Hi there! I have some really good products to share with you this week. Actually, most of these are game-changers for me!
First up, dental care. Did you know a lot of common toothpaste brands have really high toxic ratings? I didn’t. But I took a class locally a few months back and was really convinced I needed to change them out. I tried a homemade toothpaste (I didn’t make it; I bought it from a local farmer’s stand), and if I’m being totally honest – it was gross. And I didn’t feel like I could travel with it. I didn’t want to completely give up, so I found the best store-bought things I could. And I am really happy with what I found.
Dr.Bronner’s Toothpaste + Jason Sea Salt Mouthwash
This toothpaste looks and tastes pretty normal. It’s better than a lot of the more natural brands and has a lower rating (remember, lower=better). I am very happy with this toothpaste, and I like that it’s pretty easy to find. I get mine at Whole Foods.
This mouthwash is half the toxic rating of what we used to use. It does taste like sea salt, which was weird to me at first, but then I really got into it. I am still looking for an even cleaner product, but in the meantime, I like using this and it’s much better than what we were using previously! Let me know if you have any suggestions.
I am new to this brand, but I love it A LOT. First of all, it smells like citrus, and it does not burn my eyes (I have really sensitive eyes and always seem to accidentally rub sunscreen into them). It’s the best I’ve ever used. It is kind of expensive, but it does last a long time for the face. If you want a less expensive alternative for all-over sunscreen, try Burt’s Bees or The Honest Company.
If you search “sunscreen” on the Think Dirty app, you can see that there are lots of VERY toxic products in this category, even ones that are sold at health food stores and ones made for children, which is a bummer. We’re all wearing sunscreen in an effort to be healthy, so it doesn’t make sense to choose products that have a 10 out of 10 toxicity rating. I feel like this product is especially important since we use so much of it all over our skin. Here’s a helpful link.
This is another product line I found locally at Poppy & Monroe (it’s on Amazon too!). This blush is very close to the Nars Orgasm blush I used to use (which was also rated a 10 for being toxic – when does it end??), but I loved the color and was happy to find an alternative. I also really love their peach color for a more neutral look. I’m going to try their eyeshadows next.
I hope this has been helpful!! All of these products stack up in quality against the toxic ones I used to use. Some of them I had to try 3-5 things before I found a good one. So please know that I am very passionate about this subject and excited to share it. But at the same time I never want to come off as preachy or depressing because when I first started getting into this, I found it very overwhelming, expensive and frustrating for a while. I get that! So I’m here to help if you need me! :)) xx -Elsie
Credits//Author and Photography: Elsie Larson.
The Honest Company sunscreen doesn’t work and is super greasy. I would get burned less than 30 mins after applying.
Yea, glycerin is the big issue (beyond the gross ingredients like fluoride that you really need to avoid if you want strong healthy teeth) as it blocks your teeth’s ability to remineralize naturally which they are designed to do with a healthy diet and whatnot. Basically you don’t want your toothpaste to create a barrier, or coating, on your teeth as healthy saliva remineralizes your teeth naturally. Glycerin creates such a barrier. That’s why we use living libations oils in lieu of pastes as I haven’t found a good tasting one with a good texture that doesn’t have the glycerin although if the mud weren’t so messy we would use earth paste.
Absolutely LOVE these posts, you’re an angel, keep em comin!
For tooth care I thought I would share where we are as I am also quite passionate about health and beauty being clean and natural. We have been using living libations range of tooth oils and her dental regimen inspired my easier regimen: We love the ‘happy gum drops’ oil for brushing on the Radius replaceable heads toothbrush (amazon) with the ultra soft brush heads, floss and then we make our own sea salt rinse with Himalayan pink salt rocks, water and the happy gum drops oil to flavor it. Been keeping the teeth fresh and sparkly and tastes great to us.
HTH someone!
Thank you so much for this new series. I’ve been replacing my old favorites as well, but sometimes it is hard to make the jump for these more expensive products. So I am so happy to get feedback on products you have tried and enjoyed!
You might want to check out Red Seal for the toothpaste (and other products). It’s a NZ owned and operated brand, but it ships internationally and all their products are amazing. I personally love their toothpaste and multi-vitamins, and their fruit teas are fantastic 🙂
http://www.redseal.co.nz/?gclid=CKTnsrDznM4CFQsQvQodAWsOfA
I have been LOVING these natural products posts, including Laura’s on natural foundation. I have been dying to find a less toxic brow pomade so I think that has been my favorite so far. Thank you for giving attention to something I think is so important. You guys are the best!
I used to make my own toothpaste and deodorant, but now I love Miessence’s products. The mint toothpaste is very ‘normal’ and refreshing, but food grade certified organic. Earthpaste is another great option, but might not be a texture you enjoy if you didn’t like the locally made one 😉 Glycerin is an ingredient to watch out for in toothpastes though – it’s nontoxic and in many ‘safe’ brands, but coats your teeth in a way that isn’t good for them.
If someone is worried about the costs of natural make up but the DIY type, there are SO many recipes out there. Also, for makeup I love Everyday Minerals, which is purely minerals (unlike Bare Minerals) but close to drugstore prices. It works really well. Also Honeybee Gardens for super sparkly eyeshadow, Real Purity or Miessence mascara, and Root Beauty liquid eyeliner.
