Tag: beauty

Let’s talk about animal testing in the skincare industry

On By Capital FemmeIn Clean skincare, SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

“Globally around 500,000 animals suffer and die just for cosmetics each year”- Humane Society International. In the beauty industry animal testing is when brands use their products on animals and observe their reactions. It sounds harmless right? It actually isn’t.

In this process they shave their fur, rub the product/ingredients into their exposed skin, inject them, put it in their eyes and force them to ingest it through their mouths. After which the animals are usually killed and dissected. Some of these animals include mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, baboons, cats, cows, dogs, ferrets, pigs, hamsters and more. This is where cruelty-free brands and products come in.

Cruelty-free on a product means that it was not tested on animals. Cruelty Free International offers Leaping Bunny certification for beauty companies which is internationally recognized.

This post is to spread awareness about animal cruelty.

Testing beauty products on animals is banned in the European Union (EU), United Kingdom, Colombia, Guatemala, South Korea amongst others. Twelve US states have banned the sale of products tested on animals. They are California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.

On the other hand, they are better alternatives to animal testing like taking human cells, tissue or bacteria and testing it in a tube. Another is using advanced computer technology.

Normally most cruelty-free brands are also natural or vegan. This makes businesses of all sizes willing and able to test their products on themselves or others involved in their process. Some brands to try are Urban Hydration, Good Molecules and Bliss.

Join the movement and support cruelty-free brands 🐰 to help ban animal testing worldwide.

References (click to view)

https://crueltyfreeinternational.org/make-change/cosmetics

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/cosmetics-animal-testing-faq#:~:text=When%20choosing%20to%20develop%20or,safety%20of%20these%20new%20ingredients.

5 Uses of sunscreen

On By Capital FemmeIn Oily skincare, SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

Sunscreen is an important part of any skincare routine. It’s for all skin. This month, May is skin cancer awareness month. It’s recommended by experts that you should be using a broad spectrum formula, which protects you from both UVA and UVB rays with at least SPF 30. Did you know that on cloudy days up to 80% or more of UV (Ultra Violet) rays penetrate clouds? “An estimated 80 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun” – Skin Cancer Foundation.

Here are 5 Uses of Sunscreen:

  1. It lowers your risk of skin cancer.
  2. Prevents premature aging.
  3. Enhances skin health.
  4. Prevents sunburn.
  5. Reduces dark spots (hyperpigmentation).

Tips for choosing a sunscreen

  • Choose a sunscreen that is reef- safe
  • Opt for a mineral sunscreen
  • Go for a sunscreen that won’t give you a white cast especially if you have darker skin. One you can try is Coppertone Every Tone.

These sunscreens usually avoid harmful ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and pthalates. Mineral-based sunscreens are normally based in the ingredients titanium oxide and mineral oxide.

References (click to view)

https://www.nps.gov/articles/concessions-sun-protection.htm#:~:text=Mineral-based%20sunscreens%20that%20use,and%20the%20biodiversity%20they%20support

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sunscreen-and-your-morning-routine#:~:text=Wearing%20sunscreen%20is%20one%20of,Anna%20Chien%20addresses%20common%20concerns

Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics

6 Benefits of using toner for your skin

On By Capital FemmeIn Oily skincare, SkincareLeave a comment

Editor’s Note: This post was written before our faith-centered refocus, but we still stand by the message. Capital Femme is now a space where skincare meets Scripture 💛

“The UK’s sales of skin toners have increased due to the increasing percentage of consumer use. For instance, British consumers spend 1.28 billion euros on women’s facial skin care products. Within this, 25% of women use a toner in 2019, but in the year 2020, 31% of women use toner.”

Some may think using a toner is a bit outdated. As someone who started out with this product in my skincare routine as a beginner, when it was all the rave. I can tell you from experience that it does make a difference in the appearance of your skin versus without it. This is especially true if you have oily skin. Toners have come a long way. Today’s toners focus on refreshing and hydrating the skin.

Demand for toners in Europe is high and this trend continues. Many toners on the market come in liquid, mist or gel form. Look at the UK, for example, which was mentioned above. Now let’s get into the benefits of toner, and they may vary depending on the kind of toner you use.

1. Cleansing

Personally this is the biggest benefit I’ve seen from using toner. It just gets that left over dirt or residue after cleansing and this is so important if you want to keep your pores clear. This is important to my oily skin readers.

2. Improvement of skin tone and texture

My second highest benefit from personal experience is that it helps ensure a uniform skin tone across your face. It also works on any texture and makes your skin so smooth, leaves you with some glow too ✨. Some toners may cause irritation due to overuse, depending on the ingredients in your routine and skin type. For example, using more than one acidic product daily.

3. Hydrating

Please please please use toners that are alcohol- free so you can avoid drying out your skin. I know that in times gone by that using certain popular brands have left the skin feeling tight. If you can, try to use a toner that will hydrate instead of drying out the skin.

4. Helps with absorption

Since using a toner generally gets rid of any dirt, makeup, dead skin cells or residue left after cleansing. This preps your skin making it easier to absorb the other products in your routine.

5. Minimize the appearance of pores

they do this by removing any excess oil, dirt or bacteria. It also helps seal pores to protect your skin from environmental stressors.

6. Helps balance your skin’s pH

It does this by having a neutral or slightly acidic pH, which balances out your skin’s alkaline nature after cleansing.

Takeaway

Normally you would want to use a toner as the second step after cleansing in your routine. Choose toners that are vegan or natural for healthy skin in the long run. Stick with products that make you look and feel good.

Also, don’t mistake a toner for an astringent, which is alcohol based and tends to be drying. Some toners have slightly acidic properties to help make your skin smooth and cleanse your pores. I would recommend you try it if you haven’t already or if you’ve stopped using it to add it back to your routine. Peace and love ♥

References (click to view)

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-does-toner-do

https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/skin-toner-market