It’s clear that in recent years there’s been a surge in conscious consumerism where we’re choosing wellness as a lifestyle and going on a complete journey to holistically look and feel healthy. But what about the beauty products that we use everyday? Do these fit in with our healthy and environmentally conscious lifestyles?
Did you know that beauty brands aren’t legally obliged to be certified and can claim that they’re organic by only needing 1% of organic ingredients in their products? Crazy right?! Thus, its vital to do your research and select brands which are healthy for our skin but also don’t negatively impact our environment and other lifeforms around us.
Luckily for you, we’re going to give you the low down on all you need to know about conscious beauty and why it’s time to make the switch!
REASON 1 – FOR YOUR HEALTH
If it’s on the shelf, it’s safe for me, right? No, that’s not necessarily the case! There are minimum regulations within this industry and harsh chemicals can fly under the radar.
Next time you’re at the shops, take a closer look at the fine print of your favourite products and what ingredients they contain. Many of these chemicals can be harmful for your health and have links to health issues including cancer, reproductive disorders, allergies, skin reactions and much more.
Here are a few ingredients you should avoid…
Fragrances and Phthalates – The word fragrance is extremely misleading in the beauty industry, concealing up to 3,000 chemicals that make beauty products smell delightful. Usually where there are fragrances there are also Phthalates. The chemical, Phthalates, has been linked to various health issues like the ones mentioned above.
Parabens – Are a collection of synthetic esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid which is widely used as a preservative in beauty and skincare products. Studies have also shown that Parabens are linked to various health issues.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate – These foaming agents are found in a plethora of products including skin care, cosmetics, shampoo and toothpaste. These agents can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies.
Talc – Talcum powder (talc) is an ingredient which is found in various face powders and eyeshadows. Whilst talc can generally be safe, if it’s not purified properly, it can potentially be contaminated with asbestos which can lead to other major health issues.
If you want to learn more about chemicals in beauty products click here.
CONSCIOUS TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Now that you know a bit more about what ingredients you don’t want in your beauty routine, it’s time to break down some key terms that you want to look for when choosing brands/products. Unfortunately, these terms are not subject to regulations, making them extremely biased. However, here’s our take on it…
Clean – Products which aren’t created with harsh/toxic chemicals that are proven or suspected to harm our health.
Natural – Products which have been sourced from nature, not a lab.
Organic – This refers to how the ingredient was farmed. These ingredients must be grown without pesticides and any other harsh chemicals. Have a look for the Australia Certified Organic (ACO) logo on products for more assurance that the ingredients that make up your beauty products are grown organically.
Sustainable – This can refer to how the ingredients were sourced and the packaging which shouldn’t be harmful to the planet.
Vegan – This means that the product doesn’t contain any animal by-products or ingredients which have been sourced by animals. Be mindful that just because a product is vegan, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s ‘clean’ or ‘organic.’
Cruelty-free – According to the Choose Cruelty Free (CCF), none of the products have been tested on animals and not by anyone else on the brand’s behalf.
REASON 2 – ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
After a long day there’s nothing better than scrubbing off your makeup with your favourite skincare products. However, did you know that toxins within beauty products can damage our environment after it’s been washed down our sinks? Yep, who would’ve thought! Chemicals in many beauty products don’t breakdown and these toxins can end up in our oceans, lakes and water supply.
Thus, it’s important to do the research and choose brands/products which have clean ingredients, take the initiative to reduce their carbon footprint and implement recyclable and reusable packaging.
REASON 3 – ETHICAL REASONS
Cruelty Free – When deciding to switch to conscious beauty brands, it’s imperative to also support the protection of animals from the cruelties of animal testing. Thus, look for the “Not Tested on Animals” (CCF) rabbit logo next time you select any of your beauty products.
Go Palm Oil Free – Many palm oil plantations are in extreme overdemand right now, resulting in deforestation and burning of forests to make way for more plantations. This in turn, is having severe implications on the natural environment.
Coral Reef Friendly – Studies reveal that there’s an abundance of chemicals found in sunscreen and other beauty products which unfortunately threaten our coral reefs. Oxybenzone is notorious for damaging coral, resulting in an increasing susceptibility to bleaching and DNA damage of the coral.
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Feature Image Via: Raww Cosmetics
