Today’s society today is increasingly concerned with being eco-friendly and many people are “going-green.” We worry about the effects of chemicals on the earth, debris in our oceans, and fuel emissions depleting the ozone layer. However, what about the atmosphere of our own bodies and the most personal terrain of all - our face? Certainly while I am suggesting we all do our part, one person may not be able to change the course of the planet. We can, however, have an immediate, long-lasting impact on our own person. Everyone wants to be healthy, feel satisfied, live a full life, and look good doing it. The timeless phrase, “you are what you eat” has finally sunk in and, while we are all guilty of sometimes choosing a French fry over fiber, we realize the value pure, natural, organic food has our nutrition. Follow a similar path, and learn the impact organic skincare can have on our skin’s beauty and overall health and wellness.

Organic foods taste better because they are picked when actually ripe, look better (anyone seen the color of an organic berry?) are better for you and better for the environment because they do not have to travel as far to reach you (reducing fuel emissions). The same applies to natural skincare because going organic is also better for your skin. Shashi Srikantan, owner of the 100% natural Quench Bath & Body from Around the World line summarizes, “Unprocessed foods allow the natural properties of the food to be retained and allow you to get the most nutritional value out of it – likewise, keep the ingredients of your products as natural as you can and let them do their thing.”

Today’s consumer is fortunate to have real, raw, natural alternatives when choosing a skincare product. We can even find formulas that contain certified organic ingredients that are grown by biodynamic farmers, which, for those of you that are concerned about mother earth, is considered the “original organic” method. Biodynamic farming follows the rhythms of nature and emphasizes the use of renewable agricultural resources. This super-organic method is not just great for growing healthy foods but the beauty business is also benefiting from it, yielding uber-ingredients to natural skincare formulations. If you commit to organic skincare and body care, you can help keep toxic chemicals out of our soil and water as well as off your skin.

Those of us with sensitive skin realize what a threat mainstream skincare products can be to our beauty. Anyone that has had an allergic reaction to an ingredient looks hard to identify and avoid it. What we are not certain of are the effect some skincare ingredients, like parabens and sulfates, can have on our health. Paraben is a chemical compound commonly used in cosmetics as a preservative. Ongoing scientific studies, however have indicated that there may be a link between parabens and the estrogen activity linked to breast cancer. Similarly, sulfates are mostly lathering agents but are also known topical irritants. Some research shows that, even if not directly harmful, irritants of this type may help other toxic ingredients enter our system while we are getting that soapy lather.

In 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. The Report concludes that Americans are exposed to a large amount of hazardous chemicals through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. These chemicals get into our bodies and, while we do not know their specific effects, it certainly does make it hard to feel good about using products with them in our daily skincare routine.

The good news is we can find natural skincare products that are free of ingredients like GMOs, parabens, detergents, sulfates, artificial colors, perfumes and are cruelty-free. As a nod to our planet, you can also find packages that are recyclable, hand-washable, composed of recycled materials and reusable. Select products are also available with naturally grown berries, leaves, flowers, seeds, or plants that are gathered from where they naturally grow called, wild-harvested or wild-crafted. Such harvesting is done to preserve the habitat of flora and fauna but can also produce skincare products with powerful antioxidant properties and revitalizing aromatherapy. Green Beauty and organic skincare alternatives are even available for Vegans, looking to protect animals and the environment, with formulations that use no animal-derived ingredients. So practicing vegans can be true to their philosophy, honor their life-choice, and still face the world with beautiful skin.

Mainstream companies have seen consumers growing interest in green beauty and forward-thinking bath and beauty brands are substituting chemical ingredients with natural alternatives in their skincare and cosmetics. However, take a course in label translation. We have all seen the pretty face of an eco-conscious celeb on a green background surrounded by leaves and flowers. These products can contain a beneficial ingredient but then surround it with parabens, sulfates, alcohol, petroleum, perfumes, fillers, and other chemical additives. There are also popular brands that extol the virtue of beautiful, natural looking skin but then propose we use products with unnatural ingredients to achieve it. When pursuing labels, synthetics have names that sound innocuous while natural ingredients can be unrecognizable. There are many good websites like www.cosmeticsdatabase.com that can help you figure out you what the ingredients listed are and help you make a true and natural skincare choice.

Being good to the environment is important and so is being good to ourselves. Remember that your body is a natural, organic living entity and it is only logical that your health and appearance would benefit from eating organic foods and choosing natural skincare products. With the growing awareness of the importance of organic skincare, it is easier than ever to make eco-friendly choices that your skin will celebrate. Let nature nourish us, while we also pay attention to what is put in and on our bodies.