Have you ever sat and really thought about the ingredients in your food, cleaning supplies, skincare, etc…? If you really think about it, it’s kind of scary and sad that everything in our country is about the “Benjamins.” I went to listen to a man who formulates for different companies and when he explained the whole “milk scheme,” it opened my eyes to what exactly is in our foods! What I mean by “milk scheme” is companies have created all these different types of milk that have gone through so much processing that it literally has no nutrients in it! Skim, fat free, 2% milk… yeah no thanks just stick to your whole milk people; it’s just a marketing scheme!

This insight from a formulator about 6 years ago is where I started to really look into ingredients. I started watching what I was eating and then June 2017 I decided I needed to also be careful on what I put on my skin after struggling with hormonal acne for a year! I started to do my research and couldn’t believe the ingredients… like what??!! I found Beautycounter and their products have changed my skin forever! They have banned 1,500 harmful/questionable ingredients from EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT! If your struggling with acne, just know that you are not alone! I chose Beautycounter after trying Murad, Proactive, Clinique, Cerave, antibiotics, stuff the dermatologist prescribed me NONE OF IT WORKED!!!! Please note that everyone’s skin is different, and you have to find what works best for your skin. I gave Beautycounter a try just like I did the other products, and I was completely floored by how the charcoal mask completely changed my skin (plus all the ingredients are safe which is important to me).

Here are a few harmful ingredients in your beauty products:

Mascara- carbon black, a pigment allowed to give mascara the deep black color, has been linked to a range of negative health effects.

Lipsticks- they are allowed to be made with artificial fragrances. Brands are not required to disclose what chemicals make up these artificial fragrances.

Eye and Face Creams- they are allowed to be made with preservatives that can potentially release formaldehyde and harm the immune system.

Face masks- they are permitted to be formulated with PEGs which are used as thickeners or solvent, and may contain dangerous chemicals.

( A few maskers who said NO to PEGs and made the switch to safer masking)

So, as you can see, these chemicals are absorbing into your skin and getting into your bloodstream! You put this on your skin EVERYDAY! Shop the Clean Swap and get some legit FREE travel size items when you decide to make the swap out!

(Note that it can be any mask, shampoo or lip sheer)

Pictured above is a lotion from Bath & Body Works. I took a look at the ingredients before putting on my body and just a few of the harmful ingredients that popped out immediately were Mineral Oil, Fragrance, PEGs, EDTA, Methylparaben…. they get you with the label that says, “Natural Essential Oils.” You cannot just read labels; you must read the ingredients if your wanting to use safe products.

Moms… have you ever looked at the ingredients in your baby’s body wash, lotion or diaper cream? After Sutton started having so many dry patches, I looked at the ingredients. Johnson & Johnson (what I was using) is loaded with PEGs, mineral oil, EDTA and Fragrance. Ever wonder why your pores are clogged? Mineral Oil will clog your pores, damage the skin barrier and increase water loss. It’s ok to hide 3K harmful chemicals behind the ingredient Fragrance and EDTA acts as a preservative. Babies skin are so sensitive the first year of life, and I know as a mom I want to protect my baby from anything harmful.

With this post, I’m hoping to give you a little insight into some products that you put on your body! The Clean Swap promotion is good through March 7^th. Check it out in my “Shop” section and let’s all fight for SAFER BEAUTY! Text “Better Beauty” to 52886 to take action and let Congress know we want better beauty laws NOW!! You can be a part of this mission as well! Email me at hillarybcopeland@gmail.com to see how you can make a difference for you, your family and the world!

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

HC