Skin Care
Protect your skin with products that nourish without harmful additives
Common Exposures
Moisturizers, sunscreens, and cleansers often include chemicals like parabens, oxybenzone, and triclosan. These substances can be absorbed through the skin and disrupt hormonal balance or cause allergic reactions.
Health Impacts
Children are extremely susceptible to these toxins. Not only because of the nature of their developing systems, but because oftentimes they do not get to choose the products that are purchased for them. Our goal is to educate and bring attention to the dangers found in some of the products parents buy for their families.
Prolonged exposure to these chemicals may increase the risk of hormone-related health issues, skin irritation, and sensitivity, particularly in children who have more permeable skin and are more vulnerable to chemical absorption.
Practical Tips for Reducing Exposure
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Moisturizers and Lotions
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Look for products with natural emollients like jojoba oil and cocoa butter.
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Avoid parabens and synthetic fragrances.
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Cleansers
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Opt for gentle, non-foaming cleansers with plant-based surfactants.
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Stay away from triclosan and other antibacterial agents.
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Cosmetics
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Many ingredients have toxins that are carcinogens.
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Avoid products that contain formaldehyde and phthalates.
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Be cautious of foundations, lipsticks, and mascara that are labeled long lasting or water-proof.
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DIY Face Moisturizer
What You'll Need:
Aloe vera gel
Jojoba oil or other nourishing oil such as grapeseed, sweet almond, apricot kernel, argan, or tamanu
Bottle with a dropper or pump
Instructions:
1. In a small bottle (ideally a 4-ounce glass bottle with a dropper), combine the aloe vera and nourishing oil in equal amounts. Feel free to play around with the ratio that works best for your skin.
2. Shake the bottle to combine the mixture. If you'd like to add additional ingredients, we suggest adding a small amount of vitamin E oil or a few drops of your favorite skin-friendly essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, or carrot seed.
DIY Face Wash
What You'll Need:
1/4 cup castile soap
2 teaspoons aloe vera gel
1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
1/2-1 tablespoon castor oil
5-10 drops essential oils of choice
Note: tea tree for acne prone skin, geranium for dry skin, lavender for combination skin. There are many beneficial essential oils for skincare! Do some research and find out which one sounds right for you.
Instructions:
Simply combine and mix all ingredients in a small jar with a pump.
DIY Lip Balm
What You'll Need:
2 tablespoons of body butter
2 tablespoons carrier oil
2-3 teaspoons beeswax pellets
5 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
1. Place the body butter, oil, and beeswax pellets in a small or medium heat-safe bowl or tall measuring cup.
2. Place the glass bowl on top (or sitting inside) of a saucepan partially filled with water (about 1/4 full) over medium heat. This creates a double boiler to protect the fragile ingredients from burning. Heat until the wax and butter melts, stirring occasionally. While doing this, place a disposable plate or paper towel under the lip balm containers to prevent wax from dripping onto your countertop when you reach step 4.
3. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and place it on an oven mitt or towel. Add the essential oil drops of choice if you are using any.
4. Use an oven mitt to pour the liquid mixture into lip balm containers, such as tubes or tins. Allow the balm to rest for a few minutes until formed and solid. It's ready to use once set and firm.
DIY Lotion
What You'll Need:
1/4 cup cocoa butter or shea butter
1/4 cup comfrey and calendula infused olive oil (or just olive oil)
1 tablespoon beeswax
1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Instructions:
1. Mix the cocoa butter, olive oil, and beeswax in a double boiler over low heat until melted.
2. Pour the melted lotion into a glass jar (a mason jar works well) and allow to cool. Then add the vitamin E and stir in with a spoon, popsicle stick, or whatever you have. You can take it one step further and beat the lotion with a hand mixer to make this lotion more like a body butter.
DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner
What You'll Need:
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons witch hazel
Generous squir castile soap
Instructions:
1. Mix the ingredients together in a drinking glass or small bowl.
2. Add the makeup brushes to the mixture. Swish the brushes back and forth in the mixture then let them soak for a few minutes.
3. The mixture will go from clear to dirty very quickly. After a few minutes, remove the brushes, dump the solution, and rinse the brushes under fresh, clean water.
4. Let the brushes rest on a towel to completely dry.
DIY Natural Blush
What You'll Need:
1 part beet root powder (for a natural pink hue)
2 part peach petal powder (optional, for a softer color)
1 part arrow root powder (as a base and to help with application)
Instructions:
1. Combine the ingredients in a small, airtight containter.
2. Apply a small amount to your cheeks with a brush.
3. Store in an airtight, glass cosmetics container that can be reused for the next batch.
4. The blush will stay fresh for a few months.
DIY Natural Foundation
What You'll Need:
2 tablespoons zinc oxide (can use arrow root powder instead if desired, but it will not offer quite as much coverage)
1 tablespoon arrow root powder (optional)
1 teaspoon gold mica dust
1/2-1 teaspoon of desired natural clay powder (optional)
Up to 1 teaspoon of finely ground cocoa powder to get desired color
Optional: 1 teaspoon of translucent mica powder can help for oily skin
Instructions:
1. Mix all ingredients to get desired color and coverage.
2. Zinc oxide will give coverage and matte finish.
3. Colored mica powders, natural clays and cocoa powder will give color. Start slowly and add as needed, testing on the inner arm as you go to find your shade.
4. Store in a small glass jar with a lid.
Resources / Tools
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Red List: Do Not Use List Chemicals (PDF)
Tips for Safer Cosmetics and Body Care
Clean Organic Makeup Brands: 10 Safe Cosmetics for 2025
Campaign for safe cosmetics, highlighting safe black cosmetic brands, research, and more
What is up with the tween skincare craze? An aesthetician’s take
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