Non-Toxic Beauty Items That Can Actually Save You Money

Recently, I caught up with a friend of mine who had a baby a few months ago.  I recall that, right after she became pregnant, I saw her and told her she was glowing.  She said that that was not due to pregnancy; it was due to her new face serum that had retinol.  I gasped, and told her she should talk to her doctor about her skincare products since some are not safe for pregnant women (see here for other things to consider before having a baby).  This past weekend, she said that the transition to a more natural skincare regime was very expensive.  A few months ago, I wrote about how non-toxic household items could save you money, and I wanted to explore if non-toxic beauty items could as well.  That is the purpose of this post is to explore that.

But, first, let’s look at what you need to watch out for in beauty products:

(Note:  information about product ingredients is from this website, which I think is the most comprehensive and helpful source I have found: http://web.colby.edu/cleanmakeup/meet-the-ingredients/endocrine-disruptors/) 

• Phthalates:  endocrine disruptor that is “toxic to the reproductive system.”  As a woman of child-bearing age, I just think “eek.”  Look for products with “phthalate-free” and avoid products with fragrance
• Bisphenol A (BPA):  “BPA can lead to female reproductive problems, changes in fertility, and altering of mammary glands.”  This is likely in plastic containers and cans.  I struggle with with what to do about BPA.  I feel like I’ve heard that alternatives to BPA are actually worse, but are less studied so impact isn’t yet know.  Eeeek!
• Perfluorinated Chemicals:  this is what is on non-stick pans, stain resistant fabrics.  I found this particularly damaging for this ingredient:  “PFCs build up in the bloodstream and liver and can stay in your body for more than four years. Exposure to PFCs reduces a woman’s fertility”
• Parabens:  these are everywhere in cosmetics!  It’s used as a preservative and could be in everything from make up, shampoo, toothpaste, etc

OK, seems like a long list of things to avoid.  Is there anything I can actually use, Mrs. Type A?

Yes!  And you may just save some money!  That part is hard to assess since I do not know what you currently spend on beauty items.  That said, I’ll do my best based on my gut assessment of the cost of the non-toxic items vs. traditional options in the market (I’m assuming most people use something in the price range of the Clinique 3-Step System).  It may under or over estimate the cost delta to you personally, but should hopefully just help calibrate relative expense.

To give you a sense of cost, I’ll note things that my experience leads me to believe tend to be more expensive with plus (“+”) signs and items that tend to be less expensive with minus (“-“) signs.  If the cost is the same for non-toxic items, I’ll note that with an equal (“=”) sign.

Mrs. Type A’s selections for non-toxic beauty items that can save you money

(Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, which allows me to keep this blog running!)

Facial Cleanser

• Manuka Honey  (= / -)

Can’t get much more natural than this!  In case you are not familiar, honey — and Manuka honey, in particular — have many skincare benefits.  Primary amongst the benefits is its antibacterial properties.  I personally have used Manuka honey for skincare purposes and have no complaints, other than it’s a bit messy to maintain; other cleaners easily pump or squirt out of the bottle and the Manuka honey is too thick to be delivered in that way.  It requires a scoop of some sort…just a bit more “high maintenance.”

Sable Yong at www.StyleCaster.com published her experience washing with Manuka honey and, I must admit, I may give it another try after reading her post!

Manuka honey isn’t cheap, but the jar will last a loooong time.  So, I rated this as likely be equal to your current skin cleanser or slightly lower due to how long the jar will last.

Check out this recipe from Body Unburdened, which uses Manuka honey (amongst other ingredients) for a easy (and cheap) face wash.  I love it!

• Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar (+/=)

Beautycounter is becoming a phenomenon!  I first heard of them three years ago and, since then, I feel like everyone I know uses their products.  They make a great facial cleanser, in the form of the Charcoal Cleansing Bar.

I have used this product and must say that my skin looked brighter right after.  It’s a bit hard to wash off the residue and I experienced some breakouts due to that, so I not wash with this and follow up with another of Beautycounter’s cleansers in the area in which I break out.

