So the alarm goes off and your day begins... You kick it off with an invigorating shower, slather on great smelling shower gel or body wash, work shampoo and conditioner into your hair, exfoliate your face, towel off, then moisturize your body. Last but not least, splash on the toner, moisturize those rosy cheeks, sunblock for safety, and top it all off with your favorite makeup. Throw on a little antiperspirant and you’re good to go. (Whew!)
But wait a minute.
Did you know that during this daily process, you’ve exposed yourself and the environment to an enormous amount of dangerous chemicals? That’s right. On your face, on your skin, in the air and all around. Scary, isn’t it?
The good news is, you can do something about it. Now’s the time to take the first step and replace some of the favorites in your beauty regimen with certified organic products. Because, as I’ve said before, you don’t have to do it all overnight. Just pick one or two of your favorite products and take a deeper look.
Know what’s going into your natural and organic beauty products
The truth is, natural and organic skin care products can be a bit of a myth. The label “natural” can merely mean that a small amount of ingredients came from a natural source. So even all natural makeup and all natural shampoo may not be all natural. And products labeled organic can contain toxic ingredients. So, what's a girl to do?
When greening up your regimen, start with the ingredients. Read carefully, looking for the worst offenders. Once you learn how to decipher these labels, not only will you find the right products for you, but you’ll also avoid those cosmetics that claim to be organic or natural when they’re not.
Ingredients to avoid
Parabens. These are petroleum based. You know, the same stuff that makes plastic. Paraben actually acts as a sealant on your skin and interferes with its ability to breath and renew itself.
Artificial fragrances and colors. These ingredients can cause a lot of trouble. Everything from headache and dizziness to vomiting and skin irritation. In fact, they’re the number one cause of allergic reactions in cosmetics. Artificial colors are simply used to make things look better, but they can be carcinogens. Aaaaaah! My advice: run screaming.
Propylene glycol. This is highly toxic in amounts more than 5% and known to cause allergic reactions such as eczema and even hives. Yikes! Again, avoid like the plague.
Mineral oil. We’ve all heard of it. But did you know it’s another petroleum-based ingredient, similar to Parabens? You’ll find it in lotions, lip balm and moisturizers. Though it makes your skin feel smoother at first, mineral oil also makes your skin more likely to be damaged by the sun. And in the long run, it leads to dry skin. A definite no-no.
PVP/VA Copolymer. Yum, yum, doesn’t that sound tasty? You’ll see this little gem in hair products. It’s petroleum-based and can be toxic if inhaled.
Sodium lauryl sulfate. Known for its foaming abilities, sodium lauryl sulfate is found in shampoos, body washes and soaps. It causes allergic reactions such as skin irritation, dandruff and even hair loss. Sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium myreth sulfate are close cousins to watch out for.
Diethanolamine (DEA) gives skin that nice, soft feeling. But it can react with other ingredients in your cosmetics and create a potent carcinogen, according to the Cancer Prevention Coalition. Also, avoid MEA and TEA, closely related chemicals that can be toxic.
All in all, a good rule of thumb to follow is this: if you can't say it, don't buy it.
Go forth, Green Beauty!
Armed with this information, you’re ready to re-enter the world of cosmetics and beauty products and make good decisions for your skin, yourself and the environment. Happy greening!
