Learn about how major loopholes in U.S. federal law allow the $50 billion beauty industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no monitoring of health effects and inadequate labeling requirements—making cosmetics among the least-regulated consumer products on the market. So take control of your health and that of your loved ones by becoming an educated consumer. Make a point to find out what kinds of ingredients you should avoid in your personal care.

Learn more at The Story Of Stuff.

Reading labels, researching brands and visiting nearly a dozen stores to find what you need or think you want is exhausting. The good news is that this world of beauty is getting smarter, and there is now a trusted resource that consumers can turn to in order to find out how safe a particular personal product truly is. The Environmental Working Group has carefully researched thousands of ingredients and products on the market to form one of the most revolutionary and comprehensive online beauty resources. Regularly visiting the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database is a great way to stay up to date on the kinds of ingredients and chemicals your should avoid in personal care by providing you with the formulation details and the research conducted on each ingredient. The Skin Deep Database provides an easy to follow health risk rating system for each individual product that starts with 0 (low hazard) and goes up to 10 (high hazard). Whether you are searching to find the best and safest sunscreens for your family or a listing of lipsticks that are formulated WITHOUT Lead, this type of information is just a fraction of what this incredible online database will do in order to help hold you responsible for making conscious decisions when purchasing any kind of personal care product for yourself or someone in your family. So go ahead and try it out by typing in some of the products you currently use in your beauty routine, and find out what kind of rating your products have received and why. Searching for safe natural and organic products can be easy with the Skin Deep Database, and will help to keep you informed on how to protect yourself and the health of your loved ones.

Bella Floria

Founded by Emelyn Rodriguez, a former print journalist and a practicing attorney, Bella Floria Organics is foremost a consumer service site, offering only approved brands and product lines that are truly organic and natural. With widespread consumer confusion about products claiming to be “organic” and “natural,” (and a recent lawsuit by the California Attorney General against retailers and manufacturers whose “organic and natural products” tested positive for carcinogenic 1,4-Dioxane), Emelyn created Bella Floria Organics to provide consumers with a resource that does the important research that an average consumer may find too difficult or time-consuming. Requiring a full ingredient listing from each manufacturer, Emelyn personally tests each product and reviews each ingredient with the cosmetics safety database, and when necessary, she consults independent medical and scientific experts about safety and purity. The site will also soon feature Bella Floria Pure Living Magazine, a source of truthful consumer information, news, and green living tips.

Future Natural

“We’ve become really vigilant about what we put in our bodies – now you can be equally vigilant about what you put on it.” A very powerful statement from Emma Pezzack, founder and owner of Futurenatural. As trained makeup artist who has worked as a part of nearly all facets of the fashion and beauty business, Emma’s experience has taken her through many exciting rolls from fashion editorial, TV commercials and print advertising to marketing and sales for beauty companies such as Max Factor, (now Smashbox), Schwarzkopf and Revlon. After experiencing and working with all that goes into putting a beauty product out into the market and understanding what kinds of ingredients are included in most conventional formulae, she decided it was time to make a difference in beauty. Futurenatural’s goal is to cut through the clutter with a very simple and compelling position that makes it easy for you to purchase organic and natural beauty products. Though not all of Futurenatural products are 100% organic or natural, and not all of them use eco packaging, at Futurenatural they believe that doing something is better than doing nothing, and they support companies that are making the effort to eliminate toxic ingredients and processes.

Organic Beauty Now

Everyone at Organic Beauty Now has always believed in using organic and all-natural beauty products. So, when they made the commitment to carry the best all-natural and organic beauty products at their online store, they also decided to test how they stacked up against conventional brands. It’s just another way to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for. Lastly, it is pretty obvious how hard it can be to choose things like makeup online. How do you really know if that foundation matches your skin tone or if that shade of lipstick will look right on you? So, whenever possible, Organic Beauty Now will send you samples, color sheets, and product brochures to help you decide. Plus, if you’re ever unsatisfied for any reason with anything you order from Organic Beauty Now, you can return it free, no questions asked.

Saffron Rouge

Founded in 2003 by Kirstin Binder, Saffron Rouge opened its doors in Ontario, Canada specifically for the organically-minded consumer. A true herbalist at heart, Kirstin has enjoyed her studies and background in Phytotherapy (herbal medicine), which she studied at the College of Phytotherapy (a private university in England). After the birth of her 2nd child, Saffron, her knowledge and passion for plants, organics, and the environment led to the creation of Saffron Rouge. With the help of her team of experts, she evaluates every ingredient in every product to make sure they are pure. Kirstin only support companies that promote fair-trade practices, certified organic farming, and biodynamic agriculture.

