Clean Beauty 101

Too Faced, or two-faced?

source: @theculturedcookist

There is a common misconception that health is just about what you put IN your body, and that what you put ON your body doesn't matter. People are quick to dismiss the idea that products applied to the skin fall under the same category as the food we eat. Yet, the skin is our largest organ, meaning it comes with the same set of rules as the rest of the body. The reality is that whether we put something on our skin or in our mouth, it gets absorbed just the same.

By this logic, why is it so crazy to suggest that things like hair care products, moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup should be as “edible” as food, or at least slightly resemble something found in nature? If we insist on purchasing organic to avoid chemicals and toxins, why should our personal care products not follow suit? A lifetime of absorbing the same harsh chemicals every day—then add in stress, medication, and the Standard American Diet of processed food and sugar—and you have a recipe for inflammation, gut disruption, hormonal imbalances, and chronic and compounding health issues.

The beauty industry is destroying our gut, and our gut issues are destroying our skin. Which we then attempt to cover up or fix with more beauty products. The cycle continues.

Richard Christiansen, the founder of luxury, sustainable lifestyle brand Flamingo Estate, created his own line of non-toxic, environmentally-friendly soaps after noticing that the run-off from his outdoor shower was killing his roses. He had been using a trendy, premium soap brand that remains unnamed (hi, Aesop, Le Labo, Diptyque…).

Ultimately, it’s about balance. I love beauty and skincare products just as much as the next person, but I also care about minimizing my exposure to toxic chemicals if possible. I don’t fuck with anything known to cause cancer, but I’m certainly not in the “I will only use grass-fed beef tallow on my face” boat. I want to take advantage of all the active ingredients to target anti-aging as I can, without causing unnecessary risk.

WHAT DOES “CLEAN” REALLY MEAN?