Skincare Products to avoid.

There are plenty of facial products in this world. It can be challenging and overwhelming to find the appropriate kind for your skin whether, it's sensitive, oily, or dry. When you are on a tight budget, and over-the-counter brands are easily accessible and usually the cheapest option, you tend to go for it. But the saying rings true unfortunately: You get what you pay for. There are so many OTC (over the counter) brands that have harmful, harsh, ingredients or just ingredients that aren't effective. If you want real results, it can be an investment. In the end, your healthy skin will thank you.

I'm going to give you the top skincare products to avoid, based on the ingredient list and from experience with my clients. Also, I am going to point out what to look for when buying products.

1. St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub




http://www.stives.com/Facial-Products/Fresh-Skin/Invigorating-Apricot-Scrub/

Ingredients 
Water, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG 100 Stearate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Cetyl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth 20, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Carbomer, PPG 2 Methyl Ether, Phenethyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide

I know the packaging looks promising and delightful, but looks can be deceiving! In my opinion this is one of the worst products you could possibly buy for your face. It's interesting because I know A LOT of people who use this. When I have a client come in and find out this is there go to product, it immediately makes sense that their skin is ultra sensitive, red, irritated, and dried out. The crushed up walnuts in this product are used as an exfoliating agent (the scrub part). Because the walnut bits aren't spherical, they actually begin to tear at your skin, causing severe sensitivity.


There are several other shocking ingredients listed in this product that are harsh and even toxic:

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate- This is in fact the same ingredient used to degrease car engines and clean floors. It is a well-known skin irritant that can bring severe sensitivity. It can cause damage to your hair, skin, permanent eye damage to children, as well as liver toxicity. It also is awful for the environment in that it is known to be lethal to fish. There is known debate that it is carcinogenic. Avoid this toxic foaming agent all together. 

• PEG ingredients- (polyethylene glycol)- Extremely toxic and potentially carcinogenic. 

• Methylisothiazolinone- Widely used preservative, most likely taking the place of parabens. Banned from lots of other countries. Known to be toxic to wildlife and the environment. 

• Triethanolamine- Toxicant and allergen to the immune and respiratory systems. 

 It is totally worth it to know your products and the ingredients from which they are made.

Your face is fragile, different from the rest of your body. It is vital to treat it with the utmost care!!

Don't get me wrong, exfoliating is necessary in having healthy, glowing skin. Make sure to be using sufficient products that will not strip your skin, and remember- less is more! Most exfoliating is done only a few times per week, depending on the exfoliant.

*Great Alternatives for an exfoliant: 

- Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant- $20
http://www.aveda.com/product/7570/16417/Skin-Care/toneexfoliate/Botanical-Kinetics-Exfoliant/index.tmpl

Ingredients:
Water, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Melissa Officinalis (Balm Mint) Extract, Spiraea Ulmaria (Meadowsweet) Extract, Alcohol Denat., Ethyl Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Fragrance, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Limonene, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA

Fantastic product. This salicylic acid based exfoliant leaves your skin smooth, clarified, and wipes away those dead skin cells. Safe even for sensitive skin. LOVE it. Lasts forever.

 

- Oat Facial Polish- $20 (2oz)/ $52 (5oz)

http://www.naturopathica.com/products/cleansers_mists/15-oat_facial_polish

INGREDIENTS/INCI: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Avena Sativa (Oat) protein, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Wax Beads, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Populus Tremuloides (Aspen) Bark Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Chitin, Beta-Glutan, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil, Nardostachys Chinensis (Spikenard) Root Oil, Rosa Damascena (Rose) Flower Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheatgerm) Grain Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sclerotium Gum, Phenethyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, P-Anisic Acid

Great line! Works well for those who have sensitive skin. Made with Oat protein and Aloe = soothing, Jojoba beads= spherical beads for exfoliation. This product is gentle enough to use daily.

