Over the years I have shared many a post about "green skincare." (The most recent was March 2014.) I've spent the last four years intentionally and unintentionally narrowing down the amount of product I use on my skin. Originally this came from realizing some of the harmful chemicals we slather on ourselves. Then it came from being really busy and having little time to actually slather myself. And more recently, it came from going through my bathroom drawers and realizing it was time to throw out all the product I don't use. (Thank you #konmarimethod.)
And so, I present my "final" post about this crap because I feel like I'm down to so few products and I have used so many of these things for so long that I can't imagine the routine will get more simple.
In that top photo, you are looking at the extent of my skincare and makeup products. Aside from a few chapsticks in various corners of the house this is everything I own. (I added in Ellerie's sunscreen because we love it.)
Some of this stuff - like the Pangea Organics - I have used for the past four years. (It still works great, my skin never rebelled and asked for a change.) Some of it, like the Rocky Mountain Soap deodorant is new this year. All of it is stuff I would recommend, but recommending skincare products is really hard because we all have such different skin and varied needs.
Some of this stuff I pick up at Target, some via Amazon and some I have to order directly from the brand. Links are to Amazon or brand where appropriate and some links here are affiliate.
SUN SAFE : ah, sunscreen. My love language (and where I spend my money). The body stuff I use from Josie Maran I think has been discontinued. :( But I like this or this for face. The body is a bit more white than I'd like but the face products because though they are mineral sunscreens they both rub in well and feel great on my skin.
MAKE UP : this is where I guess I am the most minimalist. It's not that I don't like makeup, but it's never been something I'm good at or willing to spend time learning. Going to Sephora gives me much more anxiety than excitement. And because I don't wear much, when I actually DO take the time, I always feel odd looking at the face in the mirror (like "who is that and why does she think she can pull off that lipstick?") But that Tarte stuff is legit. And I love this mascara (which I started buying in the mini size because I never get through it before it expires). I've started using this (sold at Target) to "enhance" my eyebrows. When I wear lipstick it's either this (in apparently a discontinued color), this (in bali but I think they changed the name to jamaica?) or this (in courage). And if I have something really fancy (which would be like a wedding) I'll wear this under eye stuff, a bit of this in regal ruby on my cheeks and this on my eyelids.
CLEAN UP : at night I use the Avalon Organics (milk not gel - the gel dries out my skin) facewash and then the Pangea Organics toner followed by their face lotion. I have stuck with these scents for four years and will never change. When I'm traveling I use the Yes to Cucumbers wipes and Pangea Organics face lotion because they are easy to travel with.
HAIR : I stopped brushing or combing my hair after hopping out of the shower and it's done wonders for my curls. I lightly towel try my hair and then rub this stuff through, first as a de-tangler (just using my fingers) and then I "scrunch" my curls. That's it. Too easy. On the rare occasion that I straighten my hair (every six weeks?) I use the same stuff. I'll use this Redkin stuff if I need to give my hair some extra volume (smells odd but works). I'm back on the Unite shampoo and conditioner train after trying and failing with the Trader Joe's brand.
BODY : we use a variety of chemical free body soaps in the shower. I just pick something up when I'm at Target or Trader Joe's. I love this roll on lotion and this roll-on deodorant. The lotion I would recommend for everyone. The non-chemical deodorant may not be a great fit for everybody. So many factors go into the right deodorant (hormones, activity level, climate) but if you already like natural deodorants and find your body responds to them, then I'd recommend. This hand lotion is the best and I rarely wear polish on my fingernails these days but I have a few (toxic) options on hand.
Here's the list of chemicals to avoid that I always include with posts like this (click to enlarge). It's from the book There's Lead in Your Lipstick. Most (but not all) of what I shared here is compliant with these guidelines, but of course check your labels.
Any product favorites you want to share? The comments sections of posts like these always have more suggestions than I offer. :)
