We’ve heard the major health risks of going unprotected in the sun (skin cancer, premature aging and wrinkles.)
But despite sunblocks major health benefits, many leading brands are still made with ingredients that are potentially harmful to the environment.

What should you watch out for?

Oxybenzone, which is common in many sunscreens, has been linked to the transsexualization of male fish, coral reef degradation, and hormone disrupting activity and low birth weights in infant girls – Certainly a reason to check your labels before buying.

And while the verdict is still out on nanoparticles, there’s reason to be wary of these added particles in sunscreens & cosmetics. In a recent study, researchers at the University of Toledo, Utah State University & University of Utah report that nanoparticles had powerful harmful effects on bacteria and a types of beneficial soil microbes. For more on this study check out this Organic Consumers article.

How can you protect your skin without damaging the earth? Here’s two of my favorite eco-safe brands that are conveniently located at Philadelphia retailers:

• Kiss My Face: Their expansive sun protection line uses ingredients like Oat Protein, Green Tea Extract, and natural Yucca-Glauca Root. You can find their products at Whole Foods, Weavers Way Co-Op and the Vitamin Shoppe.
• Burt’s Bees also offers some great skin care and sun-soothing products like their Aloe & Linden Flower After Sun Soother (made from Aloe & Linden Trees.) Also, check out their SPF 15 Res-Q Lip Balm – one of my favorites: all-natural and will protect your lips all day.

Recently, I was pleased to hear from my friends vacationing in Mexico that their hotel provided an organic SPF (Organi-k brand).  Next time on vacation, suggest that your resort provide a similar brand. 

Another great way to protect yourself from the sun? A big sun hat (a fashion statement with a purpose.)

Posted by Beth

It can be difficult to make the ‘green choice’ when staring at  seemingly endless options at the store.  But if you familiarize yourself with some of the greener cosmetic companies, you’ll find there’s a good array of affordable, environmentally conscious selections out there.

Here’s the rundown on a few of my favorite eco-friendly cosmetic lines:                                                   

Aveda: One of the most environmentally conscious product lines around.

• Recently launched a Recycling Caps initative program.  Aveda stores nation-wide will take the tops of your bottles that they’ll recycle into shampoo caps. 
• The majority of their products are made from recycled materials.  Aveda uses polypropylene for most of their packaging (polypropylene contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms so it’s friendlier to the earth than other plastics when disposed.)  Their goal is to use the cleanest post consumer recycled materials possible. Recently they started using 25% PCR in their products with disc top closures.
• In 2007 the WWD Beauty International recognized Aveda as the first beauty company manufacturing with 100% certified wind power.  Check out details here.

Aveeno: Another company that’s aligned its brand message to the eco-conscious consumer.

• They use natural ingredients like soy, shea butter, jojoba oil, oatmeal, etc. in their products instead of chemicals and animal tested ingredients found in many cosmetics.
• They sponsor green projects across the country.  Click here for more examples of projects Aveeno has sponsored.

Burt’s Bees: markets itself as an all natural line. I’m a big fan of their lipcare (which has a lot of products that contain SPH.)

• Instead of using potentially toxic ingredients like the sodium lauryl sulfate found in many other haircare products (which is lethal for fresh water fish) they use fennel seed and green tea.
• Their product researchers and developers are touted as ‘natural chemists’ who constantly look to develop greener products.

Posted by Beth