Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
I haven't done a post about my favourite skin and beauty products since 2015! So it's about time that I update you on things I have tried and loved, that are free of toxins such as parabens, phthalates and other hormone disruptors. (A lot of the products I listed back in 2015 are still on my regular rotation (Ilia!), so check out that post here.) Additionally, the Environmental Working Group (the people who bring us the yearly update about the dirty dozen/clean fifteen) has an awesome resource you can find here. You can enter specific brand or product names as well as ingredients, and it gives you a toxicity rating.
So let's get started:
1. Routine Deodorant Cream - Superstar
I just picked this up when I was in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago, and so far I'm loving it. I bought the SUPERSTAR, which I believe is the super-charged variety. It has definitely lived up to its claims of keeping me smelling lovely all day long - no need to re-apply. The company does carry baking soda-free options for anyone who tends to get a rash from it. Superstar doesn't have baking soda high on the ingredients list, and I haven't had any armpit irritation. The scent is also nice - a bit like rock n' roll meets baby powder :) Available through the Routine website or from Kiss and Makeup.
2. R + Co. High Dive Moisture and Shine Cream
Another beauty I picked up in Vancouver, I use this on my hair after washing as a combination conditioner/style cream. My hair has been super tangly recently (time for a trim!) and so the lovely lady at Kiss and Makeup suggested this as a good de-tangler. It's doing its job well thus far, and I am super into the colourful graphics on the bottle. At the helm of this company is the former creative director of Bumble & bumble, so you know it's going to be quality. My only qualm is that I don't typically like a lot of scent in products, and this one is quite strong-smelling. Available through the R + Co. website and also from Kiss and Makeup.
3. Schaf moisturizer
I have been using this awesome facial moisturizer for several months now, and have found it to be the perfect light-weight day cream. I had my first ever facial in June of this year, and the esthetician told me that I need to be using hyaluronic acid on my dry skin. So I went to the best resource I know for ultra-clean beauty products - The Detox Market - and came up with this. Again, being a fan of beautiful graphic design, this makes me happy when I use it every morning. Available through the Schaf website and also from The Detox Market.
4. Hello Fab 3-in-1 Superfruit Color Correcting Cushion
While the name is a mouthful, this is a product I stumbled upon while watching various makeup tutorials in preparation for my wedding. I used this more in the springtime before I actually had some colour on my face - it evened out the darkness under my eyes. It is also good for evening out redness or other colour variations in skin tone. Kind of like a cover up but not tinted - instead, the multicolours of the paint just even out your natural tones. Available at Sephora.
5. Thayer's Cucumber Witch Hazel Toner
This has been on my list for years. I have to admit, I am fairly low-maintenance with my skincare, and I don't exactly know why a toner is a good idea, but I returned this to my skin care regimen a few months ago, and my skin definitely seems to be healthier! I use this after I wash my face, and it always feels as though this toner helps my skin retain the moisture from the water, so that the moisturizer I apply afterwards can work more effectively. However you look at it, this is an awesome product, and my husband has even started using this as his aftershave! Available at health food stores or on the Thayer's website.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of "my favourite things"! What are your favourite brands or products for clean skin and makeup?
~Dr. Rush, ND