International Women’s Day 2018: Leaders in Clean Beauty

Today we're celebrating three majorly inspiring leaders in clean beauty in honor of International Women's Day. Read on to find out more about the women driving this movement.

Scientific innovation, fun packaging and bold color options with major staying power are all variables the world of clean beauty is working on. But from the very baseline, clean beauty means something so very simple: it means nontoxic skincare and makeup. Nontoxic ingredients going into our bodies via our skin. How can anyone argue against that being best for all of us?

Why wouldn’t I? We know that a good number of the ingredients that we—predominately women, but men are included in this statement—slather on our bodies every day are dangerous for us and bad for the earth. How dare anyone not want to do better for our health and for the health of the planet?

The safety of products sold at drug stores and department stores is assumed by most Americans. The misconception that our government would never allow us access to products it deems unsafe is widespread, and I feel an obligation to share what I’ve learned with others.

The minds behind the faces I paint.

The Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. I love how light and velvety the finish is, how quickly it absorbs, how plump and hydrated it leaves skin, the subtle clean scent… what’s not to love?

Clean beauty started as a movement and now in some ways it is becoming the norm. It’s about bringing awareness and transparency about what ingredients are in our products. It is also about educating the consumer and giving them to power to choose products with this knowledge.

Curiosity was a big motivator. Several years ago, green beauty or clean beauty didn’t really exist. If it did, it was usually with brands that weren’t that actually clean, or was something that was not appealing to use or buy. I saw a hole in the market and started experimenting to try and create one product that I couldn’t find. This was the start of my journey with ILIA.

It makes people more honest and real about what they are selling or buying. That’s a big step forward in the beauty industry.

There is a growing space for new voices and brands to communicate to the consumer. Whether it be online or in-store, people want to feel connected to the brand in a more personal way. Consumers will dictate what they need and want, instead of the brands telling them what they should buy.

Believing in the impossible. There have been so many challenges along the way.  Sometimes you have to just close your eyes and believe in yourself in order to make the jump. My daughter is another source of inspiration. Kids are so open and free in their thoughts. It’s transparency at its best!

I have fallen in love with the Squalane + Peptide Eye Gel, which has really helped my puffy under eye area in the mornings if I apply it the night before. It’s a miracle worker when traveling on the road!

Clean beauty is another way of saying knowledge is power. The more we know about the potential toxic ingredients in our beauty and personal care products, the more we’re able to take control of our lives to live a healthier lifestyle.

Ultimately, when someone looks and feels good in their bare skin from using the purest, most sustainable ingredients in their skincare and makeup, that is clean beauty.

I became concerned about chemicals in cosmetics after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. When I was just 11 years old, I watched my mother battle this horrible illness. This experience never left me, and my family’s history influenced me to begin researching the many causes of breast cancer about five years ago.

Learning new things, meeting new and inspiring people, setting new goals and traveling to new places each year.

I am also inspired by results, when people who use the Think Dirty app are shocked by the harmful ingredients in their skincare products, it reminds me that I am important in society, that I am on this mission to help others and to motivate companies to sell the safest products. The more people that become aware of their health choices, we’re able to give them the choice to vote with their wallet for the safest products.

The 100% Squalane Oil. When I was introduced to face oil, it made a big difference in the texture of my skin! I noticed that I’d wake up with a nice glow after using the oil before my moisturizer at night. My skin felt extra supple and smooth, almost like my face went from dull to a brighter complexion the next morning.