Green Beauty
Makeup
- Use eyeliner pencils (wood) instead of eyeliners encased in plastic. Pencil shavings potentially biodegradable whereas plastic is not
- Buy eyeliners from a brand that has reusable compacts that are refillable
- Opt for foundation in a simple recyclable or reusable glass container versus ones in plastic containers
- Seek out lip colours made from plant-derived ingredients versus from synthetic oils, paraffin waxes and toxic coal tar dye (look for FD&C or D&C followed by a colour and number)
- Use a mascara made from plants and minerals instead of from petroleum products
Skincare
Create your own homemade recipes for your skincare regiment. Here are a few recipes to get you started.
This is provided for informational purposes and Eco Fabulous does not in any way warranty these recipes.
ALOE VERA FACIAL CLEANSER
Best for: dry skin types
Benefits: cleanses and moisturizes
30ml (1 fl. oz.) aloe vera gel
50ml (1/5 cup) olive oil
30ml (1 fl. oz.) rosewater
4 drops rose essential oil
2 drops grapefruit seed extract
SKIN FIRMING CLAY MASK
Best for: all skin types
Benefits: refines pores, calms and protects skin
1 tbsp filtered water, prepared green tea (for anti-aging benefits) or milk (for sensitive/dry skin)
2 tbsp fine clay powder (Pick the right one for your skin type at FromNatureWithLove.com.)
Add water, green tea, or milk to a small bowl. Gradually add fine clay powder to the liquid, stirring to prevent clumps, until you get a smooth paste. (If it's too thick, add a few more drops of liquid. Too thin? Add a little more clay.) Using your fingers or a clean, one-inch paintbrush, apply a thick layer of the paste to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eyes and lips. Relax and be still for 10 to 12 minutes while the mask dries (so the clay doesn't crack and fall off). Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Follow with a natural toner and a light moisturizer to soften and nourish skin throughout the day.
CUCUMBER-HONEY TONER
Best for: combo skin types
Benefit: reduces puffiness, hydrates skin
1 medium cucumber
2 tsp honey
Peel and cut up cucumber, then puree the pieces in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.
OLIVE OIL MOISTURIZER
Best for: all skin types
Benefit: adds all-over moisture
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup distilled water
1 tbsp vitamin E oil
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp avocado oil
1/2 tsp wheat germ oil
1 tsp liquid lecithin
1 tbsp grated beeswax
Dissolve baking soda in the water in a glass measuring cup and set aside. Mix together oils, lecithin and beeswax in another glass measuring cup. Place the oil mixture in a glass cup in a pan of water (about one to two inches of water), making a water bath. Heat the oil mixture in the water bath over medium heat until the beeswax is melted, about eight to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When wax is melted, bring the soda-water mixture almost to boiling. (Alternative to stove-top cooking: Put the glass cup with the mixture in the microwave on high for one minute.)
Remove the oil mixture from the water bath. Slowly add the oil mixture to the water solution, stirring briskly. (You can also use a blender.) Pour the lotion in a clean jar with a lid. Wait for the lotion to cool completely (it will thicken), then massage all over body or use as a face moisturizer or eye cream.
From www.totalbeauty.com
Bath & Body
Antiperspirants
Solid antiperspirants are made with several ingredients, including wax, a liquid emollient and an active-ingredient compound. It's the active ingredient that gives antiperspirants their sweat-blocking power. All antiperspirants have an aluminum-based compound as their main ingredient. If you look at the back of an antiperspirant container, the aluminum-based compound is always the first ingredient listed. Here are a few of the common active ingredients:
- Aluminum chloride
- Aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine
- Aluminum chlorohydrate
- Aluminum hydroxybromide
Aluminum is a Toxin
In 1993, the World Health Organization said, "There is a suspected link between Alzheimer's disease and the toxicity of aluminum." (2)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and & Disease Registry reports that "Exposure to high levels of aluminum may result in respiratory and neurological problems."
Aluminum Compounds in Deodorant and Antiperspirant – Locking Poisons In
The problem with deodorants and antiperspirants is not only the aluminum, but how it works to reduce sweat and smelly odors.
Natural Alternative to Antiperspirants
Seek a natural alternative to antiperspirants. Note that mainstream deodorants, while not natural, do not have aluminum. As such, users will still perspire as part of the body’s natural purging process. These deodorants do still use many chemicals.
Consider using deodorant stones or crystals as a natural alternative.