For me, living a healthy lifestyle means I consider the foods I eat, the ways I move, and what I put on my skin. During my 20 plus years in the clean beauty industry, I’ve created vegan and organic skincare and hair care products that nourish my body. I've sourced ingredients from different parts of the world including India, Italy and Brazil's Amazon Rainforest.
Today I use my experience to curate and test products for our Crunchy Mama Box marketplace. I test products for efficacy and to make sure they are made with clean, functional ingredients, and sustainable packaging. I only add to our marketplace brands I trust.
So what does clean skincare mean and what do I keep in mind when vetting products?
What does “clean” mean?
When I test a skincare product—especially one that will be on my skin all day—I prioritize ingredients that are beneficial for both our skin and the environment. That's why I avoid using products containing parabens, synthetic fragrances, microbeads, EDTA, phthalates, petroleum (such as mineral oil), talc, and other harmful ingredients.
Certifications play a crucial role, but they can also be financially burdensome. As a mission-driven platform, we understand the challenges faced by work-at-home parents, small businesses, and startups that may struggle to afford expensive certifications. That's why, at Crunchy Mama Box, we provide brands with an alternative solution. Instead of costly certifications, we offer a comprehensive evaluation of their ingredients and assist them in sourcing from reputable suppliers worldwide. This enables us to maintain our commitment to quality and sustainability while supporting business owners on their journey.
One thing we do not compromise is on animal testing, we do not accept any brand that performs animal testing. If you want to learn more about ingredients and useful resources about certifications visit our values and standards page.
Finally, I consider packaging. This is a tough one as so many beauty products are bottled in plastic. We prefer glass, paper or other recycled and recyclable materials. We also offer assistance in sourcing eco-friendly packaging. Our mission is to empower conscious brands, whether they're small businesses, startups, or larger companies, striving to create products with clean ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. At Crunchy Mama Box, we're dedicated to providing the support and resources they need to excel in the clean beauty industry. We take pride in assisting purposeful businesses and helping them thrive!
Beautiful Skin is Healthy Skin
Over the years, I have learned that an effective skincare routine should be filled with nutrients that will keep my skin healthy.
I look for skincare products with nutrient-dense fatty acids, vitamins and plant-based ingredients. With the right products I make sure to follow these steps: cleanse, treat and moisturize. Choosing the right cleanser, toner, face mask, and moisturizer for your face, neck, eyes and lips, is the secret to healthy, glowing skin.
Our goal is to also save time and money for you, and that is why we do all this work of investigating and testing to make sure all products meet our standard of excellence.
Use the Right Tools and Accessories
My favorite tools are the Jade Facial Roller and Gua Sha—they've really taken my skincare to the next level! I use them to prep my skin for cleaning, to reduce puffiness and fine lines, and in conjunction with a clean face oil to help my skin better absorb the nutrients. I even like to store my tools in the fridge so they feel extra refreshing on my skin.
Photo credit: Lauren Nygard
Feed Your Face
Remember to start simply with a healthy lifestyle—eliminating processed foods is a great first step—then begin choosing products that are healthy for your skin and for the environment. As you can tell, I’m passionate about clean skincare. You can trust that the all the skincare products listed on our marketplace have been made with clean ingredients that work!
Other factors like managing stress, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep can be just as important as what you put on your skin.
At Crunchy Mama Box we offer health & wellness resources to help you and your family on your journey to living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. If you are looking for a safe place to vent, find love and support, join our private Facebook group Crunchy Mama Strong.
Lots of Crunchy Love,
Wanda
Comment
Great article! The products Crunchy Mama Box represents and supports are ones that I can count on and feel confident in using. I look Root Journey products and will continue to use them everyday! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making my life easier and more beautiful!