Turn Your Beauty Routine Green

by Layan Barakat
0 comment

On April 22nd, we all celebrated Earth Day by being extra conscious of our consumption, reusing, reducing and recycling. We take extra precautions like using reusable water bottles instead of the plastic ones, and biking instead of driving to reduce our carbon footprint. But ladies did you know that your make-up bag could be harmful to the environment? Take a look at the ingredients used in most products. They are packed with harsh chemicals and dyes that are not only harmful to the sensitive skin on your face, but to the environment as well. According to the David Suzuki Foundation, there are 12 chemicals you should be looking for in your cosmetics ingredients, also known as the “Dirty Dozen.”

These are:

  1. BHA and BHT— used in make-up as a preservative and can also cause cancer.
  2. P-phenylenediamine and colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number— these are also known as tar dyes. Enough said.
  3. DEA-related ingredients— these are used in foaming products like shampoos, they can be harmful to not only your skin but to fish and other wild life.
  4. Dibutyl phthalate — Found in some nail care products, this chemical can be a “reproductive toxicant” meaning it could have effects on the male or female reproductive system.
  5. DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15— formaldehyde releasing preservatives.
  6. Parabens— may interfere with male reproductive functions.
  7. Parfum a.k.a fragrance— even some “unscented” products may contain fragrance that can lead to cancer, these are also harmful to fish and wildlife.
  8. PEG Compounds— another cancer causing ingredient.
  9. Petrolatum— used in hair products, lip products and moisturizers, and can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, yet another cancer causing ingredient.
  10. Products ending in Siloxanes or Methicone— harmful to fish and wildlife.
  11. Sodium Laureth Sulfate— a cancer causing ingredient found in shampoos and bubble baths.
  12. Triclosan— found in toothpaste, could contribute to an antibiotic resistance to bacteria.

I know what you’re thinking, not every day could be a make-up free selfie day, no need to worry though. Many eco-friendly make-up brands are beginning to surface, giving us options that not only improve our skin, but reduce our carbon footprint.

Turn Your Beauty Routine Green - Fresh Print Magazine

Image courtesy of www.diapers.com

Let us start with the most popular and loved brand of them all, Burts Bee’s. With a wide variety of all natural beauty products, this classic has become a household favorite. The products are gender neutral without any feminine scents, so all you guys out there can also indulge in some chapstick to keep those kissers smooth and moisturized.

Turn Your Beauty Routine Green - Fresh Print Magazine

Image courtesy of www.tesoraniram.com

Looking for a brand that contains all those natural ingredients but also adds a pop of colour? Check out Tarte, a brand that features not only skincare and make-up products, but brushes and cosmetic bags that are all made of eco-friendly materials. You can find this collection at any Sephora store.

Image courtesy of stilllifeboutique.com

Image courtesy of stilllifeboutique.com

Next we have Ilia, a brand that specializes in lip products, from bright lipsticks to balms. What makes these guys eco-friendly is that they are made of 100% organic material, and even the packaging is recyclable. You could find this organic beauty product at Holt Renfrew for $26. Seems a bit pricey, but when you factor in quality over quantity, this organic lip line is definitely worth it.

Organic Beauty - Fresh Print Magazine

image courtesy of www.chicprofile.com

Last, but not least, is the Good Karma brush line from Urban Decay. These brushes are 100% vegan (so you’re not applying your bronzer with a rabbit tail or anything) and 100% worth it. We all know how hard it is to find quality brushes that don’t leave bristles all over your face. With Urban Decay’s awesome reputation for beauty products, we know we can trust their Good Karma brushes.

Hopefully these environmentally friendly tips can help you celebrate earth day, everyday. We’ve started taking measures to reduce our consumption in every way, changing your beauty routine could not only improve your life, but the life of the entire planet.

You may also like