This post is sponsored by CVS, all opinions are my own.
I’ve been a fan of beauty products since the first time my momma let me wear them, back in the day. But, over the last year, my interest in beauty products has grown into wanting to know more about them. How they work, what ingredients are they made from – and how does that affect not only my skin, but my health. In comes clean beauty.
Parabens and Phthalates
I’m just a beginner when it comes to clean beauty, but I’m starting to recognize some of the big bad ingredients that should be avoided. In particular parabens and phthalates. I’ve been spotting “paraben free” labels for years, and buying the products, but I’ll be honest I had no clue what it meant – just that it was probably a good thing. So, what’s a paraben? Parabens are preservatives commonly used in beauty products. On the surface, parabens can cause increased skin aging when they react with UVB rays, but even scarier, on the inside, they can cause hormone disruption. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer and fertility issues. Yikes!
Phthalates bind to the scent in beauty products to help it last longer. They are also used to soften plastic. However, this ingredient has been linked to endocrine disruption, cancer and developmental issues. Also yikes!
What Should I Buy Instead?
If you’re like me, that information is overwhelming, because it’s scary, but it’s also overwhelming because I truly just don’t know what to buy.
Clean Beauty at CVS
Luckily, CVS is on a mission to make clean beauty easier to understand and accessible for everyone. They not only carry clean beauty brands like: Bliss, Burt’s Bees, Pixi, YesTo, and Garnier; they carry their own line, Beauty 360 that is free of parabens and phthalates. You can easily spot their clean beauty products in-store by their green, “paraben and phthalate free”, label.
They currently offer thousands of clean products, but they will remove parabens and phthalates from hundreds of their store brand products by 2020.
Clean Beauty Products to Try
CVS sent me a box of their clean beauty products to try. Some are brand new to me, and some I’ve used before! Although I haven’t put these products to a long test, the first try of each one has been fun, and I look forward to integrating my favorites into my beauty routine.
YesTo Instant No-Rinse Shampoo Cap
I’ve used many YesTo products over the years and have enjoyed each one! But, I’ve never tried a shampoo cap! If you want to see this in action, check out my instagram stories!
This cap goes on your hair, and you massage it all around and leave it on while you get in the shower. When I tested it I skipped the shower, but did find that it freshened my hair, and didn’t leave any powder of residue! I’ll admit I’m a shampoo every day kind of girl, but I would be interested in trying this to see if I like it more than dry shampoo, which may make me shampoo less.
Beauty 360 Nighttime Cleansing Towlettes
I try to wash my face and go through my entire routine every night, but some nights I’m just tired. I do appreciate a wipe for those nights I just want to get in bed, but don’t want to keep that full face of makeup on.
These wipes do their job, quickly and easily removing makeup. Being a Beauty 360 product, they have the paraben and phthalate free sticker to make identifying this clean product, easier.
Beauty 360 Holographic Sheet Mask
Have you really lived, until you’ve sent your friends a picture of you in a sheet mask? I don’t think so. It’s always hilarious.
This sheet mask is also by the Beauty 360 line and paraben and phthalate free. I found it to be soothing, and left my skin nice and soft!
Bliss What A Melon Replenishing Toner
I’ve never tried Bliss products, until now – but they were my favorite things out of the products CVS sent. This What A Melon toner has soothing witch hazel, willow bark, and my favorite – hyaluronic acid. It’s fruity, bright and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and ready for the next step. It also has a pump top that I really like!
Bliss What A Melon Water Jelly Hydrator
Another Bliss product I really enjoyed, the What A Melon Water Jelly Hydrator. It is also light and fruity and really refreshing! These two products have made a Bliss fan out of me.
YesTo Transforming Clay Cleanser
This interesting cleanser goes on thick, like a clay mask. You simply rub it around until it changes color, then you rinse!
I like the color changing aspect and felt like my face was nice and clean without being too tight.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gentle Cleansing Lotion
I really enjoyed this gentle cleanser, it was very hydrating and left my skin soft. I was also surprised to learn that this product is paraben free.
Other Clean Products at CVS
With so much to offer, it was hard to try everything, but I’m looking forward to getting to know more about the other products that were sent:
- Thayers Facial Toner (I used to use this when I was a teenager!)
- Beauty 360 Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips (the clean version of the pore strips I used to love!)
- Pixi Glow Tonic Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
- YesTo Energizing Coffee 2-in-1 Scrub & Cleanser Stick
I find it really overwhelming when I think about all of the ingredients that I should really start to eliminate from my beauty routine. So, I’m thankful for brands and companies like CVS that are taking steps to clean up their products! I’m looking forward to learning more!
Do you have a favorite clean beauty brand?
-Brooke
