organic heaven and body bliss at the Cloisters Spa

So now that I'm golden brown and covered in organic sunblock, I'm headed out to the beach. Thank goodness I got that organic spray on tan! Being in a bathing suit is scary enough.

I’m on holiday, as the Brits say, and staying at the Cloisters Resort on Sea Island, GA. And they have a rockin’ spa that uses all natural products in many of their treatments. Beach? Spa? Beach? Spa? Well, you get the picture. Decision, decisions... Well, a girl’s gotta make ‘em, so here’s mine.

a great body of work with the Spice of Life body treatment

Walking into the Cloisters Spa, I had no idea that I was embarking on such a relaxation journey. Before you even get through the first set of doors to the incredible atrium adorned with tall plants, pool with waterfall and overstuffed chairs, you feel at least 25% of your cares slipping away. Did I mention the cashmere throws on the chairs? Sweeeet.

I was passed like a fragile package from staff member to staff member, all just to lead me to the changing room. (Wow, it took three people to get me 60 feet. I could get used to this.) Plus, everyone at the spa, from the front desk to the aesthetician, were all about me. That works.

After being completely catered to, I was joined by my aesthetician, who took me to my Spice of Life body treatment. She showed me all of the ingredients in the Red Flower products she was going to use and explained what each did. That’s when I fell hard for Red Flower.

The treatment started with a sugar-based scrub called lemon coffee blossom olive stone scrub. What an incredible combination of smells! This scrub pulls impurities out of the skin. As it turns out, I prefer a salt-based scrub, as it’s softer, but this was still a great scrub.

Next came the Moroccan mint tea silt purifier. And after that, I jumped into the shower. OK, maybe it was more like, stumbled into the shower, I was so relaxed and intoxicated by all of the amazing yet subtle fragrances. I barely had the energy to move to the oversized bathtub, where I soaked for 20 minutes. Somehow I made it back to the table for an hour massage first with cardamom amber oil and then with tangerine fig butter crème, which keeps the moisture in and acts as a skin polish.

(BTW, if you get the opportunity to go to the Cloisters Spa, send me an email and I’ll give you the name of this aesthetician. She’s off the charts!)

Many of the body treatments use products by Red Flower, too. I chose to add Ohana Gingergrass Bamboo Scrub to my beauty arsenal. Not an easy choice, given their incredible selection. This is a gentle scrub (not like the ones that leave you looking like you just used sandpaper). It exfoliates dry skin and increases energy flow, which may be due to the fact that the main ingredients are invigorating oils of ginger, lime and fine grains of bamboo, which sure beats the non-natural versions that contain parabens and dyes. Yikes! Sea oil acts to make the skin silky (love that!), silt from the earth encourages cell renewal, while ginger and lime increase blood flow. Whew, I could keep going, but I think you get the picture. I loved the smell when I opened it and loved how my skin felt afterward. Woohoo!

One more thing—they package in 77% post consumer recycled paper AND print at a 100% wind-powered plant. Cool.

face first with a first-rate organic facial

In addition to many other wonderful services, the Cloisters offers a vast array of facials. I was feeling the need for a little face time, so I booked one.

Their facials use products by Sodashi. Sodashi is a great discovery. They are to green beauty products what sliced bread is to, well, sliced bread. They’re a very environmentally focused company that makes incredible, 100% chemical free products largely made from natural plant extracts and essences. To preserve the product, violet glass with light filtering qualities encases the item. The best part of that is, their packaging is 100% recyclable. Bonus!

Sodashi products are formulated based on the wisdom of ancient philosophies and natural healing traditions, they say. I just say, wow, my face looks and feels great. That’s what we want, right?

After my incredible facial, my product pick was Nourishing Repair Treatment. Not that it was an easy choice to make, given my state post-pampering. (I came out of the treatment so relaxed I had to check my pulse.)

The moment you apply this moisturizer, you feel the deep hydrating qualities of avocado and centella. Carrot oil reduces sun damage. Aging and poor skin tone are addressed by the rock rose and neroli. And if all that is not great enough, Nourishing Repair Treatment has regenerative qualities. Can’t go wrong here.

