This article has been syndicated from Glamorously You, an InfluenceHer Collective Member. Read the full post here.

Last fall, I had the opportunity to do some freelance work for a few natural and clean beauty companies. I was very excited to work with them because I would be able to put my knowledge of beauty to good use. What I didn’t know was how much more I would learn in the process.

The work I did exposed me to the harsh (and dirty) realities of the beauty industry. I learned all about the nasty ingredients my favorite brands used, their tactics for selling more products and making them last longer on store shelves. And ultimately, I learned about the negative long-term effects all of this has on the body. I realized how important this was for me to know more about, especially being the beauty lover that I am. But more importantly, I had to know more about it for the sake of my own well-being.

Since then, I have made quite a transition into the use of clean beauty products. It hasn’t been a 100 percent transition, and I don’t think it ever will be, but my collection of skin care and hair care definitely looks different than it did six months ago. I have learned a lot in that time and I want to share some of what I know with you about clean beauty products and the transition you can make for yourself!

Ingredients To Avoid

The only way you’ll fully be inspired to transition to clean beauty is if you are totally grossed out first. Learning about these ingredients will definitely make you take a second look at the products you use, and yes, beauty companies are currently putting these ingredients in their products knowingly.

Parabens

These are preservatives some big brands use to keep items on shelves longer and prevent things like mold growth. Don’t be too convinced – they’re known to be “estrogenic” which means they can disrupt reproductive hormones.

Triclosan

This is an anti-bacterial agent used in soaps, shampoos, toothpaste and many other products that cause a higher sensitivity to allergens, along with hormonal, reproductive, and endocrine issues.

Fragrance

The smell of that strawberry mango lotion you love probably wasn’t made with real strawberries and mangoes. Rather, the scent was fabricated in a lab somewhere and then added into your lotion. The chemicals used to create it? Trade secret laws prevent us from knowing.

Ingredients To Love

Now that I’ve scared you a bit, I’ll let you in on some of the good stuff! There are plenty of beneficial ingredients out there, but these are some of the popular ones. It’s good to know what they are, how they work, and what other names they may go by. When you know better, you do better!

Biotin

Vitamin b7
Good for hair and nail growth and strength

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronan
Good for anti-aging, skin brightness and hydration

Glycerin

Glycerol, glycerine, glycyl alcohol
Good for skin moisture

Read the full post here.

Clean Beauty 101: Ingredients to Avoid & Helpful Shopping Tips