How to Green Skincare

Personal care products and cosmetics are not regulated by the government or any organization like the FDA, which evaluates the quality and ingredients of food and prescription drugs. This means companies can put just about anything in your products, including toxic chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects and diseases. Start reading your labels to find out what's lurking in your lipstick, foundation, lotion, shampoo and even face cream.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Say goodbye to toxic chemicals. Phthalates, parabens, petroleum byproducts, lead, mercury, artificial fragrances, even animal placentas are showing up in lipsticks, skin creams, lotions, shampoos, lip balms and other products that go directly on the body. If it goes on or in the body it should be natural and safe not full of stuff that causes cancer and illness.

2. Go to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Cosmetic Database sites to learn what hazardous ingredients are lurking in well-known products and brands and learn what companies offer safe alternatives (see Resources below).

3. Clear out you cabinets and toss toxic products in the trash. Invest in natural, organic body and personal care products as well as natural cosmetics. Check out The Green Beauty Guide and Feel Good Style for the best products, links, reviews and resources on what's really green and what's not (see Resources below).

4. Try making your own natural beauty supplies. Many natural products are made from stuff you probably already have in your kitchen, like sea salt, olive oil, bananas, avocados and brown sugar. You can find recipes on The Green Beauty Guide website (see Resources below).

5. Take control of your health by being informed. Phthalates can cause birth defects and hormone and fertility issues in boys; parabens are connected to breast cancer. Stop buying harmful products and demand safer skincare products.

6. Green your whole skincare routine: cleansing, moisturizing, hair removal, shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics...there are safe alternatives available. Beauty.com and Future Naturals are two websites that carry a wide variety of organic brands that are better than what's on the shelves at many drug stores (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Always read labels carefully and look for the USDA certified organic seal.
• The word "natural" on labels doesn't necessarily mean safe or without toxic chemicals. After reading the labels of numerous "organic" and "natural" products, you'll still find parabens, mineral oil (a petroleum byproduct) and numerous other unsafe ingredients.

Resources

• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
• Cosmetic Database
• The Green Beauty Guide
• Feel Good Style
• Organic Cosumers

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