The beauty world is abuzz these days with talk of healthy, natural products free of toxins and carcinogens, and that in turn has sparked my interest for starting several healthy beauty habits in my daily routine. Though there are some beloved products I simply cannot give up, I’ve enjoyed becoming educated in what it takes to have a safer beauty routine, and I’ve started to swear by a few simple practices to ensure that I’m feeling beautiful inside and out. Check out my eight habits below, and let me know what you swear by! Truly, MKR
No. One, Oil Pulling. An ancient dental technique, oil pulling involves swishing one-two tablespoons of oil (coconut, olive, or sunflower) in your mouth on an empty stomach for approximately 20 minutes. The action is said to draw out toxins and improve your overall oral health all while naturally whitening your teeth. I’ve been pulling, coconut is my oil of choice, for a few months now and I’m obsessed. And for all you naysayers I spoke to my dentist, and in his words; “oil pulling should never replace your usual dental routine, but there is plenty of research that supports it’s health benefits. Mainly because your mouth houses more bacteria than anything else and if your mouth is healthy then your system can focus on fighting other issues.”
No. Two, Dry Brushing. Introduced to me by my aesthetician, dry brushing is an age old practice of brushing your skin in an upward motion with a firm, natural bristle brush. The practice, most commonly done before showering, exfoliates and unclogs skin, while stimulating your lymphatic system, and is said to help reduce cellulite. Just a tad painful, but I’ve really taken to loving my dry brush, and I mean if Jennifer Aniston swears by it, then consider me sold.
No. Three, Think Dirty. Talk about a game changer. Think Dirty the app allows you to scan or type in products and in return gives you a 1-10 toxicity rating. So get ready to stand in the grocery store aisles for hours scanning just about everything you’ve ever bought or are thinking about buying.
No. Four, Consistently Washing Your Makeup Brushes. Ask yourself when’s the last time you washed your makeup brushes? If you’re like me it’s been too long. And just think about all of that old makeup, dead skin, and germs of all kinds just sitting on your brushes. Eew. Washing your makeup brushes once a week is essential to keeping your complexion clear and your health in tact, so get the suds ready.
No. Five, Non-Toxic Nail Polish. When you really begin thinking about what’s in nail polish, and how it’s just sitting there absorbing into your nails, into your skin’s pores, into your system, and not to mention how much we probably accidentally ingest from chipping (especially if you bite your nails), wouldn’t you feel better knowing that polish was toxic free? Enter my new favorite nail polish Smith & Cult. Free of the 5 major toxins found in most nail polishes, it allows you to rest easy thinking about all those nasty chemicals, and go back to stressing about if your polish is dry enough to reach in your purse for your keys without smudging. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that it comes in just about every color we could possibly want and has the most beautiful packaging.
No. Six, Activated Charcoal Pills. Recently while reading what seemed like my thousandth detox article, I stumbled upon something I’d never heard of: activated charcoal pills. The pills are used commonly in the ER medical community to treat oral poisoning, and the charcoal’s “pores” make it very effective at binding and flushing out poisons that are still present in the stomach and small intestines, hence the belief of detox. While there’s research both supporting and negating it’s ability to actually flush your system after an over-indulgent Saturday, all I can say is I’ve taken it a dozen times and have felt better. Just note that charcoal doesn’t always differentiate between good and bad, so if you want anything to stay absorbed in your system, like your daily vitamin, take them hours apart. And like everything, do your research; what works for some does not work for all.
No. Seven, Shots. I admit it, I’m on the pressed juice band wagon. I’ll drink a juice, or five, all day every day. And my new favorite thing, the shot circuit. Seven shots: wheatgrass, E3, turmeric, ginger, lemon, aloe, and dandelion. They’re not all pleasant going down, but I feel high on health for the rest of the day. Not to mention my energy is on fire. Not ready for seven shots? Start slow with a wheatgrass or turmeric; both easily found at your local juice shop or Whole Foods, or better yet, make your own!
No. Eight, Chemical Free Products. Letting go of products we’ve used for years can be a difficult thing, but now more than ever there are so many amazing non-toxic choices there really is no excuse. Two brands I’ve completely fallen in love with are Beauty Counter and One Love Organics. I swear by Beauty Counter’s sunscreen and eye palettes and One Love’s Vitamin C Body Polish smells like heaven and their Morning Glory is my new morning savior.
We love this and thank you for including our brand! Switching over to non-toxic beauty and personal care can feel scary at first so it is great, Mandy, to have you explain what steps to take first on a new exciting path. We made the switch about 8 years ago and our skin has never looked better!
I just found your blog. I love it! Thank you so much for having organic, toxin free skin care recommendations.
Great tips! I’m following your tips from now. Yes, I do wash my makeup brushes once in a week and I’m glad you included this point in your blog as many of us don’t do this. Great reading! Thanks!