I’m looking for an excuse to stay another week and try all of the spa treatments. But no doubt, I’ll be leaving shortly, kicking and screaming. At least I can hunt around for some great new green beauty products. It’ll be just like being there… OK, maybe not. Sigh…

treat yourself to tan-in-an-instant with a professional organic spray tanning session

The truth is, no matter what body type we have, most of us would agree we look better golden brown. Especially for leg-baring skirts and dresses this summer. Or heaven help us, The Beach.

That’s why I had the good luck to visit Portland and was even luckier to visit the Portland Spa & Boutique, home to a choice of organic airbrush tanning. Check me in! Not only was the staff super friendly, they made me feel very comfortable. You know, as comfortable as you can be when you’re butt-naked in front of a bunch of strangers.

Anyway, the tan went on quickly and evenly. I walked out minutes later a golden brown with softer skin. Not surprising since this treatment is derived from walnut extracts, aloe vera and a blender-full of botanicals, including ginger, ginseng, green tea, lemon grass, and willow bark. What an awesome lineup! Especially if you compare it to a non-organic spray tan, which has in it, let’s see… Basically yuck.

Hard to say what the best part of my organic spray tanning was... My very soft skin, how fast the spray dried, the fact that it can last up to 14 days, that’s it’s organic. Hmmm… Maybe the fact that I looked great and wasn’t bright orange.

Portland Spa offers two organic spray tan options—an anti-aging complex (music to my ears!) and a shimmer finish. How can a girl go wrong?

My only regret? That I don’t live in Portland, which, by the way, is a very environmentally conscious city. And doesn’t get much in the way of sun (no wonder they love the organic spray tan). I would make a standing appointment for this luxurious organic treatment. I mean, you look great, you’re looking great in a way that’s safe for the environment, and you look great. Did I mention that you look great? Guess I figured out which is the best part after all…

organic sunless tanners and bronzers give you that sun-kissed look

If you’re like me, you’re into safe sunning — which means no tanning (with help from wonderful organic and natural sunscreens). But that doesn't mean you have to lose the look of sun-drenched skin. I mean, sustainable is one thing, pasty is another, right? Right.

So I went in search of organic and natural sunless tanners that worked. And I found a few that did the trick. Then added a few organic bronzers to my arsenal. Oh, speaking of tricks, look below for a few that go beyond your basic bronzers.

But first, what’s wrong with traditional tanners? Well, who wants to put things like DHA, the active ingredient in most traditional self-tanners, on your precious skin? For one thing, it smells terrible, especially when it combines with many people’s natural skin chemistry. There’s no sense in looking good if you smell bad.

And although most companies will tell you DHA is safe, a German study found that skin treated with DHA produced 180 percent more free radicals when exposed to UV light than untreated skin did. Free radicals cause damage to vital skin components like collagen and elastin, and the result is skin-aging inflammation. Uh, did you say “skin-aging?” We don’t need that.

organic self-tanners that really work

Lavera Sunless Tanning - Self Tanner Lotion. The first thing you’ll notice is, Lavera smells wonderful. No DHA. No chemical odors. Just yummy coconut to remind you of a day at the beach. The best part is, it works great. Smoothes on like a luscious body lotion and gives you a flawless tan in a few hours. No orange hue for you.

Lavera also offers FACES Summer Glow Streak-Free Facial Self Tanner. It contains a slightly lower dose of the soy extracts used in Sunless Self-Tanning Body Lotion, letting you build up color gradually with as many applications as you like to get the tan you want.

Besides the soy extracts, Summer Glow drenches your face with extracts of organic calendula, peach, kiwi, apricot and papaya to nourish your skin. Vitamins E and C offer anti-oxidant protection against environmental damage.

Sante Naturkosmetik Sun Care Self Tanning Lotion. This light, moisturizing cream with gentle self-tanning action promotes a summer-like complexion the whole year. With daily use, it develops a soft, even tan in 4-5 days. Natural organic moisturizers, argan and jojoba oils as well as shea butter provide the skin with all the essentials to impart an illuminated, healthy skin tone. Plus it’s vegan—you can’t get greener than that. Make sure to combine it with your favorite organic or natural sunscreen because it doesn’t contain skin protection.

organic and natural bronzers for sun in a hurry

Don’t want to wait for your organic sunless tanner to work? Do want a quick, sunny pick-me-up? Try a bronzer for that fresh-faced glow. Just apply where the sun would hit by sweeping it along your hairline, onto your cheeks and over your jawline. Then dap a small amount on your brow bones and down your nose. Et voila! You’re soleil-soaked.

