Nutrition for your Skin

Today I want to talk to you about nutrition for your skin, whether all "natural" products are safe, and what you NEED to know about oil-based vs. water-based products.... I also have a special GIFT with purchase offer for you, so read to the bottom! Enjoy!

---

A couple of years ago, I started learning that what I put ON MY BODY (products) was just as important as what I put IN MY BODY (nutrition).

I'm so excited to have found the Countermatch Line, it's what I consider NUTRITION FOR MY SKIN.

As I've swapped out my skincare and makeup to safer options over the past two years, I've learned a lot about what to look for and what matters most when choosing safer products...

At first, I thought NATURAL automatically meant SAFER.

When I first started the search for safer options, I thought if I chose a product that was "natural" or from a totally natural source, it meant it was SAFE. Well, it might be, but not necessarily.  Here's why...

The word "NATURAL" doesn't always mean SAFE. This is because natural products aren't standardized and therefore can be a bit of a wildcard. 

The biggest complaint about natural products is that they don't perform as well.

Natural products can really vary with their amounts of effective ingredients. That's why the performance isn't usually the same as traditional products. I know when I first started trying natural products, the performance just wasn't there.

Natural products aren't always screened for harmful ingredients, preservatives, or contaminants. These unwanted ingredients can sneak in through the supply chain even if the company has good intentions and no one knows if the product isn't screened for them on a regular basis. The truth is, most of these products are never being screened. If they are being screened, they may be screened ONCE, from one batch, and never again. 

That's not good enough for Beautycounter. We are a completely transparent company and consider 1% to be too much when it comes to ingredients like Parabens.

When people ask me if Beautycounter is a completely "natural" brand, the answer is no. Beautycounter is so different because they put SAFETY over SOURCE which allows them to shine in being SAFER AND EFFECTIVE. Let me explain...

Beautycounter uses a small amounts of synthetic preservatives, but ones that are well vetted and won't harm our health. This creates a longer shelf-life and decreases contamination.

The truth is, unlike oil-based products, water-based products have to have a preservative in them for it to be safe for your health. If not, they can become contaminated with bacteria.

This is where Beautycounter really shines. They are able to make SAFER products with HIGH PERFORMANCE because they actually carefully regulate the amounts of the effective ingredients so they actually work like they should! They have mastered the delicate balance of the precise amount of an effective ingredient with the correct amount of a SAFER preservative.

They rigorously screen every product...every single batch...THREE TIMES. That makes me feel confident because there's finally a company looking out for our HEALTH!

I learned some interesting facts about a very popular yellow lotion that I used to use in my teens and twenties...maybe you used it too.

About 25% of its ingredients were actually beneficial to our skin. The other 75% of its ingredients were harmful preservatives, silicones and synthetic polymers that make the lotion slip and slide on skin to make it seem hydrating. The majority of  the ingredients aren't even usable or beneficial to skin! What??

Our skin is our largest organ. It's needs healthy nutrients too.

This is why I'm LOVING the innovative Countermatch Line by Beautycounter. 

100% of its ingredients are usable and beneficial to our skin. 100%.

This is why I consider it NUTRITION FOR MY SKIN. The longer you use it, the better it gets. Plus it bio-mimics skin and delivers exactly what it needs and nothing it doesn't for 24 hours.

Just like we have to FEED our bodies with healthy ingredients, we need to FEED our skin healthy, safer ingredients too.

I hope this helps you understand what matters most when choosing safer products for you and your family.

---

GIFT WITH PURCHASE (expires April 30, 2018)

When you purchase any Beautycounter products through my link I will give you a FREE full size gift!

SHOP BEAUTYCOUNTER SKINCARE + MAKEUP HERE

One of my favorite new products from Beautycounter is the Cleansing Wipes and I'll give you a free pack of these when you spend $100 or more!

These are the best wipes I've ever tried...the material of the wipe is SO soft, it cleanses and removes make up with no rinsing, and leaves my skin feeling amazing. These are PERFECT for travel or after a workout. These are the FIRST biodegradable wipe on the market! I want you to experience these too so take advantage of this awesome freebie from me! (Must purchase $100+ in product before tax + shipping to qualify and this freebie will ship separately from me.)

---

I also have a promotion going on this month for anyone interested in becoming a business partner of mine. If you'd like to start your own Beautycounter business sharing our mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone...learn more here. I'm offering 250 beautiful 2-sided business cards from me to start your business off strong! Contact me at shannon@happywifestyle.com for more details.

Meet Beautycounter+

Beautycounter+ launched recently which may be the most exciting thing to happen to this company yet.... 

What's new?  Xavier Ormancey is the new head of product development and had a big hand in bringing Beautycounter+ to life.  He came to Beautycounter from Paris after spending over 20 years with Chanel, Loreal, and Roche Posay.  With his experience for developing luxurious products that perform, and Beautycounter's Never List... Beautycounter Plus was born!

So what is this brand new line of products all about and how do you use them?

