Safer Skincare- One Option for Pregnant Women and Babies
/So often pregnant patients and new moms ask "What beauty and skincare products should I avoid?" The answer has always felt very complicated. There are so many chemical that we put on our body every day and so many unknowns about the significance of those chemicals on our growing babies and bodies. Many women respond by not using ANYTHING! There are so many buzz words in the news these days about things to avoid.... parabans, phthalates, sulfates, coal tar, vitamin A, salicylic acid, herbal product unknowns, the lack of regulation in the personal care space, and inconsistencies in the natural product industry just to name a few... and it is overwhelming!!!
Along came Beauty Counter. Instead of telling women what not to use they are providing an answer of what TO use. I love the passion they have for safer skincare and their belief that we should know what we are putting on our bodies. I sat down with my good friend Erica Razze, a Beauty Conter rep, to ask her some questions and am sharing those answers with you below! From safer sunscreen to skin care for the whole family, I have some shopping to do. : )
Shop at: www.beautycounter.com/ericarazze
Checkout this free worksheet to do your own medicine cabinet cleanout!
1. Why is Beautycounter different than other beauty and skin care lines?
Many cosmetic companies think of health and safety in a short-term context, working to avoid acute reactions, such as a rash or irritated eyes. Very few companies, however, are paying attention to our long-term health. Right now in the U.S., it is completely legal for companies to use toxic chemicals in the products that we put on our bodies every day – even if the ingredients are linked to cancer or other health problems. In the U.S., 30 ingredients are restricted or banned from cosmetics. Beautycounter voluntarily bands over 1400 ingredients. We develop and distribute nearly 130 high-performing products across skin care, color cosmetics, anti-aging, kids, baby, and personal care collections.
Beautycounter is a B corporation with a score of 95!
The B stands for Benefit, unlike most corporate structures, we consider people, the planet, and profits equally. We voluntarily meet rigorous standards of transparency, accountability, and performance. Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a difficult accomplishment, and we did it right from the very beginning.
2. For people wanting to swap out items for cleaner products where do you recommend they start? Is there a product that we are all using that we don’t realize is super toxic?
SUNSCREEN! This is one of those products where people automatically feel good about making the right choice to wear sunscreen (WHICH YOU SHOULD!) and don't realize, not all products are created equally. At Beautycounter, we prohibit chemical SPF filters due to their high potential for skin irritation. We prefer to use physical sunscreens, more commonly known as mineral sunscreen. Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, sit on the surface of the skin and physically bounce or reflect sun’s rays away from the skin. Mineral sunscreens are great for people with sensitive skin as well as babies and kids. Beautycounter offers a lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen lotion that uses non-nano zinc oxide. We never use Octinoxate or Oxybenzone, ingredients known to contribute to the collapse of coral reefs around the world making our sunscreens safer for both people and our oceans.
There are many ingredients allowed in beauty and skin care products that we believe should never be used: harsh sulfates, formaldehyde-releasers, artificial fragrances, PEGs, mineral oil, and carbon black. Making clean swaps can be overwhelming so I would focus on what I call, “meaningful swaps.” These are different for everyone, it depends on individual’s product usage habits. I recommend swapping your most frequently used. If you don’t wear make-up daily, perhaps it's less important to swap those products, but if you are into body lotions, or skin care, consider making that swap sooner than later.
3. What is your favorite or must have product that Beautycounter offers and why?
I LOVE so many of our products, but I absolutely can’t live without their countermatch adaptive moisture face lotion. This is an EWG (environmental work group) verified product and its amazing. It adapts to what your skin needs in that moment. For me I am able to use this year round, and never go through the peaks and valleys of dry or oily skin. It's “just right” all throughout the day and under makeup. PLUS its free of harmful preservatives. The unique packaging of both our Adaptive Moisture Lotion and Eye Rescue Cream allow them to maintain freshness through airless pump bottles.
