The 90s are back. Chunky sneakers, high-waisted biker shorts, and tiny glasses. But what is not back in style, is the chemical-laden food and skin care that we previously entertained. We are a more knowledgeable generation and green consumer than decades past. Where we might be recycling trends in fashion, we are certainly innovating in personal care.

Cosmetics regulation in the US is appalling. The last cosmetics legislation, the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, was passed in 1938. The FDA does not do routine tests for safety, and there are around 1,000 ingredients banned in Europe that are passable in the United States. Which means that the onus is on the consumer to seek out and decipher organic, natural, non-toxic personal products. The innovation must begin with the consumer.

Clean beauty shops have been on the rise, with younger generations fueling demand, but it is still the wild west without a surefire regulatory committee. The term clean beauty has been born out of the consumer awareness movement and generally refers to any products that are chemical-free, toxin-free, and paraben-free.

So, why the rise in demand? Studies have shown that much of what we put on our skin is indeed absorbed into our bloodstream. Those crazy chemicals that we cannot pronounce or begin to understand? They are showing up in our blood, just like a nicotine patch would, with toxic chemicals flowing in our bodies. In fact, one study shows that most American children and adults carry inside them nearly 100 substances or chemicals and toxic compounds from household detergents, cosmetics and toiletries. Many of these can cause cancer, hormone disruption and/or damage our immune system over the long term.

Another experiment conducted by Good Morning America shows how chemicals in cosmetics are readily absorbed into our body. When switched to using products with harsh chemicals, the levels of parabens in the human’s body went off the chart. On the other hand, switching to low chemical products significantly show a decrease in the level of chemicals in the body (386:6 ratio). Watch the video below to learn more about the experiment!

Believe it or not – only 11 chemicals have ever been regulated by the FDA, and no safety tests are required before beauty products hit store shelves. Gasp! Although the full impact of these chemicals are still the big unknown by the government, the best method is to always look at the ingredient list and figure out what actually goes in your bathroom cabinets.

Instead of chucking all of your products and starting from scratch (that would not be environmentally friendly) it is recommended to start first with overhauling the products that are used on the skin - and we mean by all of the skin. So, think about using a clean body wash or soap, as that is used to clean the entirety of your skin, and most easily penetrated. Consider your exposure when evaluating which decisions to make first, since body lotion is literally sinking into your skin for the duration of a day, this is a big win for limiting chemicals. Avoid mineral oil, and choose an organic lotion, like the Perfect Nutrients Body Lotion.

The jury is still out on which chemicals make it through the skin layers and into the bloodstream, some are accelerated absorbers, and some camp out in the layers of our skin. Neither is pleasant, but you will certainly want to steer clear of rapid intruders who have direct access.

Deodorant is of the latter, with the armpits providing clear roads ahead for chemical absorption. Detox your armpits with our Synergie [4] Immediate Skin Perfecting Beauty Masque to purify and free pores of toxins, as it’ll help ease your transition to a natural deodorant that much easier! A cult favorite, the all-natural deodorant from Meow Meow Tweet is both effective and safe. They also make a baking soda free variation if your pits err on the side of irritation.  

For your glowing face, we recommend a face wash like our Green Ceremony Cleanser, which does double duty; the chlorophyll in the cleanser deeply detoxifies while cleansing pollution, excess dirt, and oil. Follow with a clean face lotion for worry-free hydration.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed at the thought of switching your current personal care products, but remember to start one at a time and don’t be afraid to experiment! What works for others may not work for you - so give your body a few weeks to adjust before going all natural!