10 Steps For Green, Natural Skincare
10 Steps For Green, Natural Skincare by Natalie MacBride
If you are worried about your skin and also the environment, then here are ten things that you can do for both.
1. Simple Is Best
There are only really a few basic things you need for your daily skincare routine: cleanser, sunscreen, toner and moisturizer. Anything else is just extra. Although manufacturers will try to fool you, specialist products (like eye cream) are really based on the same foundations as general products (such as facial moisturizers).
2. Be Sure that "Natural" Really
Is Unfortunately, when shopping for beauty products you'll have to bear in mind that terms such as "natural" are not regulated - anyone can add this to their labels. The biggest problem with beauty products at the moment is that they are full of synthetic chemicals, so you're going to have to get used to reading the labels as much as possible, and check products against the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.
3. Avoid Fragrance
Manufacturers are not required by law to list all of the chemicals they put into fragrance mixtures that go into products. Unfortunately, fragrance is known to cause a wide range of problems, from allergies to birth defects and infertility due to the phthalates they contain. To protect yourself, it's best to opt for fragrance-free products.
4. Think about the Packaging
It's important to consider the packaging used in a product, both in terms of the environment and your own health. Some plastics aren't able to be recycled, and some may even leech toxins into the product your using. In general, recyclable plastics include code 1 (polyethylene terephthalate or PET) and code 2 (high-density polyethylene or HDPE) - also considered more healthy. Codes 7 and 3 (or "V) are ones you should really watch out for. If you're unsure, always use the internet to help you.
5. Research The Company
If you care enough to be thinking green, you probably realize that there's more to a company than its products. How do its philosophy and values stack up? Does it test on animals? Has it pledged to remove harmful ingredients from its products? Is the company environmentally responsible?
6. Choose Organic
Organic ingredients aren't just better for the environment, they're also better for your health. Make sure the products you buy carry the USDA's organic seal, and even better opt for products whose botanical ingredients are grown using biodynamic farming methods. This is the approved method by Demeter USA.
7. Avoid Petrochemicals
Look out for ingredients like "mineral oil", "petrolatum" and "paraffin" - petroleum byproducts. These have been linked to cancer, and they aren't good for the planet thanks to the fact that they come from non-renewable resources.
8. Make Your Own!
Making your own products really is the best way to know exactly what goes into them. You'll also benefit from saving money and avoiding any packaging!
9. Get and Stay Healthy
Beautiful skin is healthy skin, so diet and exercise are just as important to your routine as potions and lotions. A healthy diet provides plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats (e.g., omega 3s and flaxseed oil), and other vital nutrients. Exercise helps with blood circulation, while sweating helps "clean" your skin of impurities. Don't forget to drink lots of water to help flush out those toxins even more.
10. Get a Grip
Remember - if a beauty trend seems weird, it probably is and you don't need it! There doesn't have to be a conflict between your skin and the environment. A few simple steps will help keep them both healthy and beautiful.
Natalie MacBride believes in looking good, and has been researching the most healthy and natural ways to do so. Pay her a visit today at <a href="http://www.easynaturalbeauty.net">Easy Natural Beauty</a>.
If you are worried about your skin and also the environment, then here are ten things that you can do for both.
1. Simple Is Best
There are only really a few basic things you need for your daily skincare routine: cleanser, sunscreen, toner and moisturizer. Anything else is just extra. Although manufacturers will try to fool you, specialist products (like eye cream) are really based on the same foundations as general products (such as facial moisturizers).
2. Be Sure that "Natural" Really
Is Unfortunately, when shopping for beauty products you'll have to bear in mind that terms such as "natural" are not regulated - anyone can add this to their labels. The biggest problem with beauty products at the moment is that they are full of synthetic chemicals, so you're going to have to get used to reading the labels as much as possible, and check products against the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.
3. Avoid Fragrance
Manufacturers are not required by law to list all of the chemicals they put into fragrance mixtures that go into products. Unfortunately, fragrance is known to cause a wide range of problems, from allergies to birth defects and infertility due to the phthalates they contain. To protect yourself, it's best to opt for fragrance-free products.
4. Think about the Packaging
It's important to consider the packaging used in a product, both in terms of the environment and your own health. Some plastics aren't able to be recycled, and some may even leech toxins into the product your using. In general, recyclable plastics include code 1 (polyethylene terephthalate or PET) and code 2 (high-density polyethylene or HDPE) - also considered more healthy. Codes 7 and 3 (or "V) are ones you should really watch out for. If you're unsure, always use the internet to help you.
5. Research The Company
If you care enough to be thinking green, you probably realize that there's more to a company than its products. How do its philosophy and values stack up? Does it test on animals? Has it pledged to remove harmful ingredients from its products? Is the company environmentally responsible?
6. Choose Organic
Organic ingredients aren't just better for the environment, they're also better for your health. Make sure the products you buy carry the USDA's organic seal, and even better opt for products whose botanical ingredients are grown using biodynamic farming methods. This is the approved method by Demeter USA.
7. Avoid Petrochemicals
Look out for ingredients like "mineral oil", "petrolatum" and "paraffin" - petroleum byproducts. These have been linked to cancer, and they aren't good for the planet thanks to the fact that they come from non-renewable resources.
8. Make Your Own!
Making your own products really is the best way to know exactly what goes into them. You'll also benefit from saving money and avoiding any packaging!
9. Get and Stay Healthy
Beautiful skin is healthy skin, so diet and exercise are just as important to your routine as potions and lotions. A healthy diet provides plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats (e.g., omega 3s and flaxseed oil), and other vital nutrients. Exercise helps with blood circulation, while sweating helps "clean" your skin of impurities. Don't forget to drink lots of water to help flush out those toxins even more.
10. Get a Grip
Remember - if a beauty trend seems weird, it probably is and you don't need it! There doesn't have to be a conflict between your skin and the environment. A few simple steps will help keep them both healthy and beautiful.
Natalie MacBride believes in looking good, and has been researching the most healthy and natural ways to do so. Pay her a visit today at <a href="http://www.easynaturalbeauty.net">Easy Natural Beauty</a>.
