Non Toxic Skin Care
Let’s talk skin. Yes, by now we understand that the foods we consume are extremely important in making us feel a certain way, we eat for energy, for longevity, for fuel, for happiness or to calm our minds, and even eat foods that make our skin glow! However, I think we can all agree that we are finally realizing that what we actually put ON our skin is just as important as what we put IN our bodies.
Our skin is the largest organ on our bodies and absorbs anything and everything that we put on it- think about it for a second...
Many of the products that we use today that aren’t natural, certified organic, or safe as they claim to be, these products, get into our skin and can harm us! Our skin can break out, develop rashes, acne, itch, become dry, affect our hormones, our state of mind, and just how we are feeling in general, maybe without us even realizing it! I noticed this a few times when I used a few products, that claimed to be natural but were in fact toxic and my skin broke out, was extremely itchy, and my eyes would not stop watering! I also remember using a make up brand that I loved and it had stained my duvet cover once because I was carelessly putting make up on while in my bed. I tried to bleach it out (old days, I do not use bleach anymore) and the bleach would remove the make up after a few tries. I thought to myself, WOW, if laundry detergent and bleach wasn’t able to remove the make up, what the heck was the foundation doing to my skin!? On that day, I ended up throwing out my make up and ordering a non-toxic brand of make up. I started small, baby steps, with my make up. A year later, I was lucky to be introduced to a OSEAMalibu, a female founded family run business in CA! You can read a little more about their story; here.
Their products are non-toxic (ingredients and packaging!), vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, and non-GMO. Their products also contain no sulfates, no fillers, and are made with natural plant derived ingredients. I think that my bathroom shelf has just about every single one of their products! I love the way they make my skin feel, especially since my skin is sensitive and tends to react to anything immediately. I think that their products work well with my skin, because of their ingredients, the source of the ingredients, and the relationship they have with their suppliers. They have a strong connection with their suppliers, and work closely with them as well as the ingredients that are used in their products, especially the organic seaweeds, that is present in nearly all of their formulations, which are sourced directly from their family friends in the pristine Sea of Patagonia. That makes a difference. You can read more about their ingredients; here
One thing that makes it easy about these products, is that they are now carried in Follain, which is located not only in New York but Boston! For those that live in Boston, you can find one in Beacon Hill or South End as well as Nantucket (seasonally). Every product that Follain carries, is primarily founded on the same principles that OSEA was as well. They only carry the highest quality of products, that are made with safe, intentional, and unprocessed ingredients. This is important. It is important to trust and to know where you are buying your products. The team at Follain, tests each of the products they are selling to ensure that YOU, are getting the best of the best!
Follain’s mission
“No one should have to compromise their health for beauty. Together with our clients and makers, we’re taking a stand against toxins in personal care, refusing to settle for anything but the safest, most effective products. We’re shifting the mindsets — and building a community of activists who want a better kind of beauty.”
They are both out to change beauty for the good and believe that no one should have to sacrifice their health for it. It can be super overwhelming when figuring out which non-toxic skin products to use and where to even start! I am going to list some of the ones that I love from OSEA below that I use on a daily basis to help you out! Remember, baby steps! Start somewhere and become familiar with what you are putting on your skin, it absorbs everything and truly does affect you skin deep!
OSEA Ocean Cleansing Milk: Reduces redness, use morning and night for make up remover. Dry/sensitive skin.
Atmosphere Protection Creme: lightweight, hydrates, all skin types, reduces redness. USDA certified Organic Algae, Shea Butter and Avocado Oil moisturize.
Blemish Balm: My favorite! Lotion, for acne prone skin, super lightweight, targets acne and future breakouts. good for time of the month especially!
Vitamin Sea Boost: refreshing mist for an instant blast of hydration and glow to dry skin! I love this one after spending a few hours in the sun or if my face may have gotten too much sun! It is also great for spraying over make up if you don't have time to change your make up from going to a day to night event! Instant re-fresher!
White Algae Mask: Made my skin completely even, especially around my nose, reduces redness. Brightens complexion.
Essential Corrective Complex: blemish spot treatment!
OSEA has been so amazing to offer a discount to anyone in the surrounding areas of Boston to come into Follain to receive a free travel Sea Vitamin Boost with a min. purchase of $50! All you need to do is present the code= balancewithb at check out! The vitamin sea boost is amazing after a long day at the beach or if you have spent a few hours outside and may have gotten a little too much sun or if you skin needs a little hydration! You can spray it right over your make up and your face will look good as new!
Which are some of your favorites? I encourage you to re-think your skin products and take a look at what you are using! I promise you will start to see a difference not only in how your skin feels, and how it looks, but in the way you feel!