When It Comes to Beauty, It Ain’t Easy Being Green

By Angie Provost

Kermit’s words have never been truer than they are today.  It ain’t easy being green, especially when it comes to your personal care regimen.  With all the efforts being made to green our cars, homes and even our government, we can sometimes get overwhelmed and give up at the thought of spending extra time and money searching out the perfect eco-friendly shampoo.
 
So what’s a greenie to do?  First off, cut yourself some slack.  If you have the time and resources to go all out I applaud you…but if you don’t, simply start small and begin phasing out the things in your cabinet that our planet can easily do without on an “as you use them” basis. 

Now, where to start?
 
Lip balm – These days everyone uses it.  It’s not only about a fruity kissable pucker anymore; it’s protecting your lips against harsh elements with a balm that is gluten, paraben, petroleum and certified cruelty free. 

Eco Lips brand balms come in a variety of SPF 15 and SPF 30 (thank you!) tubes ranging from your basic, to hemp, to medicinal with tea tree oil for cold sores. Feeling a little flirty and looking for passion fruit flavored love on your lips?  Try Alba Botanicas balms and glosses in an array of exotic flavors. They offer all the virtues of Eco Lips but kick up the glam factor with delicious scents and a high volume, never sticky shine!  
 
Hair Care – The varieties and needs of hair care are as great and as unique as we are.  However, I am consistently impressed with the John Masters Organics line of shampoos, conditioners and hair products, as they are harvested in an environmentally-friendly manner (wild-crafted) and never tested on animals, while still meeting your hair care needs.  These products are great for both men and women.  If you and your shower mate can share one product between you, then you buy in bulk — that’s fewer containers in the trash and more money in your pocket!  Win win.
 
Skin Products – I’ll say one name and shout it from the rooftops…SUKI!!!  I cannot begin to convey how strongly I believe in this entire line of skin care products for the whole family.  My all-time loves: The Suki Sensitive Cleansing Bar with lemongrass extract and shea butter, The Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser for your face and The Velvet Moisturizing Cream. I have yet to try one of Suki’s skin products that disappoints as they are certified organic, clinically proven for 100% potency and in my opinion 200% brilliant!
 
D.I.Y. – In case you haven’t heard…Do It Yourself pampering recipes are becoming increasingly popular with today’s need for cost-effective personal care that is not only eco-friendly but guaranteed pure.  And what’s more pure than combining a few easy to find and fresh key ingredients to create the ultimate in luxury right in your own bathroom? 

One of my favorite at home indulgences: an all over body exfoliate made by mixing two tablespoons of organic coconut oil with two tablespoons of brown sugar.  Combine well and gently rub all over to exfoliate once a week.  The warmth of your hands will melt the coconut oil and glide it into your skin.  This not only leaves behind island scented smooth skin but melts into your tub when finished to continue the aromatic experience. 

I recommend whipping up single use portions, but if you make too much, store the product in a recycled sanitized glass container with lid and be sure to refrigerate quickly.  Do not keep your potions for very long as they do not contain artificial ingredients or preservatives.  That’s the point after all!  Look online for a variety of other DIY recipes and always be sure to follow safe ingredients storage.  And don’t worry, if your inconsiderate, always-eats-your-leftovers roommate gobbles down this exfoliation concoction, you probably don’t have to call poison control…it’s just sugar and coconut oil after all!
 
These are just a few no fail suggestions to get you started on a greener personal care routine.  On Earth Day and year-round we encourage you to take small steps towards the greater good of helping our planet survive.  Look for items like the ones suggested, which are vegan, certified organic, cruelty free and good for the whole family!

Just a few changes at a time and soon you’ll find it quite simple to buy products committed to using natural and organic ingredients that don’t wash harmful chemicals down the drain along with your rub-a-dub-dub ducky soap.  Kermit would be so proud!

Ready to save the planet? Post your green intent and blog about your green successes and struggles, tagging your posts “greener life.” We may feature your post in this series!
 
Angie Provost is a beauty and green fanatic. She writes a weekly column — “Green Chi Tuesdays” — for Megs Makeup.