This is a collection of targeted treatments formulated with safer ingredients to enhance your daily skincare routine.  Here are the 3 new collections (9 products total):

1.  BRIGHTENING COLLECTION + VITAMIN C

Infused with antioxidant-rich Vitamin C to awaken dull skin, this Beautycounter+ collection helps reduce the appearance of age spots for a brighter, more radiant complexion.  This collection offers THREE never before seen products.  This citrus-scented Brightening Face Oil has 7 natural oils including omega-rich marula oil for intense hydration, avocado oil which is rich in vitamins A, B, D and E for intense moisture, and black currant oil which is rich in anti-inflammatory omegas 3 & 6.  Vitamin C brightens and evens skin tone, The Brightening Face Mist has Vitamin C that helps reduce the appearance of age spots while lime pearl extract gently promotes a brighter complexion. Kakadu Plum is rich in vitamin C and this powerful antioxidant in the mist that helps boost luminosity and refine the skin’s surface.  This nutrient-rich white Brightening Facial Mask instantly revives skin.  Polishing kaolin clay deeply cleanses and revitalizes while vitamin C helps minimize dark spots for a more even complexion and radiant glow.

2.  PLUMPING COLLECTION + PEONY

Formulated with powerful peony and jasmine, this Beautycounter+ collection restores and firms moisture-depleted skin.  This line is designed to give skin a more toned look and youthful appearance.  The Plumping Facial Mask has deep cleansing kaolin clay, peony root extract which helps plump skin and restore elasticity, konjac root smooths the appearance of fine lines by absorbing water in skin for a firmer appearance, and rye seed to improve skin structure and soften expression lines.  This alcohol free Plumping Face Mist has peony root extract which helps to plump skin, rye seed to minimize the appearance of fine lines and apple fruit extract which has astringent properties to help tighten and lift the skin. This Plumping Face Oil in this collection has 7 natural oils including jasmine oil helps which boosts hydration with a subtle floral scent, and argan oil which helps minimize the appearance of fine lines. This oil was previously known as "Hydrating" in the regular Beautycounter collection. 

3.  BALANCING COLLECTION + CHARCOAL

Infused with activated charcoal and ylang ylang, this Beautycounter+ collection gently refines oily, uneven skin.  This nutrient-rich kaolin clay Balancing Facial Mask purifies and balances, absorbing excess oil and drawing out impurities. Activated charcoal powder minimizes the appearance of pores, giving skin a smooth, polished appearance while salicylic acid stimulates exfoliation.  It also contains lactic acid which gently exfoliates and smooths skin’s surface. This alcohol free Balancing Face Mist is like no other product EVER.  It has charcoal powder which is highly absorbent and rich in natural minerals to help balance and purify skin, kaolin which is a soft clay that effectively absorbs excess oil, and wild rose extract which is rich in vitamins A and C, and also helps reduce redness.  This lightweight Balancing Face Oil is a blend of seven natural oils that moisturizes, smooths, and helps even skin tone.  It has softening meadowfoam seed oil which restores balance, while wild chamomile calms and soothes skin.  This mask is previously known as "charcoal mask" in the regular Beautycounter collection and this Face Oil is previously known as "Balancing" in the regular Beautycounter collection.

I have tried this ENTIRE line and I AM IMPRESSED.  It is absolutely luxurious.  These products smell amazing.  The mists are so fine and even when applied.  These new masks are EVERYTHING.  The Face Oils have always been my "liquid gold" and now having one with Vitamin C is making me do my happy dance.

Tips for use:  These Facial Masks can be used as needed 2-3 times per week.  The Face Oils can be used daily alone or under moisturizer.  The Face Mists can be used daily to prep skin, set makeup, and refresh skin throughout the day. You can "multi mask" too (see pic below) which means use the Plumping Mask on cheeks to plump...and the Charcoal Mask on t-zone to absorb excess oil, for example.  You can taylor them to your needs!

The ultimate Multi-Tasking is "Multi-Masking"!  I used the #1 Brightening + Vitamin C on my entire face to treat dark spots and #3 Balancing + Charcoal on my T-Zone to shrink pore size!  

Who's ready for a girl's day with MASKS, MISTS, and MIMOSAS?  Click here to shop:

Why are these products SAFER?

----> Our Facial Oils has passed Beautycounter’s Ingredient Selection Process. They are formulated without synthetic or mineral oils.

----> Our Facial Mists have passed Beautycounter’s Ingredient Selection Process.  They are formulated without silicones or sulfates.

----> Our Facial Masks have passed Beautycounter’s Ingredient Selection Process. They are formulated without artificial colorants or synthetic fragrances.

MINI SPA SETS ARE HERE TOO...

JOIN MY "Happy WifeStyle Beauty" FACEBOOK GROUP NOW to get in on a super fun community that's all about aging gracefully, living clean, and all things beauty!  Use this link to Join:  http://bit.ly/JoinHWSBeauty or click the link below.

Can we trust that our beauty products are safe? What you need to know before you shop.

I had something happen yesterday that made me really glad I started my Safe Product Movement at the beginning of this year.  If I hadn't, I might not know what I now know.... and would have just trusted what the fancy packaging was telling me on my new gift.  But I knew better.  When you know better, you do better.

As a blogger, I sometimes get things sent to me to try.  Yesterday I got a package in the mail and at first glance it looked great.  It was a skin care product.  I won't mention the brand as that's not the point.  I'm not trying to interfere with their business.  It was a brand I'd never heard of before.  

Here's what I noticed at first glance.

• It looked high end like it was something that could be sold in a dermatologist's office.
• It said all of these words on the containers: "Natural", "Paraben Free", "Cruelty Free", "Vegan". "GMO Free", "Gluten Free", "trusted", and "vitamin rich".

Sounds good, right?  

Well, the reason I thought it was important to share this information with you is because I want to show you what was revealed when I put this product into the Healthy Living App by the EWG (Environmental Working Group).  If you're unfamiliar with this tool, it's a great resource for double checking the products in your home.  It gives products a score of 1-10.  1 being the safest, and 10 being the most toxic.  Here's a screen shot of the result...

I blacked out the brand so it's not visible.

Something to note about the Healthy Living App is that while it is a great resource, it is not perfect as it does not have every product in it's database...yet.  When a product is not in the database it's usually because the company will not disclose what's in their product.  Why?  Because it's completely legal for them not to.  The personal care industry is essentially unregulated.  

Words like "natural" and "organic" mean absolutely nothing in the beauty industry.  I'm not saying they all mean nothing, because there are absolutely wonderful, safe companies out there.  I'm just saying you cannot trust that it means something.  You have to dive a little deeper if you don't know it's a company that's trustworthy.  Pretty messed up, isn't it?

It made me angry yesterday after seeing these results.  Why?  Because the average person would choose this product.  The average person would not think this product could possibly cause allergies, cancer, or reproductive harm.  The average person doesn't know that companies don't have to tell us the truth.  The average person would actually think they were doing something good for their health!  We deserve better, don't we?

I used to think if a product made it to store shelves, it was at least somewhat safe.  Some years ago, I started to hear about the big offenders, like parabens and phthalates and started to avoid those ingredients...but what about the thousands and thousands of other toxic chemicals that are on the market today?  The truth is that most of them have never even been tested for human or environmental safety.  Of the ones that have, many contain known carcinogens, allergens, and hormone disrupters.  Yet they are still widely used today.

Here are some facts to consider:

• 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
• A woman uses approximately 12 products a day, which can equate to over 100 different chemicals.
• 80% of ingredients in our personal care products have never been assessed for human safety.
• Today, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 40 years ago it was 1 in 20.
• Of the women diagnosed with breast cancer today, 90% do not have a mutation in the BRCA gene, the gene most commonly associated with breast cancer.
• The European Union bans/restricts nearly 1,400 toxic chemicals from the market, while the United States only bans 30.
• There has not been a federal law passed governing the personal care industry since 1938.

So why do I know about this and why do I care about spreading this important information?  Because I decided to link arms with other women who are making a difference.  I joined Beautycounter's mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone.  I fell in love with this company because they are an education first, products second company.  As long as we can help people make a safer choice, we've done our job.  Plus I get to share safe skincare, body care, face oils, a kids line, sunscreen and a baby line!  Check out all of our products here!

I have made my life so much simpler by just using Beautycounter skincare and make up.  There's no other company in the industry that's delivering on both performance and safety to the extent that we are.  I don't have time to scrutinize every ingredient on my products, especially if I can't even trust it.  I also understand as women....we want products that perform as well or better than our department store brands.  

Beautycounter has what's called a Never List™ which means that when formulating their products, they prohibit the use of over 1,500 harmful of questionable ingredients.  I know that this company is completely transparent and discloses every single ingredient for safety.  What's more?  They have an entire public policy arm dedicated to pushing for more health protective laws.  It's completely simplified my life...and lets me share this important mission with others so they can make a healthier choice.  We vote with our dollars, so you can make a difference too just by becoming a customer!  Want to help us even more my sharing our mission?  Join us!

I encourage you to download the Healthy Living App by the EWG today and start scanning your products!  You may be surprised.  You don't need to throw everything out the window at once.  I understand that can be expensive.  What I recommend to people is to replace things slowly, over time as you run out of items.  Get rid of your worst offenders that are most toxic first.  Replace items that sit on your skin the longest like lotions and foundation.  It's a process, but it's worth it.  Don't forget all your family members too like your husband and your kids.  Your teen girls that are starting to wear makeup....start teaching them now what to look for.  Just move in a healthier direction.

Want to know what else you can do to detoxify your whole home?  Download my FREE 15 Tips to Detoxify Your Home.  Sign up here and I'll send it to you straight away....right to your inbox.  Some things on the list might even surprise you!

Here's to starting the New Year off right!