Introducing MADE SAFE® Certified Products from Free Living Co., along with a Q&A from the company’s Founder, Dana Grinnell.
Why are you proud of your MADE SAFE® Certification?
We are incredibly proud to be the first skincare brand specifically formulated for tweens, teens, and young adults to achieve MADE SAFE certification. As a non-toxic marketplace, Free Living Co prioritizes products that have undergone rigorous ingredient vetting by third parties. We were genuinely surprised to discover that no teen-focused skincare brand had pursued this level of scrutiny.
Adolescence is a uniquely vulnerable stage of life, marked by significant hormonal and developmental changes. It’s a demographic that deserves the cleanest ingredients and the highest standards - not the most aggressive marketing.
Why is it important to have third-party validation for your product(s)?
There are many layers involved in formulating and manufacturing consumer products, and surprisingly little regulation. Even brands with the best intentions may not be sourcing the highest quality raw materials or maintaining consistent manufacturing standards.
Ingredients can be substituted. Suppliers can change processes. These details are often hidden from both consumers and brands. Third-party certification adds an essential layer of oversight, evaluating ingredients, supply chains, and manufacturing practices, so consumers can trust that what’s on the label is truly what’s in the bottle.
Why did you start your company?
I founded Free Living Co out of my own frustration trying to find clean products that actually worked. Between greenwashing, marketing, and influencer hype, it became increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. So we began doing that work for consumers, rigorously vetting products across home, personal care, and nutrition categories.
When my teenage daughter showed me the skincare products she believed were “clean,” I was shocked by what I uncovered. The marketing toward this age group was powerful, but the ingredient lists told a different story. When I couldn’t find a single teen skincare line that met the standards of the Free Living Co marketplace, I felt a responsibility to create one.
We spent two years formulating and working closely with MADE SAFE® to certify the Live Free skincare line.
How are your products different from other, more conventional, products in the space?
First and foremost, we are the only teen-focused skincare line with MADE SAFE certification. We formulated the products with active ingredients that are appropriate for young, developing skin, specifically to support blemish control and hydration without disrupting the skin barrier or long-term skin health.
Sustainability was also non-negotiable. Our packaging is made from a fermented plant-based biomass material that performs like traditional plastic but contains 0% petroleum and is certified to biodegrade in both compost and landfill conditions. Clean products shouldn’t come at the expense of the planet.
What’s the one thing you would never do as a maker of better products?
Compromise. There is no gray area when it comes to ingredient safety. Products should be made with ingredients that are safe for human health and do not harm wildlife or the planet. If an ingredient raises concerns, we simply won’t use it, no matter how trendy or profitable it may be.
What do you wish shoppers thought about more, and why?
Toxins are tricky because they are often silent contributors to long-term health concerns. Many consumers don’t realize that exposure is cumulative and small, daily choices add up over time.
Every product you bring into your home is both a personal health decision and a vote for the kind of products you want to exist. When consumers demand safer products, companies are forced to rise to that standard.
What’s the one product in your line you can’t live without, and why?
We are launching with three products designed to create a simple, effective routine for teens and young adults. Together, they address blemish control, hydration, and long-term skin health.
I love the full three-step Live Free Routine because it keeps skincare simple, consistent, and effective, which is exactly what young skin needs.
What have you done to make your life healthier (i.e., do you meditate daily, practice mindfulness, yoga, walk, etc.), and why?
I started making smarter choices about the products I bring into my home nearly two decades ago. Even with that level of experience and commitment, it’s still a work in progress. I believe in progress over perfection and giving myself grace along the way.
I also try not to overwhelm my kids. Teaching them to make mostly good choices, with balance and perspective, is far more important than striving for perfection.
Personally, I love practicing yoga and spending as much time outdoors as my schedule allows. Nature brings me peace and joy and has always been my reset button and the inspiration behind many great ideas.
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