YOUR WELLBEING: Ten Simple Ways To An Eco Beauty Lifestyle
With a few simple steps, you can follow and live a greener lifestyle. New African Woman recommends this extract from The Little Green Book of Beauty (250 tips for an Eco Lifestyle) by Sarah Callard.
Avoiding SLS
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a known irritant and a common ingredient in many beauty and body-care products. found in most shampoos, hair conditioners, body washes and bubble baths, SLS is a strong detergent and foaming agent. it can irritate eyes, skin and mucous membranes and has been linked to allergic reactions.
Say No to Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are one of the latest buzzwords in the beauty world and they are already being used in a wide range of products, from lipsticks to foundations. manufacturers don’t have to list them in the ingredients, however, so they are hard to avoid, but worth doing so because there are concerns that nanoparticles can end up in the bloodstream and cause inflammation.
Parabens Are Preservatives
These chemicals are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics and as antibacterial agents in products such as toothpaste. They have been found to have an oestrogenic effect and have also been linked with cancer. The four main parabens in use are methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl parabens. In particular, avoid: parabens (butyl, methyl, and propyl), PABAs (para-aminobenzoic acid), padimate-0 or parasol 1789, and benzophenone, homosalate or octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate).
Know Your AHAS
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are used in products such as moisturisers and exfoliants. They effectively remove the outer layer of skin and are known for their anti-ageing effects. However, research has revealed concerns that they could cause increased sun sensitivity and the risk of sun-related skin cancers.
Choose Natural Nail Polish
Conventional nail varnishes and removers are essentially cocktails of toxic chemicals, such as toluene and colour lakes (colour bases that don’t break down in nature), acetone, formaldehyde and phthalates. Look for the BDiH label instead: this is a respected German association for certified natural cosmetics that guarantees a product is based on plant oils and herbal and floral extracts from managed cultivation. The products it endorses do not include any organic synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, or mineral oil extracts from managed cultivation. The products it endorses do not include any organic synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrances, or mineral oil derivatives.
Look Out For Organic
The global market for organic cosmetics is growing worldwide. However, be cautious: manufacturers are not legally required to obtain organic certification to make organic claims. These products contain ingredients that are assessed to be safe to human health and guarantee that their manufacture and use cause minimum environmental impact.
Hold the Hairspray
conventional hairsprays coat the hair with a plastic film to hold it in place. many hairsprays contain phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals which have been linked with several health scares including birth defects. choose hairspray made with natural ingredients in pump action rather than aerosol dispensers.
Turn On Your Man
Take advantage of the growing number of natural and organic brands specifically targeting male grooming. The number of paraben-free and SLS-free shaving foams and gels is rapidly growing so even the greenest men have a wide choice of products.
Careful with Titanium Dioxide
research has shown that many currently fashionable teeth-whitening toothpastes and agents contain titanium dioxide, a suspected carcinogen which can be absorbed into the skin. it is also harmful to the environment and has been found to acidify rivers and seas. it is used both as a pigment and a thickener in many other cosmetic and skincare products.
Chemicals Asthma Sufferers should avoid
There is increasing evidence that the following ingredients, often found in hair-care products, have been linked to asthma in hairdressers. They are: ammonium persulphate, potassium persulphate and sodium persulphate. Asthma sufferers should try to avoid them.
The Little Green Book of Beauty (250 tips for an Eco Lifestyle), by Sarah callard, can be purchased on Amazon
