Reviewing my Current Skincare Routine

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I posted back in July about my current makeup routine and which products live up to the natural or cruelty free hype. Not surprisingly, many of the items I use daily are from companies that use harsh chemicals and test on animals (at least in some countries). For most, this doesn't meet the true definition of cruelty free or natural. One of my 101 in 1001 goals is to swap out some of my beauty products for natural items, which doesn't only apply to makeup -- it also means skincare and what I put on my body and hair, too! Today, I wanted to share about my current skincare routine, which isn't actually that many products. I am lucky to have pretty normal skin that isn't sensitive to scents, abrasiveness, or new products. My skin does tend to get much drier in the winter, but overall my skin is very easy to maintain. 

W A S H

Dove White Beauty Bar | As a brand of Unilever, Dove is not a cruelty-free brand. Dove also uses some of the chemical that consumers are warned against. Though it is no remedy for animal testing, I would like to point out that Dove, however, does do an exceptional job of partnering with charities and organizations that promote female empowerment and self-confidence in girls and women. I mention this because social causes is one of the factors that I deem important in my Wear No Evil guide. On another note, I find that the Dove Beauty Bars are best at not making my skin feel stripped and squeaky after washing.

E X F O L I A T E

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub | This exfoliator seems to be doing great things, as it is listed as paraben-free and using all natural exfoliants. However, there are other chemicals listed in the ingredient list that are problematic for skin. Another potential highlight for St. Ives is that the brand is touted as natural, but it is another branch of Unilever, and we all know what that means. There was also a lawsuit against Unilever at the end of 2016 because of this scrub, so do with that what you will. I use this product maaaybe once a week at the most, and I haven't noticed any problems so far.

M O I S T U R I Z E

Saturday Skin Waterfall Glacier Water Cream (c/o Influenster) | This is my current moisturizer because I received it in an Influenster box right when I ran out of my trusty Neutrogena product. They essentially are the same thing, but one is just more expensive and a different color. This one is formulated without parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which is pretty significant when it comes to harsh chemicals. Saturday Skin as a brand is known for its exclusive peptide formula, which some people argue aren't great for the skin either. But, this brand is also cruelty-free, vegan, and doesn't use artificial colors or fragrances. Overall, this is a great product line to try out if you want natural beauty products.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel | In concept, this product is really similar to the Saturday Skin moisturizer. The consistency and texture is the same, and they make my skin feel the same way. However, Johnson & Johnson is the parent company of Neutrogena, and their animal testing policy allows for testing where the law requires it (such as in China), but because their products are sold their, the company cannot be deemed cruelty-free. 

* I additionally use other dermatologist-prescribed products *

R E M O V E

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towlettes | Given what I just talked about regarding the Hydro Boost moisturizer, the makeup remover wipes are also neither natural nor cruelty-free. Additionally, there was a recent news story saying that these wipes have caused horrible rashes and I even saw news from a high school classmate that works in esthetics saying that these are not good for your skin. Though I am sure there are some truth to these statements, along the same vein of what I said about St. Ives, I have used these wipes for years and never experienced a problem yet.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads | Almay is a branch of Revlon, which has a similar policy to both Unilever and Johnson & Johnson about allowing animal testing in countries such as China, where it is required by law. These wipes, therefore, are not cruelty-free. Weirdly enough, there are no ingredients listed on the webpage for this makeup remover, though they are marketed as hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

R E C A P

One of my biggest takeaways from reviewing my skincare routine is that since I don't use very many products, this may be one area where I could make easier switches to natural beauty. I would love to test more of the Saturday Skin line and find other inexpensive brands for my skin such as Simple and Kopari Beauty.