Oh my, when it comes to clean beauty and to find what’s a fact and what’s a lie, it can feel like a never-ending task. It’s like you’re on a hamster wheel, and you’re never getting off. So, let’s bust 5 common myths I’ve heard along the way and use to feel the same way about.
If you prefer a video over reading, check out my myth-busting video below.
Ready to check your products to make sure they aren’t harmful? Grab your free list of Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in your beauty products here.
Myth #1 Chemicals are BAD
So this seems like it would be an obvious fact, right?
FALSE!
Not all chemicals are bad guys. I mean, even water is a chemical. Hyaluronic Acid is a chemical and great for anti-aging.
So I want to point those out to start the discussion. When you see something labeled “chemical-free,” know that is false. There is no way it is chemical-free. Chemicals are all around us. To give you a different point of view on chemicals this is an interesting, very brief article written by Thought Co.
Not even all synthetic (man-made) chemicals are harmful. Some have been created to amplify the benefits of natural ingredients.
This may not be my strongest area of expertise; science is extensive. However, I deliver what I find, to allow you to make your most informed decisions. Always start with your why in mind. Why are you switching to clean beauty?
Work on progress and not perfection.
Myth #2 Natural or Organic means Clean
Oye, this is so common. You can walk down any beauty aisle at say Target or Walmart and see numerous labels stating “Natural,” “Organic,” “#1 Dermatologist Recommended.”
Well, this myth is 100% FALSE.
Have you ever heard the term “Greenwashing?”
Greenwashing is a marketing ploy. Marketers are using these terms to make you think that the product is “clean.”
That is one downfall with the beauty industry. We don’t have regulations preventing this kind of false advertisement. Terms such as those have no backing.
That is where you come in, to learn how to read the product labels and identify the harmful chemicals in the products. It’s infuriating that we can’t trust names like those, but we don’t have to support companies using them.
Write down what clean beauty means to you. For me, it does not contain harmful ingredients, it is environmentally friendly, and it is cruelty-free.
When you have this made very clear to you, it will make your buying process much easier.
Myth #3 It’s more expensive
Girl, I was with you on this one. This clean beauty myth is FALSE.
I do want to start by pointing out a couple of factors. If you support a company that is working sustainably and with fair trade practices, the price will be slightly higher than those that don’t. Companies like these make sure that they are not wiping out crops entirely and are very environmentally conscious.
When you support a company that stands behind fair trade, they are not buying into slavery. Thus, they pay their workers fair, liveable wages.
Now with saying this, it doesn’t mean every product you buy will be expensive. There are products available at most price ranges. I have found brands even at Target that aren’t breaking the bank.
A few, I love:
All Good Sunscreen
Shea Moisture face lotion and body wash
Acure face wash
Honest Company
I don’t believe that beauty has to break the bank. I also don’t think you need to own everything. Only buy what you’re really going to use. Some companies even have samples you can purchase or even get for free if you cover shipping. It’s a great way to try out a new product and try before you buy.
I did this with deodorant from Little Seed Farm. I loved the Rosemary Patchouli deodorant cream.
You may also be interested in reading these:
♦ What is Clean Beauty and why is it important to you?
♦ What do the symbols on your bottles mean?
♦ If it’s vegan or cruelty-free does that mean it’s non-toxic?
Myth #4 It’s not effective
It’s funny to me that this is even a thought. I don’t think I ever had this cross my mind. It is FALSE.
I will say that there can be an adjustment period. However, this can be with most products, Especially if you have used products that contain silicones.
Silicones are ingredients that, when used in hair products, make your hair feel silky. Although what it’s really doing is putting a wax coating on your hair. Which, in turn, puts a barrier that won’t allow moisture or even color molecules in.
So you can’t expect the same exact results when switching. A lot of clean products work from the inside out. You have to allow your body to purge the toxins stored up from your previous products.
Take deodorant; for example, your body will go through a detox period. You want to give your new deodorant at least 3 weeks to see if the results are up to par.
Remember, clean beauty products are just like any other product. What works for one person may not work for you. You just need to find what works well for your body.
Myth #5 Too hard to switch
Last but not least, my final myth to bust! This myth is FALSE.
I’m going to be real with you. It can be as hard or as simple as you want it to be. It takes work. It’s almost like learning a new language. Eventually, you start to recognize words, and one day you don’t even remember the beginning of your journey.
When I first got started, I fell into the trap of trusting what everyone told me was “clean.” I knew the common few toxic ingredients to avoid, parabens, sulfates, and formaldehyde. I didn’t know the different names for these or even how to read my product labels properly.
As I began researching on my own, I learned what I was comfortable putting on my body and what I wanted to avoid. I’m not going to sugar coat that this was fun or even easy. What it was was infuriating.
All these years, I slathered my body in products that I was made to believe were safe for me to use. I then began thinking; I have to get rid of everything.
HOLD UP!
Don’t go down that rabbit hole I was in. You don’t have to dive headfirst into this. I developed my program, Impact with Clean Beauty, to walk you through the process.
I don’t want you to throw out everything you own for one that is way too expensive. Secondly, it’s not necessary. I’m sure not everything you own is bad for you.
In my program, I will help you break all of your products into 5 categories. In there, I teach how to read your labels and what ingredients to recognize. Then I also teach how to properly dispose of the products you aren’t going to keep. By then end of our program, you will have a clear picture of what you are keeping, what you are getting rid of, and what you will replace it with.
You don’t have to go through the process alone. Or even waste hours and years researching and researching.
I got you! Grab your free list today and start small. Need help? I’m here for you.
Ready to check your products to make sure they aren’t harmful? Grab your free list of Harmful Ingredients to Avoid in your beauty products here.
