I don’t often write about topics other than recipes, but this topic has become an increasingly huge passion for me, so figure a proper post is finally in order!
If you follow my HG&M Instagram or Facebook page (or my Better Beauty SC page) then you’ve likely seen me talk about the beauty industry… and probably Beautycounter too. For those who haven’t, let me take some time to introduce you. 🙂
Beautycounter is a movement. This is not about a product… it’s a mission to educate the public, change the laws, and bring better health and beauty to everyone. It doesn’t matter which products use- we all deserve to know what’s in our products- we all deserve to be safe.
We shouldn’t have to compromise our health to feel beautiful.
If you’re thinking, “This doesn’t apply to me… I don’t even wear makeup!” you just hang on there missy, ’cause the beauty industry includes a lot more than makeup! If you shower in the morning, use soap, wash your face, wear any lotions, deodorant, or even slap some chap stick on here and there, then you too are very important here. We ALL deserve better.
The Problem…
Here in the U.S., we’re so privileged and lucky to have access to so many things. But hidden within all of those great things are some very dark little secrets. Like our beauty industry…
Did you know that the FDA hasn’t passed any laws regulating the beauty industry since before World War II? Seriously. Since 1938! That means that allllll of the products sitting before you in the beauty aisles are full of stuff that may be harming us, and we don’t even know it!
Since the last law passed (in 1938), over 85,000 chemicals have been introduced into our environment, of which we only have information on about 10% to 15% of. What are we slathering on ourselves then?
In fact, most of us really don’t know. But what we do know is that the beauty industry is self-regulated… and even when it’s known that products contain toxins and harmful chemicals, products are still allowed to make them, sell them, and let us use them. Alarmed yet?
This is when I discovered Beautycounter, a company that educates people like you and me, so we can all be made aware of what we’re putting on our skin.
WHO are they?
Beautycounter is a small grass-roots company dedicated to educating the public and making high-performing skin care products with the safest ingredients out there… a concept that surprisingly isn’t done often. Frustratingly, it seems companies either go for safe, but aren’t effective, or go for effective, but aren’t safe (the latter being more common of course). Finally, a company that prioritizes both safety and results.
Beautycounter prides itself on using a “rigorous ingredient selection process ensures that our products work beautifully without compromising your safety”.
To accomplish this, they have a team that includes a head of safety (the previous director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) and a head of creative design (a celebrity makeup artist who really knows her stuff).
Together, they work to make high-quality products with high-quality ingredients.
If you haven’t seen their Neverlist yet, it’s a list showing the top ingredients to avoid… so while you’re out shopping for product, you can bust out your nifty card and quickly make check it for toxins. They’re great, and make shopping so much easier since they’ve done the hard work for you. (Want one? Just let me know!)
What I especially love is that the owner, Gregg, is just as transparent as she is selective and meticulous. In fact, Beautycounter is considered the most transparent beauty company out there- pretty cool. They believe we all deserve to know what’s in our products, and I do too.
(See more about BC’s goals in this short video HERE, or learn more about their team here.)
WHY them?
While it was the mission that first made me fall in love with Beautycounter, it’s now the products too. I love that I can wear makeup and skin care that works, while also knowing what I’m putting on my skin. They’ve done all the work for us.
I first was introduced to Beautycounter in Spring of 2015 I read an article about sunblock released by the EWG (Environmental Working Group- a non-profit organization that rates both products and food for safety). Just as they share the Fifteen Clean and Dirty Dozen for food each year, they also compile lists for skin care too (check out their lists HERE).
After reading, I was stunned to learn that the sunblock I’d been using for years, thinking I was making healthy choices, turned out to be one of the worst out there. Literally, THE worst!
I’d been dooped. I was a sucker for marketing just like so many unfortunately are.
My shock turned to intrigue and just like that, I delved right into learning more.
Enter Beautycounter. I’d spent years being concerned with what I put in my belly… now it was time to focus on what I put on it too. It is our biggest organ after all!
All of Beautycounter’s products are rated a 0-2 on the EWG Skin Deep site (a must-have app and fantastic online resource too- check it out HERE). My skin is now happy, healthy, and I feel like I have the knowledge to make informed choices no matter what product I may want.
My transition to safer skin care wasn’t an overnight transformation, but step by step I made changes, slowly swapping out all of my questionable product for safer ones. It’s truly been life-changing… not only to use products that work and do my body well, but to now find myself part of this incredible mission to educate women and pass on such empowerment.
While I am now proudly part of the Beautycounter team, I am speaking 100% from the heart. I do not pitch stuff I do not personally love, use, and believe in. I’m not one to jump on things… I’m a skeptic, majorly so actually, but I really believe in what this company is doing. Whether you use their stuff or not, it’s great to pass on this message to others we know and love. ❤
WHAT is the mission?
My favorite part.
In short, Beautycounter is working to change the laws within the beauty industry so that all of us, no matter which companies we use, are protected from the many harmful ingredients commonly used in skin care products. This is a mission of awareness. (See more about their mission HERE.)
Here are some crazy stats for ya:
The FDA has not passed a law regulating the beauty industry since 1938.
Since then, over 85,000 chemicals have been introduced into our environment, of which we only have information on approx 10-15% of. Yikes.
But wait, it gets better.
While the European Union has taken this issue quite seriously, banning and restricting over 1400 ingredients, the United States is quite behind. Ready for this? Brace yourself here. The United States has banned 11. Yep, a whopping 11 ingredients from our beauty industry.
Ways to Get Involved
1- Vote with your dollars! Let our government know you want them to change the laws! No matter which products you use, put your money towards the ones that do right by using clean ingredients!
2- Use the EWG Skin Deep site or app to clean things up! Look up what you already use… if it’s clean, great, keep using it! If it’s not, swap it out for something better. 🙂
3- Host a social! Gather a group of gals, bust out some bevs and bites, and I’ll come with all of the product and educate your friends…. all we we sips, sample, and have a great time hanging. (If you’re not near me, we can always do an online one too!)
4- Become a consultant- join our team and help us spread the word! A wonderful way to make some extra loot while most importantly, making a difference too. ❤
Explore & Shop
If you’d like to explore, do so HERE! The FAQ section is wonderful- it says pretty much everything you’d ever want to know about Beautycounter products. They’re as transparent as can be.
Have questions? Email me at [email protected]. Want to order something? Click HERE!
(In the SF or Santa Cruz area? I’d love to host a social for you!! It’s great fun- a few of your girlfriends, some sips and snacks, and tons of makeup play! Here’s one my friend Arsy and I hosted over the holidays downtown… so fun.)
My Favorite Products
Not sure where to start? Here are some of my favorite products!
Charcoal Cleansing Bar
This face (and body) bar detoxifies and absorbs impurities in your skin without drying it out, and is great to fight acne and smoothen skin too. It’s made with antioxidant-rich, organic green tea and hydrating organic coconut oil. Perfect for any age, man, woman, or child. 😉
Beautycounter In the News
Into Pinterest? Pin this image and help spread the word!!
