I consider myself pretty well versed when it comes to natural living / crunchy momma / wanna-be hippy stuff.
But recently, finding good, genuine, natural, wholesome and healthy skin food has been a bit of a challenge.
See, for the longest time I was relying on our local Grocery Outlet and Marshalls to “hunt” for the organic, clean, natural good stuff. I would spend countless hours picking up anything that said “natural” or “organic” and would slave over the ingredients, reaching each item and line to look out for the bad stuff. It was actually kind of fun. I felt like some primal hunter or wild warrior woman, hunting for skin sustenance, stalking my green living prey to nourish my hungry skin. (I told you guys, my mind is a weird place.)
This was working for me, for the most part. I got the thrill of finding fun new products, and they were bargain prices to boot. Of course, the downside was that I couldn’t always find what I was looking for, and if I found a brand I LOVED, tough luck, it would almost never show up again. But as I said, overall, it was working for me.
But then… kids happened. Those lovely, evil, adorable, disastrous, miraculous, wonderful and monstrous little angels of mine. Seriously, I love my children more than my own breath. BUT. Spending hours in an outlet store browsing tiny fine print on a thousand bottles of product with two toddlers and a newborn in tow??? HA!!!
So what’s an earthy mamma gal to do?!Â
DON’T BUY ANYTHING ONLINE WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THE EWG SKIN DEEP DATABASE!!!
We all know that some companies use ingredients that may cause cancer or that are associated with developmental problems. Many (actually most – if not ALL) cosmetics ingredients penetrate the skin. People ingest those used on lips and hands and inhale sprays and powders. When risky and unstudied chemicals are used in cosmetics, the stakes are high.
Instead of searching and perusing and exhausting yourself trying to find a TRULY green and natural product, why not just go straight to the best, and cut out all the headache of wadding knee deep in parabens, phthalates and petroleum based ingredients? Checking the EWG Skin Deep Database (CLICK HERE to visit!) is seriously THE BEST concentrated collection of beauty and self care products out there, making you shopping much more meaningful – and time efficient!
HOW THE EWG SKIN DEEP DATABASE WORKS
EWG’s Skin Deep is an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products, launched in 2004 to help people find safer products, with fewer ingredients that are hazardous or that haven’t been thoroughly tested. Skin Deep combines product ingredient lists with information in more than 50 standard toxicity and regulatory databases. The database provides easy-to-navigate safety ratings for tens of thousands of personal care products.
Find great items is stupid easy. Each product receives a hazard score, on a 1-10 scale from low to high hazard, reflecting known and suspected hazards. A product’s hazard rating can be higher than the sum of its parts, if, for example, the product contains chemicals called “penetration enhancers” that increase the amounts of ingredients that soak through the skin.
To find transparent and natural brands, simply go to the product type you are looking for (for instance, facial toner) and then check out all the brands that are EWG certified, or rated 1 – the absolute safest ratings possible!
SIGN UP TO EWG NEWSLETTER FOR A FREE PRODUCT GUIDE
EWG offers a PDF guide: Quick Tips for Choosing Safer Personal Care Products for new subscribers. This guide is chock-full of tips on how to read personal care product labels, how to shop smart and other invaluable information. You’ll also receive EWG’s exclusive email updates, action alerts, promotions to support our work and environmental tips. You can opt-out at any time.
RECEIVE A FREE SAMPLE KIT FROM LUMINANCE SKINCARE
One of the amazingly clean, natural and wholesome brands I located through the EWG Skin Deep database is Luminance Skincare (CLICK HERE to visit the website!)
Luminance Skincare is rated a 1 by the EWG (the best score possible), and they have an absolutely drool worthy line of luxury skincare products. By signing up for their newsletter, you will receive a free sample kit that includes their facial cleaner, rosewater toner and facial moisturizer. All you have to do is cover shipping!
For a closer peek at the caliber of ingredients Luminance offers, let’s check out the samples themselves:
The Delicate Facial Cleanser (CLICK HERE to view / buy) is hand formulated without synthetic foaming agents or toxic thickeners and contains:
Coconut Oil
Macadamia Oil
Almond Oil
Avocado Oil
Grape Seed Oil
Borage Oil
Sun Flower Oil
Grape Seed Oil
Jojoba Oil
Almond Oil
Rosemary Seed Oil
RO Filtered Water
Tangerine Essential Oil (Just a touch for scent)
I’ve been using this little sample kit all week and my face feels AMAZING! I love how gently sudsy the facial cleaner gets and how soft my skin and complexion gets immediately. I have had people remark on my skin tone after just two days of regular use! The perfectly pH balanced organic facial cleanser Facial also acts a moisturizer.. as Luminance states on their website:
Your skin will be gently cleansed, deeply moisturized and properly nourished. Never dry or stripped of it’s natural oils.
The Facial Toner (CLICK HERE to view / buy)Â has just one pristine ingredient:
100% Pure RO Filtered Rose Water
Toner should be a pH adjustment, and rosewater is perfect for balancing your facial pH. The folks at Luminance say, “If your makeup isn’t blending well (we all have those days) spray some rose water toner on after you’ve put on your powder and it will become seamless with your skin ;)”
Maybe simple is better, but while I love all the Luminance products I have tried, this one is by far and hands down my absolute favorite. I have been using it every morning and ever night and my tiny sample bottle is almost empty. Payday can’t come fast enough for me to button mash the “BUY” button and stock up on some more!
