In my last post about giving green gifts, I suggested homemade bodycare products as a great gift. As an update to that, here are some recipes and suggestions to help get you started!

The wonderful thing about making your own products is that you know exactly what goes into them. Unlike typical commercially produced cosmetics that boast a list of ingredients a mile long (if they even list their ingredients), you can be 100% sure that your homemade products are natural, non-toxic and safe. Plus, they can work just as well as mainstream products. You can also opt for organic and local ingredients whenever possible, making them even more environmentally-friendly.

I’ve kept these recipes very open so you can experiment, use your favourite scents, and discover your preferences. Another great thing about homemade products is that you can modify them to suit your own needs—some people like a thick body butter, while others like a light lotion. Using the same ingredients in varying amounts, you can make either kind.

Likewise, you can use essential oils to create your favourite scents to create a product perfect for you! Not sure where to start? For something feminine try rose, vanilla or jasmine. Lavender and chamomile are wildly known to be relaxing, while mandarin orange, grapefruit and peppermint are very energizing. Feeling adventurous? Try patchouli, bergamot or cinnamon.

Easy Products

Lip Balm

1. Lip balm is much easier to make than you’d think. Start with a harder base, such as beeswax. (You can find beeswax in pre-cut pellets or a block that you can grate yourself.) You’ll also need softer oils, like a combination of sweet almond oil and coconut oil. I prefer a harder lip balm, so I use two parts beeswax with one part softer oils. You can experiment to get the consistency you like.
2. Combine the beeswax and oils in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Add a couple drops of vitamin E oil. This helps moisturize lips and will act as a natural preservative.
3. Heat the combination in the microwave until the beeswax is fully melted. The mixture should be liquid.
4. Add a few drops of any essential oils you like, such as vanilla, peppermint or rose.
5. Pour into a container and wait until dry.

Bath Salts

1. This recipe is about as easy as they come! Just combine equal parts Epsom salts and sea salt in a large bowl, and add any essential oils you like for scent. My favourite is lavender, and I like to add dried lavender flowers as well.
2. Mix well and store in a glass jar away from any moisture.

Bath Bomb

1. Combine equal amounts baking soda and citric acid into a large bowl.
2. Add a small amount of cornstarch to the bowl and mix with a spoon. For instance, if you used ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup citric acid, you would add ¼ cup cornstarch.
3. Add just enough sweet almond oil (or any other light vegetable or nut oil) so the mixture will hold together.
4. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oils for scent. You can also add dried lavender flowers or rose petals. Mix everything together.
5. Put the mixture into moulds (such as silicone muffin trays) and let dry for a day. When they’re dry, they should easily pop out of the moulds. Be careful with the bath bombs—they’re delicate!

Deodorant Powder

1. Like the bath salts, this recipe is extremely simple. Just combine equal parts baking soda and cornstarch with any essential oils you like and store in a shallow glass container. The baking soda neutralizes odor and the cornstarch absorbs moisture.
2. To apply, use a makeup brush to dust a fine layer of the deodorant onto your underarms.

One-Ingredient Miracle Products

If you’re recipe-challenged or just plain lazy, these one-ingredient products are for you!

1. Cornstarch Oil-Be-Gone Face Powder: For those who get shiny, oily faces during the course of the day, dusting a little cornstarch on your face with a makeup brush really helps. It can be used on its own or in combination with your regular face powder.
2. Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil can be used to treat anything from lice to foot fungus, but my favourite use is to combat acne. Just apply a drop to a pimple at bedtime and it should clear up overnight.
3. Aloe Vera All-Purpose Gel: Aloe vera is a plant known for its soothing and healing properties on the skin. It’s great on cuts and scrapes, blisters, sunburns, rashes, and even razor burn after shaving your legs. You can buy aloe vera gel from a drugstore or health food store. Even better, go to a plant store or nursery, buy a small plant and put it in your bathroom. Just break off a leaf whenever you need to use some and apply the gel inside the leaf.
4. Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E is great for reducing the appearance of scars and moisturizing your skin.
5. Tea Facial Toner: Tea is a mild astringent and is packed with antioxidants so it makes a great toner. Green tea is a great choice, and if you have oily skin, chamomile is even better. Just brew up an extra-strong batch and store in the fridge in a glass bottle. To apply, use a cotton ball or a clean cloth.
6. Clay Masks: Clay comes in different kinds (green, gray and white) for different skin types (oily, normal/combination and dry/sensitive). It can be purchased at any health food store. Combined with a little water, clay makes excellent facial masks.

