According to Christie Matheson, author of the sassy enviro-tome Green Chic: Saving the Earth In Style (Sourcebooks, Inc.), some eco-friendly types say the best beauty routine is no beauty routine at all. Perhaps that's technically true, but it's not much fun!
"Don't be afraid," says Matheson. "Even if you're a beauty product junkie. Greening your beauty regimen --phasing out some eco-offenders and hazardous ingredients and incorporating natural, bio-degradable products that are safe for you (and safe for the planet when they go down the drain) -- can help you look and feel more gorgeous than ever."
The key is knowing how, and why, to start your quest for a greener beauty routine.
Banishing Chemicals From Your Medicine ChestBeauty products are full of chemicals, from preservatives to surfactants, that do anything but make you more pretty. Treat your next beauty product shopping trip like a grocery-buying mission: read the labels, and cut these chemicals from your cosmetic diet:
- Parabens (In ingredient lists, these are given a number of names, including ethyl, methyl, and propyl- parabens. They're all nasty.)
- Sodium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfate. (It's a harsh surfactant known to irritate the skin, and it pollutes ground water, too.)
- Formaldehyde (It's used to embalm dead people. Enough said.)
- Phthalates (An industrial compound with toxic properties, phthalates have been found to cause cancer and infertility.)
- Petroleum (Petroleum isn't good for you or the planet. It's a non-renewable resource and a pore clogger, too.)
- Toulene (This is most often found in nail polish, and it's basically paint thinner. Ick.)
- Fragrance (According to Matheson, this is an ambiguous catch-all phrase that allows manufacterers to include many of the above chemicals in products without having to list them in the ingredient list.)
Natural Skin and Body Care Shopping TipsNow that we've covered what you shouldn't buy, let's talk about the fun part: what you can buy! Natural beauty products are everywhere these days, not just at specialty health product stores.
Try these:
For The Face
- dermaglow (available at Shoppers Drug Mart among other places) has a SenstiveRx line that's free of many chemical culprits, including parabens. It's pricey, but worth the splurge, especially for the cleanser.
- Learn about totally natural, tomato-based skincare by clicking here.
- Learn about incorporating vitamins into your skincare routine by clicking here.
For The Body
- Consonant Body has a gorgeous line of organic, chemical free body washes, soaps, and lotions. They smell good and are good for you, too -- the perfect beauty product combo.
For the hair
- Green Beaver uses wild, organic, Canadian ingredients to produce a cache of personal care products, including fabulous shampoos and conditioners designed to do it all.
Other Natural Skincare Lines Worth Checking Out (And Everything's Available in Canada):
- The Organic Makeup Company
- Pure Biologique
- LaVigne Organics
- Pure + Simple
- Sultry Suds
Natural Products For ChildrenDon't forget the little ones. Babies, toddlers, and young children shouldn't be exposed to chemicals either. Available at most drug stores and health food shops, the Burt's Bees Baby Bee line is the perfect choice for youngsters (but the products smell so good, adults will want to use them, too!) Also try Miessence Certified Organics Baby Bottom Line.
Marissa Ponikowski - Marissa Ponikowski (nee Stapley) has been a journalist since 1998. Her work has appeared in The Toronto Sun, The Globe & Mail, TV Guide, ...
