If you’ve committed to ‘cleaning your beauty routine’ but don’t know where to begin, try these simple beauty swaps. Clean beauty is not complicated. However, a few small changes can make a big impact for both you and the environment. Try the following beauty swaps to kickstart your clean beauty routine!

LIPSTICK

It’s a no brainer that what we apply on our lips eventually ends up in our mouth —at least some of it. Many lipsticks and glosses contain petroleum, chemical emulsifiers, synthetic preservatives, and coal tar pigments, none of which are good to eat! Luckily there are amazing lipsticks on the market that don’t contain these ingredients. Above all, this makes it easy to swap your favourite shade for a safer, more natural version. Try Ilia Lipstick or Fitglow Beauty Lip Serums for beautiful lip colour, without the harmful ingredients.

SUNSCREEN

Conventional sunscreens use chemical ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate to filter out the sun’s harmful rays. These ingredients, while offering effective sun protection, can also cause allergic reactions and act as hormone disruptors. Instead of using a sunscreen with chemical filters, use a mineral based one. This one uses zinc oxide and titanium oxide to create a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, without absorbing in. Try ThinkSport body sunscreen or Suntegrity 5 in 1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen.

PERFUME

The perfume industry is very secretive when it comes to ingredients. Producers rarely disclose every ingredient used in their fragrance’s signature blend. Unfortunately, these ‘trade secret’ recipes contain harmful ingredients that are hidden from consumers under the label “fragrance” or “parfume”. According to Environmental Working Group (EWG), these are associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions. Instead of polluting your air and body with these chemical cocktails, opt for a safer fragrance made from plant based essential oils. These fragrance blends have come a long way from that dusty bottle of patchouli oil you’d find in your local health food store! Try Province Apothecary’s Botanical Perfume or Phlur Fragrances

MOISTURIZER

The number one ingredient used in most conventional moisturizers for face and body is mineral oil. This, and its derivatives like paraffin and petrolatum, are made from highly refined petroleum. Similarly, refined petroleum can be contaminated with carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting chemicals. If this isn’t reason enough, there’s another huge benefit to swap products with mineral oil for plant-based oils. Mineral oil locks moisture in, but doesn’t do much else. In addition, plant based oils contain fatty acids and vitamins that can improve the health of your skin. Make the switch and see for yourself! Try using Basd Body Care Lotion or Consonant Ultra Moisturizer Organic Face Cream.

ANTIPERSPIRANT

Antiperspirant is made with harmful chemicals, including aluminum, which acts to block the skin’s pores. There’s some controversy whether or not aluminum in antiperspirant is tied to breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Regardless, sweating is a necessary function of the body and shouldn’t be blocked. It helps to regulate your body temperature and eliminate waste products from the body. Swap your antiperspirant for a natural deodorant. Try Meow Meow Tweet’s Deodorant or Native Deodorant.

Making the switch to safer cosmetics and beauty products can be a bit of a process, but it’s well worth it for both you and the environment! Above all, have fun with it and enjoy discovering all of these amazing clean beauty swaps!