Where to go shopping

Your local grocery store should have ingredients like cornstarch, Epsom salt, sea salt, tea, and baking soda. Check out the bulk section for less packaging. Also, be sure to read the labels and get only natural products. For instance, sea salt can come with many additives, such as anti-caking agents. You want your bodycare products to be as pure and natural as possible so avoid additives.

For more specialized ingredients like beeswax, essential oils and citric acid, check out a health food store, farmer’s market or vitamin retailer. If they don’t have something in stock, they may be able to order it for you.

Containers

One of the great things about making your own products is the amount of unnecessary packaging you can save. There are a few options for finding containers for your products:

1. Re-use glass containers you have now. Any face creams or lip balms in glass containers can be cleaned out and sterilized by boiling them for three minutes in a pot on the stove. If you’re doing this, be careful—the glass gets very hot so don’t touch it with your hands. Use regular safety techniques when you’re boiling the jars. Also, never boil the plastic or tin lids, only the pure glass.
2. Although some people do this, I don’t recommend reusing plastic containers because over time they can’t be cleaned properly and the plastic can break down. You want everything to be as sterile as possible. If you are going to re-use plastic, make sure it’s a number 2, 4 or 5 plastic. Number 1 plastic is only meant to be used once, and numbers 3, 6 and 7 have various health concerns.
3. If you don’t have any containers to re-use, check out drugstores, specialty cooking stores and even dollar stores to find some good containers. Always wash them first!

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas? I think not. If you plan early and do a little research, green alternatives aren’t hard to find; there’s something eco-friendly out there for everyone on your list.

Top 10 Green Gifts

1. Homemade Bodycare Products

For the: makeup lover, spa junkie, or anyone who could use a little pampering

Why it’s Green: There are tons of natural beauty products out there, but why not kick it up a notch and make your own? You can make this present as green as you want it to be!

Generally, homemade products are free from toxins and dangerous ingredients because you use pure, simple ingredients like essential oils and skin care oils like almond, olive or grapeseed. Using baking tools you already have at home, plus some simple ingredients, you can create countless products. You can also clean and re-use glass packaging from old bodycare products (which saves money and packaging) and use organic and local ingredients whenever possible.

Why they’ll love it: You can personalize these products to make something perfect for that special someone. Use essential oils to create their favourite scents (such as rose, citrus or vanilla) and keep in mind their skin type (oily, dry) to create a unique product that they can’t find on the shelf. There are tons of great recipes online.

2. Tools to Refuse Plastic

For the: friend who’s always on-the-go

Why it’s Green: Saving non-recyclable, toxic food containers and wrappers from contaminating our environment and ending up in the oceans—how can this not be green? I’m not just talking about stainless steel water bottles and travel mugs here: everything from chopsticks, cutlery, stainless steel drinking straws, cloth napkins and glass or stainless steel food containers are a must if you’re always on-the-go and don’t have time for a sit-down meal with real cutlery and dishes. If you’re armed with these tools on hand, you can easily refuse the disposable plastic that’s always forced on consumers.

Why they’ll love it: Now that they’re becoming more popular, stainless steel water bottles and travel mugs come in stylish designs that will please even the most reluctant environmentalist-in-training.

3. Refillable Pen

For the: student, business professional or creative writer

Why it’s Green: Instead of throwing out hundreds of pens and wasting plastic, investing in one reusable high-quality pen that will last forever is significantly better for the environment.

Why they’ll love it: Not only is this gift environmentally-friendly, a serious writer or student will appreciate how much more professional and beautiful a high-quality pen looks.

4. Natural Rubber Yoga Mat

For the: yoga and fitness enthusiast

Why it’s Green: With yoga becoming so popular, we should re-evaluate the typical yoga mats being used. Regular yoga mats are made from PVC, a toxic plastic that has been labelled a carcinogen. Available online, natural rubber yoga mats are the natural alternative to synthetic mats. They’re plastic-free, non-toxic and biodegradable and they work just as well as their PVC cousins. 

Why they’ll love it: Chances are, anyone who practises yoga is doing so as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Knowing that you’re breathing in toxins during Downward Facing Dog isn’t a pleasant idea.

5. Hot Air Popper

For the: foodie

Why it’s Green: Did you know that microwave popcorn bags are lined with toxic non-stick coatings? Yes, even organic microwave popcorn. Plus, the vast majority of microwave popcorn is genetically modified and loaded with trans fat and salt. The hot air popper is an old idea that is ready for a comeback. Depending on which kind you get, they can be a little pricey, but avoiding toxins is well worth the investment. Plus, they’re so much more fun to use.

