Natural Makeup, Episode 202
In this episode of the 7 Day Glow Podcast we are going to tackle a topic I am often asked about, makeup.
My passion for natural skincare extends to natural makeup products - and believe me, I have tried many many brands in my quest to find natural makeup that is actually natural and works.
Even if you have perfect, luminous skin there are times when we all need a touch of makeup. If you are committed to living a healthy lifestyle this is an area in which some small changes can have a big impact on cleaning up your beauty routine.
Join me in this episode for the good, the bad and the beautiful of natural makeup products.
Before we dig into today’s topic I want to make sure we clarify that when I refer to natural makeup I’m referring to products - not the minimalist, natural makeup look that is so popular today.
While I also LOVE the minimal makeup look, I’m not giving a tutorial on makeup application today. In this episode we are going to cover what exactly is natural makeup, what to look for, and some of my favorite products.
The main difference between natural makeup products and regular makeup products is in the ingredients.
Generally, natural makeup contains ingredients from natural sources. There is generally a zero to small amount of altered ingredients in natural makeup products.
In the United States there are no strict regulations overseeing the manufacturing of natural makeup products. US manufacturers are not required to include specific ingredients or meet exacting standards. It is the manufacturers responsibility to monitor and maintain product quality and safety.
In addition, the word “natural” does not have a legal definition in the United States. It is left up to brands to define the word “natural.” This means the term can range in meaning from brand to brand. Because of the lack of a standard for natural ingredient definitions in the United States, brands can actually include a small about of “synthetic” or even potentially harmful ingredients in their formulations without fear of repercussions.
It is definitely a buyer beware situation when it comes to purchasing natural skincare and beauty products in the United States. Because of this, it’s very important consumers do their own research and read labels for ingredient lists when purchasing natural makeup.
While at first this may seem daunting, believe me, it’s well worth the effort! The “Pro’s” of using natural makeup products include the peace of mind that comes from applying natural ingredients with fewer and hopefully no harmful chemicals, knowing your products are safe because natural formulations are usually gentle for sensitive skin. And natural makeup products are less likely to cause allergic reactions
There are a few things to be aware of when making the switch to using natural makeup products.
Because these products generally do not use synthetic ingredients, they may have a shorter shelf life than traditional makeup products.
Natural makeup relies on natural pigments for color - natural pigments are generally less vibrant than synthetic colorants. There is also a smaller shade selection to choose from when using natural makeup products. And because of the increased ingredient quality - natural makeup tends to be more costly than traditional makeup products.
When choosing natural makeup the first thing to be aware of is that many of these types of makeups are made with clay bases. Clay bases can lack the glide that many traditional makeups have. I combat this by mixing my natural makeup base in the palm of my hand with a touch of face oil or natural moisturizer or I apply my face oil first, and then apply the mineral make up to help the makeup apply more smoothly. It also stays on better and lasts longer.
Natural makeup is generally odorless while traditional makeup can often use fragrance. If you have allergies to essential oils, be sure to check the label of your natural makeup in case they make use of some light scent using natural essential oils.
Using natural makeup can also give your skin an overall health boost. Oils and natural pigments used in natural makeup formulations can bring skin loving antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to your skin.
When purchasing natural makeup start by looking carefully at the label.
Look for the USDA Organic seal on the label. A USDA seal means that the product is USDA-certified and 100 percent organic. “Organic” means that it contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients, while “made with organic ingredients” means that it has at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
Look for the words “Fragrance Free” on the label. Avoid synthetic fragrance. And avoid products listed as “unscented” as these products can contain chemicals that mask another scent in the product.
Most natural products should be free of parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates. Also avoid synthetic preservatives, artificial colorants, fragrance, and heavy metals. While heavy metals like lead and arsenic are found in nature, they’re linked to health problems at high doses. Natural makeup should meet the safety limits for these ingredients.
Even natural ingredients can become toxic to those with allergies. Check the packaging to ensure the formulation does not include ingredients that you know you are sensitive to.
If you prefer cruelty-free products look for the words cruelty free on the packaging or check the brand website for a testing statement. Or look for the Cruelty Free Bunny on the label.
All skin types should look for makeup that includes SPF for sun protection.
One of my favorite brands is Au Naturale Cosmetics. This all natural, vegan makeup brand is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their founder is passionate about safe skincare and makeup and actually lobbies for clean beauty standards. You can find them at aunaturalecosmetics.com.
Another of my favorite brands is 100% Pure. I’ve been using their fruit pigmented mascara for years. It lengthens well and smells like berries. You can find them at 100percentpure.com.
Switching makeup brands is never easy but it's well worth it. Not only does makeup give you a confidence boost for the outer you, using safe, natural products gives you the peace of mind that comes with healthy choices.
Thank you for joining me today! I hope you end this podcast with some tips for choosing natural makeup products along with the names of a few of our favorite places to purchase.
If you are looking for a great product to use to remove your make-up be sure to head over to www.7dayglow.com and check out 7 Day Glow’s CLARIFY Cleanser for a makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer all in one!
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I'm Alyssa Van Doorn.
I am the natural skincare formulator, biologist, certified clinical aromatherapist, and obsessed self-care advocate who founded 7 Day Glow's holistic, simple skincare approach. I'm on a mission to empower women with the tools they need to find and maintain their Glow simply and with confidence.
Notice: These statements and blog content have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in our articles and podcasts are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and are not intended as medical advice. The content of these blogs, podcasts and associated products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using products or following blog/podcast advice.
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