5 Easy and Natural Skin Care Tips for Winter

Dec 5, 2011 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips

Winter hasn’t officially started yet, but plenty of places have cold weather now. The cold air outside and the dry, heated air inside can be really tough on your skin. There are plenty of products out there to moisturize your skin, but if you want to avoid long chemical names, you may be better off making your own products. Fortunately, that’s pretty easy.

1. Dry brush exfoliate

Dry brush exfoliation can help to get all that dead skin off. It feels pretty nice too. You need a soft, natural bristle skin brush for this and a gentle touch. It’s not about scrubbing yourself red, after all. Use circular strokes as you work up your legs and arms. This method isn’t for your face or other places where your skin is more sensitive or thinner, and avoid any injuries you may have at the time.

2. Jojoba oil

I like the way jojoba oil feels on my skin. It absorbs very nicely and leaves it feeling soft, and a little goes a long way.

If you want a pretty scent, add just a couple drops of your favorite essential oil. Make sure it’s safe for skin first. Lavender, chamomile and rose are good choices. Mix it in with your jojoba and it’s ready to go.

Other oils can work well, depending on your skin type. Coconut oil is another popular choice. It may take a bit more work to rub in when the house is cooler, as it solidifies when the temperature goes below 76 degrees F, but scrape a little off the top and rub it between your hands to take care of that issue.

3. Shea butter

Shea butter is another excellent moisturizer. You can mix in a little jojoba or other oil that’s good for your skin plus some essential oils to make a very nice moisturizer. Many sources recommend unrefined shea butter as the most effective. Some find shea butter to be on the greasy side, but that’s true for many oils. Give homemade moisturizers a little leeway while you wait for your skin to absorb them.

4. Drink lots of water

Drinking plenty of water throughout the year helps keep your skin healthier. Well hydrated skin starts from inside your body.

5. Avocado face mask

Mash one avocado until smooth. Add in one teaspoon of olive oil. Mix, then spread over your face. Relax for 20 or so minutes before cleaning off, then moisturize as usual.

Tags: jojoba oil, natural moisturizers, shea butter, skin care, water, winter skin care

What Should You Know About the FDA’s New Sunscreen Rules?

Jun 20, 2011 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips

The FDA recently announced some new rules about how sunscreen can be marketed. While it’s important to make sure you’re using a safe sunscreen, I like seeing that the FDA is taking steps to handle the many excessive claims made by marketers about sunscreen. These changes will officially go into effect the summer of 2012, but companies can change over sooner.

The FDA says that one of the big reasons they’re making changes is because the old rules only covered UVB protection, but modern testing can also determine how much protection the sunscreen provides against UVA.

Sunscreens must be tested in order to make a broad spectrum protection claim, which would mean that they have UVA and UVB protection. Sunscreens without that label will protect against sunburn only.

Sunscreens may not be labeled waterproof or sweatproof, only water resistant. This is because such claims make the sunscreens sound as though they protect better than they do. The claims must indicate whether the sunscreen is water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes, so it’s clearer when it must be reapplied for protection.

One more rule to limit the claimed SPF to a maximum of 50+ is under consideration. This is because it is not clear that any sunscreen products provide protection better that the protection provided by 50 SPF sunscreens.

Of course, new rules or old, you’re best off making sure that you buy a safe sunscreen. It’s better to be comfortable with the things you’re putting on your skin, even when you’re trying to protect it from other kinds of damage.

Tags: fda, safe sunscree, safest sunscreen, sunscreen

How Do You Find the Safest Natural Sunscreen for Your Family?

May 19, 2011 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips

The days are heating up in many areas of the United States, and it’s time to start thinking more about sun protection for you and your family. But if you’ve read much about sunscreens, you know that not all of them are all that safe for your skin. Wouldn’t you prefer to find the safest natural sunscreen possible?

Now, natural is a pretty iffy term. There really isn’t a standardized meaning for it. What most people mean, of course, is that they want the sunscreen that doesn’t have synthetic chemicals in it. The idea is to avoid the more hazardous chemicals found in other products.

The Best Sun Protection

When you have the option, the best sun protection isn’t a sunscreen you spread on your skin, natural or otherwise. The best sun protection is to cover your skin. Buy a wide brimmed hat for yourself and for each of your kids. Wear it when you’re going to be out in the sun for a while.

Long sleeves and pants in breathable fabrics are also great for sun protection. When the weather gets really hot, you’re probably going to prefer short sleeves, but do consider the protection a physical barrier can provide your skin.

The Safest Sunscreens

There’s certainly debate about what makes a sunscreen safe to use. One obvious criteria is that it actually works. No point in slathering anything on as protection if it doesn’t actually protect your skin.

