Finally, Spring has arrived! That's right, it's officially the season of renewal, which means it's time to crawl out of hibernation, put away those itchy sweaters and say farewell to long pants and leggings. But before you begin to show a little skin, make sure you give your skin and body care a good "green" cleaning.
Skin Deep?
As I applied my body moisturizer this morning, I thought about how grateful I am to own products that I can feel good about putting on my skin. Skin, our body's largest organ, absorbs up to 60% of whatever we choose to put on it. In fact, the average woman uses 12 products per day and absorbs a whopping 4 lbs of lotions and potions and up to 130 unique chemical ingredients through her skin each year.
With zero regulation over ingredients in beauty products for the cosmetic industry, it is critical that you take charge of your own health and wellness and become more mindful of the things you put on and in your body.
Are you up for the challenge?
5 Ways to Green your Spring Beauty Routine
Investigate Ingredients
Take time to familiarize yourself with the ingredients in your skin and bodycare products. Concerning studies have shown:
One of every 13 women and one of every 23 men – are exposed to ingredients that are known or probable human carcinogens every day through their use of personal care products
One of every 24 women, 4.3 million women altogether, are exposed daily to personal care product ingredients that are known for probable reproductive and developmental toxins
One of every five adults are potentially exposed every day to all of the top seven carcinogenic impurities common to personal care product ingredients
Just remember, if an ingredient sounds unnatural, it probably is.
Purge The Pointless
Now that you know what to look for, it's time to rid your routine of anything that could potentially cause harm. This not only includes those products that contain harmful ingredients (especially the dirty dozen, listed in the image above), but anything that you have had opened for an extended period of time.
Use the list below as a guideline for your skin and body care products and in combination with your senses. If it looks, smells or feels strange, it is time to part ways.
cleansers - 1 year
toners - 6 months to 1 year
exfoliants - 1 year
moisturizers or serums - 6 months to 1 year
lip balms - 1 year
Start with the products you use the most and slowly replace the rest throughout the year.
Seek Advice From The Specialist
Why waste time and money purchasing product after product when a professional can help you find the perfect one for you? Seeking advice from a skincare specialist who knows your goals and what you are looking for will make the process much more enjoyable. Look for a professional who is able to recommend organic, all natural products with confidence, such as an aesthetician, skin specialist or holistic dermatologist.
Support The Story
Purchasing a product that works for your skincare goals is satisfying,but knowing that the purchase supports a company with authentic values and a generous heart is even more gratifying. Take a little time to find out about the company behind that moisturizer - ask questions such as "What do they stand for?" " Why are they in business" "Who do they help" and "What makes them different than the rest". The knowledge and emotional connection will be a great benefit.
Back to Basics
Now it's time to fill that medicine cabinet back up with products that will enhance your life, inside and out. It is also a great time to create your own feel good daily beauty ritual. Start with the basics: wash, exfoliate, treat and moisturize, and use these few daily moments to more mindful of the things you put on and in your body.
Take this time to think about the people all over the world who helped contribute to the creation of the product that you are about to nourish you skin with.
Inhale deeply and savor the aromatic gifts that mother nature has provided to you. Visualize the flowers, plants and other elements in their natural environment.
Allow the healing power of your own touch release any stress you may be holding and re-connect you to being one with all things. Feel the gifts from nature absorbing through your skin and energizing and healing your body.
Take one final, deep breath and go with gratitude.
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Photo Cred to http://patientadvocates.com/