7 Green Beauty Products
I’ve always been a sucker for eco-friendly beauty products. Perhaps it’s the herbal, woodsy or citrusy scents, perhaps it’s the clean packaging or, *gasp* the good of the green; whatever the reason, any time I use natural products, I feel better — more wholesome, cleaner. In honour of Earth Day this Sunday April 22, here are some of my favourite green beauty products, if you’re looking for an earth-friendly way to vamp up your beauty routine.
Thursday Plantation “Tea Tree Face Wash for Acne”
Nothing here but fluffy, foamy goodness. With tea tree oil as the main ingredient and chamomile to calm the skin, this face wash will transform acne-prone skin and leave you squeakier-clean than you’ve ever been since before the pimple years. Available at AbundanceNaturally.com and Wal-Mart; $15
Kiss My Face “Balancing Act” antioxidant toner
I’m usually wary of squirt bottles but I could spray my face all day with this toner because it hits me with a beautiful olfactory blast of citrus salad. Made for all skin types, “Balancing Act” refreshes skin with a medley of orange, grapefruit and lemon balm essential oil. Seaweed extract, ginger, and the antioxidants Ester C and Vitamin E round out the ingredients. It makes my face feel a bit tighter but smooth and balanced. Available at Whole Foods Market and Shoppers Drug Mart; $19
Sanctum “Hy C Recovery Serum”
A luxury spa line from Australia, Sanctum offers a very effective Vitamin C serum that’s 94% organic and antioxidant-fueled. It contains black cohesh and katu cola, to combat free radicals and promote collagen growth. Weeks later, my skin looks brighter, smoother and better. My freckles and skin imperfections are lighter, leaving a nice canvas for make up. Available at AbundanceNaturally.com; $48
Aesop “Dual Scalp Cleansing Shampoo”
I have very dry, coarse hair — it’s the texture of a horse’s mane. For the first time in my life, I found a shampoo that doesn’t dry out the ends. Rosemary leaf, chamomile bud and lavender stern with azulenes cleanse the scalp and leave my hair lustrous and soft. Aesop’s packaging has an intentional medicinal/apothecary design, as if their small brown bottles held secrets of ancient remedies concocted by wise monks. Maybe they do. Available exclusively in Canada at: The Want Apothecary (Montreal); Oliver Spencer (Toronto); Holt Renfrew (Vancouver); $25
Sweet Anthem “Parfum Concrète”
Well-designed and unique, Parfum Concrète (solid perfume) is hand-made in small batches, and uses natural oils embalmed in shea butter. This vegan-friendly perfume comes in numerous scents and amounts up to 10mL. I got “Juliet,” a heady jasmine and sambac oriental infusion with a touch of mango. Available at Sweet Anthem’s Etsy page; $12
NOW Solutions “Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
This superb serum plumps up fine lines and retains moisture, prepping the skin for moisturizer, and helping remedy loss of elasticity. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most effective solutions for absorption of facial water, and it’s entirely natural. Available at Well.ca; $19
Earth Science “Almond-Aloe Moisturizer”
For price alone, this no-frills moisturizer can’t be beat. Money aside, though, this one is, quite simply, the goods: Chock full of beta liposomes and antioxidants, it’s light, and it absorbs quickly while being super-emollient. Available at the Earth Science web site; $8
Aveda “Nourish-Mint Sheer Mineral Lip Color”
Sure, lip colour is a matter of personal taste. Still: Red Poppy has to be the best colour! It adds a punch of true cool red — a shot of real brightness, and a perfect, satiny finish for a polished face. Better yet, Aveda’s “Nourish-Mint” line smoothes lines, increases moisture and makes lips fuller in just two weeks. Available at Aveda and Civello; $16
Jen Tse is a fashion stylist and writer living in Toronto. Her work can be seen in/on DAZED Digital, NOW, Ukula, Toro and Gloss.
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