4 Reasons to Be Ingredient-Conscious With Your Beauty Products

The Natural Label Can Be Confusing

As it stands, theres no unifying definition of natural beauty. At Birchbox, we created the Ingredient Conscious category to make finding healthy products easy by focusing on products that are free of the four most concerning ingredients according to our customersparabens, phthalates, sulfates, and petrochemicals. In addition to studies linking these ingredients to certain health risks, theyre also known to cause irritation and sensitivity. (You can learn more about why we chose those ingredients here.)

Ingredients Actually Matter

You might be wondering, Why should I care about ingredients? Just like the things you put inside your body affect your overall health (think: potato chips versus veggies), so do the things you put on it. Since your skin absorbs up to 60% of what you put on it, its worth taking a look at what actually makes up your favorite products. A great rule of thumb: Check out the first few ingredients listed on favorite products, and if you dont know what they are (let alone how to pronounce them), it might be worth doing some research.

Its Okay to Start Small

Whether youre pregnant, suffering from sensitive skin, or just interested in becoming more conscious overall, you dont need to immediately toss all of your favorite products in the trash. Instead, make like Birchbox staffer Rachel and start with one or two products that you use the most, maybe your shampoo and conditioner or cleanser. Once you find brands you like you can start replacing products as you go.

Oh, and Natural Products Are Anything But Boring

There's a common misconception that natural makeup is bland or ineffective, but one look at the lip, cheek, and eye makeup picks in the Ingredient Conscious category proves just the opposite. From trestiques punchy lip colors to rms beautys rainbow of cream eye shadows, these products pack major color payoff minus the irritating effects of preservatives like parabens and sulfates. Ready to start shopping? Go here.