Make Every Day Earth Day With These Eco-Friendly Beauty Buys — As Seen On “Great Day Houston”
Rather than limit ourselves to celebrating our planet and being an advocate for Mother Nature on Earth Day, we should think about how we can make more eco-friendly choices on an everyday basis, right? So, on that note, I chatted with the fabulous Cristina Cooker of “Great Day Houston” about some must-have beauty products that are formulated using plant-derived ingredients and which contain no harsh chemicals or potentially harmful additives. From brightening serums and volume-boosting shampoos and conditioners to aluminum-free deodorants and plant-based nail lacquers, learn more about all of the eco chic finds shown on Monday’s “Great Day Houston” segment. And, if you missed the show, make sure to watch the segment — it’s embedded above but you can also click here to view it on KHOU.com!
You’ll see it really is easy being green!
JUICE BEAUTY GREEN APPLE BRIGHTENING COLLECTION
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, when it comes to skin brightening, you might want to try taking a bite out of some green apples! As it turns out, green apples are a great source of malic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that penetrates the skin to support collagen production and cellular turnover, thereby helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots and improving the complexion’s radiance. Fun fact: malic acid is also the organic compound responsible for the sour taste associated with green apples. Ever the leader in organic skincare and makeup, Juice Beauty developed an entire range that pays homage to the skin-brightening prowess of green apples.
The Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening collection, then, incorporates an array of luxurious products that contain malic acid derived from organic green apples, as well as vitamin C (which is known to both stimulate collagen production and to help illuminate the skin, making it great for both anti-aging and brightening purposes), and anti-aging powerhouses CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid.
All of the products in the collection are stellar, but I focused on three offerings in the “Great Day Houston” segment: the Brightening Essence, Age Defy Serum, and Brightening Emulsion.
The Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Essence ($38 at JuiceBeauty.com), which won the Best Essence prize at this year’s Glamour Beauty Awards, is extremely lightweight and works as the perfect first step in your skincare regimen, giving the skin a dose of nutrients and preparing it for more densely formulated products like serums. To apply, you want to gently pat it onto your skin after cleansing your face.
Once your skin has soaked up the essence, you can move on to the next step in your brightening regimen: the Green Apple Age Defy Serum ($58 at JuiceBeauty.com). This serum hydrates the skin with plant-derived hyaluronic acid, drawing moisture to the skin and locking it therein so as to give the complexion a plumper appearance and, in the process, further improve its dewiness. Moreover, it features peptides that will make the skin appear lifted and firmer.
To complete your brightening routine, you can then apply the Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Emulsion ($48 at JuiceBeauty.com), a delicious moisturizer that the skin just drinks right up. In addition to malic acid and vitamin C, this emulsion contains caviar lime, which is itself a great source of AHAs, and omega acid-rich avocado and jojoba oils that hydrate, replenish, and soften the skin.
Want to check these out? Then visit JuiceBeauty.com and apply the code HOUSTON20 at checkout to enjoy 20% off your purchase!
SHEAMOISTURE SILICONE FREE MIRACLE STYLER LEAVE-IN TREATMENT
Most of us apply a leave-in product prior to styling our strands — whether it’s a detangler, leave-in conditioner, smoothing serum, or blow-drying primer — and, typically, these leave-ins have formulas that incorporate silicones such as dimethicones which help to smooth and soften strands, boost shine, safeguard against frizz, and so on. So what’s the beef with silicones, you ask? Well, while they can offer some instant gratification, they can also cause a lot of problems down the line. See, certain silicones (like dimethicone) are not water soluble so that, even when you shampoo your hair, they might linger rather than making their way down the drain. Over time, then, these silicones can build up along the cuticle. If you have fine hair, that build-up can lead to your strands looking limp and lifeless. If you have colored hair, it can dim your color and give everything a brassy and dull finish. And if you have curly hair, these built-up silicone particles can flatten your curls, giving your hair less body and bounce. Also, since they coat hair strands, these silicones can prevent your hair care products — think conditioners, leave-in masks, and so on — from penetrating strands and giving them the nourishment and hydration they need.
Up until now, the negative aspects of silicones haven’t been widely discussed but, luckily, SheaMoisture is educating consumers on the potential hazards of silicones and going a step beyond that to offer a viable alternative. The new SheaMoisture Silicone Free Miracle Styler Leave-in Treatment ($14.99 at Walgreens) features marshmallow root, sugar cane extract, and meadowfoam seed oil; together, these three ingredients can yield many of the same beneficial effects associated with silicones, but without any of the undesirable side effects. This leave-in, then, will hydrate, detangle, and soften strands; protect your mane against heat styling tools and UV protection; keep frizz and fly-aways at bay; and increase your hair’s luster — all without any silicones, parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, or phtalates.
LIVE CLEAN BIOTIN EXTRA BODY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
Leading a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to be a difficult task — and that’s the message Live Clean conveys with its assortment of affordable and high-performance hair care, body care, and baby products, all of which feature plant-derived ingredients and contain no harsh chemicals. With formulas that are up to 98% plant-derived, Live Clean’s products convey a respect for the planet we inhabit, an understanding of the need to treat both our bodies and our environment as sacred.
