It’s Not Easy Being Green by Suki Kramer

Guest post by Suki Kramer of Suki Skincare

As Kermit once said, it’s not easy being green.

And, while most of us know that many synthetic ingredients are unhealthy for us and for our environment, sometimes we need a little help shopping for natural alternatives (especially when the marketplace is replete with products deemed “safe” but in reality, eh, not so much.) The Internet also abounds with websites that offer guidance for consumers on product safety and eco- consciousness. But, this business of rating products is a daunting one, and though the people behind these idealistic endeavors may have the best of intentions, we must remember, sometimes they are funded by huge corporations whose objective is to jump on the band wagon and grab onto the dollars that can be made from the “eco-industry,” and uh, that’s us. Believe it or not, you gotta always be on your guard.

I found the Good Guide to be a decent resource for wading through the sea of personal care products (the bad, the good and the completely pure) as well as many other types of somewhat “green” products from cell phones to blue jeans. Although they do get it a bit wrong at times, for the most part they are on the right track. I was deflated to find a few companies on the site marked appallingly low who have, in my opinion, fantastic environmental records and 100% product purity and others who I think could use a swift kick in the buttocks, marked way too high. But, did I mention, this is a daunting task and one largely taken on by people who do not necessarily comprehend the whole personal care picture? It’s really complicated!

But the great thing about this site is that you can also find thousands of products from many different areas rated on their health, environmental and society performance so you can make healthier choices based on what’s important to you. To me, for instance, the idea that 60% of what we use on our bodies ends up inside our bloodstream and in our organs, as well as out in our rivers, oceans, then into our fish, plant-life, animals, weather systems…is an exceedingly important connection I hope we are all making more and more. I mean let’s think about it. When ingredients in personal care products seep into our skin, where do they end up? Whether they seep through our skin, rinse down the drain, or flush, these ingredients end up affecting our wildlife, rivers, wildlife and streams.

And, I know, I know, “everything causes cancer” is a popular excuse for not changing, and so is, “it’s all bad for me,” or, “I’m just one person!”

Yes, there’s a whole lotta junk out there, but the idea is to reduce our own and our planet’s toxic load so that the quality of our lives will be fabulous, for as long as possible. Hey, maybe we can even do some damage control and repair some of our own damaged tissues, of the skin and earth, while we are at it! And, here’s just a few quick and easy tips for what to avoid, and some great, luxurious eco-alternatives because it’s soooo not about sacrifice anymore, it’s all great feeling, tasting, looking…even if it IS green!

For lips

Petroleum. It’s supposed to protect you from sunburn and chapped lips, but actually has the exact opposite effect. Petroleum products don’t absorb into the skin, they smother it, which messes with your body’s natural moisturizing ability. Processed from crude petroleum, it’s cheap, which is why you’ll find it in so many lip products. For luscious lips free of petrochemicals, try Organix South’s Naked Organix Tamanu Butter To Go. It’s free of petroleum, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and fragrance free. It’s also a great multi-tasker, since you can apply it to your anywhere you need extra nourishing oils.

For nails

Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBPs. I grouped these three nasties together since you’ll find all three in most nail polishes. Formaldehyde and toluene (along with synthetic ethanol, acetone and benzene derivatives and others) are synthetic ingredients in fragrances known to cause birth defects, infertility, and nervous system damage. (Toluene has been proven to cause cancer and nervous system damage and is designated as hazardous waste!) Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is used to make nail polish chip-resistant, but its exposure is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, particularly to male fetuses. Fortunately, there are several great brands that are earth-friendly and eco-chic, including Sheshwai Lacquer, Butter London, Spa Ritual and Julep.

For eyes

Parabens.  You’ll find parabens—a synthetic preservative—in tons of cosmetics and personal care products. Most big cosmetic brands use parabens and other chemicals in their mascaras to extend and darken lashes. Parabens can be found in fact, in MOST commercial cosmetics and skin care products, and since parabens can mimic hormones in the human body and disrupt your endocrine system, it’s worth it to sleuth out products free from them. Check out Jane Iredale for paraben-free mascara.

For hair

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol): Shampoos and conditioners are both loaded with skin-, earth- and hair-unfriendly ingredients that dry out our locks, necessitating more products, like leave-ins (by the way, do not let anyone talk you into a silicone based hair care product, which does nothing good for your hair whatsoever). In addition to PEGs—synthetic chemicals that even our U.S. government (one of the last countries to ban any unhealthy chemical) considers a likely human carcinogen—sodium laurel and laurel sulfates are also used to create foaming lather. For PEG-free, sulfate free shampoos that get your hair clean without harsh synthetics, Giovanni has a whole line of varying shampoos for any kind of hair type including color treated. Most commercial dandruff shampoos use coal tar, which is linked to cancer, allergic reactions, nausea, fatigue and skin problems. If you have dandruff, look for shampoos with cade oil, like Lush’s Soak and Float or Jason’s Dandruff Relief, which uses rosemary, tea tree oil, neem and colloidal sulfur.

For face

Whew, there are a whole lotta synthetics in skin care products! You’ll find a complete list of synthetic ingredients to avoid on my website. Thing is, just know that you have so many options nowadays, and for GREAT skincare that works! No longer are we enslaved to synthetics that cause no end of problems. Again, the consumer has demanded it, and the labs have created it, advanced actives that perform every bit as well as synthetics. But, you have to read your labels and make sure what you are using is pure. Whatever your skin care issue, you get better results when you use 100% pure ingredients because 1. You will not get the harsh side effects long or short term and 2. You will get active effects without harsh chemicals that add damage.

Kermit was wrong actually, but in his time, it was a lot harder being green. These days, it’s easy! So many options, so little skin to cover!

Written by: Expert, Suki Kramer founded suki® clinically-proven natural solutions® skincare with a commitment to education, empowerment and 100 percent natural beauty products that work like they should. Suki’s vision for the brand is without fail reinforced by an open and honest belief that every beauty product should guarantee efficacy and longstanding benefits to its users. Her passion for effective, natural products and ingredients has made her a leader in the healthy skin movement.