Courtesy of Dr. Bronner's
DCL
Watch Josh and Brent make organic goat's milk soap on The Fabulous Beekman Boys.
Most of us are becoming more and more aware of eating local, organic goodness and choosing to put high quality foods into the amazing machines that are our bodies. But in the same way that our bodies absorb nutrients, the cells on our skin absorb what we feed them. What are you feeding your skin? You may be surprised what some of the conventional cosmetics and beauty products on the market today are made of right down to the dirty details. From mascara to body lotion to bronzer and eye shadow, I've put together a list that highlights the best and the brightest of my morning preparation.
1. Dr. Bronner's All One Lavender Coconut Lotion
Lavender and coconut are two of my favorite scents. The scent of lavender relaxes the body and mind and coconut reminds me of sitting on white sand beaches in the Caribbean. So from the start I was a huge fan of Dr. Bronner's All One Lavender Coconut Body Lotion and when I found out what it's made of I was sold. First off, the lotion is completely organic, made of jojoba oil to moisturize the skin, and coconut, hemp, and avocado oil to soften and smooth out the skin. The product has a lot of great ingredients which are all recognizable on the label, but what it doesn't have is scary parabens. According the Environmental Working Group, parabens are widely used synthetic preservatives found in most of the nearly 25,000 cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens can disrupt the hormone (endocrine) system, and were found in the breast cancer tumors of 19 of 20 women studied. While that's not to say that it caused the cancer, it's just not a chance I would take.
2. Miessence Organic Mascara in Pure Black Miessence Organic Mascara uses organic beeswax to thicken your lashes and jojoba oil and shea butter to nourish your lashes so that they stay healthy and supple. While I'm a huge fan of the ingredients that are included in Miessence, I'm even more of a fan of the ingredients that are left out, namely mercury. Why would mercury be used in your mascara? Mercury is used as a germ killer and preservative in mascara. Federal law currently allows cosmetic eye products to contain up to 65 parts per million of mercury. While it has been removed from a good majority of mascara products because of the toxicity that mercury can cause when it builds up in the body, it has been found listed as thimerosal in products still on the market today. Minnesota recently banned the use of mercury in cosmetics and Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Louisiana banned products that contain more than low levels of mercury.
3. Eminence Herbal Eye Makeup RemoverEminence Herbal Eye Makeup Remover uses ingredients like cucumber, lavender, and chamomile to remove every last remnant of your mercury-free mascara. It's paraben-free, organic, and PETA endorsed, and it works really well. It's not oily so you're not left with all that residue that can cause skin breakouts and that overall yucky feeling. I would also recommend applying your non-toxic makeup remover with organic cotton balls that aren't laced with loads of chemicals and pesticides.
4. NVEY ECO Organic Eye ShadowI'm not someone that wears eye shadow everyday but on those days when a little glam is in order, I like NVEY ECO Organic Eye Shadow. It's talc-free, which is a good thing considering what talc actually is. Talc is produced by the mining of talc rocks, which even after processing resembles the fibers in asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. NVEY has the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E for a smooth and soft surface. It's made of organic ingredients as well.
5. Pangea Organics Bar Soap Indian Green Tea with Mint & Rose PetalsThis soap is loaded with so many yummy ingredients that you could almost eat it, well almost. Green tea is a potent antioxidant that serves to keep your skin looking young, while mint and rose petals rejuvenate your skin. It's organic, fair trade, and free of petroleum, sulfates, detergents, synthetic preservatives, artificial colors, and fragrances. It's gentle on the skin while hydrating and nourishing you all over. Many of the conventional soaps on the market today resemble detergent more than soap and detergents are a petroleum-based product, like gasoline and kerosene.
6. Mineral Fusion BronzerI love this stuff. I happened to come upon it at Whole Foods a few years back and have been a fan of it ever since. Natural mineral makeup like Mineral Fusion Bronzer is made up of micronized minerals that stay on the surface of the skin rather than being absorbed into it like many traditional bronzers. This means that your pores won't clog, reducing the occurrence of the dreaded blemish. It's talc-free and includes ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which both act as natural sunscreens. And it's a great product that leaves your skin with a natural, sun-kissed glow. Like this? Follow me on Twitter.
