As the mercury rises and summer days beckon us outdoors, the importance of sunscreen cannot be overstated.

However, the choice of sunscreen goes beyond merely safeguarding our skin from harmful rays. Research has found that common sunscreen ingredients, including oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, are not only potential health hazards for us but can also cause significant harm to aquatic life.

Here, we'll explore the impact of these chemicals on our oceans and marine life and recommend five safer, environmentally friendly sunscreens that are free of these harmful substances.

Why the Fuss Over Sunscreen Ingredients?

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: These chemicals are effective in absorbing harmful UVA and UVB rays but have been found to seep into the bloodstream, leading to potential hormonal disruptions and allergic reactions.

Parabens: These preservatives are suspected of interfering with hormone function by mimicking estrogen. Alarmingly, traces of parabens...

Earth Day is an annual event that reminds us of the importance of environmental conservation.

However, taking care of the planet should not be limited to just one day of the year. By making small changes to our daily routines, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for the planet.

Here are 10 ways to make every day Earth Day:

Reduce Your Energy Consumption

Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, use energy-efficient appliances, and adjust your thermostat to conserve energy. Reducing your energy consumption is important because it helps to conserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. By using less energy, we can also save money on our electricity bills and promote a more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations.

Reduce Your Water Consumption

Fix leaks, take shorter showers, and use water-efficient appliances. By reducing our water usage, we can help to preserve natural...

Laundry sheets are a popular and convenient way to do laundry.

These sheets are used in place of traditional liquid or powder detergent and can be simply tossed into the washing machine. However, what many people don't know is that these sheets are actually a major contributor to plastic pollution in our oceans.

Laundry sheets contain a type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is commonly used in water bottles and other plastic products. When these sheets are used in the washing machine, they release small plastic fibers into the water. These fibers can easily pass through wastewater treatment plants and end up in our rivers and oceans.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is another type of plastic that is sometimes used in laundry sheets. PVA is a water-soluble polymer that can be used to create thin, clear films. In laundry sheets, PVA is used as a binder to hold the active ingredients together.

While PVA is not as commonly used in laundry sheets as PET, it is still a...

As the clean beauty industry continues to grow, experts are predicting several trends that will shape the industry in 2023.

Here are the top 5 trends in clean beauty that experts are excited about:

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainability has become a key concern for consumers, and experts predict that sustainable packaging will be a major trend in 2023. Brands will explore new ways to reduce packaging waste, such as using recycled materials, biodegradable packaging, and refillable options.

Probiotics for Skin Care

Probiotics have been making waves in the beauty industry, and experts predict that this trend will continue in 2023. Probiotics have been shown to promote healthy skin by strengthening the skin barrier, reducing inflammation, and balancing the skin's microbiome. Look out for probiotic-infused cleansers, serums, and moisturizers.

CBD Beauty Products

CBD has been gaining popularity in the health and wellness industry, and experts predict that it will make its way into the...

With certain health issues on the rise, people are looking for ways to lower their overall exposure to toxins.

It's becoming more & more evident that environmental toxins are contributing to the rise in chronic health issues like obesity, diabetes, asthma, infertility & even cancer. 

According to Dr. Lora Shahine, "Environmental toxins are the new tobacco".  Her point was that there is enough research and science to show that there is a definitive link between the rise in health issues and toxins and it should be talked about more frequently.  Dr. Shahine is a fertility doctor who works with other fertility doctors to help give them the information and resources they need to be able to confidently educate their patients on this topic.  

Most people are still unaware of this issue, and if you're here reading this, than that means you are one step ahead of most!

We accumulate toxins in our bodies over time so it's really important to take control...

In addition to the tips mentioned in my previous blog post, incorporating air-purifying plants in your home can be an effective way to keep your household air clean.

Plants are natural air purifiers that can help remove toxins and pollutants from the air. Here are a few air-purifying plants that you can consider adding to your home:

Snake Plant

Snake plants are easy to care for and can help remove formaldehyde, benzene, and other pollutants from the air. They can grow in low-light conditions and only need to be watered occasionally.

Peace Lily

Peace lilies are known for their beautiful white flowers and can help remove toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. They prefer indirect sunlight and should be watered when the soil is dry.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are excellent air purifiers and can help remove pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene from the air. They are easy to care for and can grow in a wide range of light conditions.

Boston...

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the harmful chemicals and toxins that can be found in many beauty products. Beautycounter is a brand that has been at the forefront of the clean beauty movement for the past 10 years, offering high-performing, safe, and sustainable skincare and cosmetics products. In this blog post, we will explore why Beautycounter is considered the leader in clean beauty, and provide readers with a label reading guide to help them make informed choices when it comes to their skincare and makeup products.

Why Beautycounter is the Leader in Clean Beauty

Founded in 2013, Beautycounter was created with the mission of getting safer products into the hands of everyone. The brand has a strict "Never List" of over 2,800 harmful or questionable ingredients that they vow to never use in their products, including parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde. They also prioritize sustainability, using eco-friendly packaging and working to reduce their carbon...

Most people assume that green products are a safer option.  And based our experience with organic foods, they really should be.  But unfortunately, what's not common knowledge is, those green terms like "organic" & "natural" that we have come to rely upon for choosing our food don't actually carry over to our household products.  

Due to the lack of regulation in these industry's that create our household products (for example, the Personal Care Industry hasn't had an update to the laws governing it since 1938), companies are taking advantage of the "Green Wave" we are on in food to market to consumers.  So these buzzwords do not necessarily mean that the products we are buying are actually safe. 

So what exactly is CLEAN and why should you start shifting towards these products instead of choosing green products?  

To make it a bit easier to understand, I've broken it down to 3 major factors that you should consider when...

Did you know that some of the most POPULAR natural skin care products on the market still contain toxic chemicals?

Does that surprise you?  Would you continue to use them knowing they contain ingredients linked to asthma, allergies & cancer? Most people assume that natural skin care products are safer for health, but that unfortunately is not always the case.

Many of us look to trusted brands to help us make purchasing decisions in our home. From the laundry detergent that we use to the personal care products we choose. We trust companies to provide us with products that work but that also protect our health and the health of our families. 

And in reality, most people don’t even think of the safety part… it’s just a given… we believe products we buy in the store or online, especially NATURAL skin care products, are not going to harm our health.

In this day and age of “organic” & “natural”...

What's the deal with talc? Is it safe? Is it not safe?

I get asked this question almost every week by my clients. It's easy to understand why everyone is so concerned with talc with so many lawsuits these last few years concerning talc being in baby powder and causing ovarian cancer. 

But, you might be surprised to hear that talc on its own is actually not dangerous.  It's the asbestos that commonly contaminates talc that is the problem.  

How do you know if talc is asbestos free?

It's pretty straight forward.  Most talc on the market has a high likelihood of being contaminated with asbestos.  There are some manufacturers who are making certified free talc, so if you have a hard time finding a talc-free alternative, call the company to see if their talc is certified asbestos free.

Why do companies use talc?

Talc is extremely absorbent, so it's widely used in baby powders, blushes and powder foundations.  Some companies are looking to...