Spirit Beauty Lounge

Founded by Spirit Demerson, Spirit Beauty Lounge believes that “Beauty Is As Beauty Does”. An artist, activist and beauty school dropout, Spirit Demerson has spent many years testing, mixing, analyzing and searching for effective organic beauty products and ingredients. Frustrated by the less-than-luxurious organic beauty selection available at natural foods markets and misleading labels at drugstores, she became an expert, spending hours obsessively researching ingredients, often mixing up batches of lotions and potions in her kitchen. Reading labels and memorizing an ever growing list of ingredients to avoid can be overwhelming. Spiritbeautylounge.com is a place where you can shop safe, knowing the research has been done for you! All of their organic and sustainable products come from companies who have clearly defined humane, ethical, and environmental policies ensuring the care of our planet and its inhabitants!

The Nature Of Beauty

Terri Bly is the founder and president of The Nature of Beauty, LTD, a premier retailer of the top natural and organic beauty products from around the world. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and the mother of two gorgeous little girls. Currently, she resides with her family in Minnesota, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of ingredients and a knack for sourcing incredible products that actually work. The Nature of Beauty was created out of a desire to educate the consumer about the realities of the beauty and personal care products industry, and to provide the consumer with healthy, beautiful, high-performing alternatives. Terri is always sure to read every label, research every ingredient, and maintain regular contact with the manufacturers to ensure their business practices and values are fully aligned with The Nature of Beauty’s standards.

Karen Young, the creator of Ilha Organics and the home goods collection – Hammocks & High Tea, was inspired by her roots in South America to develop Ilha (meaning “island” in Portuguese). Using organic ingredients like calendula flowers, green tea leaves, and various essential oils, Karen has developed her own beautifully hand-blended collection of body balms, massage oils, and soaks.

Ilha Organics body and home goods are packaged to be reusable, recyclable, and have as minimal an effect on the environment as possible. All products are packaged in amber glass containers in order to protect the quality of their handcrafted ingredients and includes Ilha’s signature biodegradable jute bags that can be reused for packing small items, storage, and gifting. Ilha Organics balms and oils are steeped and blended in small batches, at low temperatures, and luxuriously scented with 100% organic or wildcrafted (produced without chemicals) essential oils.

For more info on Ilha Organics, check out hammocksandhightea.com.

Rehydrate, Cleanse, and Renew:

Easier said than done, but the first thing to do is to start drinking tons of water. Flush out everything by drinking at least 8 glasses of water during the day. In addition to water, be sure to drink 1 to 2 cups of green tea each day as it is packed with antioxidants, and is one of the healthiest ways to get fluids into the body. If you wish to take your detox to another level in regards to fluids, another great all natural detoxifier is to drink at least 8 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice from the health food store each day to clean out that liver. All this fluid will help re-hydrate you and clean your system.

Getting back to eating a well-rounded diet packed with fruits and veggies in combination with utilizing a daily exercise routine, can quickly help to erase the evidence of the holiday feast fest. Another way to help boost your immune system and your beauty is to start each morning with a few antioxidant and pretty skin supporting vitamins like grape seed extract, vitamin E, omega 3’s, vitamin C and coenzyme Q10. All food and liquids you consume on a natural detox diet should be free from additives and preservatives. Organic foods are best so that you aren’t adding pesticides to your body. Gentle detoxification by nourishing your entire body will do wonders. Your body will operate at its best….something you may have been missing out on.

Detox, Slough, Buff and Brighten:

Create your own body scrub at home or use one of your favorites to buff away dead skin cells and give your skin a new radiant look and feel.

DIY Body Scrub Recipe: Combine Raw Organic Sea Salt or Raw Organic Sugar with Jojoba oil and 2 tablespoons of whipped honey. Mix and enjoy!

After your scrub be sure to replenish your skin with raw organic oils like coconut, olive, grape seed, almond or argan oil.

You will be feeling stronger, renewed and gorgeous in no time!

Get shopping and enjoy!
More of my top Green Beauty Holiday Gift suggestion are on their way!

FACE – Be sure to exfoliate twice a week to keep the skin glowing, refreshed and clean from dead skin cells that can leave the skin congested and dull. By exfoliating on a regular basis, you are preparing your skin for effective absorption of the serums and moisturizers that you like to use.

An amazing product that does double duty when is comes to cleansing and exfoliating the skin is The Organic Pharmacy Flower Petal Deep Cleanser & Exfoliating Mask. Oats and milk (rich in lactic acid) gently exfoliate without abrasion whilst Lavender and Chamomile soothe inflamed skin. Oats and Clay bind with impurities and remove them deep from within the pores, while Rose works to calm and purify the skin.

To give your skin an extra boost of moisture during the cold and dry months of the year, add 2 -3 drops of Primavera Organic Rosehip Oil to your moisturizer. One of the best anti-aging oils, Rose Hip Oil reduces fine lines by promoting the regeneration and restructuring of skin cells. It reduces scarring by softening the skin and diminishes the appearance of broken capillaries.

