PHOTOS BY JODIE BRIM
Have you ever taken a moment to read the ingredients on your skincare products’ labels? With over 80,000 chemicals on the market today, it’s no wonder there are serious health issues on the rise. And while it’s inevitable that our bodies will become exposed to toxic chemicals throughout our lifetime, there is a step you can take to eliminate a good portion of them. Insert Beautycounter, the California-based brand with more than 1,800 questionable and harmful chemicals never used in their products and a mission to provide their customers with beauty that is “good for you.” It is the brand that is doing all the hard work so that you can keep life simple.
“There’s a lot in life we can’t control,” said Jennifer Ertl, Founding Member and Managing Director with Beautycounter. “From household products, food prep and storage, cleaning products, and the things we do in daily life. But we can choose safer products we use on our skin and our bodies – body wash, lotion, deodorant, skincare, and makeup.”
The skincare and beauty industry uses many chemicals that have no safety data-backed behind them, and what’s worse is that the FDA doesn’t have the authority to remove those harmful ingredients from the everyday products we put on our bodies, as well as those of our children. Take, for example, three of the most widely used chemicals that potentially may be in a few of your bathroom essentials right now. The first being Parfum or perfume, a chemically manufactured fragrance that could affect brain health, trigger allergies, or even cause asthma flare-ups. Another harmful chemical is Parabens that have been linked to endocrine disruption. Lastly, DEA, MEA, and TEA are a set of preservatives that are most common in moisturizers and shampoos that can react with other chemicals to form nitrosamines, which could lead to the growth of cancer.
Possibly even more troubling is the fact that the FDA has no authority to recall a product even if it contains known carcinogens, as in the recent case of a well-known retailer that discovered asbestos contamination in the kids makeup palettes they were selling. The company did remove the contaminated products from their shelves, but ultimately made no effort to recall those products already sold to customers.
Remember the substantial number of chemicals I mentioned earlier that Beautycounter does not use? Well, it’s called The Never List. It’s their commitment to lead a change in the beauty and skincare industry all across the marketplace. From family and friends to people they’ve just met, every face behind Beautycounter is committed to helping you make a healthier choice that works to meet your needs. They not only source ingredients carefully but test constantly. “Beautycounter goes above and beyond to continually screen and batch test our products for contaminants,” Jennifer expressed. “All things being equal, why wouldn’t you choose a high-performing, gorgeous product that is significantly safer?”
Beautycounter is redefining the skincare and beauty industry through fast-forwarding thinking that puts safety front and center. But beyond that, they are always putting the needs of their customers right along its side. Now, you may be wondering, why is it necessary to have a good daily skincare routine? Well, you’re shedding skin cells throughout each day, and safe, effective products can keep your skin glowing and in good condition over the years. By creating an effective routine that works for your schedule, you can treat wrinkles, help prevent acne, and keep your skin looking its best!
“My favorite product is the Overnight Resurfacing Peel + Allbright Vitamin C Serum combo – I call it the glow duo!” said Jennifer. “Overnight Peel delivers skin-smoothing gentle acids that work overnight to give you a smoother, more even complexion, and our C-Serum has 10% vitamin C complex, Turmeric root extract, and Camu Camu fruit extract (they call it superfruit for a reason!) for visibly brighter skin. This combo is perfect for anti-aging concerns and for keeping breakout-prone skin clearer and brighter. At age 48, this combo is my daily go-to for the most glowing skin.” And contrary to belief, you don’t need a drawer full of products to keep your skin naturally glowy. Just a few of the right products will get the job done!
To learn more about Jennifer, discuss any questions, or request free Beautycounter samples, find her on Instagram at @NCJennifer or visit her Beautycounter page at www.beautycounter.com/jenniferertl.