Beautycounter is pricey, I’ll say that.  But, the bar will last you a very long time.  There are also many bloggers out there who have made their own version, and that may be something to check out!  I rated this as an equal (=) or less than (-) since the bar lasts a while AND there are ways to make it yourself.

Toner:  Witch Hazel (-)

It doesn’t get easier or cheaper than this!  The internet has conflicting information the merits of using witch hazel as a toner, but I think it’s been a great addition to my skincare routine.

Perhaps it does nothing and it’s just a mental thing.  For those of you who delivered babies, witch hazel plays an important role in the post-birth healing process.  The smell takes me back to those very tense, but lovely days when my babies were new!  So, if nothing else, I’m reminded every day of that precious time when I tone my skin with witch hazel as part of my non-toxic beauty routine!

I use this organic witch hazel:

Anti-aging Skincare

• Vitamin C Serum (= / +)

I went to get a facial about a year ago and the aesthetician suggested that I needed to use a vitamin C serum to support anti-aging.  She tried to sell me the one in their shop and, when I looked at the ingredients, I got scared.  I didn’t recognize half of what is on there!

In my quest for non-toxic beauty, I hunted down this Mad Hippie version is All Natural, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, GMO-Free.  It has also been rated a 1 by the EMG’s Skin Deep project.  I’d say this probably about the same price as other vitamin C serums.  That said, there are versions you can make yourself as well.

• Rosehip Oil (-)

I have a lot of anti-aging products.  Can you tell I’m getting older!?!  Rosehip oil has many anti-aging properties, including Omega 3 and 6.  This one is certified organic and I use it every day:

At ~$20, I think this is probably less expensive than other anti-aging serums!

Deodorant (+)

Deodorants are one of the absolute most toxic items in skincare / beauty.  This TIME article clearly explains the issue with traditional deodorants.  I have used Primal Pit Paste for years now and, well, I guess I don’t quite know if I smell…but no one has said anything!

This will probably be a few dollars more than regular deodorant.  That said, there are many recipes online to make your own deodorant.  I have actually done that and it’s not that difficult, and it isn’t as weird as it may seem.  But, I have no time for that anymore so, Primal Pit Paste it is!

Shaving Cream:  Coconut oil (-)

So, this may seem weird, but coconut oil has tons of uses in a non-toxic beauty routine (including sunscreen).  I started using coconut oil for shaving cream a few years ago and I am very happy with it.  I tried it after suffering from very, very dry skin.  That, combined with my increasing concern of the toxins in skincare products, drove me to be creative one night; I grabbed the coconut oil from the cupboard on my way to the shower shower.  Since then, I have learned that many people use coconut oil for shaving.  Krissy Brady at www.SheKnows.com wrote a very nice review of it here.

Ever since then, I have used it every day.  It does take extra focus to scoop it out, but I’m ok with that.  I actually found fractionated coconut oil (liquid form).  I believe its cheaper than shaving cream (at least women’s shaving cream) as this bottle lasts a long time:

Nail Polish:  Zoya (=)

Nail polish is another item with a ton of toxins.  I never thought about what could be in nail polish, despite the absolute toxic fumes that I noticed every time I go into a nail salon.  Even if I did know, I don’t think I’d care what goes on my nails…until I realized it can chip off and end up in food I serve my family.

So, I did some research and realized that there is some nasty stuff in nail polish.  Nail polish contains some of the ingredients listed above, along with Formaldehyde (a carcinogen).  Eek!

Zoya is a great brand that does not have any of the big toxins.  I have also found that Zoya nail polish lasts longer than other brands, and be about the same price.  Zoya has other non-toxic beauty items, which I haven’t a chance to try but I am curious!

I could probably go on and on about non-toxic beauty (ugh, I realized I didn’t even touch hair care or make up!).  I’ll make a follow-up post in the future, as there are just so many thing to cover here.  In looking at the items above, it seems like most non-toxic beauty items are either equal or less expensive than the traditional.  So, I think we are safe concluding that — while some items may be more expensive — you can actually save money using non-toxic beauty items if you are smart about it.

I hope you have found this helpful.  Please leave me comments below!

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