Like many of you, I didn’t know that when I applied lotion, shampoo, foundation, and the dozens of other products that I use daily, that I was applying toxic chemicals directly to my skin. And these chemicals are absorbed into our bloodstream.

I assumed that because we live in a highly regulated country, the ingredients in these products were safe. I never questioned safety at all until March 2015.

That Spring I was having a discussion with my then-functional medicine doctor. We were talking about what foods were natural detoxers and then she asked me what kind of cosmetics that I use. I was confused and thought that question came out of left field. She explained to me that ingredients in makeup can be toxic. Surely I thought she meant drugstore brands, not the ones sold in department stores. I was wrong. She gave me a quick rundown that this happens in all cosmetics - low to high-end brands. I HAD NO IDEA! So I did what I always do - research. I was so shocked when I learned that when it comes to the personal care industry, there are very minimal regulations.

Companies are allowed to use known toxins—ingredients that have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and hormone disruption—without even disclosing these ingredients to us! Isn't this crazy?

Immediately after learning about this, I dumped my five containers of cosmetics and started a year-long search to find a safe alternative.

I tried products from a number of companies that claimed to have "natural" cosmetics and haircare products but found they really weren't safe as advertised.

That is until now.

There are some companies working hard to create safe skincare products and to change the industry. 

And I am excited to share what I’ve learned with you and to inspire you to make safer choices!

To put this into perspective, the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. That's a long time ago!

Researchers at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health published a study in 2013 that detected lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other metals in many popular brands of lipsticks and lip glosses commonly found in drugstores and department stores.

The study also noted that children are especially susceptible to heavy metal accumulation and should not play with makeup. Think of all the young girls that apply make-up daily or even multiple times a day?

Meet Beautycounter

Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including, but not limited to asthma, learning disabilities, cancer and infertility) are on the rise, and due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it's in the products we put on our skin, in the foods that eat it, in the air that we breathe and the environment that we live in. 

What's worse is the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics) allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful, like lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates to name a few, in the products we put on our bodies every single day.

It's time to educate ourselves and take action!

This is why I've partnered with Beautycounter.

While randomly scrolling through my Instagram feed, I came across a photo of a Beautycounter product. I'd been looking for a safe brand of skincare and cosmetics - that actually looked good on my skin. I was intrigued by the image, clicked on the link in the profile and got pulled into a dark hole of reading everything I could find on it.

And what I read, I loved. 

Beautycounter's mission is to put safe products into everyone's hands.

They've banned more than 1,500 ingredients which has come to be known as "The Never List."

They are setting a new health and safety standard— all while ensuring their products perform, and that they're as indulgent as any luxe shampoo, lipstick or oil in the market. 

Not only was I enamored with Beautycounter because their products are safe and high performing, but I wanted to work with a company that is working towards real change. 

Beautycounter is dedicated to making changes on the legislative level and creating a safe skincare movement. They are taking action in Washington D.C. and working to reform the current laws, in hopes that other skin care companies will follow their strict safety guidelines. 

They also work very closely to support three non-profit organizations that are doing great work to reduce our amount of chemical exposure. 

Watch this short video to learn why I am so proud to be a part of this company.

But What About Their Products?

Beautycounter is dedicated to product performance, as much as product safety. After trying countless natural cosmetic brands, I can tell you that this combination of non-toxic ingredients and products that work is extremely rare.

Some natural cosmetic brands use only 100% organic ingredients. This is as pure as makeup can get, but often, the performance is lacking. 

While Beautycounter uses both synthetic and organic ingredients, they never compromise on the safety of the ingredients. 

Beautycounter has developed a groundbreaking and rigorous ingredient screening process, looking for data on skin irritation, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, cumulative exposure (as we exposed to this chemical from other sources) and more.

Every single Beautycounter product is rated between 0-2 on the Environmental Working Group's Skindeep database.

I am very passionate about feeding my body healthy, clean and delicious foods that are void of toxins. And my mission is to inspire others to do the same. 

But skin care and cosmetics have also been a long-standing concern of mine so my partnership with Beautycounter is a logical next step (and a match made in heaven!).

I am so excited to have discovered a brand that I love, trust and makes me look and feel good!