Green skin care

How green beauty is making its mark and why you should make the switch

Companies are upping the ante when it comes to green beauty products, in both selection and quality. Now is the time to nourish your skin with toxin-free and environmentally friendly masks, restorative under-eye oils, mascara, foundation, hair dye, and more.

A Natural Beauty Product Revolution

Cris Robinson, co-owner of Purple Carrot Health Foods & Wellness in Lethbridge, Alberta, remembers the early years of natural skin care—about 15 years ago. Back then, options for natural products were hard to find. For instance, “the only eyeliner available felt like you were drawing with a pencil crayon on your face,” says Robinson.

Since then, she says, there has been a revolution in variety and quality of natural beauty products, including advances in sustainable packaging.

Four years ago, Robinson opened the Purple Carrot, a refillery, health food, supplement, and local product store, alongside her co-owner, Cathy Lancaster. Before that, Robinson was a nutritional consultant, who had to send her clients running around the city for the natural products she suggested. They opened Purple Carrot to offer a one-stop natural shop.

Robinson invites you to think carefully about your skincare product choices. “We’re bombarded with junk all the time in the various products we use, such as cleaning products. When we can make the choice, we should,” says Robinson.

Perks Of Going Green

Lindsay Coulter, green living expert as David Suzuki’s Queen of Green for over a decade, who continues to share her insights through @saneaction, says there are other benefits to going green in the beauty aisle.

For one, natural products are pure, and often multipurpose. For instance, you can use rosehip oil to moisturize and cleanse, for osteoarthritis relief, and as aromatherapy for stress reduction. The ingredients also won’t strain the environment when you wash them off.

What’s more: Some new products, including shampoo and conditioning bars, dispense with the packaging altogether. Going green for your beauty and skin doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour either, says Coulter. DIY options could help keep your costs down.

Lane Edwards, founder of Edmonton-based Pura Botanicals, also advocates for the benefits of going green and natural.

Natural beauty ingredients

Green on the go

DON’T LET TRAVEL THROW YOU OFF COURSE. PACK THESE SIX ESSENTIALS TO ENSURE YOU STAY ON THE NATURAL PATH, EVEN WHEN YOU’RE ON-THE-GO.

1. Coconut oil in a jar. This multipvurpose beauty tonic can be used for shaving, as a moisturizer, to tame frizzy locks, and soothe dry lips. Plus, the jar comes in handy as a reusable cup/container once you’re out of oil.

2. Castile bar soap. Great for face, hair, and body, this non-toxic soap is a multipurpose space-saver. Don’t forget a tin to store it in.

3. Natural hand sanitizer. Keep a small bottle of natural sanitizer on hand, or wipes, to clean sticky fingers and tray tables. (Remember that sanitizers must contain at least 60% alcohol to sanitize.)

4. Mineral sunscreen. Look for those containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

5. Essential oil insect repellent. Citronella, peppermint, and thyme are thought to keep insects at bay. After applying a test patch, add diluted oils to moisturizers or spray bottles filled with water for easy application.

Antioxidants—such as herbal extracts, coenzyme Q10, and green tea—are now used for high quality natural skin care.

6. Sugar-free gum. This is the perfect travel companion for bad breath and altitude changes. Opt for gum that’s naturally sweetened with xylitol, for example. (Bonus: xylitol is plant-based too.)