What Is the Best Natural Skincare? Affordable, Clean Products for Healthy, Glowing Skin
Switching to natural, “clean”
skincare products is a huge step in the right direction when adopting a more health conscious lifestyle. The products that we use on our skin are just as important as the food that we eat, as it is all absorbed and metabolized by our body.
Here we will explore why it is so important to use natural skincare products, some of the toxic ingredients to avoid, and the best natural skincare line.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that if you click the link and subsequently make a purchase on the merchant’s website, we may earn a small commission at absolutely no additional cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own. I have used all products mentioned personally for years.
The Huge Importance of Using Natural Skincare
Our skin is our largest organ.
Anything that we put on our skin is subsequently absorbed into our bloodstream and circulated throughout our body. This is why using truly natural skincare products is so important.
When products are used that contain toxic synthetic ingredients, not only is there more work put on our bodies to detoxify these ingredients, but significant imbalances can develop as a result of some of these ingredients.
For example, many of the most toxic ingredients in skincare products are referred to as “endocrine disruptors.” These are synthetic chemicals that either mimic various hormones within the body, or have an adverse impact on the proper functioning of your hormones and endocrine system.
This is hugely important because achieving and maintaining hormone balance (such as your thyroid and adrenal hormones, as well as your sex hormones estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, etc) is of absolute necessity to achieve and maintain optimal health.
Furthermore, hormone imbalances (such as estrogen dominance) are at the root of many common cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer.
These toxic chemicals can also have a neurotoxic effect on the body, meaning they are harmful to the brain.
In addition, many such ingredients act as carcinogens in general, which means that they have the potential to cause many different kinds of cancer, not just cancers involving the reproductive system as mentioned previously.
Taking the steps to avoid using products that contain these toxins and can contribute to these imbalances will have a very beneficial impact on your health.
Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare Products
It is important to get in the habit of checking labels on all of your personal care products, especially your skincare. If there isn’t an ingredients list clearly printed on the product label, you can contact the company directly to acquire one.
The following are some examples of toxic ingredients that you should look out for and avoid in your skincare products:
- Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used in a variety of products as a way of making plastics harder to break while remaining flexible. Hair sprays, nail polish, and synthetic fragrances are common products that can contain phthalates.
Examples of phthalates: dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Parabens
Parabens are used as a preservative in a great deal of products, including cosmetics and skincare products. They are powerful endocrine disruptors and have an adverse impact on the balance of hormones within the body, which can contribute to many health conditions and imbalances.
Examples of parabens: polyparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben
- Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a carcinogen that is used as a preservative in many cosmetics, “food” products, and personal care products. There are also ingredients that can cause formaldehyde to be released.
Examples of formaldehyde releasing ingredients: imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol), hydroxymethylglycinate
- Ethanolamines
Ethanolamines are carcinogens that are chemicals used in products as a surfactant (to make a product foam), preservative, fragrance, and cleanser. They are commonly found in cosmetics and skincare products.
Examples of ethanolamines: cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA, myristamide DEA, oleamide DEA, TEA-lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine, DEA oleth-3 phosphate, DEA-cetyl phosphate,
- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hyroxyanisole (BHA)
BHT and BHA are endocrine distruptors and carcinogens that are used as preservatives in “food” products, skincare, and cosmetics.
This ingredient is usually listed as BHT or BHA.
The Best Natural Skincare Line: Cocokind
Natural skincare products are just as if not more effective than toxic, synthetic products. That is most certainly exemplified by the best line of natural skincare products that I have found and use – Cocokind.
One of the things that stands out the most about Cocokind is that they really are natural. A lot of “natural” skincare lines will taught that they use all “clean” ingredients and their products are totally “natural” but when you investigate further, a lot of the ingredients are still hazardous.
Cocokind is totally different. In fact, a lot of their ingredients are whole foods. They use only what is necessary and leave out all of the needless toxic ingredients that are so common in most skincare products.
They are gluten free and 100% cruelty free, which means that these products have never been tested on animals.
Most of the ingredients used in their products are certified organic.
Also, a key factor for any natural skincare product that I use is that it is soy free. This is because soy is a powerful phytoestrogen, and can contribute to the development of or exacerbate an existing state of estrogen dominance.
Estrogen dominance is a big contributor to endometriosis and other such conditions, so it is important to avoid soy in all foods and skincare products. Estrogen dominance and endometriosis are explained further here.
