We Like Our Skincare Like Our Friendships: Not Toxic

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), women use an average of 12 personal care products a day, exposing themselves to 168 chemical ingredients. It’s time to say no not just to toxicity in our relationships but to toxic skincare as well! Many of the products we put on our skin every day are riddled with toxins and questionable ingredients including known carcinogens, irritants, and hormone disruptors. Let’s take a look at the harm that toxic chemicals can do to your skin and how shifting to a clean skincare regime is easier than you thought! 

Clean Beauty in The United States 

What even is clean beauty? Clean beauty products are skincare, makeup, and hair products that don't contain any of the questionable-for-your-health ingredients commonly found in beauty products. Surprisingly, there is a huge lack of policy in The United States about chemicals in personal care products. In the US, the FDA has banned 11 potentially harmful ingredients in cosmetics, while the European Union has banned over 1000 harmful ingredients! This also allows for more and more “greenwashing” - a marketing technique that labels products as “natural” or “pure” even if the majority of the ingredients have no natural origin. 

Why Choose Non-Toxic?

The average human body contains about 18 square feet of epidermis… it’s our largest organ! Our skin serves as a protective barrier, that allows us to touch, and helps maintain stable body temperature. It acts as a passageway from our environment to our bloodstream, meaning what we put on our skin affects what's going on inside our body as well. We go over the most impactful benefits of choosing clean skincare below - 

The Environment

Synthetic chemicals have the potential to harm plants and animals that they come into contact with. When you wash your face, the excess product goes down your sink and straight to our oceans and rivers, potentially having dire consequences on surrounding ecosystems. Also, the processes associated with manufacturing traditional skincare products often put stress on the environment. 

Nutrients

One of the biggest myths in the beauty industry is that natural = less effective. Don't underestimate the power of plant-based ingredients! Potent, plant-based ingredients offer long-term results by replenishing the skin with real vitamins, nutrients, and active properties. 

Safety

The biggest benefit of choosing natural skincare is avoiding the flood of harmful ingredients that can pose health risks. Knowing that our bodies absorb the products we slather on means it's important to give those ingredients a second look. Common ingredients found in skincare can increase our chemical exposure. It is important to point out that not all synthetic ingredients are harmful to you or your skin. That being said, many of these formulations are stuffed with “filler” chemicals that, if used on a consistent basis, increases the toxic load on your skin. Your safest bet is to always read ingredients and stay away from harmful chemicals. 

Where do I start?

It can be intimidating to switch over to clean beauty when you have a cabinet full of conventional skincare. There are a few chemical ingredients that should definitely be avoided/ Let’s start with these ingredients to avoid - 

Parabens and phthalates -  are a whole slew of chemicals that help preserve shelf life. Parabens are possible endocrine disruptors and are prohibited in the EU!

Polyethylene glycol and PEG compounds - may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen. 

Fragrance - is a sneaky one. We know you love your cucumber scent face wash but this could include other toxic ingredients that companies aren't required to disclose. Hence, the sneakiness!

Sulfates - Sulfates are notorious for eye irritants that can strip skin of natural oils. SLS and SLES are also known to trigger different allergies.

Say No to Toxicity! 

We don't want toxicity in our relationships OR in our skincare! We know changing up your whole routine might feel overwhelming but remember to start with small, manageable steps like introducing a few skincare products that you KNOW are made with plant-based ingredients. At Vena, we love leveraging the power of plants wherever we can so incorporating natural ingredients into our skincare line was an absolute no-brainer. Vena’s new line of skincare includes the perfect blend of botanicals, adaptogens, and CBD to deliver the pampering your skin wants and deserves.