-Juice Beauty Exfoliating Cleanser- $22

http://www.juicebeauty.com/store/skin-care/cleansers-and-toners/exfoliating-cleanser.html

Ingredients: Organic juices of vitis vinifera (organic white grape juice)*, ananas sativus (organic pineapple juice)*, aloe barbadensis (organic aloe juice)*, vegeatable glycerin, caprylic/ capric triglyceride, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond oil), cetearyl alcohol & glucoside, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba wax seed), organic plant oils of butyrospermum parkii (organic shea butter)*, sesamum indicum (organic sesame seed oil)*, xanthan gum, capryl hydroxamic acid, caprylyl glycol, persea gratissima (avocado oil), persea gratissima (avocado oil unsaponifiables), simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba seed oil)*, botanical extracts of calendula officinalis (marigold flower extract), chamomilla recutita (chamomile leaf extract), tilia cordata (linden leaf extract), algae extract, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle flower extract), lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle extract), tocopherol (Vitamin E), ascorbyl palmitate (Vitamin C), tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, sodium hydroxide, cinnamomum camphora (ho wood) and citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet neroli) pure essential oils

Organic, nourishing line. Organic pineapple juice- exfoliates + heals, Organic white grape juice- promotes skin rejuvenation, Organic aloe leaf juice- soothes. 

Continue to follow me as I journey through skincare products to avoid and alternatives.
I sincerely hope this is helpful for you all!! :) Please don't hesitate to ask questions.


xo, rachelle

Naturopathica

Naturopathica is a very effective and unique skin care line. It's main focus is healing and restoring the skin. They use raw, clean ingredients made in small batches, which supports local farmers, and is accredited by ECOCERT- the largest and oldest organic certifications.

Everyday we face constant exposure to environmental elements such as, climate conditions and pollution- all of which can contribute to your skin becoming compromised and sensitive. Ultimately, this can lead to premature aging and those wrinkles we all dread! Another form of irritation to the skin are the ingredients that could be in your current skin care products/ cosmetics. Some of the leading irritants and allergens are: Parabens, Talc, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Petroleum, and Phthalates- just to name a few. Marketing can be deceiving!! That is why everyone should be educated on products that could be aiding in the cause of your problems!

This line offers:

• Clean cosmeceuticals
• Safe skin care- Accredited by ECOCERT ensuring each product has gone through an intense review process from ingredient sourcing and formulation to manufacturing. 
• 100% Green packaging
• Dermatologist and clinically tested
• Products are made in the USA

The goal of this brand is to ensure quality products and address skin sensitivity of so many people today. I have personally tried many products of this line and am a HUGE fan. 

Some of my favorites are:

• Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum- Thick consistency due to the Mica and Silica, but it totally works! Just apply this to your under eye area. I still use concealer on top, but it totally takes care of my dark circles! Vitamin K reduces skin discoloration while Cape Chamomille provides anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Possibly my favorite product. 
• Cassis Ultra Replenishing Cream- Super hydrating cream that has Vitamin B Complex to improve oxygen absorption, Hyaluronic Acid to reinforce natural moisture content, and Black Current to soothe and improve skin resilience. For aging, devitalized skin. It will give you a healthy glow and make your skin RADIANT!
• Plant Stem Cell Serum- Active serum that slows down signs of aging by plumping and firming the skin! Made with Plant Stem Cells- Echinacea to stimulate new collagen, Butterfly Bush to provide a strong protection from photo-aging, Acai to promote cell turnover, Helichrysum to strengthen capillary walls and protect broken blood vessels. Use only for 30 days. Then every 60 days. For fine lines and aging skin. 

There are a ton more I have not mentioned here. Definitely check out some of these fantastic products. If you have any questions, please ask! 

xo, rachelle 

My Journey.

These posts will be my honest, hardworking attempt to give you the wonderful understanding of skin and skin care products. Along the way I will be doing reviews of products I have tried, as well as give updates of the things I've learned in my esthetics career. This will be an incredible outlet for me as I express my passion for skin care, and educate my clients and fellow readers in the world of skin.

Questions are most definitely welcome and encouraged. Enjoy!

xo, rachelle