Why they’ll love it: Everyone loves popcorn! Pair it with some organic hot cocoa and a movie, and you’ve got the perfect remedy for a cold winter night.

6. Gardening Supplies

For the: friend with a green thumb

Why it’s Green: Growing your own food is one of the greenest (and healthiest) things you can do. Help out your favourite gardener by giving stylish gardening gloves, hand-held tools, beautiful ceramic pots, a watering can and other supplies from you local gardening/landscaping store.

Why they’ll love it: Sure it’s not the season yet, but we can dream about the sunshine, can’t we?

7. Hemp Clothing

For the: fashionista

Why it’s Green: Organic cotton and bamboo are great, but you’ve got to hand it to hemp as the winner of the best eco-friendly fabric. It’s durable, comfortable, naturally resistant to mold and mildew, and doesn’t require chemicals to grow compared to cotton. It’s even strong enough to act as a vegetarian alternative for wallets, purses, bags, belts and shoes.

Why they’ll love it: It’s fashionable! They’ll have no idea it’s hemp until they look at the tag. Check out The Hempest (http://store.hempest.com/catalog/) for some great pieces.

8. Indoor Plants

For the: homeowner

Why it’s Green: Unlike some gifts where you’re looking for a “better” alternative, plants are perfectly environmentally-friendly on their own! Not only do they add oxygen to the air, but they clean the air of indoor toxins too. For a sophisticated look, choose a bamboo plant, an exotic palm or a cactus. For the more traditional friend, flowers or ivy work well. Small evergreens are also perfect for this time of year.

Why they’ll love it: They’ll make any room look stylish and cheerful. There are lots of varieties that need virtually no water, so it’s not too much to care for them. Plus, they can be transferred outdoors if they ever get too big.

9. Gift Certificate for a yoga lesson, photography workshop, cooking class, etc…

For the: friend who has everything or the friend who refuses material gifts

Why it’s Green: There’s nothing being produced, shipped or wasted here because it’s all about the experience instead of a material object.

Why they’ll love it: They can do something they love, and you can do something together. There are countless possibilities: a craft, sport or dance they’ve always wanted to try, a massage, an event they’ve been hinting about, an annual pass to a museum…

10. Make-it-yourself Birdhouse and Birdfeeder

For the: family with young kids

Why it’s Green: Birdhouses can teach kids to love nature and care for animals at an early age. Plus, songbirds are in danger these days due to hungry neighbourhood cats, so they need all the help they can get!

Why they’ll love it: Putting it together is a fun project that can be done as a family and watching winter birds take refuge in your backyard is definitely rewarding. Plus, the kids can spend some time outdoors instead of in front of the TV. If you decorate it, make sure you use natural, non-toxic paints!

Top 10 Stocking Stuffers

1. Take a trip to your local health food store and fill cloth gift bags with organic chocolate-covered fruit and nuts.
2. Organic and Fair Trade Certified bulk tea and coffee are stocking stuffer classics with an eco-friendly twist!
3. Natural beeswax or soy based candles are an eco-friendly alternative to paraffin-based candles with synthetic (and toxic) fragrances.
4. Give small, medium and large lightweight drawstring cloth bags for produce and bulk food to the shopper in the family. While many people have swapped their plastic bags for reusable ones, produce and bulk bags are often overlooked. Washable, organic cotton or hemp bags are best.
5. Organic cotton or hemp facial washcloths are a perfect companion to any natural bodycare products.
6. Warm and cozy hats, scarves, socks and mittens made from organic cotton or non-dyed wool are perfect for the cold days (preferably from local vendors at craft fairs).
7. Homemade natural and organic foods are so much better than store-bought! Give away jams and preserves (in bpa-free glass jars), cookies and baked goods and organic hot cocoa mix.
8. Packets of organic vegetable or flower seeds will keep until spring when they can be planted.
9. For the student, recycled pencils, notebooks and other environmentally-friendly supplies are useful and stylish.
10. Make some homemade lip balms (see above for more information). Try a combination of peppermint and vanilla essential oils for a lip balm that smells and tastes like candy canes!

Top Places to go shopping

Skip the big box stores and find something unique and environmentally friendly:

1. Winter farmers’ markets and craft sales: you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts and local creations, and you’ll get to meet the people behind the products.
2. Local artisan shops and boutiques: like farmer’s markets and craft sales, you’ll find unique pieces of artwork that are locally made.
3. Your local health food store: find specialty and organic foods, preferably with minimal packaging.
4. Online: if you’re looking for something specific or don’t have many environmentally-friendly alternatives nearby, there are tons of green companies online that ship right to your door.

