Vanessa and her family are long time clients of mine! Her oldest Landon and I first met when he was just 4 months old and now sweet Layla has joined the fam jam! When Vanessa shared her knowledge a few months back on a company she's discovered, with a movement to removed the toxins in beauty products, I was curious and immediately began to research my options. With her help I changed my daily cleanser and moisturizer and began noticing amazing results. I am so glad I've found Beautycounter. As you can see below, I have a bunch of favourites I use daily!
I've asked the lovely Vanessa to share how she began using Beautycounter and share her knowledge and experience for others to discover!
1.Tell us a bit about Beautycounter and why you choose to partner with them
Hi everyone, I’m Vanessa Lynch, a wife and mother of two beautiful children, Landon (4.5 years old) and Layla (16 months old). I used to work for a large Marketing Agency but have been recently blessed with the opportunity to stay home an extra year with our children. That said, I needed something for myself and to have an identity other than “mom”. In search of what that might be, I came across Beautycounter from an old friend of mine. At first, I didn’t think this was for me as I was no skincare/makeup expert. In fact, I was the opposite, I never really followed a skincare regimen, I just used what was given to me (I received a lot of free skin care products from my marketing world).
Since my first born, I became more aware of having a cleaner/healthier home and lifestyle. I started by making my own baby food, buying organic when we could (at least for the dirty dozen), cooking more at home vs. dining out and swapping out HHLD cleaners for vinegar and water or cleaners that were more natural. I definitely started the journey to remove toxins from my home. On top of that, amongst my network, I noticed a significant rise in illnesses and disorders, whether it be allergies, asthma or cancer. More than 40 years of scientific studies have fueled the growing consensus that exposure to toxic chemicals plays a role in the incidence and prevalence of many diseases and disorders. As I learned more, I realized that one of the ways in which my family and I are exposed to toxic chemicals is through our skincare and cosmetics. So naturally, Beautycounter seemed like the right fit for me, I loved what they stood for and that’s what got me on board!
Beautycounter launched in the USA in 2013, and in 2016 launched in Canada. A California based start-up selling non-toxic makeup, skincare, kids and baby products. Their mission that is the core of their business was to create a business that got products into the marketplace that are high-performing and significantly safer for your health.
The traditional department store brands that we've all known and loved are highly effective, chic, sexy, on-trend—BUT they are filled with all these harmful chemicals that have been linked to health issues such as; cancer, hormone disruptors, asthma, allergies, developmental toxicity, birth defects etc… Did you know that in the European Union they have banned 1,400 toxic ingredients from all personal care products? Where Canada has only banned 40% of those ingredients. Beautycounter is committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what is legally required in Canada. Their Never List is made up of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals that will never be used as ingredients in their products. This includes the 1,400 plus chemicals banned or restricted in the EU, plus additional chemicals where information screened by Beautycounter indicated a cause of concern. This is a company that is dedicated to educating and increasing awareness around an issue we think is incredibly important: the exposure to toxic chemicals through skincare and cosmetic products. Unlike many other cosmetic companies, Beautycounter holds themselves to a much higher standard than the legal requirements.
Some examples of ingredients you would want to avoid in your personal care products are as follows:
1. Synthetic Flavour or Fragrance – An engineered scent or flavouring agent that may contain any combination of 3,000 plus stock chemical ingredients, including hormone disruptors and allergens. Fragrance formulas are protected under federal law’s classification of trade secrets and therefore can remain undisclosed. This can be found in all types of cosmetics.
2. Parabens – A class of preservatives commonly used to prevent growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine (or hormone) disruptors which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion and foundation.
3. Retinyl Palmitate and Retinol (Vitamin A) – A nutrient that may damage DNA and speed the growth of skin tumors when used topically. Found in: moisturizer, anti-aging skincare
Beautycounter’s Never List, which is downloadable for everyone, provides a detailed explanation on which harmful chemicals they will never use as ingredients in their products.
If you are interested in understanding how safe the products are that you’re using on yourself or on your family, I encourage you to visit ewg.org. Environmental Working Group is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization that empowers you with information to protect your health from harmful chemicals that may be lurking in some of the products we use.
The assumption is always that because it's safer, it doesn’t perform. Beautycounter is a true testament that you can have beautiful, luxurious products that are safe for you!
2. If you had to list only one product you cannot live without, what would it be?
Well this is almost impossible, but if I had to pick one it would be, Beautycounter’s Cleansing Balm!!! This is a multi-purpose product that helps solve so many problems for the entire family! You can use it as a face wash, makeup removal, overnight hydrating mask (for when you’re feeling dry), for rosacea treatment, eczema, dry baby skin, dark spot treatment, dry cuticles, cold sores, cracked heels and so much more! For my husband, he uses it as a facial cleanser and to help with dry areas on his face. For my son, we use it on his lips when they are dry (that’s because he lick’s them a lot during the winter time), and around his nose during flu season. For my baby, we use it on areas of her skin that are dry.
3. If you have any advice to give a new mom, what would it be?
Knowledge is power! Not only can we use this knowledge to help rejuvenate our own bodies from past exposure, but most importantly we have the opportunity to prevent exposure and protect our children from day one. Make informed decisions when it comes to you and your family. Your skin is your largest organ, what you put on it matters. Especially on your newborn baby, check the ingredients list and make sure there are no harmful chemicals in the product formula. You can use ewg.org as a tool to guide you or I’d be more than happy to answer any questions.
4. Info on how someone can get in touch with you.
I provide one on one consultations either in person or over the phone. You can reach me on my cell: 416.347.3812 or by email: beautycounterwithvanessa@gmail.com. I also have a Beautycounter Facebook group where I post informative content around skincare and beauty. If you are interested in joining, send me a message and I will add you.
Beautycounter is not just a safer, cleaner beauty brand, they care about human health and advocate for better, safer beauty by meeting with Congress and consultants meet with their local elected officials on the need to reform the cosmetics and personal care industry. They have a social purpose and this is one of the many reasons why I joined! Check out the link below as Founder & CEO, Gregg Renfrew was featured on the Today Show sharing the Beautycounter story with Maria Shriver!
If you are interested in being involved in this incredible movement or wish to learn more on how Beautycounter is advocating for safer, cleaner, personal care products please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
*** feature photos from their last family session
