My Favorite Things For the Holidays – Nontoxic Beauty Edition

In the hustle of the morning, you probably aren’t giving much thought to the products you’re grabbing along the way, but the products we use on a daily basis are critical for our overall health! In this blog post, we cover nontoxic beauty!

According to the American Lung Association, 60 percent of Americans (more than 186 million) are living in toxic environments, surrounded by substances that could be impacting their health. The CDC has also confirmed that the average American has 212 or more chemicals in their bloodstream and urine from harmful cleaning products, detergents, materials, and even cosmetics. 

So if we’re aware of the issues, why aren’t we doing something about it? The U.S. has extremely lax laws when it comes to banning harmful ingredients and chemicals compared to European countries. This is why it’s up to us to be conscious consumers, especially when it comes to products we’re putting directly on and in our bodies! 

If you haven’t been paying attention to the ingredients in your products and the topic seems pretty overwhelming to you, don’t stress! Even making simple and gradual changes can make a big difference, and swapping cosmetics is a great place to start. Plus I’ve rounded up some great sales this holiday season to shop for your MIL, your bff, and yourself!

Why shopping nontoxic beauty matters

Did you know BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical? BPA is often found in many beauty care products for fragrances. 

BPA can cause:

  • Intestinal damage 
  • Oxidative stress, innate immune response and cell damage (due to BPA-induced intestinal damage)
  • Damage to intestinal barrier function
  • Microbial alterations to increase oxidative stress – a trigger to inflammation
  • Negative brain development and behavior
  • Metabolism issues

Phthalates

These are often found in personal care products and have been shown to alter gut microbiota.

PCBs

Studies have found that exposure to PCBs is associated with microbial shifts in the gut and increased gut permeability, intestinal inflammation and cognitive problems. Studies have found that exposure to glyphosate herbicides alters the bacterial makeup of the gut microbiome. It can increase anxious and depressive symptoms.

Nontoxic beauty sales to shop this season

Lume Box Red Light Therapy

What if you could gift reduced inflammation and pain, enhanced physical performance, improved cognition, and healthier skin? Well, you kind of can now with LumeBox. LumeBox is a red-light therapy device that safely penetrates through the skin and aids in the production of cellular energy which helps in all of the above. Especially if you have a loved one who suffers from chronic pain and autoimmune issues, this gift could be life changing. Shop now

Clean Skincare & Beauty 

There are so many skincare and beauty products out there so it can be extremely difficult to know where to turn. Since you are putting these products directly on your body, it’s extremely important to pay attention to the ingredients. The brands I recommend most for skincare are Osea, Dime Beauty Co, and Ilia Beauty. All of these companies are sustainable, clean, and effective options to create a healthy skin barrier that protects your gut and overall health.

Osea Body Lotion

This ocean lotion is decadent. It is smooth, fragrance-free, and perfect for even the most sensitive skin. My skin, especially my hands, tends to get extra dry during the cooler weather of the winter months, so having a nice lotion is such a special treat. Osea is one of my favorite beauty companies for all of my skin care needs. The best part? It is made of naturally derived, clean ingredients that are cruelty-free, climate-neutral, and vegan, and it is made right here in the U.S., California, to be exact! Take 10% off and get a FREE hyaluronic sea serum ($88 value) with purchase! Use code PLANTBASED10.

Dime Beauty

Dime Beauty is a company founded on the principles of creating clean, sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty products for women of all ages. Use code VanessaM20 to save!

Ilia Beauty

Ilia Beauty makes makeup and skincare products that are made with clean and sustainable ingredients to provide the best skincare and package their products with recycled and responsibly sourced materials, and helps their customers recycle their empty packaging by partnering with a company called Pact Collective. How cool?

Nontoxic Beauty for a Healthy Smile 

Healthy teeth are so important for confidence, but did you know that there is a direct connection between your oral and gut health? Many toothpastes and mouthwashes strip your mouth of good bacteria and destroy your oral microbiome. RiseWell is a company that produces non-toxic dental hygiene products that clean your mouth without sacrificing oral and gut health. Their toothpastes or other products would be great stocking stuffers! Use code MENDEZ10 for 10% off your next purchase. Shop now. 

Carina Organics Citrus Shampoo and Conditioner

Take your hair care routine next level with Carina Organics’ citrus shampoo and conditioner. A vegan product made with 100% biodegradable ingredients, these products are also cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, paraben, soy, and gluten-free. It’s a great way to pamper yourself while also being environmentally conscious. Perfect for your girlfriends! 

Happy nontoxic beauty shopping, friends!


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