Physicians Formula Organic wear® 100% Natural Origin Bronzer. These little bronzers are packed Italian powders that you can blend to get a natural tan glow. The different tones just beg you to play with them. Try different combinations until you get the tan you want. They’re 100% natural origin bronzers, formulated with 15% certified organic ingredients, including jojoba seed oil and corn starch to moisturize the skin and even out the texture.

Beauty Wise Bronzing Powders add sun-bronzed color to your cheeks with pure minerals. Just a touch is all you need to wake up a tired or pale complexion. They can also double as face powders and highlighters. You’ll love the soft, warm glow you get with just a gentle brush of the bronzer on cheeks, cheekbones, and anywhere else you want to add warm tones. The best part—these babies are totally vegan. They’re even gluten-free.

Last but not least, here are a few tricks to fake a tan the fast way.

• Give peach a chance. Try Revolution Organics Beauty Balm in Sunkissed, an eco-friendly peachy-toned stick that gives lips, cheeks and eyes a natural glow.

• Colors of the sun: To fake a bake, go with a blush/bronzer/eye shadow combo that has three tones: a light tan, rosy pink, and warm brown. Swirl them together and apply to forehead, across cheeks and nose and onto jawline. Next, apply the lightest shade to your lids, up to the brow bone. Use the rosy shade on the lids and blend the darkest shade on the crease. This creates a natural, just-tan look. Try the Organic Glam Nude Eyeshadow Palette with Organic Glam Blush in Peach or Pink.

• Sun-kissed smackers. Get the look of sunned lips with a bright pink-toned gloss, such as Organic Girls Vegan Lip Glosses in Strawberry or Bubble Gum.

So there you have it. A lot of great ways to get sun-fresh looks without getting sun damage. And without damaging the environment. Summer, here we come!

don't leave your lips lacking when you step into the sun

When you go out in the sun all covered in your favorite organic or natural sunscreen, don’t forget to look after your lips. Often overlooked, the lips are a very sensitive area and will punish you by burning and flaking just like the rest of you. Aka, the dreaded chapped lips. We’ve all had them. And, since mine are always in need of extra moisture, I’m super-careful when it comes to sun damage. That’s why I looked around when choosing an organic lip balm.

Speaking of which, here’s a little tip for your lips. When picking an organic or natural lip balm, not only do you want to avoid petroleum-based products to go green, you want to avoid them because petroleum actually dries your skin! All natural or organic lip balms give you protection from the sun and hydrate your lips instead. That’s Mother Nature: 2, Harsh Chemical: 0.


Organic and natural lip balms

Juice Beauty SPF 8 lip moisturizers. If you’re looking for a bit of color, Juice Beauty SPF 8 lip moisturizers do the trick. They come in a three-pack with nude, pink and clear lip balms. They’re a great way to look good in the great outdoors. These little gems are certified organic and provide mineral sun protection. And their plant oils and honey, mango and passionfruit essences provide that extra-fresh moisturizing feeling that you’ll love.

Jane Iredale Lipdrink SPF 15. I’m not sure what hit me first, the super emollient feel or the wonderful scent and taste of lemon and orange oils. Instead of icky petroleum, this product uses macadamia nut oil and then adds an SPF 15 from zinc oxide in a colorless lip balm. Vitamins E, C and green tea extract combine to give you that wonderful antioxidant richness that your lips are thirsty for. In fact, it feels even moister than traditional lips balms. You’ll love it morning, day and night. I know I do.

Burt’s Bees Sun Protecting Lip Balm SPF 8 uses the naturally occurring mineral titanium dioxide to protect your lips. Meanwhile, passionfruit extract soothes, nourishes and rejuvenates lips so they're soft, healthy and more hydrated. This is a great one to keep in your pocket to have on the go. Awesome for the little ones as well. And like many of Burt’s Bees products, it is 100% natural. We like that.

So now that sun protection is top of mind, make sure it’s tip of lips, too.

stay green after soaking up the sun

Now that you’ve been playing in the sun safely, slathered with your new organic sunblock, you’re ready for even more green skin care treatments with…organic after sun skin care.