4. What is special about Beautycounter products for babies and new moms?
Made with simple ingredients that have been meticulously researched and tested, our baby products gently cleanse and protect delicate skin. Babies can easily absorb chemicals through their skin and they are much more vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals than adults. Our baby line includes:
Body Oil, an unscented oil made without “fragrance,” a much-used moniker that may contain dozens of ingredients - including phthalates and synthetic musks –linked to hormone disruption. PRODUCT PROFILE • Nut-Free* • Soy-Free* • Gluten-Free* • Vegan • Unscented • Made with certified organic oils
Baby Daily Protective Balm is the ultimate hydrating powerhouse. This blend of organic shea butter and jojoba oil provides soothing relief and protection for dry, delicate skin. WHY IS IT SAFER? We use only the most nourishing organic oils and butters in our baby protective balm that actually hydrate the skin, unlike petroleum-derived petrolatum, which may be contaminated with toxic chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PRODUCT PROFILE • Nut-Free* • Soy-Free* • Gluten-Free* • Non-GMO • Hypoallergenic • Petroleum-free • Unscented • Made with certified organic oils
Baby Gentle All-Over Wash - A gentle, tear free, non-stripping 2 in 1 shampoo + body wash that safely and effectively cleanses and nourishes your baby from head to toe.
WHY IS IT SAFER? The surfactant in our all-over wash is derived from plant sources including coconut fatty acids and provide a gentle, tear-free cleanse without the risk of contamination with formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like quaternium-15, or with potential carcinogens like 1,4-dioxane. PRODUCT PROFILE • Nut-Free* • Soy-Free* • Gluten-Free* • Vegan • Unscented • Hypoallergenic
Calming Diaper Rash Cream is a hypoallergenic formula made with safer ingredients. Non-nano zinc oxide helps relieve and prevent redness, inflammation, and irritation. Tapioca starch absorbs excess moisture caused by diapers while helping maintain skin’s softness and smoothness. Shea butter and jojoba oil moisturize and nurture delicate skin.WHY IS IT SAFER? Our Calming Diaper Rash Cream soothes sensitive skin with nourishing organic oils and butters, instead of petrolatum, which may be contaminated with harmful chemicals. PRODUCT PROFILE • Vegan • Nut-Free* • Soy-Free* • Gluten-Free*
*Beautycounter cannot guarantee that products are made in a nut-free, gluten-free, or soy-free facility. Persons with extreme allergies are encouraged to consult a doctor or conduct a patch test before using any products
4. So often pregnant patients ask about the products they are using and if they are safe to use during pregnancy and nursing, how do you answer this question regarding Beautycounter products.
First, If you have any concerns about a skin product, it's a good idea to discuss it with your healthcare provider. If you have used a product that contains a potentially harmful ingredient, don't panic. Simply stop using the product now and pick one with safer ingredients.
All of Beautycounter’s products are safe to use during pregnancy and nursing. We screen every ingredient for safety, keeping those especially vulnerable—like pregnant women and babies—in mind. Two ingredients Beautycounter highlights as possible concerns are essential oils and salicylic acid.
The essential oil fragrance blends for all of our scented products make up less than 3% of the product formula.If you have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to avoid this, or consult with a physician before hand. However all of our products in the Baby Line are fragrance free and great for women to use pre and post pregnancy.
Although no medical studies have been conducted on the topical use of salicylic acid during pregnancy, generally it is medically advised to abstain from using skin care products that contain more than 2% salicylic acid during pregnancy. This is advised out of an abundance of precaution. Our Purifying Charcoal Mask contains less than 0.5% salicylic acid, as at this low level it helps to gently unclog pores.
Beautycounter screens every single ingredient for safety, and we take the concentration and route of exposure into account when selecting ingredients. We are committed to full disclosure of the ingredients in our products so that the consumer can make the best, most informed choices for their health. As always, we advise that you consult your physician about any specific ingredient concerns before using any product.
5. Are there any super easy or on the go Beautycounter products that you recommend for busy moms?
BABY BALM! I use this for everything! It's one of their best multitasking products, and they have a bunch that do double duty. This product works great on chapped hands, lips, minor scrapes and burns (it can replace neosporin in your bag) helps control flyaway frizzy hair, can tame brows, and this works miracles on dry heels and elbows. This is in my purse wherever I go.
6. How can Sweet Pea Clients buy Beautycounter products or get in touch with you to ask more questions?
www.beautycounter.com/ericarazze
Email questions: ericarazze@aol.com
Take our FREE early pregnancy online course to learn more!
ALL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM
https://behindthecounter.beautycounter.com and www.beautycounter.com
Want to learn more about sunscreen safety for babies? Check out this blog post!
