Why Did I Choose to Align with Beautycounter?
BECAUSE BEAUTY DOESN’T HAVE TO BE TOXIC!
Each and every day I am taking patients through detox programs addressing their chronic disease, slow metabolism, allergies, hormonal imbalances, poor quality sleep, menstrual issues and so on. I recommend specific food plans to help patients reach their goals while prescribing herbals and nutraceuticals to support their detox process. It would be silly for me not to mention the importance of how NOT to “RE-tox.” If you are spending money on organic food, high-grade quality supplements, nutritional consultations, lab work and acupuncture, then the understanding of “living clean” needs to be a topic that is covered in depth.
It is this very reason why I have whole-heartedly aligned with Beautycounter. When my daughter was first born, I was frantically driving around and mail ordering clean products from various places. I was doing research on the safest sunscreens, what shampoo’s were fragrance, paraben and phalate free and which baby bum balm was non-toxic. It was like a full time job reading complicated labels to keep harmful chemicals off her little body.
I was religiously using the Environmental Working Group App called “Healthy Living” (formerly known as “Skin Deep”). I was looking up the toxic rating scores of every product I could find and although I new skincare products were contaminated with harmful ingredients, it was still shocking! Seeing known allergens and carcinogens in baby wash is an outrage!
A friend turned me on to Beautycounter. She shared they had intentionally banned 1,500 questionable or harmful ingredients and are fully transparent in their ingredient list. I placed my first order, mostly products for my daughter and I was pleasantly surprised. Shortly after, I placed a second order. This time it was to see if I liked their makeup and skin care products.
I had already been using clean products for years but absolutely loved the idea of a “one-stop-shop!” And I fell in love! Their products were not only safe and clean but out-performed all of the products I had currently been using. Now everything from hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner, makeup, shaving creams, beard oils and of course all my anti-aging facial products are from Beautycounter.
What turned me from a Beautycounter consumer to recommending their line to my patients was the ability to offer a fantastic product while not worrying about the toxic burden they are exposing to their largest organ.The second reason I share about Beautycounter is the opportunity for us to vote with our dollars. This aspect is very important to me. Every time we purchase a clean, non-toxic, sustainable, cruelty-free and transparent product we are voting to make a change in this world. Every dollar you spend acts as a vote to show your care about your health, the health of your family, our environment and the sustainability of the earth we are leaving for our children.
BEAUTYCOUNTER’S 5-STEP INGREDIENT SELECTION PROCESS
(FROM THE COMPANY’S WEBSITE):
Step 1: Ban Intentionally
The Never List: 1,500 questionable or harmful ingredients we do not use, no matter what (including nearly 1,400 cosmetic ingredients banned in the European Union).
Step 2: Screen Rigorously
Using the best available data, we screen every potential ingredient, considering it both individually and within a mixture of chemicals, as it would be in a final product. After all, if a company removes one toxic chemical and replaces it with another, nothing has been done to actually protect our health.
Step 3: Learn Constantly
We regularly review emerging data on ingredients and even commission our own studies. The absence of data does not mean that a chemical is safe.
Step 4: Source Responsibly
Choose the best available ingredient options.
Work to source ingredients from non-GMO, sustainable sources, many of which are organic. Over 80% of our ingredients are natural or plant-derived.
Ask for certificates of purity, and test for heavy metal contamination.
Work to manufacture all products in the U.S.
Do not test products or ingredients on animals.
Step 5: Share Transparently
Every ingredient we use is shared on our product packaging, online, and in EWG’s Skin Deep database. We share the source of all ingredients.
Beautycounter is also a Certified B Corporation which is defined by the Certified B Corporation website as:
Businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and nonprofits alone. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.
B Corps form a community of leaders and drive a global movement of people using business as a force for good. The values and aspirations of the B Corp community are embedded in the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence.
To conclude, choosing to align with a company that uses an MLM platform was not something I had taken lightly. I was and still am completely turned off by MLM companies. However, not only was I in awe of the company and their products it was seeing the many ways they advocate for better health laws in our country that I chose to embrace Beautycounter with open arms.
I will always have my patients best interest at heart. I will always be passionate about keeping toxins off our bodies, out of commerce and ultimately doing my part to leave this Earth better than I found it. Whether you choose to use Beautycounter or not, this dialogue is to open the door on choosing wiser when it comes to keeping our bodies clean. With all the efforts you put into detoxing you must look closely at the many ways you are “re-toxing” and make a conscious effort to limit your exposure. Keep up the great work and remember… small changes are still changes that can have a big impact on your health!