First off, why are natural beauty products important? I will add to this list of sources and products as time goes on.
I also use an app called Think Dirty (weird name I know!) and EWG and highly recommend them! I try to only use things rated well on those. They don’t have everything, but you can also look up ingredients.
Skin Care
My favorite skin care of all time is Primally Pure. I have tried almost everything and have literally never tried anything I didn’t love, and while I love all the products, some are more of a necessity for me personally whereas some of the others are more of a really nice to have.
- Code “Christianne10” for 10% off your first purchase.
My favorites and personal “must haves” are:
- Cleansing oil each night – I use this first each night to wash my face. Sometimes it takes the body a little bit to get used to this approach, but once it does, it’s amazing.
- Complexion Mist- I use this following cleansing oil each night and try each morning to rinse my face with water and follow with a spritz of this and a serum, but honestly, mornings are often too busy and I don’t get that step in a lot, but it’s a great step if you can do it 😉
- Soothing serum- I use this following the Complexion mist each evening. It’s made such a dramatic difference in my skin. If I skip one night of cleansing oil, complexion mist, and serum, my skin shows it quickly!!
- Beauty Cream- I only use this if my skin is feeling dry, so it’s typically only a winter item and then random dry times during summer. If you regularly find your skin needs a moisturizer, this is a must. It lasts a while too.
- Deodorant – Right now my favorite is the lavender, but I’ve also used Blue Tansy and Charcoal (the latter is a more masculine scent) and like both of them as well!
- Chapstick – every scent is amazing!
- Dry Shampoo- I love the one for light locks even though I have brown hair. I found the dark locks durned my scalp darker. Maybe my scalp is just really white 😂
- Body Butter- I went back and forth on if this is a must have. I put it here because if you’re not a lotion person it’s not a must have, but if you are, it’s awesome. I also know a lot of pregnant mommas that love it for their bellies. Just be sure to only put it on after the shower or before bed. It’s greasy, but once it absorbs it’s great. I find it absorbs quicker after the shower. I’ve tried the eucalyptus lavender (more of a relaxed, spa scent) and vanilla almond (amazing sweet smell, almost like candy). I love them both and love to alternate. I need to try the citrus mint too- just haven’t gotten around to it because I love the others so much!
- Body Oil- again, another one that is split! While stretch marks are nothing to be embarrassed of, I love that it’s lightened mine from having babies and I apply it after shaving to prevent razor burn (which I used to get every time! I don’t do this and body butter though. I have them both on hand, but alternate. I also use a small amount in my hair as hair oil. For me it’s a must have because I use it for so much, but it may not be for everyone! I love the Blue Tansy!
Other Favorites that are not “must haves” for me personally but I REALLY love and use consistently
- Bath soak- I’ve tried both kinds and just absolutely love them both. I alternate which one I buy.
- Fancy Face Serum- I love this and have been using it long before soothing serum came out. I currently use it in the morning (when I get to it) and soothing serum in the night, but since I started using soothing serum am realizing I can stick to just one and soothing serum has a more noticeable difference for me. It’s still an awesome product though.
- Soothing Mask- I love this mask and have a noticeable difference in my skin after using it, but if you’re debating where to put your $$, I’d invest in the daily cleansing oil, complexion mist, and soothing serum first and be consistent with those.
- Baby bar – I use this with cleansing oil to double cleanse my skin when I’ve worn makeup and as body wash. Each bar lasts me a while. I don’t use it on LO since it’s not tear free
- Dry Brush- I do this before showering or bathing and love it and it’s health effects.
Mouth Care
Currently switching our mouth care and researching a lot and will report back!
Makeup
** Something to be aware of in makeup is those with essential oils, neem oil, aloe vera, etc. can potentially be dangerous in pregnancy. I know you can’t drink aloe while pregnant, but I don’t know if it’s okay to put it on the skin. I just avoid everything that’s remotely questionable in pregnancy just to be safe, but always consult with your practitioner.
There are so many great options for safer makeup. The things to check for are: how their ingredients are rated on EWG and Think Dirty, if they test for heavy metals/what their standards are, what other safety testing they do.
My top choice is 100% pure. It’s all fruit pigmented and has no heavy metals. I don’t wear much makeup, but what I do wear is below:
- Eyeshadow- I love white, folllwkng Bora Bora, accented with Maui.
- Second skin concealer- for under eyes and touch up spots.
- Eyeliner- I like it, but it’s a little tricky to get just right and am looking for a new one. I’ve also noticed you eyes get red after, so I think I may be sensitive to it even though it’s safe.
- Mascara- I like it and love the smell, but do find it rubs off a lot, so I’m searching for a new one.
I’ve also used Zuzu for mascara and love them and price is great and I got it on Amazon.
Other great companies:
Beautycounter has very rigorous testing standards and screening for heavy metals but isn’t as clean as I would like and is pricey but I’ve used a few things from there and have liked them. I signed up to be a consultant with Beautycounter, but then backed out a few days later because I felt that I would have to say this is great except… I don’t ever want to share anything on my blog that I don’t feel 100% comfortable with. To be clear, I think this company has wonderful intentions and is doing fantastic things. I also think the most of the people who sell for them/promote them also have wonderful intentions and only are doing it because they truly believe in them. My issue with them is that they are so expensive, and when there are options out there like 100% Pure that have NO heavy metals and are fruit pigmented, why would I choose makeup that has even low levels of heavy metals and a few bad ingredients (not many, and in small amounts, but still, they are there). If you do use Beauty Counter, first look up each item on EWG or Think Dirty to make sure you’re actually getting the safe makeup you’re paying for.
JuiceBeauty also seems good, though I have not used them, but would like to try them out one day
W3ll People also seems great, though I have not used them either, but don’t recommend them after an email conversation I had where I inquired about their 3rd party testing and they were shady about it.
Other Personal Care Items
- Shaving
- Branch Basics foaming wash and sometimes Primally Pure body oil for more sensitive areas, though I find it can clog the razor with the oil
- Body wash
- I use the Primally Pure Baby Bar
- Dal and LO use Branch Basics from the foaming pump
- Toddler Personal Care
- Honest Company shampoo and body wash
- Branch Basics for body wash if we aren’t using Honest Company for body wash
- Honest Company diaper cream
- Boba kid’s sunscreen (use for us too)
- Bath Salts
- Primally Pure bath salts feels like a spa and is SO relaxing especially when you have sore muscles
- Deodorant
- Primally Pure Deodorant is the only natural deodorant that has EVER worked for me. The others created irritation. I’ve tried so many and love this
- My husband prefers Tom’s unscented. I only recommend this one of theirs since their others have the ingredient “fragrance”.
- Perfume
- I rarely use and am currently switching. I used to use Phlur, but would prefer something more natural.
- Nail care
- I used to use Ella Mila, but it’s also not as safe as I’d prefer. It’s safer, just not safest.
- I’ll post what I find and like!
Hair Care
For Shampoo/conditioner, I LOVE Innersense. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive! But I love the smell and I do feel it’s effective. I use this shampoo, this conditioner, and this gel for my toddler. They also have a color safe shampoo for dyed hair here. My husband uses their gel and hairspray and loves it!
For detangler for me and my toddler, we use Honest Company. I’ve also tried Innersense and like it, but Honest Company is less expensive and equally as effective.
For Dry Shampoo, I use Primally Pure’s Dry Shampoo. There was a learning curve, but I love it now. As mentioned above, I use light locks.