The brand’s newest launch is the Biotin collection, which is comprised of the Live Clean Biotin Extra Body Shampoo and the accompanying Biotin Extra Body Conditioner ($5.99 each at HEB stores). Both products were designed to thicken strands and give them more volume, and so they contain biotin (otherwise known as vitamin B7), which helps to increase hair density, make strands appear plumper, and improve elasticity. Other ingredients include ginseng and lavender, which restore the hair’s tactile strength, making it less prone to breakage.
And as with all Live Clean products, these contain no sulfates, parabens, petroleum or phosphates — just clean, plant-derived ingredients.
DERMA E MICRODERMABRASION SCRUB
Derma E is one of those brands that just makes me smile. The Southern California-based eco-ethical beauty brand started out as a passion project and grew organically to become a leader in the facial care space, and that dedication to green beauty shines through in all of its inspired offerings. All Derma E products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and they contain no parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, or gluten.
Lately, I’ve been on a mission to get my skin to reach maximum glow status, so I’ve been using the Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub ($32.50 at DermaE.com and Ulta.com) to help me buff away all that winter-related dullness. This gentle scrub features a blend of fine crystals — including Dead Sea salt, which is known for its purifying and healing properties — that buffs away any dirt and dead surface cells, thereby brightening your complexion, while also helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, purify pores and prevent acne flare-ups, and minimize the appearance of acne marks and dark spots. And, since it’s infused with yummy-smelling lemon peel oil, lime oil, and orange oil, this powerhouse polish will absorb any excess oil, while giving the skin a dose of vitamin C to boost radiance and promote collagen production.
And here’s a bonus: you don’t have to limit yourself to using this scrub on your face! You can apply it to your elbows, knees, heels, or hands to get them soft and smooth in no time!
WELEDA 24H ROLL-ON DEODORANT
You’ve likely heard about aluminum being a controversial ingredient in deodorant, and there are various valid reasons for those health-related concerns. First, some studies have indicated that a connection might exist between topical exposure to aluminum and breast cancer incidence. The theory is that the aluminum found in deodorant could potentially be absorbed by the skin and have estrogen-like effects and, since estrogen can promote the growth of breast cancer cells, aluminum could ostensibly heighten one’s risk of developing the illness. Now, there are no studies that conclusively show a link between aluminum and breast cancer, but the potential connection is enough for a lot of people to want to investigate aluminum-free deodorant options. And here’s the second issue with aluminum: it might just be interfering with the body’s natural detoxification process. See, the aluminum salts found in antiperspirants work to plug up pores along the underarms, thereby curbing any sweating and preventing underarm wetness while, in the process, preventing the odor-causing bacteria that thrives in moist environments. But given that sweating is a normal bodily function, one through which the body expels toxins, is preventing that process from unfolding actually beneficial? Probably not.
The question, then, is how to find an aluminum-free deodorant that actually works. Luckily, Weleda came to the rescue with its new 24H Roll-On Deodorants (6.99 each at Weleda.com), which effectively neutralize odors without plugging up pores, allowing the body to maintain its regulatory functions. The aluminum-free deodorant features an all-natural formula and contains 78% organic ingredients —among these licorice root extract, which has antimicrobial properties. The deodorant has a convenient roll-on applicator and goes on clear, so you don’t need to worry about white streaks on your clothes, and it’s available in 3 scents: Pomegranate (which combines pomegranate, orange, and vanilla scents), Citrus (which combines an invigorating lemon scent with a hint of floral petitgrain), and Men (a woody aroma with hints of rosemary and vetiver that’s undoubtedly masculine).
*HYPE NAIL LACQUERS
Believe it or not, most nail polishes are full of potentially harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that’s often added to enamel formulas due to its nail-hardening properties, or toluene, which helps to give polish a smooth finish but which has also been linked to reproductive impairment (in fact, the European Union has restricted its use in personal care products after studies indicated that, when the substance’s fumes were breathed too often, it led to a greater risk of fetal development issues). Are these chemicals really necessary to flaunt a pretty mani? Absolutely not!
You can breathe easy and paint your nails as often as you want by choosing a great nail polish brand that’s 5-free (meaning that it doesn’t contain the 5 scariest chemicals commonly found in nail enamel: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phtalate,tosylamide, and camphor). I really like the nail lacquers offered by *hype, a brand that specializes in eco-minded formulations. Not only are *hype nail polishes 5-free, but they’re also formulated with 85% plant-based ingredients — and the color options are gorgeous! You can buy polishes individually for $7.99 each at HypeNail.com or you can purchase one of their themed kits like the Glam At Night gift set ($27 at HypeNail.com), which features the following four shades: 07 Fire, a scarlet red; 24 Royalty, a deep sugar plum purple; 16 Sapphire, a deep blue with a shimmery finish; and 13 Cosmopolitan, a vamp-y brown hue with purple undertones.
