Are you a health conscious foodie with a love of all things organic? The quest for all natural shouldn’t be limited to what you put in your body. Why not take advantage of the all-natural beauty craze and keep your toiletries pure and clean? From sulfate-free to ultra organic…we’ve got the recipe for au naturale skin care.
Save Face with Sulfate-Free
Pay attention to those “sulfate-free” labels on shampoo bottles and skin creams. Sulfate-free is more than just hype to get you to pay more. Sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) is a seriously harsh ingredient you don’t want damaging your hair and skin. Manufacturers use SLS in cleaning products and cosmetics in order to prevent residue buildup and add to the foamy lather effect. Don’t be drawn in by the bubbles. Suds don’t mean your hair and skin are more clean. SLS is a skin irritant that can cause allergic reactions, including eczema. That color job you paid a fortune for is stripped by SLS, and frizzy hair is even frizzier when exposed to this sudsy ingredient. Switch your hair and skincare products for sulfate-free versions that are made with more natural ingredients.
Go Organic
The government doesn’t keep as watchful of an eye on beauty products as it does on the food, supplements and prescription drugs you put in your body. Government regulations are so lax, that cosmetic manufacturers can pretty much use whatever ingredient they’d like in your personal care products. Skin creams, shampoos and conditioners don’t just sit atop your skin to be washed away. The ingredients penetrate your skin and can even enter your bloodstream. Non-organic skin creams are likely to contain toxic ingredients such as parabens, which have been linked to DNA damage, hormone disturbance, cancer growth and accelerated aging. Buy organic to make sure you aren’t dousing your skin with mercury, dioxine and fossil fuel derivatives that clog pores, promote breakouts and allergic reactions, and even lead to kidney and liver damage! GladGirl Mascara for Eyelash Extensions (or your natural lashes) is made with natural and safe ingredients like Royal Jelly and herbal extracts to protect your delicate eyes.
Argan Oil for…Everything!
Want to get started on an all-natural beauty crusade but overwhelmed by the options? Start with Argan oil, which is the ultimate in hydration, anti-aging, and healing. Fans have coined it “liquid gold.” Packed with vitamin E and essential fatty acids, argan oil won’t clog pores or leave your skin looking greasy. It’s a dry oil that absorbs quickly. You can use it as a moisturizer and apply directly to your skin, or you can add a few drops to your favorite skin cream, facemask or toner.
Argan oil also double duties as a hair tonic. You can coat your locks with argan oil as a leave in conditioner, or add a few drops to dry hair for a burst of shine.
A word of caution: not all argan oil is the same. Be on the lookout for brands of Moroccan or argan oil that contain very little argan, and are filled with artificial preservatives, fragrance and silicone. Carefully scan those labels and look for the “gold!”