Wait! What about wrapping paper?

This isn’t as tough as it seems. My favourite (and free!) choice is newspaper, especially from the comics section. If you don’t have a subscription, there are tons of free dailies around that get recycled (or thrown out) every day. Snag some and re-use them.

If you’re really trying to impress and newsprint won’t cut it for Grandma, reusable cloth bags of all sizes work well to wrap gifts. Opt for real fabrics (cotton or hemp) instead of reusable bags that look like cloth but are really made from synthetic materials and more plastic.

As far as bows go, skip the cheap plastic ribbon. Reuse what you have and when you run out, use hemp twine, which can be saved and reused for gardening in the spring!

It seems everyone these days is coming out with their own “natural” or “organic” beauty line.  But are they truly what they claim to be?  After all, when a well known company says their stuff is good for you most folks believe them.

Take Victoria’s Secret, for instance, who recently came out with Pink, their new body care line touted as “organic, natural and vegan”.  Since no ingredients were listed anywhere, I set out to do a little investigating.

After a lot of searching and being redirected (and a visit to my local Vicky’s) I still had no ingredient lists.  Stancie Wilson of Fig + Sage got to the bottom of the whole Pink question mark, you can read what she found out (suspicions confirmed) on Feelgood Style. 

Greenwashing is a problem in the organic beauty world today and is gaining speed.  Following are several blogs where you will find information you can trust on products that are safe for you and your family.

• Fig+Sage
• The Nature of Beauty Blog
• The Green Beauty Guide
• Caren’s Blog
• Organic Beauty Source Blog

Fresh air and sunshine (and the vitamin D it provides) are good for you.  But too much sun exposure can have adverse effects on the health of your skin.  Premature aging, dryness, sun spots and even skin cancer can result.  But this time of year we are all itching for a bit of summer glow.

The chic and safe way to sun these days isn’t the natural way.  In this case, fake is better.  So, rather than laying in the sun or going to the tanning bed to get your bronze on, check out the safe, nontoxic tanning creams on the market.

These are not the toxin-laden tanning lotions of our youth that left our bodies (and palms) orange and streaky.  The new crop of nontoxic tanning creams leave you with a natural glow, none of the streakiness, and can be used in place of your regular moisturizer.

Top Nontoxic Tanning Lotions for Your Summer Glow

• Lavera Sunless Tan – Self Tanning Lotion – A moisturizing lotion with a fresh, pleasant scent that provides a natural looking tan in just a couple of hours.  Super easy to use and the results never disappoint.  $26.00
• Sante Self-Tanning Lotion – Use this organic tanner to build a gradual tan, once for a lighter tan or several days in a row for a darker bronze.  $18.99
• Lavera FACES Summer Glow – Face Self-Tanner – For light hydration you can use in place of your warm weather moisturizer.  Gives a very natural glow to face, absolutely no streakiness and the tan lasts a few days.  Use every other day for consistent color.   $17.85
• Dr. Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate – To even out skin tone and give skin a subtle glow mix with your usual moisturizer.  Suitable for all skin types and complexions.  $40.00

These nontoxic self-tanners use Dihydroxyaceton, or DHA (found in sugar beets or sugarcane) or minerals to provide natural looking color and are packed with vitamins and flower extracts to soothe and protect the skin.  A much healthier way to get your summer glow.

Though we were sad to see Plenty Magazine (and website, too) come to an end, there is good news.  The Mother Nature Network (MNN) is stepping up to the plate, glad to welcome all PlentyMag.com viewers to their site.  Plenty’s existing content is being merged with MNN’s information and visitors to the Plenty site will be redirected to MNN.com.  Plenty reached all of their subscribers last week, notifying them to stay tuned to MNN for up to date coverage in the world of green. 

MNN, a new environmental site founded by Rolling Stones keyboardist (and tree farmer) Chuck Leavell, offers up big servings of green info on everything from climate matters to beauty & fashion and the latest happenings in Ecollywood.

Along with updated blog posts, MNN includes a forum, where you can share your tips and stories, a newsletter and MNNTV, which offers video advice on all aspects of green living.

So, though Plenty Mag is dearly departed, its spirit lives on in MNN.

Image credit:  The Mother Nature Network

As adults we know what is good for us.  And, of course, our job as parents is to look after our kids; teach them manners and respect, make sure they get enough exercise, eat a healthy diet.  But do we take as much notice of which personal care products they are using?