I really like the Environmental Working Group’s Safest Sunscreen list.  They’ve tested a wide range of sunscreens, and so you’re sure to find one you like. Here are just a few of the brands which tested well, generally 1 or 2 on the scale EWG uses, which is what they consider to be the safe range. Exact ratings do vary on the products within each line of sunscreens.

Badger
California Baby
Soleo
Sweetsation Therapy

You can also look up the brands you’ve been using, and see if there’s anything you feel a need to be concerned about. Not everyone agrees on what makes a chemical hazardous or even what is sufficient testing to know for certain. Either way, it pays to know what you can about what you’re putting on your skin so you’re making at least something of an educated decision.

As for me, 30-50 SPF and well reviewed for preventing sunburn is the biggest thing I look for. I always say I’m either a ghost or a lobster, as my skin doesn’t significantly tan. Great motivation for being consistent with my sunscreen those times I spend much time outdoors.

All this said, do remember that a limited amount of time out in the sun without sunscreen is a good thing for vitamin D production, but that’s just 5-30 minutes twice a week. Most times you really are better off remembering to put your sunscreen on and reapply regularly if you’re going to be out for a while, going swimming or doing anything that might rub the sunscreen off.

Tags: Environmental Working Group, ewg, natural suncsreen, safe sunscreens, safest sunscreen, sun protection

Treat Your Skin to Eco Friendly Care

Jul 16, 2010 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips

Many popular beauty treatments you buy in the store really aren’t that good either for your skin or the environment. They give a temporarily good look, but in the long run they’re hard on your skin and may even be damaging.

It’s amazing how easy it is to make some basic beauty treatments at home with products that are much kinder to your skin and the environment. They won’t feel exactly like store bought products going on, but that’s not a bad thing at all. Do your best to find organic versions of these products. Fair Trade is a good choice also when you cannot find locally produced versions of these products.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil, especially organic, virgin, unrefined coconut oil is wonderful for your skin. You don’t need a lot. Just take a little and rub it in. It’s also very good for hair, but be very careful to not overdo, or your hair will appear oily.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil has similar effects to coconut oil, but it is a much lighter feel. It is considered to be the most similar to the skin’s natural oils.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is another great choice for dry skin. Once again, organic and unrefined are the best choices, and you may be able to find Fair Trade shea butter. There are claims that shea butter can treat a variety of skin ailments, but I would suggest testing it out on your own.

Honey

Honey is an ingredient in many homemade facial recipes. The simple reason is that it’s great for most types of skin. It’s mildly antimicrobial and helps to keep skin moisturized. It can even be used to soothe cuts and burns. Raw honey is considered to be better by many people.

Egg Whites

The proteins in egg whites are good for your skin. Whip them, apply to your face, and let it dry for 15 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Many people are fans of the wide range of uses of apple cider vinegar. On your skin it acts as a natural toner and is great for the pH balance of your skin.

Essential Oils

Some essential oils are great for your skin. Others aren’t so research before you add any essential oil to your skin care regimen. They should always be added to a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, just a few drops per ounce. Lavender is a great choice for a relaxing scent. Tea tree oil is popular for its antiseptic effects.

There are many more products you can find around your home to care for your skin. The best part is that you can treat your skin wonderfully while spending less than you would for name brand products that might be damaging your skin in the long run.

Tags: coconut oil, essential oils, jojoba oil, shea butter, skin care

Still Playing with Washing My Hair with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Feb 16, 2010 Eco Friendly Beauty Tips

I’m still trying out washing my hair with baking soda and vinegar. The first day didn’t go great, but things have improved since then.

I rewashed and rinsed my hair with the baking soda and vinegar, this time using the full tablespoon of baking soda in a bit less water, and a bit heavier concentration of the vinegar too. This time my hair feels much better.

I don’t use products in my hair very often anyhow aside from shampoo and conditioner, so I can’t say that there is much excess residue to come out from anything. No old hair spray or whatnot. But I am definitely noticing that my hair feels just a little lighter. It’s soft in a slightly different way from how it feels after using shampoo and conditioner, but definitely soft.

A big difference is that it feels to me as though the natural oils are moving further down the hair shaft between washings. Maybe I’m imagining it, but that’s how it feels, and I don’t mean that my hair is looking more oily right off the bat. It does seem that using this method I may need to wash my hair a little more often than I did with shampoo and conditioner, which I had down to every 5 days or thereabouts. When I shower without washing my hair it just goes up in a knot. I don’t even use a shower cap. Long hair has its advantages!

Tags: baking soda, hair care, vinegar