The Deep Hydration Organic Moisturizer (CLICK HERE to view / buy) features these ingredients:
Floral Anti-Oxidants
Apricot Kernel
Grape Seed
Tamanu
Meadow Foam
Borage
Jojoba
Avocado
Sunflower Seed
Sweet Almond
Olivem
Lavender Water
RO Filtered Water
Sea Buckthorn
Red Radish Root
SERIOUSLY! Hand-crafted, organic and all natural with the most nourishing and hydrating ingredients in the world. Nothing synthetic, toxic or in anyway harmful. Vegan and raw. Can it get any better? It’s like Disneyland for the crunchy at heart!
Luminance has many other offerings, so do pop on over to their site and check them out. I am also enjoying their foot cream (this is a special heaving in and of itself, tingly, fragrant and leaves your feet super soft!) and their skin lotion.. yummmmmmm.
And remember, whatever you do, and whatever you buy… CHECK THE INGREDIENTS OUT WITH EWG SKIN DEEP!!! You might be amazed (or disgusted??) with what you have been putting into / onto your body.
Do you seek to avoid harmful chemicals in beauty and self care products? What do you do to find the best products for your skin? Share below!
[Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this review. I am an independent product reviewer. I only review products I am truly interested in. I don’t accept payment for reviews. The products I take the time to jabber on about are either items I have personally purchased, or the product has been provided for review after I initiated contact and incessantly nagged for a sample. All of my reviews are unbiased regardless of how the item was obtained.]
Great advice to thoroughly research a skincare brand/product before purchasing online! These products look so lovely 🙂
aglassofice.com
x
They really are! I just put on some more foot lotion just now and my feet are soooooo soft!!!
These are great tips for choosing skincare products Gingi!
I am glad you found them helpful! <3
Skin Deep is a great database, and I like using the Think Dirty app when I’m out shopping.
I need to download that app, thanks for reminding me!! <3
I used to sell the most amazing range of organic skin care products. But the accountant took over the business and considered me too small for their business plan. Now I buy organic and natural products for my face as my new supplier does not do a complete range yet. I’m off to see more about this database.
Yes, check it out!! It is sooooo helpful!!!
Interesting post my dear! From cosmetics I expect first of all effectiveness 😉
Thats why I am a review junkie! haha
Interesting advice, thanks for sharing!
Happy Sunday doll!
Kisses, Paola.
Happy Sunday Paola!!! <3
It contains so many great ingredients
Yeah, I tend to be a DIY gal, but recently I am seeing the wisdom in purchasing products that contain a range of ingredients I would not otherwise have on hand.
I appreciate an honest review and this right here, Gingi, is the truth. Sounds like a goodie for sure. Thanks for sharing. My beauty regimen consist of Mary Kay products. Love them! Will check it out for sure.
Happy 2018 to you and your family.
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
You should! Grab those free samples!
The EWG Skin Deep Database is such a valuable and helpful resource. I usually try to consult it before trying new products now.
Yeah, its my skincare Bible!
That sounds so useful, thank you!
Have a lovely day 🙂
Rosanna x
You too sweetie!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog! <3
I like this post. Mostly we buy products without checking for information about it. Thanks for sharing.
The Glossychic
Of course!! It’s so important to be mindful of what we put into / on our bodies! <3
Oh wow, I had not heard of this, thanks for the info. This really is helpful.
Allie of ALLIENYC
http://www.allienyc.com
For sure! Glad you found it helpful! <3
What a great resource, I did not know about this database. And I so want to try the Luminance kit now.
You should!!! It’s sooooooo yummy on the face!
I have to shop in the pet store for my skin care products.
lol!!!
That was such a great post! I never ever thought of checking EWG out and yes, you are so right, we should do this before buying something! But I didn’t know about it before, and now, that I know, I don’t have any excuse not to check about it before buying some beauty products! Luminance being rated 1 by EWG, and recommended by you, can only be great! Hope you have a nice week, may you enjoy it a lot!
DenisesPlanet.com
I sure will, thank you for your lovely comment my sweet friend! <3
Oh wow, I’ll definitely have to check out this database, thanks for sharing, girl! Like I’ve mentioned to you before, I really try to use as much organic and all natural products as much as I can, but sometimes you still don’t know how much of it is truly pure. Thanks again and Happy Monday!
XO,
Jalisa
Happy Monday my friend! <3
this organic line sound very good
new outfit on my blog
have a nice day, a big kiss
Will check it out, thanks for sharing! <3
Wow! Love getting new info, Gingi! I had no idea this even existed and plan to share the good news! Hugs…and thanks so much! Happy New Year and Hugs…RO
Glad you found this post useful!! <3
Lovely cosmetics dear 😉
<3 <3 <3
hi my dear i repass
new beauty review on my blog
kisses
Will check it out, ,thanks!
this sounds like such a helpful database!! and as a child who had to tag along with her mom on countless trips so that she could stare at skincare bottles for hours, i’m sure your kids appreciate the online approach (; even if they don’t know it!
Haha, right?!?!
The EWG skin database sounds like a great way to find good & organic cosmetics for the skin. I have used natural cosmetics for years and are very happy with it.
I am still looking for some “favorite” brands.. totally using that rosewater toner from now on!
😉
Essa marca é nova pra mim!
Ótima quinta!
Beijo! ^^
<3
A database is always a great resource to have for things of this nature. I have found that in the last few years it has been pretty easy to find natural and organic products. Which has been a relief.
LaToya
http://www.toyastales.blogspot.com
Yeah, the market it shifting in a good direction for sure!!
Oh, our poor skin. It takes a beating this time of year.
;-}
No joke!!!
That app sounds amazing, and it kinda resembles CosDNA.com 🙂
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
Ohhh, what is that?!
This is such great advice, I had no clue this resource existed. Thanks!
For sure!! <3
What a super handy resource- it’s so important to know what your products are made from + the testing they’ve undergone!
-Ashley