My Post-Cancer Non-Toxic Skin Care & Beauty Routine For Summer
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
As a cancer patient, I’ve become much more mindful of what I use and how clean the products are. It took me a while to find what I like, so I am happy to share. I am Asian and I can tan easily; my skin is olive. Below is a breakdown of the products I use for hygiene and makeup.
For every product I buy, I check it against the EWG website, a database of thousands of products and it'll tell you the rating of how clean a product is. The lower the number, the better. All of these brands are on the cleaner side based off of EWG's website, I aim for a score of 3 or less. Anything higher are products I am working on finding a replacement for and I am open to suggestions.
Derma E Sensitive Skin Cleanser
I was using the Derma E Makeup Remover and although it worked fine, it was runny. I would frantically work with it to keep from spilling out of my hands and fingers.
This Sensitive Skin Cleanser is slightly thicker and pumps out in a pearly white solution. The pump also helps make the application easier. I keep one bottle in the shower and one at the sink.
Honey face wash
Using honey on its own helps skin health but adding sugar sugar in equal parts, will make a scrub. I keep a jar of this in the shower and the sugar will sink to the bottom. For daily use, I scoop honey from the top so where isn’t much sugar--it’s too abrasive to use every day. For a weekly scrub, I scoop some of the sugar from the bottom of the jar, so I get an equal amount of both and gently work it in all over my face, including my neck and lips. I leave the mix on for a few minutes while washing and rinsing my hair.
Rosewater spray
I found this YouTube video, 7 Skincare Mistakes That Are Making Your Pores Look Larger! by Beauty Within. One of my takeaways was to use a toner and light skin cream instead of a heavy oil like coconut oil, which has a high comedogenic score and can cause clogging. After washing my face, I’ll spray on this rosewater before applying face lotion. It’s very refreshing, so it’s great during hot weather.
Coconut oil
I like using coconut oil on the body especially during cooler months. Sometimes I use it on the face for a subtle glow. It makes it applying blush more even, but the trick is to use very, very little on the cheeks (before adding blush) and forehead. Coconut oil will continue to spread and will cause makeup to run. Be sure to avoid areas around eyes and eyebrows, leaving about an inch or more of space.
Egyptian Magic Skin Cream
This is another favorite, it makes the skin on the body and face feel incredible. Since it is a thick formula, it’s best to use before bed and during cool months. It’s made in the USA and of 100% pure natural ingredients: Olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee propolis
EWG Score: 1
Face + Body Oil, Everyday Oil
100% organic ingredients - Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Argan Oil, Organic Jojoba and Organic Castor Oil; without any essential oils. There is a version with essential oils but for the sensitive cancer patient, this is more suitable.
Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream
I can actually feel the skin tightening around my eyes.
100% vegan, cruelty-free formulas do not contain parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, petrolatum, mineral oil, artificial colors, gluten, soy or GMOs.
EWG Score: Unknown
Goddess Gardens Eye Firming Cream
This is another good product, which has an EWG Score of 2. It’s organic, vegan, paraben free and gentle on sensitive skin. The pump makes it easier to get small amounts on a q-tip to correct makeup mistakes.
I switch between this and the Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream for eye cream.
Luxe Face Lotion, Unscented
I tried Derma E’s Vitamin C Concentrated Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, which as a tightening effect on the skin. The serum goes on the skin smoothly, but after a few weeks of use, I switched to Pacifica Kale Oil-Free Cream, which worked fine.
But Luxe’s Unscented lotion is the best so far. Without feeling oily, it leaves my skin feeling hydrated and smooth.
Zuzu Luxe Concealer, Z30
For Medium olive skin, I use the shade C-30. The tube is convenient to use and the color is a perfect match but because of the EWG score based on the 2015, I have been shopping for a cleaner alternative.
EWG Score: 5 (2015 formulation)
RMS Contour Bronze
This can be used for contouring and eyeshadow. I have medium olive skin and as eyeshadow it gives a subtle brown shade on my lids with a little shimmer. It needs to be worked in well. The container are recycable and it’s small for the price, but I don’t mind for a clean product like this.
EWG Score: 1
Benecos Black Eyeliner
Vegan and long lasting color. I don’t mind this being a pencil to be sharpened, since I prefer a thicker stroke. For a while, I was on a search for one that is a twist-up so that I don’t have to sharpen it, but having a regular pencil tip allows you to do your makeup in a more natural way. Made with plant-based ingredients such as jojoba, Meadowfoam seed oil, macadamia seed oil, and vitamins E and C. Pigment is created naturally from pure minerals.
Mascara by Mineral Fusion
Both the Waterproof and Lengthening in Graphite (pictured left) work great and are free of parabens, artificial colors, fragrances, talc, phthalates; and are hypo-allergenic.
For a long time, I avoided waterproof mascara because I thought it would take more rubbing to clean it off. But with the method I use to remove makeup, listed below, it’s not an issue at all.
Zuzu Liquid Eyeliner, Raven
The tip is not a soft brush, which I think is difficult to apply. It’s a fine calligraphy tip that is firm helping you draw a precise line whether you want it thick or thin. This gives me more control to darken my pencil eyeliner or to have a more dramatic look for an evening out. Quick-drying, water resistant. Natural, Paraben Free, Vegan, Gluten-free, Cruelty-free, Non-GMO.
EWG Score: 2
Blush by Zuzu, Bella Donna
This blush gives a natural look; not too bright or muted, it’s just right.
Lip balm by Dr. Bronner's, Naked
Apply a little bit of Dr. Bronner’s lip balm before any lipstick makes for a smoother application and hydrated lips. I’ve also tried the ginger scented lip balm but the smell isn’t as appealing. Peppermint is nice but with an EWG score of 2, I prefer Naked with a lower score of 1.
EWG score: 1
Lipstick by Gabriel Cosmetics, Salmon
It’s such a beautiful shade and it goes really well with my skin whether I am tan in the summer or pale through the winter months. It's great for year-round use.
Lip liner, Gabriel Cosmetics
This red lip liner is a classic shade of red; and between an orange or blue tone, it veers slightly towards a blue tone. Use it for red lips or to change the shade of your lipstick
Paraben Free, Vegan, Gluten-free,Cruelty-free, Non GMO, long lasting, Infused with Jojoba Seed Oil and Aloe.
EWG score: 2
Makeup Palette, RMS
This palette is versatile and can be used on eyes, lips, cheeks. Each one gives a subtle look, not heavy or saturated. It combines 5 favorites:
Buriti Bronzer (brown) works with all skin tones and doubles as a luminizer for daker skin tones
Magic Luminizer (champagne) can add a subtle, dewy glow in the corners of eyes, the cheekbones, brow bones
Demure (pink) is a classic pink that I’d prefer to be more of a salmon, but still a great color
Beloved (red) has an orange hue so it’s bright but still gives a subtle color. I add red lipliner for a more saturated color.
Simply Vanilla Lip & Skin Balm helps soften fine lines and will moisturize your lips, face; if using around the eyes, leave ample space around eye shadow or eyeliner which will otherwise run.
This is also great to condense your portable makeup bag. I have two sets of makeup, one in the bathroom and another set in a pouch. This palette goes in my portable pouch condensing it by replacing the lip balm, blush, lipstick and bronzer.