5 ways to green your beauty routine
By Carla Snuggs
Every April, consumers are inundated with reminders about how they can and should be “greening” up their lives in honor of Earth Day. Drive less and take more public transportation. Check. Recycle and compost. Check. Pack lunches in reusable containers. Double check.
Look for skin care products with more natural ingredients. . . not so much.
Earth Day is the perfect reminder that it is important and easy to make small changes to a skin care routine in an effort to help the earth 365 days a year. Below, you will find Five Ways to Green Your Beauty Routine from Earth’s Care, a brand of skin care products made with ingredients sourced from nature.
Tip 1: Skip long ingredient lists!
Remember that your skin is your largest organ! Anything you put ON your skin goes IN your body. Choose products with a short ingredient list that don’t contain so many chemicals. Keep an eye out for products that list Parabens, Artificial Fragrance or Colors, Petrolatum, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on the ingredient panel. If a product contains any of these ingredients, it is likely you are absorbing unnecessary chemicals into your body.
Tip 2: Choose a natural product that can do double-duty.
Most of us have a different product for each skin care need. Separate products for skin, hair and body not only mean you are applying numerous chemicals on your body, but it also increases waste from multiple tubes and bottles. Switch to a versatile product like natural Avocado Oil: a single bottle can be used as a deep conditioner for hair, a nourishing moisturizer for the face, and a fantastic source of moisture for the skin.
Tip 3: Support companies who share your “green” values!
For a product to be truly green, look beyond the ingredient list. Is the product packaged with recyclable materials? Does the company believe in giving back?
Many companies make a “green” line, but continue to make products filled with chemicals or materials that are hard to recycle. Earth’s Care believes in nurturing the body and the planet, which means they are member of 1% for the Planet, use 100% recyclable packaging materials, and print their boxes using wind energy.
Tip 4: Cut back on your water consumption.
Earth’s Care is based in Long Beach, California, which means the company is acutely aware of how water consumption affects the environment. When using tissues to apply make-up or to wipe off excess product, be sure to dispose of the tissue in the trash! Every time you flush a tissue, 5-7 gallons of water gets wasted!
Tip 5: Swap in natural alternatives.
Benzoyl Peroxide isn’t the only way to combat acne. Earth’s Care Acne Spot Treatment utilizes maximum strength Sulfur to clear stubborn blemishes, pimples and breakouts. It contains no parabens, phthalates, artificial colors or fragrances which means harsh chemicals aren’t being placed onto your body!
BONUS TIP: Skip the harsh chemicals in typical make-up removers and try natural Sweet Almond Oil instead. It is a superior natural make-up remover, which results in fewer tissues used in the first place!
And now, Posh Beauty Blog's guide to some environmentally-friendly products we love, just in time for Earth Day
Mad Hippie Collection
Blending the “mad scientist” formulations with “hippie” natural mentality, Mad Hippie skincare is all-natural and filled with active ingredients that actually work. With formulas that combine antioxidants, peptides, bioavailable vitamins and alpha hydroxyl acids, the Mad Hippie collection treats signs of aging, including environmental and sun damage. Posh Beauty Blog recommends: Mad Hippie Face Cream: Packed to the brim with peptides and actives, it’s formulated to kick-start collagen production while Mother Nature’s best antioxidants neutralize aging free radicals ($25.99, Madhippie.com and select Whole Foods Markets)
Tammy Fender Antioxidant Crème Neroli & Orange
All of Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care’s formulas are Pure Living Energy® for the skin – a collection of pure, organic custom blended skin care products. The products are created from the energy of the earth, plant oils and beneficial vitamins and nutrients. Tammy Fender Antioxidant Crème Neroli & Orange is a multi-vitamin-in-a-jar prized for its nourishing, anti-oxidant and collagen-stimulating benefits. Neroli helps heal scar tissue, improve elasticity and balance overactive sebum. Calming and grounding, sweet orange enhances the skins immunity and hydration while plant butters moisturize and naturally filter UV light ($95, Tammyfender.com)
Physicians Formula Organic Wear BB Mascara
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin BB Bigger! Better! Lashes Mascara is 100% naturally glamorous. Also with 100% natural origin and 70% organic ingredients, this mascara combines instant lash appeal and care for gorgeous, healthy lashes. The revolutionary, multi-tasking formula features a potent 100% Natural Coconut Cocktail + botanical blend that works overtime to volumize, lengthen, thicken, define, prime, build, lift and sculpt lashes while nourishing them, too ($9.95, PhysiciansFormula.com).