A study done by The Environmental Working Group (EWG) in 2008 on adolescent exposure to chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products revealed some alarming statistics.  In 20 teen girls aged 14-19 16 chemicals from four chemical families were detected.  These chemicals – phthalates, triclosan, parabens, and musks – are linked to potential health concerns, including hormone disruption and cancer.

Most everyone by now has heard of parabens (widely used synthetic preservatives) and the harmful effects they can have on our health, including links to breast cancer.  This study by the EWG is the first to expose statistics for parabens in teens.  And the results are disturbing, with two types of parabens detected in each girl tested.

Couple this information with the fact that teenage girls typically use more products (girls=17, women=12 on average) each day than adult women, upping their exposure to harmful chemicals.

We can and should educate our girls, preferably pre-teen, to the dangers of toxic cosmetic and skin care products and guide them toward recognizing which ones are safe to use.

Face Boutique is new to the skin care scene.  Specifically designed for girls in their teens, the line is free from harmful chemical ingredients and non-irritating.  The products control sebum production, reduce breakouts, minimize pores and keep skin clear and healthy.  And the colorful retro packaging ups the cool quotient.

Lavera also makes a line for young adults and those with acne.  Young Faces Mint line for Oily and Problem Skin clears the skin of breakouts by balancing oil production and soothes and calms irritated skin.  The line includes five products made with mint, rosemary and citrus fruit and is certified by the BDIH.

You can also find a wide range of makeup products to suit our experimental younger set.  Sure, they will probably want to use what their friends are using, but once they start with safer products hopefully their friends will follow suit.  We need to think of using safe organic personal care and beauty products as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

This past Christmas I filled a cosmetic kit with lip balms, blusher, body lotion and even a water-based nail polish for my daughter that she absolutely loves.  She is already starting to recognize which products are good for her and which she should try to avoid…and she is only six.

Advocates for safety in cosmetics have long been hoping for some good news on the regulation of cosmetics by the U.S. government.  With standards in the U.S. being very loose and under regulated as compared to those of the European Union, it is about time someone step up and take a stand against all of the harmful ingredients being thrown into our cosmetics and personal care products.

Well, it looks as if Barack Obama may do just that.  Cosmetics giants are sweating through their aluminum-based antiperspirants at the news of possible reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which gives the EPA authority to regulate certain chemicals.  As of now, the cosmetics industry is excluded from the act, but changes in the law could require increased testing and reporting of chemicals used in personal care products.

These potential regulatory changes could be costly to cosmetics manufacturers as most conventionally produced cosmetics and skincare products are made with low cost, long shelf life ingredients.  Many of which are harmful to humans and the environment.

As reported by Cosmetics Business late last week, “Another proposal that industry officials are monitoring is a proposed FDA Globalisation Act, a bill that includes a series of new registration requirements for cosmetics makers. The legislation would mandate that manufacturers register all new facilities, products and ingredients with the FDA. The proposal also requires the reporting of adverse effects and the establishment of best practices by the industry”.

The bill would also set registration fees for manufacturers – US$2,000 for American-based companies and US$10,000 for foreign firms.  Currently, registration with the FDA is voluntary for cosmetics manufacturers.

With Obama’s pledge of a more aggressive environmental policy and the appointment of several key players to his environmental team, big changes could be in store for the cosmetics industry.

With the arrival of the New Year, we are in the mood to organize and clear out the clutter in our homes, offices and closets.  The same needs to happen for your beauty regimen.

Most of us have way too many products in our bathroom cupboard and probably use too many of them in any given day.  For freshness and effectiveness, the less you have on hand at one time, the better.

There is something very liberating about paring down on your beauty routine.  In our busy, hectic days it seems we need to let go here and there, and if you can shed a few minutes off of your get-ready-time in the morning you are off to a great start.

You really only need a handful of good beauty products to keep your skin happy and healthy, starting with a good cleanser.  You may need to switch to a more moisturizing cleanser in colder months, like a milk or cream cleanser.  The lowest cost and most effective cleanser for dry skin is an oil.  Only a small amount is needed to remove makeup, dirt and impurities and if you are especially in need of more moisture, simply forgo any toner.

Toners can refresh the skin and remove oils.  Those with oily or acne prone skin types find toners especially effective but they can be too harsh or drying for dry or sensitive skin.  If you do like to use a toner be sure to keep it simple and gentle.  Witch Hazel is a gentle yet effective toner for those with acne.

