Cleaned up diet? Check. Cleaned up physical activity? Check. Cleaned up health and beauty products…? Ummm… in progress! It is warped to have swapped out all of my chemical household cleaning items for all-natural alternatives (like Method and Seventh Generation) before I changed the products I use every day on me. Three stories have forced me to change my focus: Kris Carr; Tracy, featured in Green Capes; & the third, The Glamorganic Goddess who outlines her story in full on her site – excerpt below:
I was diagnosed with Stage IIA Breast Cancer at the age of 31 in September 2009. I had two surgeries in two weeks and went through 6 weeks of radiation treatments. Since skin is your largest organ, and anything you put on it is immediately absorbed into your bloodstream and by your liver… I had a lot to think about. Could I really kiss my 15 year M.A.C. addiction good bye? Ugh! Believe me, you can see the claw marks on the compacts as they’ve been tossed into recycling.
Stating my goals – writing out my goals – and sharing my goals creates a system of support. I will be completely organic/all-natural with my health and beauty products by this time (July) of 2012. Given the little nudge from these fierce ladies, I’m working to swap out my products. Maybe it’s the Midwest in me, but I’m not of the mindset to “throw it all out” at once. As something empties, I replace it with a better quality product – better for me, better for the Earth, better for the people who make it. My focus is to buy products with integrity. Above are products I currently use: Aveda, Alba (face wash and oil for moisture post-shower), Earth Science, Eucerin (on its way out), Pangea, Clarsonic Mia (on sale here!), all-natural bar soaps. I’ve also added in dry-brushing my skin – taking care of my largest organ. The parting shot – my collection of polishes which will be replaced by Scotch All Naturals little-by-little and disposed of using resources found at Earth911.
I need your help! What are your favorite all-natural products? Which product can you not imagine swapping for non-toxic (mine = eyeshadows & mascara)? I will be relying heavily on advice and product reviews as I swap out my makeup stash. Much like each of you, paying a premium for these products is a little “ouch” in the immediate sense, but the long-term is invaluable if it equates to a full and healthy life. Choosing products and foods with non-toxic ingredients and production methods becomes more important to me with each passing year. 
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I am still in the process of switching over as well but I LOVE Gabriel Cosmetics moisturizing liquid foundation. I have combination oily skin and it still wears well on me! Lasts through a whole day of work! Glamorganic Goddess also has a positive review on it on her blog. Also I’m not sure if I read your entry correctly on if you switched to Method as a more natural brand, but Method is not a true natural brand. I have not really used it except I saw my brother in law had their liquid hand soap in his bathroom and it had sulfates in it listed in the ingredients. There will be a lot of brands that claim to be organic and natural but you have to check the ingredients list because that really means nothing.
Hi, Jenn! My education continues…! Thank you! I did mention Method. I haven’t bought their handsoaps, but I use their kitchen countertop & window cleaning solutions. I recently purchased “Zen Cleaning” which is a primer on how to use all-natural cleaners (vinegar, lemon, etc.). I’ll have to check out Gabriel Cosmetics – thank you so much for the tip!
I actually had to switch to organic cosmetics this past winter because of a bad eye infection. My optometrist suggested the BareMinerals/Esecentuals line, even for mascara and liner, and I’ve loved it ever since. I also found that Tarte Cosmetics has some decent stuff and can be purchased at some Sephoras. It’s been a relatively harmless switch for me! Good luck and thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much, Kristin! Good to know as a fellow contact lens wearer. I’ve had a few instances of “puffy eyes” which I’ve ignored in the past that could feasibly be related to what I was using. I’ll be waiting for my next major Sephora coupon and going in with my wish list!
Hi, Erin–I chose evanhealy this spring, when searching for all natural face-skin-care. Picked this line because: simple & less steps/products. I have had some allergic reactions to some natural products, especially those with pumped up vitamin C to fight aging (sadly, I am in this category ;-)! (Dermatologist exclaimed: well you have seasonal allergies to natural plants!) Bought the 7 day trial and love, love, love it. California made, too for localvores.
PS Where in the midwest? I am Wisconsin born & Minnesota wed.
Hi, Nancy! Thank you so much for sharing the resource. I don’t think that most of us are ever too young to start looking into the “proactive care” sector! Ha! I’ve been using some form of “anti-aging” serum or lotion since my mid-20′s – trying to take care of the skin I’m in for this lifetime. I’ll have to check it out, as a Locovore! And finally – I grew up in Missouri, lived in Michigan for a period and the East Coast (D.C.) before landing in L.A. at the beginning of 2010. Hello to my fellow midwesterners!
Forgot to post link: http://www.evanhealy.com/ check it out!
I LOVE Korres Honey Thyme Moisturizer! Smells like honey and feels fabulous (it’s a little on the heavy side, but you can get a free sample from Sephora). Otherwise, I am in the same boat as you…in need a of a green-beauty makeover.
Oh yeah! I forgot to post that – I’m using these Korres products + a Tarte lip moisturizer that are all-natural! Are you liking the Korres?