My Favourite Green Beauty Products
I used to be a beauty product aficionado (no more blemishes! oil free! spf 100!), but since becoming more aware of unhealthy ingredients (parabens, sulfates, etc.), I've streamlined both my beauty routine as well as products. I also packed these products while travelling - I put the shampoo and conditioner, as well as the toner into 100mL clear bottles.
LIP BALM. I've always wanted to try my had at making my own lip glosses, but since these eos sticks and spheres are (A) made with organic and natural ingredients (coconut oil, olive fruit oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, shea butter, etc) and (B) affordable (I bought a pack of 3 on sale for $5), I decided to spend my time elsewhere. The flavours smell delicious, and it always leaves my lips soft and smooth.
SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER. My hair is curly and dry, so it needs something to help keep the curls as smooth as possible. I have to admit, I have about 4 different lines of this company's S&C - and I like the hydrating line the best. These products don't contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate), parabens, phthalates, or phosphates. I've also started to decrease the amount of times I shampoo my hair - which is now once every week and a half. That's not to say I don't wash my hair, I do - but in the shower I'll wet it and 'wash' it with conditioner. I packed a 100mL travel bottle of each to take along with me to Europe.
SUNSCREEN. I'll be honest. I stayed in most of this summer because I was studying for my licensing and board exams. But when I did escape my study cave, I definitely slathered this on. Because of the Environmental Working Group, finding a good sunscreen has become like a game. I like Green Beaver's version because it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide - which have excellent UVA protection, don't penetrate into the skin, and don't interfere with hormones. For more info, click here and here.
TONER. During the summer I visited Blitz Facial Bar. I've never got a facial before and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about (did I need another reason to leave the study cave for the day?). I really liked the facial, she said my skin was great (thank you oil cleansing + no more dairy!), and I decided to leave with a toner because I didn't have anything like it. While the product doesn't appear to be online, it contains ingredients like aloe, vitamins B3 and B5, and botanicals (like lavender, nettle, and green tea).
DEODORANT. All good things come from Toronto right? I came across this local brand and purchased a few of their products. I was pleasantly surprised with their baking-soda free deodorant which comes both in a tub form and roll on (I've tried both, and prefer the roll-on). This deodorant is aluminum free (which is fantastic because it won't disrupt hormones) and contains shea butter, coconut oil, magnesium and wax.
Not pictured: COCONUT OIL. Used as a facial cleanser. And if you wanted to exfoliate, mix in a sprinkle of aluminum-free baking soda. Works like a charm. Also can be used to smooth the ends of your hair (especially if it's super curly like mine). I packed a little tub to take with me, and it definitely came in handy!
I'm still in the market for toothpaste, mascara, and nail polish. Any recommendations?PS. This isn't a sponsored post, I genuinely love and use these products!