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The slogan, think globally and act locally is a planet-saving intention we can work into just about every corner of our lives, including our choices in beauty supply products. Considering the irreversible damage that’s already been done, we would be wise to ditch the petroleum, parabens, harmful dyes and unnatural fragrances, and swap them for natural ingredients that don’t harm the environment, even if it’s only because the container winds up in a landfill.
It all starts with our skin--the largest of the body’s organs, which is essentially a sponge that absorbs whatever we either mindfully or haphazardly slather on it.
The good news is there are many responsible creators of products on the market that qualify as eco-friendly without sacrificing efficacy. In many cases, toxic products can be replaced by a sustainable equivalent. Since they may not be sitting together on the shelf of your local pharmacy, it requires some reading and web surfing to broaden your scope.
The trick is to know what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for your new favorite hair product, moisturizer, lip color, body lotion, or anything else you subject your skin to. The reward for tweaking your mindset and doing some research is identifying some new favorites with peace of mind. Here are 5 tips to help you go for the green.
The most compelling reason to go green is that health and beauty go hand-in-hand. When it comes to a beauty cabinet make-over, it’s all about knowing the difference between eco-friendly and toxic when reading a label. With a little bit of research into your favorite products, you’ll come to know that sustainable or eco-friendly doesn’t begin and end with the ingredients. Sure, that’s a huge part of it, but it also has to do with the manufacturing methods, packaging, shipping and the potential for reuse or recycling. A sustainable product is made to avoid waste and won’t upset the order of nature or harm anything in its path during testing, daily use or disposal.
Product designs are specifically made to attract your attention no matter what harmful chemicals lurk inside the pretty packaging. Don’t be fooled by marketing catch phrases that sound good, but mean nothing. The words “natural,” “organic,” “dermatologist-tested,” “hypoallergenic” and “for sensitive skin” are often used without being certified as such. Unfortunately, it may take some deeper digging into the company’s environmental stance to find out what’s real and what’s not. Look for words like “vegan,” “non-toxic,” “B-certified,” “zero-waste” and “cruelty-free” that require regulation. If you suspect a word on the front of the label sounds superficial, you’re probably right.
While perusing the ingredients list, you may be intimidated at first glance of the back of the label. Is it a block of unrecognizable words? The fewer the ingredients, the healthier the product will tend to be. For starters, be on the look-out for products that are vegan, non-toxic and palm oil-free. There are key ingredients to avoid, which will make it easy to identify a harmful product without being familiar with everything on the list.
A great example of a widely used harmful ingredient is petroleum, which is made from crude oil. While you may appreciate the low price, it can’t compare to the high cost of poisoning yourself and the planet. For that reason, avoid products with the following ingredients: palm oil, mineral oil (or Parrafinum Liquidum), petroleum (or Petrolatum), parabens, Propylene Glycol, PEGs (Polyethylene Glycol), Polysorbates (usually followed by a number) and DEA/MEA/TEA. Of course, these aren’t the only culprits. Learn more at https://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chem-of-concern/
If you assume your spa of choice uses eco-friendly products, you may be disappointed to learn the truth. But the only way to know is to ask. There’s also a chance that you may ask and not get clear answers.
At Natural Body Spa & Shop, you will be met with environmental consciousness and answers to all of your questions concerning the safety and efficacy of the products used at the spa. All of the cruelty-free products are made with natural ingredients crafted by B-Certified companies like Eminence Organic Skin Care that are equally good for you and the planet.
Any daily-use beauty tool you rely on deserves consideration. Think of the microbeads and microplastics that kill wildlife in the ocean, or the cotton rounds that wind up in landfills and take a long time to break down. As an alternative, look for the reusable version of cotton rounds that can be washed and used up to 1,000 times.
Make-up brushes made with animal hair can also be cruelty-free, though it’s not a given. Synthetic tools are more likely to be cruelty-free, though they should also be made with recyclable materials. Shop smart and get informed. Each of us has one body, but we all share the planet. Read more on https://www.healthyway.com/content/makeup-brushes-eco-friendly/
To learn more about how to create a greener beauty routine, Natural Body’s team of certified estheticians and massage therapists would love to help guide you. Visit one of Natural Body Spa & Shop’s locations in Georgia or Tennessee today.
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