After all, your sun-kissed bod needs a nourishing, hydrating lotion that promotes a healthy glow and soft finish to your skin. And I've got the scoop on several of them, so read on!

Organic and natural after-sun skincare

Santaverde Aloe Vera After Sun Emulsion is a calm and refreshing emulsion that boosts moisture with organic aloe vera juice, walnut oil and wheat germ oil. Shea butter promotes skin elasticity and suppleness. I love the intense hydrating feeling! Especially after taking a baking in the sun.

Lavera After Sun Lotion is super nourishing after fun in the sun. You’ll love the feeling of the organic jojoba oil and vitamin E. It’s super-hydrating and even helps prevent fine lines, they say. Now we’re talking!

Lavera Silk Shimmer Lotion is perfect if you’re out on the town after catching some rays. It enhances your already-sun-kissed skin with a subtle glow that boosts your skin tone. Full of organic almond oil and vitamin E, it packs a super moisturizing and hydrating feel you’ll enjoy from head to toe. Let’s go!

Aubrey Organics After Sun Body & Face Maintenance Moisturizer soothes and hydrates your thirsty skin after a day in the sun with aloe vera and shea butter. Horsetail and coltsfoot are thrown in to improve elasticity. (Always good for skin health, especially after sun.) It’s great for sensitive skin. When applied right after sun exposure they say it’ll help prevent the dreaded peel. That’s good news if you’ve overdone it, which you shouldn’t do, right? (There’s the mom in me again, giving you advice. Can’t help it!)

Speaking of overdoing it, if your tan is turning pink or lobster-red, Weleda Burn Care provides on-the-spot relief for sunburn. It even handles minor burns and bug bites. That’s handy to have if you’ve got kids or live in the great outdoors. It’s a miracle homeopathic, fix it all, anti-inflammatory ointment and one of the best organic beauty products I know. The main ingredient is Arnica Montana… Sound familiar? Arnica is also a great remedy for pain, bruising, etc. So you can imagine how quickly it works on your sunburn. Combined with nettle, a natural ingredient that eases itching, this skin wonder is a wonderful companion for camping trips, beach trips, backyard fun and more. Keep a few stashed around the house, the yard, the car—anywhere skin ouches abound.

So get out in the sun with your organic sunscreen then give your skin extra TLC with some great organic after-sun skincare. Follow it all up with your favorite organic makeup and all-natural cosmetics and you’re ready for great spring and summer days safely soaking up the sun and ensuring your skin and the environment are well cared for.

chemical free sunscreen

The Big Green Beauty Cleanout

After reviewing beauty products, both certified organic and not, and all the ingredients good and bad, I've done a major clean out of my beauty arsenal. I can't get that pesky bad ingredient list out of my head and most things that I owned include at least one of them. Yuck!

So now, I’m left with not much in the way of beauty products and a big list of those I need to replace… Hmmmmm, but this could be fun! Changing from traditional to organic beauty products is the perfect excuse to buy makeup. (Not that I needed one.)

I know what you’re thinking… Do environmentally sound beauty products work as well as non-organic beauty products? After all, looking your best is important. I get it. I was in your shoes, too. That’s why I did a lot of research. Now, I’m a firm believer that you can choose beauty products that are eco-friendly and effective. So hang in there. We’ll review products, regimens and answer any questions you have. Then you can come up with your very own excuse, er, plan to switch to natural and organic cosmetics and skin care.

Go green when you get tan

Since summer’s just around the corner, you should be thinking about extra sunscreen protection. And because green is the color even when you’re getting a tan, organic sunscreen is just the ticket.

Organic sunscreen provides sun protection by using organic herbs, plants and minerals and will usually contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that are very effective in blocking harmful UV rays.

One of the advantages of organic sunscreen is that it’s absorbed into the skin instantly, unlike its non-organic counterpart, which takes up to 30 minutes to start working.

Speaking of synthetic sunscreens, here’s an interesting and scary fact about their ingredients: Studies show a link between synthetic sunscreens and hormonal disturbances in the body. The chemical compounds in synthetic sunscreen mimic the effects of estrogen, storing in body fat and breast milk and can produce undesirable hormonal changes. Yikes! I don't know about you, but I’ll never use one of those again.

