Since swapping to non-toxic skincare and makeup back in 2014, I’ve gone through many different brands. We are lucky that in 2020 there is a wide array of options for non-toxic make-up and skincare!
I LOVE playing with skincare and have discovered SO MANY fabulous non-toxic brands. My favorite skin care brand is Beautycounter because of their social and sustainability work. But I also love, Primally Pure, Crunchi, Neals Yards Remedies, and Blissoma!
My personal non-toxic skin care routine is shared below!
Check out all of my green living and zero waste blog posts here!
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Interested in learning more about non-toxic beauty?
- Come join my Facebook Group on Non-Toxic Beauty!
- Be sure to join my Safe Beauty Newsletter to get skincare and make-up tips mailed to you and to know whenever there is a good sale or freebie with Beautycounter or my other favorite brands. You can also reply to me directly from the email newsletter to get personalized recommendations.
Why Non-Toxic Skincare?
When we were struggling with infertility I read the book It Starts with the Egg, which started me down a major overhaul of all the products in our house. We ditched phthalates, parabens, fire retardants, VOCs, and more, in our quest to live as non-toxically as possible. You can read about our fertility journey at my other blog, To Make a Mommy!
Once I was pregnant, it became just as important that I avoid toxins on my skin. And now that I am a mom I avoid toxins in my skincare for a lot of reasons! First, I don’t want my kids eating toxins when they are kissing my face (and licking, slobbering, etc.), and I don’t want any of the other negative health issues that are linked to toxins lurking in conventional skincare (especially the big C).
And finally, I’ve become an advocate for voting with our dollars- I truly believe that we can make a difference by supporting companies that are making a difference. That is why I continue to support companies that not only make non-toxic products, but are also committed to sustainable packaging, ethical sourcing, and protecting people and the planet.
Read more about why I vote with my dollars here!
Skincare as Self-Care
When I gave birth to my first child, I felt so overwhelmed that I would forget to wash my face, and I definitely didn’t moisturize. I felt like every time I walked away from him he screamed and cried, so I would pee quickly and come back. As he got older, it got easier, but then when he was almost three, I had another baby, and yet again, felt overwhelmed.
In late 2018 I signed on with Beautycounter as a consultant because it made business-sense for my blog. I never expected what happened next- it not only was wonderful for my business it was wonderful for ME.
I am now home full time with my children (blogging during naps, after bedtime, or when it’s time to watch a little Sesame Street). It would be all too easy to fall back into those post partum rhythms of stress, overwhelm and not taking care of myself.
Instead, EVERY SINGLE DAY I wash my face. I tone my face. I apply an oil or treatment and then a moisturizer. At night my self-care and skin care routine has ELEVEN steps including gua sha on my face, and an abdominal massage. This routine has SAVED me. I ALWAYS do it.
No matter how crazy the kids are, or how much of a rush we are in, I wash my face. And that, my friends, has made all the difference.
My Non-Toxic Skin Care Routine
Everything is listed in the order I use them!
Note: I have aging, normal skin, and I always get 1-2 pimples right before my period. My skin was dry before starting with Beautycounter, but not anymore. My skin concerns are fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scarring. I used to have redness and rosacea, but these went away with No. 3 Balancing Oil and the Countermatch regimen I started with, before switching to the anti-aging line. They sometimes come back if I neglect my skincare routine.
Morning Skincare routine
- Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil
- Cold Water Splash
- Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
- Tripeptide Radiance Serum
- Antioxidant Soft Cream
- Ultra Renewal Eye Cream *** My all time favorite skin care product
- Blue Tansy Deodorant or Geranium Deodorant
- Dry Shampoo, if needed
Evening Skincare Routine
I know it’s super long. My husband says things like, “If you want to be in bed by ten, be sure to start your 90 minute long skincare routine at 8:30.” 🙂 It takes like 20 minutes, but honestly I love it. For me, it is much needed self-care. I massage my face, apply healing oils, and rub my feet, and my belly- it all makes me feel well and whole.
- Instant Eye Makeup Remover
- Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil
- Cold Water Splash
- Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
- No. 2 Plumping Oil if I’m in follicular or ovulatory phases of cycle, or No. 3 Balancing Oil if I’m in luteal or menstrual phases of cycle
- Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream
- Ultra Renewal Eye Cream
- Rose Quartz Facial Roller or Gua Sha
- Almond + Vanilla Body Butter for my hands and anywhere that is getting dry- this stuff is AMAZING and has saved my cracked dry hands in the winter
- Jasmine Body Oil on my legs, ankles, and feet (I also use this after a shower or bath)
- Magnesium Lotion on my neck and chest. I also use Moon Time Magnesium Body Butter on my belly and lower back on my period, Rose Magnesium Body Butter when ovulating, and Calm Magnesium Body Butter when needing to de-stress.
- Lavender Coconut Oil for my Mayan Belly Massage, which I do right before I go to sleep.
Extras!
- Overnight Resurfacing Peel– I use this 2-3 times a week instead of my facial oil at night before moisturizing. This dramatically reduces acne scarring and fine lines. If you are serious about minimizing pores, addressing scars and wrinkles, etc., you NEED this!
- Charcoal Mask- I do this a few times a month, usually right before or during my period.
- Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm – This deeply nourishing and hydrating balm can be used as a makeup melting cleanser or as an overnight mask for very dry skin. LOVE THIS STUFF!
Interested in learning more about non-toxic beauty?
- Come join my Facebook Group on Non-Toxic Beauty!
- Be sure to join my Safe Beauty Newsletter to get skincare and make-up tips mailed to you and to know whenever there is a good sale or freebie with Beautycounter or my other favorite brands. You can also reply to me directly from the email newsletter to get personalized recommendations.
Anna Rapp has a Masters in Business Administration and another Masters in Public Policy and Administration. But, she quit her cool policy job out of a desire to be home with two miracle children she had after infertility. Now she blogs at To Make a Mommy about fertility and at To Make a Family about green living, healthy recipes, and gentle parenting. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two kids!
Your non-toxic skin care routine is a game-changer! Short, sweet, and full of practical tips. Thanks for simplifying healthy skincare choices. Excited to embrace a toxin-free routine!
I am so glad you found it a game changer!! You are on your way!!