All of the following products are soy free.
These products are also super high in antioxidants. Free radicals can contribute to the development of premature wrinkles and sagging, so natural skincare products that are high in antioxidants are very effective at smoothing skin, keeping it firm, and helping to protect it from the adverse effects of free radicals. This topic is explained further here.
Some of my favorite products from Cocokind that I use frequently are:
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Sea Kale Clay Mask
This is a detoxifying mask that helps to brighten and smooth your skin. It can also help to reduce puffiness and improve the overall look of your complexion.
The main ingredients in the Sea Kale Clay Mask are blue sea kale extract, cucumber seed powder, and glacial oceanic clay.
This mask feels amazing on your skin and provides gentle exfoliation to soften and soothe.
It is also awesome for reducing the appearance of pores and creating an overall radiance to your complexion.
I noticed a difference in my skin after using the mask the first time. After I rinsed it off, my skin was so soft. With continued use, my skin continued to improve and my pores have become noticeably smaller and less visible.
TO USE: After cleansing and drying your face, apply all over, avoiding your eye area, lips, and nostril area. Leave on for at least 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Repeat 3 to 4 times per week.
Click here to check out the Seal Kale Clay Mask.
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Turmeric Spot Treatment Tonic
This was the second Cocokind product I ever tried and it has remained one of my staples.
This product can be used to lighten dark spots, fade scars, treat acne and pimples, and unclog pores.
The main ingredients in the Turmeric Spot Treatment Tonic are turmeric, broccoli seed oil, ginger root, and tea tree oil.
Turmeric (specifically curcumin, which is the chemical in turmeric that makes it such a powerful healing agent), ginger, and tea tree are all powerful anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Tea tree oil also helps to treat pimples and is purifying and soothing to the skin.
This product has helped to fade my pimple scars (along with the vitamin C serum above) and it noticably accelerates the elimination of a new pimple.
TO USE: Apply to cleansed skin, directly to the areas you want to treat and leave on for at least 20 minutes. I use an organic cotton q-tip instead of applying the stick directly to my skin. This spot treatment is great to use under the chlorophyll mask included above. It can also be left on overnight and goes on clear :).
The spot treatment can be removed with a cleanser or toner on a cotton pad or as part of your regular cleansing routine.
Click here to check out the Turmeric Spot Treatment Tonic.
I also use manuka honey as a spot treatment along with this turmeric treatment, as it’s an awesome natural skincare tool :).
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Rose Water Toner
A “toner” in skincare is basically like a preparatory step that prepares the skin for your additional products. It also adds moisture, protects the skin, soothes & refreshes, and can shrink pores.
This toner in particular is super gentle and very refreshing.
The only ingredients in the Rose Water Toner are rose water and radish root ferment, which also help to balance the pH of your skin (the acidity or alkaline level of your skin). Skin should be slightly on the acidic side, with a pH level of around 5 or 6.
TO USE: Spray 1 or 2 sprays onto a cotton pad and apply evenly on your face. Or, you can spray the mist directly onto your skin. I prefer to spray it directly onto my face, as its super refreshing.
This product can also be used to refresh your skin throughout the day, or to set your makeup.
It is also nice to keep it in the refrigerator during the warmer months of the year and use it to refresh your face during the day. It feels and smells lovely :).
Click here to check out the Rose Water Toner.
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Sake Body Lotion
This product can be used all over your body.
The main ingredients in this product are sunflower oil, avocado oil, shea butter, coconut oil, and sake extract. These ingredients provide enzymes and prebiotics that deeply nourish and soothe your skin.
I use the Sake Body Lotion as a body lotion after getting out of the shower if I shower in the evening that day, as I prefer to use this as an overnight moisturizing treatment. 
I use it about a few times per week.
It is also great to use on your feet, as it is super moisturizing and soothing.
After only a few days of consistent use, my skin was noticeably less dry and felt soft and hydrated.
TO USE: After showering, apply all over the body evenly, focusing on dry areas.
Click here to check out the Sake Body Lotion.
In Closing…
As we’ve explored here, using natural skincare is a very important step to take when transitioning to a more health conscious lifestyle.
The products that we put on our skin are of equal importance to the food that we eat, as it is all absorbed and metabolized by our body.
Skincare lines such as Cocokind provide products that are affordable, conscious, and truly natural that are a wonderful addition to your collection of clean and healing personal care products.
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