The following list of ingredients in synthetic sunscreens mimic estrogen, so you should consider banning from your tanning:

4-benzylidencamphor (4-mbc), oxybenzone, benzophenone-3

homosalate (hms), octyl-methoyl-cinnamates (OMC)

Octyl-dimethyl-para-amino-benzoic acid (od-paba)

Choose your organic sunscreen carefully. After all, you’re putting it on your skin and into the environment.

Organic and natural sunscreens to consider

Sunblock, like most things, is a very individual choice. Here, I’ll review some of my favorites and hopefully help you find one that’s right for you. As always I welcome any comments, questions and feedback you have.

Lavera 2-in-1 facial sunscreen and moisturizer, SPF 20 is one of new favorite products! The first thing I noticed is the almost invisible coverage that the mineral pigments create. Yet it packs a double punch. Strong against the sun and soft on delicate facial skin.

Lavera 2-in-1 moisturizes with plant oils and shea butter and soothes with witch hazel and licorice. Caffeine (yes, have another latte, girls!) boosts blood flow with butcher's broom to firm. Hyaluronic acid and aloe vera gel provide great hydration. Finally, organic cold-pressed sunflower oil treats your skin to vitamin E, beta-carotene and unsaturated fatty acids, all of which add to this luxurious package.

As important as what it does have, what Lavera 2-in-1 doesn’t have is PEG emulsifiers that can irritate, or oxybenzone or cetyl cinnamates, which are estrogenic, as we discussed earlier. Plus, this sunscreen is completely biodegradable.

I put Lavera 2-in-1 on every morning, rain or shine. The invisible coverage goes perfectly under my makeup. I love the convenience of a sunblock and moisturizer in one. It cuts a whole step out of my regimen. And when it comes to beauty, don’t we all feel like less is more, especially when you’re a busy beauty? Love it, love it, love it!

Lavera Sun Spray, SPF 30 is an easy and fast way to spray on sun protection. Not only are you protected from UVA, B and C rays, but you also get hydrated with primrose oil. Great for those with sensitive skin, allergies, dermatitis or eczema.

For all you sun goddesses smart enough to wear sunblock, don't forget that when you’re spending a long time in the sun, you need to reapply sunblock. This spray makes it super easy, leaving you no excuse not to reapply.

Soléo Organics Sunscreen SPF 30 from Australia has just improved their sunscreen product. For starters, though it’s zinc-based (the best and safest sunscreen ever) it won’t turn your skin ghostly white. It’s also fragrance-free, so no worry about the dreaded effects of pharmaceutical fragrances. Soléo provides three-hour, water-resistant protection without the use of chemical UV absorbers, titanium dioxide, Parabens or synthetic preservatives, all of which can cause skin irritation.

All Soléo Organics ingredients are cultivated without the dreaded use of synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides and are certified. Plus they’re biodegradable and NOT animal tested. Yeah!!

When I applied it, it absorbed quickly, leaving my skin feeling nourished from the natural oils. The company says it’s well suited for all skin types, including sensitive skin. I say it’s one of the best under the sun.

Santaverde Aloe Vera Sunscreen Emulsion SPF 18 is another favorite. You’ll love how this organic sunscreen feels when you put it on. While most sun blocks are water based, Santaverde is aloe based. You can imagine the difference the soothing and nurturing feeling of aloe has going on your skin. Aloe vera not only protects you, it also helps repair skin damage.

In addition to aloe, this organic sunscreen features natural mineral pigments to give you the protection you need. Macadamia oil, Kukuinut oil and white lily combine to prevent moisture loss, support natural cell protection and act as an anti-aging complex.

Because it’s so gentle, Santaverde Aloe Vera Sunscreen Emulsion is great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Hey, it feel so great, you may even look forward to putting on this sunblock.

Living Nature Daily Defence SPF 15 moisturizes while offering great sun protection with zinc oxide. That's hard to beat. Yet it immediately absorbs into your skin, without the white color. Other key ingredients include Manuka honey and harakeke, a natural alternative to synthetic gels. It’s from the plant of the same name that’s famous for its healing, soothing and hydrating qualities.

