodies. Start with your body lotion. Your face is such a small surface compared to your body, so it is an easy place to start with a really big impact. And your lotion sits on your skin all day, really absorbing into your body over a large surface area. Small change, big impact. I primarily use coconut oil, but if that isn’t for you, there are other really absorbent, super-luxe body oils and creams that will keep your skin as moisturized as any conventional brand. I love Kahina Giving Beauty oils and Burt’s Bees Body Butters.
3. Body Wash
Same reason, big surface area, low levels of attachment. I honestly couldn’t care less about what I wash my body with as long as it is effective, nontoxic, and smells nice (or at least doesn’t smell bad). So, an easy switch. We cannot get enough of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap. It truly is magical, a little goes a long way, and it smells delicious.
4. Hair is Next
Your scalp is super absorbent, more so than your face and body. So when it comes to detoxing, it is a important place to clean. And, unless you are really trying to make your hair do something opposite of what nature intended (this could be a whole other topic), it can be a pretty easy switch (can, not IS).
When switching to clean products, especially with hair, it is important to remember that there can be an adjustment period. Your hair may have been stripped, glossed, damaged, stiffened, etc. for years (decades?) and getting it used to anything else may cause more oiliness or dullness than you are used to. Please give it time and keep trying. It should look better soon enough.
Want more ethical beauty, including our complete starter guide? Join our list here.
5. Diet
This is an important part and probably should be something we talked about more (see post). No amount of vitamin E, exfoliants, plumpers, and topical antioxidants will make your skin glow and your hair shine if you don’t take care of it from the inside out.
Omega-3s, high quality protein, lots and lots of water and leafy greens, a variety of whole foods are the BEST thing you can do for your skin and hair. And energy levels, and nails, and body. And the earth. If you are gorgeous from the inside out, you are easily able to use fewer products.
6. Skincare
Yes, this is hard. It will take time. You have a regimen that is working. But, try a few things out. If you are anything like me, within a few months and perhaps a little trial and error, your skin will reward you, and sometimes mightily. Your wallet may as well. I spend significantly less on skincare now because it just works, and I am using fewer, simpler products.
Put in the work, and trust me. A cleaner skincare routine will make your skin more beautiful. What you may be putting on your skin now most likely has fillers, ineffective and potentially damage causing ingredients. There are so many great skincare options, including DIY, and ethical brands like, Alaffia, One Love Organics, Dr. Alkaitis, Patyka, Good Medicine Beauty Lab (all my favorites). There are so many great options, and most of them will work better than their conventional counterparts because they aren’t full of fillers and are much gentler. There is probably a whole other post just on skincare!
7. Makeup
Makeup is last, because for some of us, it has taken years to find the perfect blushiest blush and dewiest foundation. Don’t get me started on mascara! So, I know, it is hard to make the switch. And, aside from lipstick, which is actually ingested, so should be done immediately, you can probably take your time here, if you really are attached.
If I am being honest, sometimes the clean and natural version just isn’t as good (unlike skincare, which is often better), and almost always not as long lasting. I know, I said it. But, I don’t think that is an excuse hold out on switching, because many of the toxic ingredients lurking in your skincare are also in your makeup (silicones, fragrance, carcinogenics…). Switch, and reapply more frequently. If you only wear your foundation once or twice a month, on special occasions, don’t worry about it. But, if you are wearing it more often, it should be replaced. It covers a fairly large surface area, and just sits there, getting absorbed.
In addition to RMS and W3LL People, I also love Jane Iredale, Vapour (see how the magicians at Vapour transformed this tired mama), and many of the mineral makeups available.