I’m always on the lookout for a good natural sunscreen. Do you feel that the Suntegrity does a good job of soaking into your skin? A lot of natural facial sunscreens are pretty greasy, too white or seem to sit on top of your skin. How do you like it under make up? Thank you so much for sharing this post!
Grace
Hey guys!
The ThinkDirty app (and the EWG website) is primarily about the safety for humans (i.e. how hazardous it is for your body). It lists each ingredient and using available information from lab testing, reports, etc. each ingredient receives a rating (1-10).
It also shows WHY an ingredient is hazardous: whether an ingredient may cause cancer/is linked to tumors, disrupts your hormones/reproductive health, or may cause problems with allergies/asthma.
**For example, my “Suave Professionals” aka CVS shampoo contains “DMDM hydantoin” which is a carcinogen (causes cancer.) !!!!!!
So yes, some products may cause cancer. Its a lot better though to know which ones do, so you can simply switch to something that definitely won’t.
HOW are they still allowed to put things that cause cancer in personal care products? I have no idea. Its pretty uncool.
I wouldn’t suggest running out and buying ALL new stuff (unless you can afford it-then go you!) but its worth taking a look. Also a lot of products labeled “natural” can still contain hazardous synthetic chemicals, so checking the rating on the app or website is a good thing to try before you go “all-natural”. Hope that helped!!
-Callie
Thanks for the clarification Kim. You are right and I still have so much to learn regarding what terms to use and what ingredients are harmful and why.
That said, you don’t actually think I’m trying to mislead people, do you? And you understand that I’m just trying to eliminate harmful ingredients where I can, right?
I’m trying very hard to be accurate in everything I share. So if you see something specific that you feel is inaccurate, maybe it would be more helpful to point that out rather than kind of just putting down my whole attempt?
Thanks! Elsie
You can DIY a mouthwash pretty easy with peppermint or spearmint essential oils and water too! ? And I really like doterra’s on guard toothpaste.
Also badger makes a great all natural sunscreen if you are looking for other options!
Just for general edification, *everything* is a chemical.
Water, air, honey, mica, coconut oil, *everything.* There is, nothing without chemistry, quite literally. Simply labeling something a chemical is extremely misleading for most people. The difference is whether the chemical compound someone is concerned about it synthetic (not inherently bad, mind you) or natural (not inherently good, either, after all arsenic and hemlock are all natural and both will kill you quite easily.)
I use Dr Bronners cinnamon toothpaste and love it! It’s SLS-free which is a must for me. So, I’m with you there.
For mouthwash I actually use The Natural Dentist. I think I’ve found it at both CVS & Walgreens, maybe Target too. The flavor is pleasant, not overwhelmingly minty. I don’t remember the ingredient list offhand but I know it includes aloe juice. So far it’s the only mouthwash I’ve ever liked.
Hi Hannah,
I totally get the student on a budget thing. Been there, done that. If you walk into a sephora you’d find similar priced makeup. It’s a cut above drugstore brands and usually more ethically sourced and limited batched, so it’s as affordable as it can be.
I think what might help is to look at DIY versions and order mineral based pigments you can use for eyes, cheeks, etc, being careful to make sure they are solid ingredients and can be used all over the face (some cannot be used on lips, etc). They can be a bit tricky to apply at first, but there are a lot of colors on the market and straight up pigments cost very little if you’re willing to fuss with loose powder.
I love that you care, and are posting these products! I had no idea so many commonly used beauty/body products were bad for you or the environment!
Hi Karen,
I hope you don’t mind my own personal feedback.
Chemicals are everywhere. Plain and simple, haha. In my opinion, they are both bad for the environment and health (especially when consumed/exposed in large amounts and/or over a period of time). The issue is, with having so many chemicals in a lot of products, why do companies continue to use them?
They test the “safeness” of these products, mostly on animals, and base their decision on the study’s conclusion. Its a bit unfair. Its not data reflecting the use on HUMANS over “x” period of time. So its hard to say exactly how bad a certain chemical is for you, or how “safe” it is. There will always be studies that show certain chemicals are terrible, and then a study to counteract that study, saying its “ok” to use them.
I think its common sense, if they have to question or test the safety of the product, then there is a reason for it and I would rather not risk it.
If this peaks your interest, start reading about toxicity in common products like make up, toothpaste, deodorant, etc… knowledge is power! 🙂
I’m with you! I’m very into ingredients, especially for things that go on my face since I have Rosacea. I’ve found thus company to be very low rated. It’s not that well known yet and it’s Canadian so I have to look up each ingredient separately. Time consuming but worth it. http://www.shopbattysbath.com/
Ive also found that the Coola face mineral sunscreen really good. You can blend it in just like you would a thicker foundation. It is the lowest listed sunscreen on egg. http://www.coolasuncare.com/
I totally get that! I am trying really hard to include affordable products and things you can find at regular stores like Target as much as possible. :)) xoxo- Elsie
I’m so sorry if it comes off as a lecture! Before I started switching products I wasn’t interested myself, so I get that. Feel free to skip over these posts if you are not into it. I, however, am SUPER into it and excited to share. So there will be more to come. Hide your eyes! :))
-Elsie
Yes! I am loving the facial cleanser and day and night cream by Acure. You can get them at Target. 🙂 I also love Herbivore! xx- Elsie