As for moisturizers, an oil and a nurturing lotion or cream (depending on your skin type) should be all you need.  Rosehip Oil is an excellent choice.  It helps prevent signs of aging and breakouts, soaks into skin easily and is suitable for all skin types.  Rosehip Oil can be used on clean skin at night alone or before your moisturizer.  A thicker, creamier moisturizer may be needed in the winter when the skin is at its driest.  You may wish to stick to your lighter moisturizer (along with the use of a facial oil) if your skin is very oily.  But be sure not to confuse skin that is prone to breakouts with skin that needs less moisture.  Often skin that is not receiving enough moisture will produce more oil, causing skin to breakout.

 Experts say it is best to use sunscreen all year round.  Be sure to use a mineral based sunscreen, like those made with zinc or titanium oxide.

And remember to exfoliate too.  When the skin is drier, and more fragile, we need to use a gentler exfoliant.  Plain organic yogurt is an amazing exfoliant and leaves skin bright and glowing.  Mix with olive or grape seed oil for added hydration.  Once or twice a week is plenty.

These simple skincare staples should carry you through winter beautifully.  All you need are a mineral foundation and blush and a nontoxic mascara and you will be ready to go most any day!

Just when you want to look your best; dark circles, a sallow complexion and puffiness strike.  It is easy to get run down this time of year, with too much of a good thing everywhere you turn.  Lack of sleep and a little bit of stress don’t help things out either.  And all of this takes a toll on your skin.

By taking a few extra minutes each day to pamper your skin, plus sticking with a decent exercise routine and healthy diet whenever possible, you can get your radiance back in no time.

A healthy diet is essential in keeping you and your skin in top shape.  Eating organic as much as possible will help to limit your exposure to toxins and ward off acne and dryness.  Flax and fish oil capsules are not only good for cardiac health but are high in fatty acids that help to keep the skin moisturized.  Antioxidants fight free radicals, which cause premature aging, and can be found in green tea, pomegranate seeds and berries.  And be sure to up your water intake.

Exercise is another vital component to a glowing complexion.  An aerobic workout boosts blood flow and delivers nutrients and oxygen to the skin.

Treating outbreaks is easier if you know what is causing them in the first place.  As Lula Braithwaite of LoveLula.com organic apothecary said in the September issue of The Saturday Express Magazine, “Spots on the forehead and nose can be a sign of poor digestion; for clearer skin take a psyllium husk supplement, drink plenty of water and cut down on bread and dairy products”.  Lula goes on to say that blemishes on the chin are more often caused by a hormonal imbalance, while those on the cheeks could indicate a kidney imbalance and may be aided by detox.

And last but not least, stress does more damage to our overall health than we care to believe.  Tension and anxiety, even in small doses, can cause pale, tired-looking skin, acne and other skin ailments.  Facial oils are effective remedies for soothing and healing stressed skin and tea tree oil in particular is a great spot treatment for blemishes.

Put these tips to use, along with a good nights sleep, and your skin will be fit and in peak condition. The rest of you won’t feel so bad either.

Purchasing and using nontoxic skincare and personal care products is of the utmost importance for our health.  Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs approximately 60% of what we put on it, and if that is harmful chemical/synthetic ingredients….you get the general idea.

While healthy skincare products equals better health overall, how much does it affect our appearance?  After all, we all like to look good and spend a fair sum on products that we feel help us achieve this goal.  But we need to take a look at the bigger (and, yes, slightly more scientific) picture.

Our toxic body burden lends a huge hand in the premature aging of our skin, more so even than sun, stress or gravity.  “No matter how many anti-wrinkle serums you rub into your face, your body is crippling under the weight of the industrial toxins that have entered our food, air and personal care products in the last fifty year,” says Julie Gabriel, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, in her new book, The Green Beauty Guide. 

“It’s a well-known fact that vitamin A supplementation is very helpful for acne, and drinking green tea can prevent skin cancer. The opposite – that certain chemicals can trigger DNA changes in our skin – can be true for many artificial ingredients in food and cosmetics that we ingest daily,” says Julie.

Since most of us cannot afford to completely revamp our grocery spending, start by taking a look at your produce, meat and dairy.  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) lists which produce absorbs more toxins and are therefore most important to purchase organically grown.  Most conventionally produced meat and dairy products contain added hormones, so be sure to check the labels on these, as well.

What goes in shows up on your skin, so drink lots of pure water, eat a healthy mostly organic diet and use nontoxic skincare products.  It will show.