SKIN IS A MIRROR INTO HEALTH.

Skin is your body's largest organ; it is an incredibly integrative part of you, and often seen as a reflection of your overall, external and internal health! Keep your skin healthy and happy by applying only the best quality, beneficial products (See our product guides and suggestions here.). Use gentle products on sensitive areas, especially around the eyes. Think twice before applying products with alcohol, bleach and lye which are incredibly harsh and damaging on hair and skin and pay close attention when you make changes to your skincare regimen to see what is working and what is not.

CHEMICALS FROM OUR EVERY-DAY PRODUCTS ARE BEING ABSORBED INTO THE SKIN.

Although our skin acts as a barrier from the elements, it is also semi-permeable, allowing certain substances to pass. Because of this, chemicals applied to the skin can be absorbed, making its way into the bloodstream and through the circulatory system very quickly.

Many mainstream beauty and skin-care products are filled with preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and other unnecessary chemicals. Some of the chemicals found in such products have been linked to cancer, reproductive disorders, asthma and severe allergies. Because we so consistently use products (creams, cleansers, serums, shampoos, dyes, perfumes) it is possible that some of our products can be doing more harm than good with repeated exposure over time to products (commonly many drugstore brands) which include fillers, dyes, and synthetic perfumes among their other less than beautifying ingredients.

USE NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT ARE HEALING, NOURISHING, SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

Treat your skin with care and respect, use products that are safe and effective. I like using organic products which use natural, organic preservatives. They are made 'small-batch' to keep products fresh because natural ingredients will spoil much sooner than conventional products. Ayurvedic products use natural oil and herb ingredients with nourishing, calming, and healing properties. Try a few ingredients out to see which are most effective. Be patient as you transition your products and use trial-and-error to find products that work for you. For instance, some natural makeup brands use coconut oil. Be aware of any allergies you may have as you shop around for skin-care and cosmetic products. Definitely choose brands that do not test on animals. Try to support brands that are eco-aware and use recycled/ recyclable packaging. Vegan brands are definitely also available and in the market. The Skin Care and Cosmetic industry is self-regulated (not FDA regulated) which means it is important to do some research and stick with brands you trust.

What to look for:

Natural Ingredients
Sulfate-Free
Paraben-Free

Here's what to avoid as they are harsh irritatting and damaging: parabens, synthetic ingredients (fragrance and colors), Formaldehyde, triclosan, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium laureth sulfate. (Check our resources below for more info on ingredients to avoid).

COMMIT TO CUTTING OUT AS MANY TOXIC INGREDIENTS AS POSSIBLE.

You don't have to ditch makeup all together. Many beauty lines are all about 'green chemistry,' clinically testing many products and incorporating ingredients that target common skin concerns from anti-aging to hyper-pigmentation. These luxury skin-care lines use antioxidant rich botanical ingredients, plant and mineral actives and are free from skin-damaging chemicals: Juice Beauty, Tata Harper, REN Skincare, Herbivore, Ayurvedic lines like Pratima Skincare. Pharmacy brands like Shea Moisture and Acure are also great options.

Going green with beauty and skin-care is more than just choosing products. It is based on the holistic idea that beautiful skin starts within: by eating a wholesome diet, getting consistent exercise and making healthy lifestyle choices (which is where 'green beauty' comes in!).