Another important tip to remember is that the sun doesn’t go away just because the season has changed! The sun combined with cold, windy and dry weather takes its toll on our skin, so don’t forget to keep sunscreen as part of your daily beauty routine. After you have applied your moisturizer, apply a think layer of Marie-Veronique Organics Crème de Jour, SPF 30 to keep your skin hydrated, healthy and protected.

BODY – Slough off dead skin cells and reveal skin that is ready to drink up much needed moisture with a DIY body scrub that you can mix and enjoy at home.

Once a week you can jump in the shower with your own DIY Body Scrub: Mix 2 cups of raw natural sugar with 1/4 of a cup of whipped honey and a 1/2 cup of either Olive or Jojoba oil. If you would like to add a bit of aroma to your scrub you can add 2 to 3 drops of your favorite organic aromatherapy oil – One of my favorites is Geranium…

Once your skin is scrubbed clean and rinsed, lock in moisture by applying Kaeline 100% Pure Argan Oil to damp skin that has been pat dry with a towel. Argan oil contains an unusually high concentration of essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Maintaining the hydration of the skin, these two important components are what keep skin hydrated and protected from future moisture loss and helps to prevent wrinkles and premature aging.

HANDS – After a warm shower I like to apply Organic Raw Extra Virgin Coconut Oil to my hands and cuticles and let it soak in before I apply a protective hand cream. This will keep your skin deeply hydrated and cuticles soft.

A great protective and repairing hand cream that I like to use is Weleda Sea Buckhorn Hand Cream. This fast absorbing formula heals chapped hands and dry nails, leaving them silky soft, not oily or greasy.

Hair – Take the time to give your hair a weekly deep treatment. Weather you apply a deep conditioner or repairing oil, be sure to monitor the moisture in your hair to safe guard your hair from breakage, frizz and fly-aways.

Apply Rare Elements El’ Serum as an overnight leave in treatment for hair. Rare Elements El’ Serum has been called the “miracle” serum due to its ability to instantly repair the condition and SHINE of dull, lifeless hair. Every drop holds the secret to rebuilding and promoting stronger, healthier hair growth, dramatically improving the integrity of each strand by replenishing vital nutrients and moisture that are lost to everyday styling and chemical treatments.

During the Fall and Winter seasons I like to make sure that I am getting good nourishment from a balanced diet, and consuming daily doses of Flaxseed Oil to keep my body moisturized from the inside out. Be sure to drink lots of water and enjoy at least two to three cups of organic green tea each day. Cheers to looking and feeling gorgeous during the Fall and Winter Seasons!

Each of her body care products perform beautifully and work naturally to help enhance and moisturize the skin. Persephenie Body Care can be found at both Vert Los Angeles and at Polish. Enjoy!

Consistently praised for their health and beauty benefits, pomegranates are incredible for both our skin and our bodies because they are packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin B5 and Antioxidant Polyphenols. Pomegranate is well known for its remarkable ability to help promote cellular renewal within the skin, provide free radical protection and enhance our skin’s overall appearance and function. Each product in this new line contains hand-harvested pomegranates from certified organic farms in Turkey.

Weleda’s new Pomegranate trio is sure to warm your spirits just in time for the fall season. The line features three new products to help inspire and renew your body care routine:

Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash: Cleanses and nourishes the skin while invigorating your senses.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil: Pomegranate seed oil combined with other nourishing plant oils work together to provide intense hydration.

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream: Helps prevent the formation of age spots as it smoothes and nourishes the skin.

Be sure to check out Weleda’s Special Offer: Get a free trial size Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash with the purchase of any Pomegranate product at www.usa.weleda.com. Offer begins October 5, 2009.

Skin Cancer Prevention

Recent research has now informed us that extra virgin olive oil contains a rich supply of polyphenols, which are amino acid derivatives that function as powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that are capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation (free radical damage) of other molecules within our cells. We love antioxidants because they have the ability to neutralize damaging free radicals that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer. I am completely against animal testing, but recent studies have shown that mice who drink extra virgin olive oil tend to develop less skin cancer after exposure to UV light. When the olive oil was applied topically to the skin of each mouse after UV exposure, it was noted that it significantly decreased the number of skin cancers in these mice in comparison to the mice who did not receive the oil topically after exposure. How amazing to know that eating and applying olive oil to the skin can prevent and interfere with the development of skin cancer!

Moisturizer

While skin cancer prevention is a relatively new benefit of olive oil, its incredible moisturizing properties are renowned. The reason why olives and olive oil are so wonderful for hydrating our bodies inside and out is because it contains an omega-6 fatty acid compound called linoleic acid, an important component of the skin that helps prevent water loss or evaporation. So by adding olive oil to a body scrub, a warm bath or applying it directly to the skin as a moisturizer can help the skin stay smooth, hydrated and protected from further water loss.

Not All Olive Oil Is Created Equal

It is crucial to use organic “extra virgin” olive oil because it is made from the first press of the olives and has the highest amount of antioxidants. Bonappetit and enjoy!