Are you guys using any worthy “non-toxic” skincare products? The regulations in the beauty / skincare industry are pretty loose and that’s why we’re hearing all the buzz in the recent years about products that are made with better ingredients and standards. While I’m the first to admit I’m a skincare and product JUNKIE (my bank account is not proud), it’s taken me a while to warm up to the “natural” beauty world because to be honest, I’d rather have a product that WORKS. I’ve come to the conclusion that beauty and skincare for me works in the same way as nutrition: a balanced approach. Meaning, I’ll do my best to find non-toxic makeup that I like and use them while still keeping my old favorites (I’m looking at you, Tom Ford. Their bronzer is everything I’ve ever wanted in a bronzer). In the middle of researching and trying new products, I’ve came across a few face masks with great ingredients (that WORK!!) and I wanted to share with you guys:
1. Herbivore Blue Clay Mask
Besides having an aesthetically appealing package, this mask is SO good for redness, inflammation, and those weeks when you have a few extra blemishes on your face. Just mix the clay with water into a paste and apply to your face. It also works on blemishes as a spot treatment too!
Ingredients: Cambrian Blue Clay, White Kaolin Clay, Pelargonium roseum asperum (Rose Geranium) Essential Oil
2. Herbivore Pink Clay Mask
Herbivore is so nice, I listed it twice (it’s truly a great line overall). I love having this in combination with the blue clay mask because this one is its hydrating counterpart. The blue clay mask is more for “detoxifying” while the pink clay mask is more for exfoliating and hydrating. In my experience, using the both the blue and pink clay mask has helped me with the overall texture of my skin.
Ingredients: French Pink Clay, White Kaolin Clay, Organic Rosehip Powder, Organic Rose Powder, Organic Chamomile Powder
3. Indian Healing Clay
This mask is less than $10 on Amazon and lasts FOREVER. The green clay helps absorb oil so I’ve found that this is great for those once a week, deep cleansing of the pores. It is on the stronger side so if you have sensitive skin, you might find that you can get away doing this even every other week. You mix equal parts with water or apple cider vinegar and let it works its magic (leave it on for average 15-20 minutes for normal skin).
Ingredients: 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite (Green) Clay
4. Scratch Goods Masks (all)
I LOVE everything from Scratch Goods. For those of you who are not familiar, it’s a Chicago-based company (the current store is in the Fulton Market – West Loop, if you’re ever in the area) that produces food-grade beauty products. This mean all of the products in the store are made with quality ingredients that can be consumed (i.e. whole ingredients like matcha, lemon, etc.). One of the co-owners, Maureen has a background in Food Science and her love for nutrition and what we put into our bodies expanded into skincare (what we put ON our bodies). I recommend going to the mask bar and booking a chair for a full, 60-minute customized face mask experience. Basically, you make the face mask, put it on, sit back and relax while you sip on some tea (or wine!) All of the products are wonderful but as for masks, I think my favorite is this matcha one!
Ingredients (matcha mask): bentonite clay, french green clay, sea clay, organic matcha
Ingredients (charcoal mask): bentonite clay, rhassoul clay, sea clay, activated charcoal
Ingredients (sea mask): sea clay, french green clay, sea kelp powder
I also am obsessed this Dark Matter (a local Chicago coffee roaster) Eye Butter!
5. Farmaesthetics Herbal Hydration Complex
This one is on the pricer side, but in terms of non-toxic products that WORK, this is it. It’s perfect for those with rosacea, acne, dryness….all the works. It takes away oil but it’s also really moisturizing – my preferred face mask requirements. I usually order this off Follain, but it’s available on Amazon too. You put in on and let it sit for 5-30 minutes and then rinse or wipe off for smoother, less inflamed skin. This stuff works RIGHT away in my experience. It’s been one of my go-to’s to put in before going out before an event at night for smoother, more hydrated skin.
Ingredients: *Shea Butter, Beeswax, *Soybean Oil, *Witch Hazel, L Arginine, Lactic Acid,Chlorophyll, Oats, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Vegetable Glycerin, Xantham Gum,Peppermint Essential Oil, Lavender Oil (*Organic)