In a nutshell, Living Nature is all about luxury from the packaging to the ingredients to how silky smooth it feels on the skin. Splurge, I say. Your skin deserves it.

John Masters Organics SPF 30 Natural Mineral Sunscreen is made by a company that I really love. They are super-committed to furthering the organic beauty movement. All ingredients they purchase are certified organic, biodegradable , come from local farmers, must be harvested in an eco-friendly way and obtained through fair trade methods. No artificial colors or fragrances. No animal testing. Are they great or what?

This sunscreen is packed with shea butter and jojoba, which give it a great moisturizing effect. Green tea acts as an antioxidant and antibacterial. The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide provide great protection from UVA and UVB rays. Green up. Sunscreen up. You can’t go wrong with this one.

Burt's Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen SPF 30 is produced by a fabulously eco-conscious company. This sunscreen is 100% natural. But wait...Weren't we supposed to steer clear of natural products? Well, in most cases, so-called natural beauty products are not up to snuff, however, this 100% natural sunscreen passes with flying colors.

Burt's Bees helped develop The Natural Standard for Personal Care Products. That means....

Natural. Product must be made of natural ingredients that are processed in a way that maintains their purity.

Safe. Product must not contain any ingredient that is even suspected to put humans at a health risk. (Nice way to raise the bar.)

Cruelty-free. No animal testing.

Sustainable. Ingredients must be biodegradable. Even the packaging must be environmentally friendly.

Burt's Bees is also committed to fair trade. Gotta love it!

This natural sunscreen goes on with a slight white coloring but absorbs fast and is effective as soon as you apply it. Titanium dioxide , the protective ingredient, is a mineral that reflects harmful rays and is considered a natural sun block. In addition, you’ll find ingredients like hawthorn, calendula, sunflower seed oil, golden seal and rosemary. This sunscreen is so plant-based, it’s practically a salad.

bareMinerals SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen is different than all the others in that it is a natural mineral sunscreen in powder form for face and body.

Micronized titanium dioxide is the powerful ingredient that protects you from the sun’s harmful rays. And in doing so, it prevents sun damage and premature skin aging. We all love that, right?

This non-greasy natural sunscreen won’t clog your pores, which is a nice benefit to anyone who measures each slather of sunblock against potential breakouts. It also blends easily and beautifully under or over makeup. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never found a sunscreen that I can put on top of my makeup without ruining its finish. And I mean ruining, like turning it into some kind of modern art project. So this is a nice option, especially if you’re like me and remember to sunblock when you’re halfway down the driveway.

Speaking of which, the other thing that I like about this product is how convenient it is. Easy to keep in your purse or car for unexpected sun exposure or reapplication. How many of you forget sunscreen? Raise your sunburned little hands. Me too. And reapplying? Forget it. Seriously, because I do forget it. This easy-to-carry natural mineral sunscreen will help you out. Now all you have to do is set your cell phone alarm to remind you to reapply and not drop your phone into the pool and you’re set. (More on natural mineral makeup later, by the way.)

California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion is a great bet for your little ones.

I bet all moms out there can relate to this. When I became a mom, I was suddenly hypersensitive to my daughter’s environment. From cleaning products to dish soap to the products that I put on her body. I mean, benzophenone on my little bundle? Nope. Not gonna happen. Nor was I going to risk exposing her tender baby skin to sunburn. So, while it’s not recommended to take babies under the age of 6 months into the sun, sometimes you just can’t help it. You’ve gotta get out of the house, especially in the spring and summer months. Thankfully, this natural sunscreen is safe to use on them. What a relief.

Not only does it really protect our cherubs from the sun, California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion is made for super-sensitive skin. No fragrances, no chemicals. It’s designed for face and body. And hooray! It won’t sting the eyes. Even better, it’s water resistant. So let the kids hit the pool. You can stop worrying about them getting sunburned and save it for more important things, like who just ate a bug. And by the way, California Baby goes very smoothly onto Mommy’s face, too, and works great under makeup.

So now, no excuses. You’ve got oodles of organic and natural sunscreens to choose from. Don’t forget, WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY! (C’mon, I’m a mom. I can’t help telling you what to do every now and again.)

As always, your comments and thoughts are welcome. Happy greening!

how to tell the real natural and organic beauty products from the fakes

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!