Renée Rouleau Toning Cloths
Toners are such an important part of a proper skin care routine, however too much product gets absorbed into commonly used cotton balls. The Renée Rouleau Toning Cloths use a soft blend of fibers to absorb 50% less and eliminate product waste, while feeling soft and gentle on the skin. Less product waste = less plastic bottles to go through. What’s more, the packaging is 100% Recycled Paperboard. The Toning Cloths are also a multi-use product and can be used for nail polish removal, cleaning jewelry, etc. ($13.50 at ReneeRouleau.com).
Conair Hair Brushes
The eco-friendly Contemporaries Brushes, crafted of sustainably harvested Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, is a great brush that you can feel good about. These wooden hairbrushes have a beautiful finish and comes in four fashion-forward colors – dragon red, ocean blue, papaya, and mustard! (Shop: Conair.com )
Oil Essentials
Oil Essentials is a collection of natural beauty oils that nourish and heal to deliver healthy, shiny hair and youthful hands and nails. Packed with powerful yet gentle extracts from Mother Nature’s most nourishing plants and fruits, these luxurious oils inspire the senses with essential oils while providing glowing beauty benefits. These oils are free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic colors and are safe for sensitive skin. Oil Essentials is complete with six different oils to deliver outstanding results: Argan & Wheat Germ – Aqua, Omega 3,6,9 & Evening Primrose, Neroli & Avocado, Seabuckthorn Berry & Borage, Sweet Almond & Macadamia and Lavender & Rose Hip ($12.99, Riteaid.com, Target).
The Organic Face
This organic, chemical-free cosmetics line called The Organic Face is designed by founder Noreen Diani to function as well as conventional cosmetics, but with no dangerous, hormone-disrupting chemicals, fillers, heavy metals, etc. The cosmetics and packaging are made in the USA, so the carbon footprint is a little better, too. The Organic Face products are 95-98% organic, which is the highest percentage on the market. Earth lovers, you will love The Organic Face! Check out Organic Face Lip Glosses & Lipsticks, Blusher/Bronzer Duos and Eye Shadows.
FABY Nature Collection
FABY borrows the colors of the Earth and revitalizes them in six lustrous shades with the FABY Nature collection. This new formula puts an emphasis on protecting the environment without sacrificing the quality of the product. The polish glides on perfectly, dries in minutes and is long-lasting, ensuring vibrant and luminous color. The ingredients, 87% of which are of natural origin, are derived from the manufacture of wood pulp, cotton, maize, cassava and other raw vegetable materials and are not derived from petroleum. Safe and eco-friendly, FABY polishes come in a glass bottle, a material that is both ecological and recyclable. Posh Beauty Blog faves: Etruscan Clay (a grey with an antique and refined flavor), Peau d'Ange (a fun, light coral) and Silk Cocoon (nude with silk and cream undertones). Shop: $23, Fabyusa.com
Heaven by Deborah Mitchell
Using only natural and organic ingredients, the new Stratosphere collection by Deobrah Mitchell is a favorite of A-listers including Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham, Mariska Hargitay, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kate Hudson and many more. With proprietary ingredients like ABEETOXIN, a bee venom that mimics botox, this anti-aging line provides instant and long-lasting results. Posh bEauty Blog recommends: Black Age Defiance Cream, a luxe. Light-weight moisturizer:
- Base: Organic Coconut Absolute
- Vitamins: B5, E
- Other: D.S.H vegetable, Hyaluronic Acid, P-P-M
Follow with their fabulous Bee Venom Mask. Shop: america.heavenskincare.com
Agave Healing Oil Treatment
The only plant-based oil on the market. This breakthrough hair care treatment smoothes, restores and transforms unmanageable frizzy hair. Unlike traditional nut-based oils, the oil contains extracts from the Blue Agave plant, a non-greasy, lightweight formula that is ideal for all hair types. Amino sugars from the plant help to hydrate hair and preserve color. Just a few drops will instantly smooth, seal and add shine ($40, Sephora.com)
Level Naturals
Level Naturals products are artisan crafted, always vegan, gluten and cruelty free, all natural handmade bath and shower bombs, soaps, and candles. Posh Beauty Blog is so in love with Level Natural’s Shower Bombs (the tricked out little sister of their Bath Bomb) with organic menthol, eucalyptus, and tea tree essential oil to help those tired feet take a load off and detox. Try Level Natural’s Good(er) Box, a monthly subscription that sends premium, Level Naturals products straight to your door every month.
