Feb. 18, 2026

72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products

72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products
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72. Is Your Makeup Toxic? How To Read Labels And Find Safe Products
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Is your makeup toxic? Beauty industry insider Laura Olson—who spent decades writing product labels for major luxury brands—reveals what clean beauty actually means, why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag, and how to navigate greenwashing and health-washing. Learn which apps help you shop safer (Yuka, EWG Skin Deep), which stores you can trust (Credo), and which ingredients to avoid (parabens, sulfates, nano zinc). Laura shares her honest approach: she still uses conventional hair gel because no clean version works, but prioritizes clean products for eyes, lips, and daily use. Discover how to balance effectiveness with safety, why beauty regulations are stuck in 1938, and how to enjoy products for fun without falling for industry manipulation.

Key Timestamps

[00:00] - Introduction: Questions about clean beauty

[03:00] - Laura's background as beauty editor and copywriter

[06:00] - How yoga changed everything

[09:00] - What "clean beauty" actually means (unregulated)

[12:00] - Major ingredient offenders: sulfates, parabens, fragrance

[18:00] - Why "fragrance" is the biggest red flag

[21:00] - Apps and resources: Yuka, EWG Skin Deep

[27:00] - Trusted stores and brands: Credo, Beautycounter

[33:00] - The effectiveness problem: when clean products don't work

[38:00] - Beauty regulations stuck in 1938

[42:00] - How copywriters use language to mislead

[45:00] - Nail polish and acetone

[48:00] - Where products touch your body matters

[50:00] - Treats versus daily rituals

[53:00] - Industry manipulation and women's insecurities

[55:00] - Rapid fire questions

 

Find Laura on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauraannolson/

 

Connect with Kate: https://www.healwithkate.org

Ayurvedic Living Institute Membership: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/membership

Cleanse Leader Training: https://ayurvedicliving.institute/cleanse-leader-training

Deep Winter Self-Care Workshop: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/courses/self-care-workshop-deep-winter

Women's Health Collection: https://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/collections/womens-healthhttps://courses.ayurvedicliving.institute/products/courses/copy-of-fall-community-cleanse-2024

Thanks to our Sponsor: Banyan Botanicals
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00:00 - Introduction to Clean Beauty

04:57 - Laura's Journey to Clean Beauty

07:28 - Understanding Clean Beauty and Greenwashing

10:27 - Identifying Harmful Ingredients

24:24 - Trustworthy Brands and Resources

28:43 - Luxury Brands and Their Approach

29:38 - Challenges with Clean Hair Products

31:14 - Importance of Product Contact Areas

33:30 - A word from our sponsor

39:05 - Nail Polish and Chemical-Free Options

40:54 - Balancing Natural and Conventional Products

42:10 - Personal Care Rituals and Self-Discovery

45:01 - Fun with Beauty Products

49:57 - Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion