Green Beauty: Eco-Chic Organic Beauty Products
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Instead of doing your typical “green” makeup tutorial today, I wanted to cover a more figurative type of “green” beauty – as in organic and eco-friendly products.
You may be wondering: what are the benefits of using organic beauty products over all the rest? Well, the ingredients in organic beauty products are mainly fruits, leaves, minerals, herbs, and roots, as opposed to the harsh (and sometimes dangerous) chemicals found in normal products. Furthermore, in Certified Organic products, these natural ingredients have not been exposed to harmful pesticides, making these products both better for you and the environment. Whether you want to protect your health and the environment or you just have sensitive skin that easily reacts to harsh chemicals, organic beauty products are the perfect choice.
Here are some amazing eco-chic products that will have you looking beautiful and saving the environment at the same time.
Beauty Tools
Sonia Kashuk Out of the Woods 6 Piece Brush Set – $19.99
Sonia Kashuk has an amazing cosmetics line for Target and this eco-chic brush set is one of the line’s standout products.
While the brushes themselves are fabulous, I can’t help but obsess over the cool cork cosmetic case that they come in. It definitely yells “I’m environmentally fabulous.” Each brush is made of organic materials and the brush handles are composed of a mixture of bamboo, cork, and wood. In my opinion, Sonia Kashuk makes the best quality makeup brushes for those of us on a budget. So with this brush set, you don’t have to compromise on quality to be green.
Makeup
Aveda Petal Essence Color Duo in Copper-Riverbed – $16.00
These gorgeous eye shadow duos come in eight different shades, for a myriad of possible combintations! But most importantly, these shadows are eco-friendly. Instead of being full of talc and mineral oil, these shadows are infused with flower-wax, giving them a silky texture reminiscent of a flower petal. In addition, the eyeshadow is packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) clamshell and paper sleeve – no plastic packaging here! Aveda is one of my favorite brands for all types of products because they always feel, smell, and look amazing, and these eye shadows are no exception.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer/Blush – $13.95
Physician’s Formula makes the best drugstore bronzers that are always pigmented and smooth- you can never go wrong with these products. To my utter delight, they recently added a line of eco-friendly 100% organic products to the already amazing brand.
I always love products that make me feel like I’m getting the most bang for my buck, which is exactly what this bronzer/blush combo offers. The gorgeous bronze and pink shades will help your skin look both flushed and sun-kissed in one swoop. Even better, the product claims to be 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and is also cruelty free. Eco-friendly and amazing quality-can’t argue with that!
Cleansers
Avalon Organic Facial Cleansing Gel in Lavender Renewal and Vitality – $11.99
The organic ingredients in this product include licorice root, organic lavender, white tea, and arnica, which are great for sensitive skin. These natural ingredients will sooth and calm you skin rather than irritating it, as synthetic chemicals often can. I love this cleanser because after using it, my skin stills feels hydrated and not as if I just stripped my skin of healthy oils. If you’re looking for an organic, gentle cleanser, I highly recommend this product.
Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Cleansing Gel – $9.99
I absolutely love cucumber facial cleansers because when I think of my ideal DIY home spa, cucumbers always come to mind. The product boasts that cucumbers are one of the most effective ingredients to calm, cool and hydrate the skin, and I have to agree – this cleanser makes my skin feel extremely cool and refreshed. In general, Yes to Cucumbers is a great line, because all the ingredients used come from certified organic farms, so you can’t go wrong with any of their products.
Your thoughts?
Do you prefer organic over non-organic products? What are your favorite organic beauty products?I know that tons of my readers asked me to cover organic beauty products so I helped this helped you guys out! Let me know what you think!
Posted on on March 17, 2010 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: aveda, Environment, Going Green, organic makeup, Physician's Formula, Sonia Kashuk
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FashionStyleAdvice
I almost only use organic beauty products! Especially organic shampoo is a lot better for the hair than regular shampoo!
Milana from FashionStyleAdvice
Tibby
All of the beauty and cosmetic products I use are organic… shampoo, conditioner, lotion, makeup, sunscreen, etc. I’ve found that I absolutely LOVE Aubrey Organics. Unlike a lot of other organic lines, their stuff actually works wonders, especially their shampoos/conditioners and face care trios. I’m also using the whole line of Physicians Formula makeup, which works amazing and I love it.
It’s important to know the ingredients you’re putting on your skin, which is highly absorbant. Some makeup and lotions out there have tons of phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, and artificial fragrances. And I’m glad to get as far away as possible from them, but you of course still want the results. Good article :)
lalalina
I tried Physician’s Formula after reading about it on CF, the article about beauty swaps for splurges, and I love it. I actually bought the eyeshadow. Fantastic! Not only are these brands organic, but they also do not test on animals, a big thing in my book! Great article!
Fen
I love this article! I am a massive fan of eco-friendly products, and always looking for replacements for my standards.
One of my new favourite products is EOS shaving cream – it leaves my legs smooth and moisturized! Its actually a cream, which I was concerned about at first since I always used the foaming stuff (which comes in containers that can not be recycled), but after a couple tries I am happy to report no nicks at all. My only complaint is that it stays in the razor blades if they are not well rinsed – but that’s easy enough to correct.