Salon Grafix Healthy Hair Nutrition Collection
An alternative to harsh shampoos and conditioners. The multi-purpose sulfate and paraben-free cleansers are formulated to rebalance natural oils with pure ingredients, leaving hair clean, soft and full of body. The single step hair care regimen replaces shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler, and leave-in conditioner with these amazing sulfate-free Conditioning Cleansers ($7.99, Walgreens.com).
Action Wipes
Action Wipes are perfect for Earth Day, especially the Large Disposable No Rinse Cleansing Body Wipes. One Action Wipe helps save 25gal of water. Action Wipes encourages people to skip one shower a week. By doing this, it can save approximately 25 gallons of water, which is the average amount used in a 10 minute shower. If 10% of all Californians did this, we could save close to 5 BILLION gallons! You can also wash and repurpose the wipes after using them, to keep them out of landfills. Action Wipes are Made in the USA, made with plant derived ingredients and retail for $1.25 for individual packs, or $24 for a 30count Soft Sheet Dispenser. Purchase: Actionwipes.com and Amazon.com
SpaRitual
SpaRitual, vegan and 5-free nail care and organic body care line, just launched new gluten-free lip glosses, a new color collection called Gathering for summer! These new colors are inspired by golden summer skin and days at the beach and give lips a warm, dewy tint with these rosy glosses. The collection includes four shades : subtler shades Ray of Light and Inner Smile Bolder tints Lively and Soulful with Organic ingredients such as Cocoa Seed Butter, Sesame Seed Oil, Coconut Oil and Certified Organic Shea Butter. They are gorgeous!
Posh beauty Blog also recommends: SpaRitual Close Your Eyes Sugar Scrub. Made with certified organic sugar-crystals, it exfoliates and moisturizes your skin, giving it an effervescent summer glow and leaving your skin feeling hydrated, soft and renewed. SpaRitual’s Instinctual Body Lotion is rich with Certified Organic Aloe Vera; Olive, Sesame and Soybean Oils, Avocado and Fair Trade Certified Organic Shea Butter to help hydrate and retain moisture and smoothness.
Plain Jane Beauty Crème Minerals
Plain Jane Beauty products are non-gmo, vegan and gluten-free. Plain Jane Beauty Crème Minerals is one of new fave foundations! Crème minerals is a 85% organic BB Cream formula. It also contains Vitamins C, E & A; rosehips seed, evening primrose, and green tea to protect and nourish I have a very unique skin tone and finding the perfect foundation is a difficult task. Also, BB creams tend to leave my skin ashy. Plain Jane Beauty Crème Minerals in “I am Mavelous” is a perfect match! It leaves my skin looking glowing, healthy and flawless with it’s sheer to medium coverage. Shop: Plainjanebeauty.net
Feature Image: Beautypunk.wordpress.com
Disclosure: Press samples were provided by some of the brands/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review.
How do you keep your beauty routine green? Leave your comments below!
