What would the women’s world be without beauty products?
Ask any female over the age of 15: within her 24-hour day, at least 20 minutes is dedicated to taking at least one type of beauty-slash-hygiene product and using it with the knowledge and comfort that she is following a beneficial beauty regimen – all thanks to whatever product she has chosen to take on this delicate task.
Essential and seemingly harmless as this seems, there stands the fact that the beauty industry produces (and has been running on) chemical-laden cosmetic products, which unknowingly harm our body and our planet, as well.
The Ugly Side of Beauty Products
What one needs to be reminded of is that the makeup or the perfume they wear is at the end of the day a mixture of chemicals that they have no idea about, probably. As a warning, below is a list of common ingredients that the product labels may or may not disclose as part of the mixture:
Formaldehyde/Formalin – this is an extremely common ingredient in almost all beauty products. This chemical causes eye, nose and throat irritation, skin dehydration and, in a worst case scenario that involves continuous, repeated exposure, even lead to cancer and asthma.
Phthalates – usually found in fragrances and nail polish, phthalates can lead to serious damage to the endocrine system, as well as hormonal imbalance and complications. The “fragrances” phthalates are usually found in are not necessarily limited to perfumes. “Fragrances” also include moisturizers, shampoos, soaps, and even candles.
Petroleum – this chemical that comes with a list of different names or aliases is most commonly known as petroleum jelly. This is a main ingredient in products like moisturizers, baby creams, and conditioners. Other byproducts of petroleum have been known to cause cancer, damage the immune system, cause reproductive complications, and threaten the endocrine system.
Also, petroleum is a form of fossil fuel, a major factor in causing the current climate crisis. Petroleum can also be broken down and turned into hydrocarbons, which scientists now believe are pose great health and environmental danger when spilled into the air and eventually inhaled.
Paraffin/Mineral Oil – this ingredient is actually a byproduct of petroleum, and may pose a danger to the environment mainly because they are derived from unsustainable sources. Furthermore, this ingredient usually will block the pores of the skin, making it unable to breathe.
Other petroleum byproducts found in beauty products include ethylene and propylene glycol.
Coal tar – although this product is a significant factor for people suffering from eczema and other skin disorders, it must be known that the bottom line is, this ingredient is a carcinogen that may cause more harm than good when it comes in contact with either the skin, or the environment.
Click here for a list of other skin care ingredients to look out for.
The Beauty of Being Responsible
With the evidence of climate change getting harder and harder to ignore (or deny), many of us have yet to realize that the little things we do every day make some degree of contribution. And these either help heal the environment, or make its condition worse. The latter is always more discreet, but more accustomed to lead to larger repercussions.
As such, the key to having a sophisticated and earth-friendly beauty routine is quite simple: consider your The increase in the public awareness about the environmental emergency has led to a growing consciousness about one’s actions and their eventual results. On top of it, environment-friendly products have become available and more accessible in the market. options and do not be afraid to explore the unknown.
Start with the attitude
- Say goodbye to the old, hello to the new.
Never stick with a product for the sake of familiarity and attachment. No matter how used your skin has become to certain brands, most conventional cosmetics are far from being safe and environment-friendly. Do not hesitate to check out new organic items that could possibly be better than your current choice.
- Scrutinize labels
This reminder is timeless: always read the label. Look for the seal of approval from agencies such as the BFAD and the DOH.
Also, apart from simply knowing whether a products is organic or not, be acquainted with the four categories of “organic”: 100% Organic, Organic, Made with Organic Ingredients, and Some Organic Ingredients.
- Be skeptical
Misinformation has been a powerful force that has for years fueled a significant part of the beauty industry. The first step to being a true environmentalist is to discern which elements are actually helpful, and which are potentially harmful to the environment. Be very mindful of the products that scream “natural ingredients.” You never know if these seemingly harmless, natural ingredients still pose some threat to the environment, and your health.
- Buy large
Buying your beauty products in bigger portions saves you money and cuts back the waste you contribute when buying smaller portions, each one with its own packaging, more frequently.
Click here for news about being a green consumer
Natural Beauty
Developing pro-environment habits is not as difficult as it may seem. Here are some suggestions to help you get started.
- Save your electricity and your hair
At some point, most of us are guilty of using blow dryers, hair straighteners, and curling irons to give our overall look that last essential oomph. However, excessive use of these appliances may damage our hair, leaving it dry and more unmanageable than it already is (probably).
Consider better alternatives: use hair curlers, or just air-dry. It would also help to ask for a lower-maintenance hairstyle from your personal hairdresser to save you more time getting ready, allow you to get rid of those peripherals, save your more time in the morning, and most importantly, cut down on your energy usage – a key point in curbing the effects of the current environmental emergency.
- Recycle ‘em pretty packaging
Many products these days come in pretty packaging (blame it on marketing). This is a good motivation to recycle. For instance, those wide-mouthed jars of body butter and body scrubs can be recycled as containers for beads, bobby pins, and sewing materials.
Also, there are companies like Leyende, who offer incentives when you have their containers refilled rather than buying brand new ones when reordering.
- Choose products/companies who share the same advocacy
There is an increasing number of organic and natural products in the market. One of them is Human Heart Nature. The people behind this company are very conscious about the effects of their products on the environment. They make sure to use raw materials that are non-toxic to the environment. Also, recycled papers and mineral-based ink are the rudimentary materials they use for their catalogs and gift tags. It is also a big bonus that their products are free of damaging chemicals, like parabens and SLS (Sodium lauryl sulphate).
The Good Earth, an online store selling organic products, is also one company who gives back to Mother Earth. GREENPEACE is one of the organizations that benefit from every online purchase made from them.
- DIY beauty products
Not only will it be a fun girls-night-in, but mixing your own beauty products doesn’t require a lot of cash. The ingredients are usually found in any home and are definitely free from unsafe chemicals.