Elizabeth - University of Missouri
My mom buys organic shampoo from Trader Joe’s sometimes and I really do not think it’s up to par with other shampoos and conditioners- I beg her to buy other brands now!
I love that you featured Aveda!!! They’re basically my favorite hair brand, so I’ll definitely have to try out their eyeshadow.
Awesome post!
Julie
I do not like organic shampoos and conditioners, i feel like they leave my hair VERY dry
CJ
What about mascaras?
Stancie @ Fig+Sage
Yes! I definitely prefer organic beauty products over conventional. Have you tried Organic Wear’s mascara??? Its my daily fave…it won’t give you drag-queen lashes, but its great for everyday wear :)
anon
Great post! I love this topic (as you will see..)
I would recommend everyone use Skin Deep (cosmeticsdatabase.com) to find the hazard level for all of your personal care products. Since I am very picky and will only use anything with a hazard level between 1 and 3, or with natural ingredients that are all easy to pronounce, I might as well spread the love for my fav products:
1. Tate’s shampoo — This cleans my hair well, but doesn’t dry it out. It has a faint almond smell, and lathers much better than most organic shampoos, but has no sulfates! I don’t know how they do it. Magic?
2. Tate’s conditioner — Okay, well this stuff literally IS magic. I use it on my hair as a conditioner, or as a leave-in conditioner, or as a styling cream when it’s already dry, AND I use it on my body and face as a great moisturizer with no scent that isn’t greasy and it sinks in quickly, but it moisturizes my dry skin very well! I know it sounds weird to use a conditioner as a lotion too, but trust me. You could also use it as a shaving cream.
3. pure jojoba oil (any brand) — I use this on the ends of my hair sometimes just to prevent dryness, and on my face over the Tate’s if I have wintertime extra-dry-skin. I also know people who use it to remove eye makeup.
4. Dr. Bronner’s soap — Classic natural soap. I use it on my face and body and even to shave my legs. You can (& should) dilute it a lot and it will still work and lather well, so that makes it relatively cheap. My fav scent is the peppermint.
5. Baking soda — face exfoliating scrub and deodorant. I know you think I’m crazy because conventional deodorant/antiperspirant was the one thing that even I was convinced I would never give up, but I finally just took the plunge. It takes some getting used to, but I do not smell. at all. It works better as a deodorant than conventional ones, in my experience. Just wet your underarms a little and rub a bit of baking soda in damp hands then rub it onto your underarms.
Last but certainly not least.. sunscreen!
6. Marie Veronique Creme de Jour spf 30 — This is the only facial sunscreen I’ve found that has a hazard rating of 1, but soaks in well and actually protects my skin. If you take none of my other advice about products, take this advice!!! This stuff is amazing.
7. Purple Prairie Botanicals – They make a sunscreen for your body that has a low hazard rating and also soaks in well. I don’t love this stuff because the smell is kinda weird (but not overpowering.. no one smells it but me) and it;s greasy for a little bit after I use it, but like I said, it’s the best I’ve found.
Whew! I think that’s all. Can you tell I’ve been “researching” organic personal care products for a while now?? Sorry for the lack of make up though, I don’t wear it.
Stancie @ Fig+Sage
If you’re going to use the Skin Deep database, you need to know how to navigate through it wisely because there is conflicting and misleading information there as well as good, helpful information. Please read these great articles BEFORE you head to Skin Deep:
http://feelgoodstyle.com/2010/03/16/terri-blys-guide-to-the-skin-deep-database/
http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2008/07/navigating-ewg-skin-deep-database.html
These easy-to-understand guides help break things down for consumers. Many people swear by the database or refer to it as their “bible”, but consumers need to know that its not perfect and what to look for when searching for products. :)
Something else to know is just because it might have a low EWG score, doesn’t mean its natural (i.e. EWG rates petrolatum with a “2″ rating and clove essential oil with a “6″).
jem
this was such a great article, i learned a lot about eco beauty products. I even learned more from the other readers comments, i cant wait to take a look at the cosmeticsdatabase.com, it sounds really interesting.
lisa
Love the article!
I did a similar blog posting today on Eco-Green Beauty!
http://www.abesmarket.com/blog/
@Stancie Fig + Sage thank you for the wonderful link!
Luinae
For skincare, I reccomend Boots Botanics skincare! It works really well, read my review on it here: http://moremagicalways.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-skincare-routine.html
I also reccomend Aromaleigh for makeup- it’s made of super natural minerals and really bright colours!
Chelsea
I’ve been thinking about trying the Yes to Cucumbers cleanser. Their hand cream is the absolute best hand cream I’ve ever used.
TheBunnyGeek
I love this article, and I agree: Organic beauty products are amazing.
But, I’ve tried the Physicians Formula blush, and it wasn’t so good. I mean, really bad. It’s chalky, barely has any pigment, and quite frankly looked bad. I’d suggest going for another blush/bronzer combo, especially at the price! (I think I paid 25$ CND.)
Meg Ruggieri
I recently am trying very hard to make myself more environmentally aware. Thanks for this great beauty advice! I love how there are so many different ways to benefit your planet. Thanks for contributing to the green movement! :)
Clip In Bridal Hairpieces
Hey!
I love this article and very interesting..