I am no beauty expert. I wasn't allowed to wear makeup as a kid, and I didn't get a real haircut until I got married. My dad cut my hair until i was 19, using a ruler to mark a straight line. Thanks, dad.
But now, I really like playing around with girly things. At the same time, I cannot escape from the fact that most companies could care less about the impact their products have on my long-term hormonal and reproductive health. It's hard to ignore issues like this and this, especially now that I have a daughter of my own.
Endocrine disruptors are found in almost every personal care product and can really mess with your body. These chemicals can mimic your actual hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. They can bind to your estrogen and progesterone and testosterone receptors and block your actual hormones from getting into the cell, causing problems. Like PMS. And reproductive issues.
So what is a busy, girly, chemical-wary mom to do? Turn to Amazon, of course!
Here are my 5 current favorite Amazon Beauty finds. Some, I have been using for a long time. Some, I just started falling in love with.
I have been using this for about 5 years now. I have dry skin, and this goes on like a dream and absorbs quickly. It never leaves my skin greasy. The best part? No scent! I used to want to smell like Tropical Island Paradise. Not anymore. I know how bad those synthetic fragrances are for my hormones, and I realized no one else wants to smell Tropical Island Paradise.
The cream is most cost-effective in a two pack, and will last forever. I keep one in my bathroom, one in my nightstand, one in my purse, and one at my office. I buy a two pack every two months or so. I use the cream on my face, my hands, and my body. I use it on my lips if they are really chapped. The cream contains 25,000 IU of Vitamin E, which will protect and regenerate skin cells. I feel like it keeps my face quite smooth and hydrated. There are no dyes, chemicals, parabens, or fragrances.
This is a new one for me. My friend Sarah gave it to me for my birthday, and I am smitten. I have always had sad, limp hair. It won't hold color well, and it tends to not only be dry, but tangly. But this shampoo and conditioner has changed how I feel about my hair. I got, like, over three compliments on my hair the first week I started using it. This has never happened before. So I am a repeat customer. I hear it works well even if you are blessed with a thick, shiny, glorious mane.
There are very few ingredients, I can pronounce all of them, and it is sourced from the Amazon. That means nothing but sounds super cool. There are no dyes, sulfates, or parabens. Safe.
I love body washes. I love how they smell and feel and lather. But I don't love formaldehyde. So I was thrilled to find this Lavender Sugar Soap! It has organic sucrose, organic white grape juice, organic coconut oil, organic palm kernel oil, potassium hydroxide, organic olive oil, organic shikakai powder organic hemp oil, organic jojoba oil, organic lavender oil, citric acid, tocopherol. That's it. Compare that label to some of the other popular body washes and you can see how this is a win for protecting your delicate hormonal balance. Olive oil can't block estrogen from attaching to cell receptor sites!
I use this any time I shower, but I particulary like it right before bed. The lavender scent is pleasant and very relaxing. I tried the peppermint sugar soap before also, but things got too..tingly. Stick with the lavender.
4. NOW Organics Peppermint Essential Oil
It's really nice to have fresh breath. Nice for you, nice for everyone else. I like the idea of mouthwash, but I don't like the ingredients. My friend Kristina is an essential oil expert, and she has told me numerous times that potent essential oils should not be put in plastic containers because compounds in the oil can eat away at the plastic, releasing scary things like BPA. So one day, I was swishing away, and realized: Holy crap! My mint mouthwash is stored in plastic! Now this is not the end of the world, but I realized that it would be prudent of me to look for a safer alternative.
So I just keep a few vials of this in strategic places, like my purse and my bathroom. I dab a drop on my tongue, swish it around, and have instant peppermint breath. It has one ingredient. I like that.
5. Long Handled Dry Brush
Dry brushing could be considered a fad. It could be considered odd. It is definitely a first-world extravagance, but it is a very cost-effective first-world extravagance.
Some people claim dry brushing can reduce cellulite by circulating stagnant fluid around. Some people claim your skin will look brighter as a result of dead cells being scrubbed away. Some people claim it helps reduce toxins by causing lymphatic fluid to flow quicker.
I just think it feels nice. And so does Beau. If I am dry brushing before bed, he will, without fail, ask me to dry brush him too. People can get addicted to this stuff.
Here is a video that shows you how to do it.
So there you have it. A minimalist guide to Amazon beauty. Let me know if you have any favorites!
In health,
Jennifer