Skin Deep: Eco Friendly Beauty Products

It has become very fashionable to use ecologically friendly products of all types these days. But it's more than just trendy: it's smart. Although consumers are told that chemicals used in skin care products are safe, can anyone really be sure over the long term?

It's best to take a precautionary approach: it won't even have a chance of causing harm if it's not ingested in the first place, either inadvertently through the mouth or via skin pores. Here are some ideas to help consumers be savvy in their choices by choosing a more ecologically sound approach to beauty.

-- No facial cream can make up for a lack of a healthy lifestyle. Eating right, getting plenty of exercise, and not smoking take years off a woman's looks and help her skin to look its very best. Drinking lots of water flushes out the system and carries away all kinds of toxins at the same time. This is basic, yes, but a good lifestyle makeover is the single most effective thing a person can do.

-- Don't overdo it. No one really needs 14 different products to keep their skin looking younger. In fact, aging is inevitable and there is no magic bullet. A good cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen are all that's needed to keep your face clean and healthy. Any additional bells and whistles are a waste of money and increase the likelihood of ingesting something potentially harmful.

-- Be wary of packaging: there has been a lot of buzz lately about the effects of plastic bottles on the safety of beverages. The same goes for cosmetics and other skin care products: a glass container is guaranteed not to transfer harmful chemicals to its contents and is recyclable. Look for glass whenever possible.

-- Does your company's product line advertise eco-friendliness? Find out if it indeed has agreed to leave out harmful chemicals or does not use animals for experimental purposes. If the packaging doesn't give enough information, pay more attention to the company's advertising campaigns or visit its website. Most packaging displays a toll-free number: call it and ask questions!

-- A woman can concoct her own natural skin-care recipes thanks to the internet. There are plenty of resources to find out how to create beneficial masks from vegetables, grains, and fruit.

-- Informed decisions mean doing a little homework and reading labels. Petrochemicals have been linked with cancer and it's healthiest to avoid them altogether. Look for the keywords: mineral oil, paraffin, and petrolatum.

Isn't it wonderful that consumers now have so many eco friendly products to choose from? With a little homework, making the leap to a healthier lifestyle will reap gorgeous benefits.