Greening Your Beauty Routine

So, I know it's been way too long and I'm sorry. I've been meaning to do a post about earth-friendly beauty products for a while...so here it is! :)

Basically here's my criteria for my green/ Earth-friendly products: I want products that don't contain harsh, synthetic chemicals that not only harm their users, but ultimately the water system and other organisms besides us. I want products that don't contain animal ingredients, such as lanolin. I'd really love it if the product is also not tested on animals (although unfortunately all prescription medications are required to be tested on animals). Finally, I also really prefer it if the product reduces trash- it uses partially recycled packaging, or comes in a reusable container, etc. Also (just FYI), none of these companies sponsor me in any way, I just like their products. O, and they're all available at your local pharmacy (and Walmart and Target).

Given these criteria, my favorite brands are as follows...

Skin Care
St. Ives
All St. Ives products are formulated without parabens or phalates, contain no animal ingredients and are not tested on animals (which is particularly important since this is a vegetarian blog). My favorite products by them that I love are the oatmeal body lotion, green tea and salicylic acid (which my skin much prefers over benzoyl peroxide) face cleanser, and their apricot face scrub.

Makeup
Physician's Formula
Physician's Formula has 2 lines that are very environmentally friendly. First, there's the Bamboo Wear line, which has bamboo cases that are refillable (reduces trash- reduce, reuse, recycle), bamboo brushes, and the makeup that refills the compact also has bamboo silk in it. Bamboo is very economically and ecologically friendly since it grows so quickly and easily, unlike other wood. Second, there's the Organic Wear line with mostly organic ingredients, formulated free of parabens, GMOs, synthetic preservatives and other harsh chemicals, and animal products. It also uses recycled materials in its packaging and is not tested on animals. Currently, I use the Bamboo Wear powder, the Organic Wear tinted moisturizer (with SPF 15 ), and the Organic Wear bronzer. I want to switch to the Organic Wear mascara and maybe the Bamboo Wear bronzer (I like the sustainability of it, but I like the materials of the other).

Makeup Brushes
EcoTools
They make makeup brushes with bamboo or recycled aluminum handles and bamboo fiber hairs- cruelty-free and sustainable. They also now have body care stuff (body wash, lotion, and butter, and hand and foot cream) that are paraben and phthalate free, allergy and dermatologist tested, and not tested on animals. I haven't tried those new products yet, but I definitely use and love their makeup brushes- they're so Earth Friendly and soft and easy to clean. I have their 6 brush set and their Kabuki brush. I got my set at Target, but I think CVS and Walgreens have them too.