My Favorite Non- Toxic Moisturizers
What is clean beauty? There are a lot of products out there that are claiming to be “clean”. As consumers, we LOVE labels. We love anything that is labeled: vegan, gluten free, paleo friendly, soy free… and CLEAN. Is clean really clean?
Here is the truth:
Research and data has been coming around the past few years regarding the harmful effects of chemicals in beauty products. Companies are starting to catch on and create products that are better for you. Yes, they are getting rid of harmful chemicals, but they aren’t getting rid of all of them. Because these companies still have harmful chemicals in their products, they can’t label them as certified non-toxic, however they can label them as clean (because there is no definition of “clean beauty”), this is called green washing. The term “clean” can be misleading and often completely false. It’s like going to a restaurant and getting served a meal off a plate that was cleaned by a dirty rag instead of being run through a dishwasher… it’s technically clean of the big stuff, but there are still germs all over that plate.
What you want to look for is “non-toxic” or a certified non toxic label. I use the EWG.org to search for beauty products. Basically I try and stick to products that score a 2 and under.
When I first started making the switch to non-toxic beauty, moisturizer was at the top of my list. The skin care products that touch your skin will be absorbed into your body and can cause harmful effects on your hormones, thyroid, digestive heath, etc. After showering, the pores in the skin are open and ready for moisture, so any chemicals in there will be absorbed. There are so many moisturizers out there that are claiming to help give you youthful and radiant skin, but most are doing more harm than good. Below are my favorite moisturizers (and some that are less expensive than the leading toxic ones on the market today):
OSEA malibu Atmosphere Protection Cream ( perfect for normal/combination skin types) $48 for 2 oz. bottle
This non- toxic moisturizer hydrates skin and protects the skin from environmental pollutants. It contains seaweed, olive oil, shea butter, avocado oil, macadamia seed oil and jojoba oil. It is nourishing, lightweight, soothing and balancing. This moisturizer is also vegan and gluten free.
Biossance Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer (perfect for most skin types) $52 for 1.6 oz. jar
This product works like a dream. Biossance even has before and after photos of acne prone skin on their website and the results are amazing. This moisturizer contains squalane which is derived from sugarcane. Squalane helps to provide real moisture to deliver the active ingredients deep in the skin to prevent dryness. It also contains red seaweed and ginger which are both calming and soothing. This formula also includes swiss garden cress sprouts which helps brighten and fade the look of dark spots and uneven tones.
Osea Malibu Advanced Protection Cream (Perfect for dry and sensitive skin) $108 for 2 oz. jar
This moisturizer is the priciest of the bunch, however it is basically the queen of moisturizers in my eyes. This moisturizer is nourishing, firming, plumping and helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines. It is filled with amino acid DPHP which is responsible for deeply nourishing the skin. It also contains gigartina seaweed which helps to add intense hydration. Because this moisturizer is on the expensive side, I would recommend this one for winter/summer when you are exposed to more dry/cold conditions or more sun exposure.
Cocokind Texture Smoothing Cream (Great for sensitive skin and most skin types) $20 for 1.7 oz. jar
This moisturizer is inexpensive, but don’t let that deter you from buying. This moisturizer is lightweight and helps moisturize the skin. I love this moisturizer because it helps improve skin tone and texture. It includes celery superseed complex which helps to support skins structure. It also contains tsubaki seed oil which supports the skins barrier function and defends the skin from oxidative stress. This also contains squalane which helps to deliver true moisture into the skin.
My suggestions when shopping for beauty products:
Research before you buy. I always consult with EWG.org or the Think Dirty App .
Beware of the label “clean beauty”, always research the ingredients before purchasing.
Choose plant based ingredients. This is not only because of animal cruelty in the beauty industry, but it is also important for your skin to have access to those plant derived vitamins and nutrients.
Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
I would love to know your thoughts on clean beauty in the comments below!
