Think Dirty April Beauty Box Review & Why I Take Non-Toxic Skincare so Seriously

This post is dedicated to my cousin. Arielle Newman. I love and miss you Always. 

As you may know if you came across my earlier post here about upgrading my beauty products to "natural" products (and using the Think Dirty app to do so), I've become obsessed with using this app to swap "clean" products for my previously used "dirty" or toxic products. More info. on the app and the upgrades I've made so far can be found in that post here.

This topic runs deeply with me. 10 years ago, I lost my cousin Arielle Newman due to excessive amounts of toxicity being absorbed into her body through the skin. Arielle and I were the same age, both seniors in high school getting ready for prom, graduation and college. Arielle was the captain of the track team at her high school and planning to attend Binghamton University to continue pursuing her talent and love for track. On April 3, 2007, Arielle unexpectedly passed away. It was a complete shock to everyone. After the autopsy was inconclusive, the toxicology report showed that she had excessive toxic levels of the ingredient methyl salicylate in her bloodstream. Methyl salicylate is an ingredient commonly used in sports creams such as Bengay or Icy Hot. Arielle was using an OTC medication, that she applied regularly and innocently simply for muscle pain relief after her races. The skin is the largest organ on the human body and because it's porous, it absorbs whatever you put on it into your blood and lymphatic system. The high levels of this ingredient were absorbed and rejected by Arielle's body. 

While the cause of Arielle's death is a rare tragedy, it can not be overlooked. Growing up playing numerous sports, we were always advised by coaches to use sports relief creams when our muscles were sore. If only we knew then that what we perceived as trusted companies were using toxic chemicals to make us feel better, Arielle would still be here. If I could go back in time, I would give Arielle a safer non-toxic alternative such as peppermint essential oil to help soothe her muscles. Toxic chemicals are surrounding us every day in so much of what we do, some of which we do not have control over, but it is with the knowledge that the Think Dirty app has given me that I can now choose to eliminate toxic personal care products from my life and swap them for safer alternatives. 

With that, I've become a huge fan of this app and also of their monthly beauty boxes. It's the perfect way to sample some of their latest "clean" products and discover your personal faves.

The April Beauty Box included the following products: Fitglow Beauty Cloud Comfort Cream, Buckaroo Organics Soapberry Suds Laundry Detergent, Biossance The Nourisher Rose Face Oil, Erin's Faces Makeup Remover, Urban Alchemist Sage & Grapefruit Lip Balm, Dr. Rogers Restore Healing Balm, Azaleas Naturals (three items - face soap, face renewing serum and spot treatment). For $5 off your Beauty Box, use code "LEXSENTIALS5OFF" at checkout. 

And here are some of my faves: 

1. Biossance The Nourisher Rose Face Oil - obsessed. I've never been into face oils. I guess because it's an "oil" it always made me feel like it was going to give me oily skin - I'm a very literal person. But I tried this product and fell in love. It's so light and you're only using a few drops of the product so you're not smothering your face with greasy oil. It smells so good and the best part - it makes my skin SO soft. Like, can't stop touching my face after I use it soft.

2. Dr. Rogers Restore Healing Balm - Vaseline's younger, wiser, and "cleaner" cousin. Everyone loves the feel of smothering Vaseline on their lips BUT vaseline contains petroleum which can cause breakouts and is also potentially cancerous. Whether it actually causes cancer or not, petrochemicals are commonly used in paint and gasoline - so WHY would we put the same ingredient on our skin? That just doesn't seem to add up #amiright? Thank you Dr. Rogers for being petroleum-free.

3. Azaleas Naturals Roll-on Breakout Toner - basically, essential oils that help clear your breakouts. The roll-on application is so quick and easy to use. I apply this to my forehead where I seem to break out the most. One of the ingredients must have a cooling sensation because you can feel it "working" immediately after applying.