Green Your Summer Skin Care Routine!
If you haven't already jumped on the green bandwagon, this is one "trend" that's worth buying into! There are so many options now to choose from, making eco-friendly beauty choices that much easier. Here’s how to keep the Earth in mind as you ready your skin for the warm weather.
Updating your sunscreen is the perfect opportunity to choose a formula that’s more eco-friendly. Look for sunblock that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide - natural minerals that safely shield skin from UV rays.
Protect your hair from summer weather with an SPF spray. For an at-home option that’s easy and eco-friendly, simply blend two tablespoons of your favorite organic sunblock with one cup of water, and pour into a small spray bottle. Spritz on damp hair before stepping out into the sun. Reapply throughout the day.
Elizabeth Seward of Planet Green points out that many lip products are teeming with chemicals that aren’t so nice to the environment. Look for eco-friendly formulas that feature all-natural or organic ingredients.
From sunblock to lip balm, summer is the perfect time to update your beauty routine. By choosing organic or all-natural products, you can achieve healthy, gorgeous skin from head to toe - without compromising the integrity of the Earth.
Do you have some favorite, eco-friendly summer products? I'm just now getting into the self-tanner thing, with some body lotion that gives me a nice, subtle glow. I wasn't sure it was working until a friend recently told me (an Irish lass with fair skin and reddish hair) how tan I looked. :)
What's your strategy for gorgeous summer skin? Bonus points if it includes natural ingredients!
- Sunscreen. Sunscreen is an essential for every summer skin care routine and it might be time to update your arsenal. Take a minute to peek at your leftover sunblock and consider how long you’ve had it. According to Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., of Mayo Clinic, toss any sunscreen that’s over three years old. To play it safe, you might want to pitch your sunscreen after a year. If you’re using the right amount of sunscreen, you should actually need to buy a new bottle every year - or sooner. Also, make sure that all of your sunscreen products are broad-spectrum (meaning the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays) and have an SPF of 15 or greater.
Updating your sunscreen is the perfect opportunity to choose a formula that’s more eco-friendly. Look for sunblock that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide - natural minerals that safely shield skin from UV rays.
- After-sun aloe. While it’s best to avoid sunburns all together, it’s also important to arm yourself in case you get the occasional burn. Aloe is a top skin-soother, relieving minor sunburn, rashes, bug bites and blisters. On top of calming the skin, aloe is also great for effectively hydrating dry skin. The most eco-friendly way to keep aloe around is to grow it yourself. Aloe vera is actually one of the easier houseplants to cultivate.
- Hair protection. While you may love the summer, you may not love what it does to your hair. The heat and sun can cause damage to your locks including split ends, faded color and dryness.
Protect your hair from summer weather with an SPF spray. For an at-home option that’s easy and eco-friendly, simply blend two tablespoons of your favorite organic sunblock with one cup of water, and pour into a small spray bottle. Spritz on damp hair before stepping out into the sun. Reapply throughout the day.
- Self-tanner. If the fear of unpleasant odors and orange streaks make you hesitant to try an at-home self-tanner, then you’ll be happy to learn that do-it-yourself products have come a long way in recent years. For a gorgeous glow that doesn’t compromise your complexion or the planet, you’ll find eco-friendly formulas that can provide a deep, streak-free color in the comfort of home. Try the Pevonia Self-Tanning Emulsion for a golden glow free of mineral oil, lanolin, artificial fragrances and artificial colors.
- Nail polish. It’s officially sandal season, so it’s time to spruce up your toes. Toss aside the dark, moody hues of winter and celebrate with cheerful summer shades. When shopping for an eco-friendly nail color, Alexandra Zissu of The Daily Green recommends choosing one that’s free of chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde and toluene.
- Foot scrub. Before you slip on your favorite flip-flops, pay some special attention to your feet. Foot scrubs help to remove dead skin, revealing newer, softer skin. For an eco-friendly foot scrub, find a formula that incorporates natural or organic ingredients.
- Hair removal. In a society where smooth, hairless skin is treasured, more than two million disposable razors are thrown away each year. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice soft, shaven skin to be more eco-friendly. Reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills by considering an alternative, like the Emjoi Emagine Epilator or Whish Lemongrass Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel.
- SPF lip protection. Our lips lack melanin, which makes them especially susceptible to sunburn. Get into the habit of applying an SPF lip balm every time you go outside - during all seasons.
Elizabeth Seward of Planet Green points out that many lip products are teeming with chemicals that aren’t so nice to the environment. Look for eco-friendly formulas that feature all-natural or organic ingredients.
From sunblock to lip balm, summer is the perfect time to update your beauty routine. By choosing organic or all-natural products, you can achieve healthy, gorgeous skin from head to toe - without compromising the integrity of the Earth.
Do you have some favorite, eco-friendly summer products? I'm just now getting into the self-tanner thing, with some body lotion that gives me a nice, subtle glow. I wasn't sure it was working until a friend recently told me (an Irish lass with fair skin and reddish hair) how tan I looked. :)
What's your strategy for gorgeous summer skin? Bonus points if it includes natural ingredients!