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3 Ways To Green Your Personal Care Items

July 30, 2020 2
Earlier in the week, I shared with you, ingredients to avoid when purchasing personal care products. There are also many things you can do to green your personal care regimen. Green Chic touches on many areas, I want to share my favorites with you. I thought these were the simpler things that you can do and the reasons why you should.

1.  Green your Toothbrush + Floss 

50 million pounds of toothbrushes are thrown away annually. Minimize your impact by using a toothbrush that’s not made from virgin plastic. Choose either a toothbrush that is made from 100% recycled #5 plastic-like Recycline’s Preserve Toothbrush or throw less away by using a toothbrush that has a permanent handle and replaceable head, like Eco-Dent. Also, try to choose floss that comes in a recyclable package or compostable flossers. (Which are my son’s favorite, fun to use, and even more fun to put in our composter.)

2. Green your Razor

2 billion, yes that’s billion, disposable razors are thrown away annually. Choose a razor with a reusable handle and changeable heads and if possible choose one with a recyclable handle like Preserve’s Triple Razor. It’s package doubles as a reusable travel case and can be returned for recycling using their postage-paid label.
 
3. Green your Tampons

Typical tampons are made from non-organic cotton and rayon, which is derived from wood pulp in an energy-intensive process that wastes about 2/3 of the wood’s material. The tampons are then bleached with chlorine that releases dioxins. (This is not healthy for us or the environment.) Not to mention many have plastic applicators that are not recyclable. There are companies making organic cotton tampons with recyclable applicators like Natracare or an applicator free product like Seventh Generation. If you are adventurous, you can try reusable products or a Diva Cup.
 
What other ways do you green your personal care products?
 

How to Make Natural Organic Kid’s Glue

July 30, 2020 2
This is a great natural and non-toxic glue that is perfect for your children’s art projects. It works well and there is no need to worry if they decide to try a taste or two. Read on to get started:

Ingredients:
1 cup of organic flour
1/3 cup organic sugar
1 1/2 cup water
1 tsp. organic vinegar
Natural colorants

Directions:
Warm all ingredients together over a warm stovetop until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool. It will keep for weeks in an air type container in your refrigerator.

Your Quick Guide to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling at Home

July 29, 2020 0

If you want to start to live in a more sustainable way, then it starts at home. There are plenty of things that you can do, right from the comfort of your own home, in an effort to live sustainably. The main focus of this kind of living is three points; reduce, reuse, and recycle. You are likely to have heard all about those three things before, but what do they really mean? Here are some ideas for you, to show how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle at home.

Reduce

Reducing is all about using less and cutting down on the things that we use in the home, as well as the waste that we create. It can be about your energy levels too and how much energy you consume in the home. If you want to reduce how much waste you create, then it can start off with where you shop for groceries, for example. Look at how much waste plastic packaging there is, as well as deals and offers that are on. Do you really need certain items? If there is a buy-one-get-one-free deal, would you actually make use of the other item or would it end up being wasted? Of course, it could be given to someone else, but still, if it isn’t something that is a necessity, then is there a point taking up the deal if it will just end in unnecessary waste? 

If you want to reduce how much energy you use, then there are a number of ways that you can do just that. Your laundry is one of the main places to start. If you normally run a hot wash, then put your clothes on a cold wash instead. This can save a pretty significant amount of energy, believe it or not, as you don’t need to use up a lot of energy to heat up the water for the machine. The same goes for using the dryer too. Could you hang clothes out to dry outside instead? 

Reuse

Reusing things in our home can be one way to reduce, as well as recycle. We won’t need to buy more if we are reusing what we already have. One thing that is growing in popularity is water reuse. It is something that is easy to do, and yet it can make a massive difference. Bath water, waste water leftover in the sink, or collecting the water that you use from showing can all be used for things like plants, watering the lawn, and flushing the toilet. Collecting rainwater is another thing that you could do. 

No doubt there are a lot of things that you will throw away in your home. But how about looking at ways to reuse them, rather than just throwing them out? Could you keep old milk bottles or laundry liquid bottles and use them for other things? You should also think about the furniture that you have in your home too. So many bulky items end up in landfill when really, they are in  fine condition and could be used again. Take a table and chairs, for example. With the right kind of tools, you could be able to reupholster the chairs, or the table could be sanded down or repainted for a new purpose. The wood from the table could be made into shelving perhaps too. Just make sure that you have the right power tools for the job, as you can see here, and then you’ll be able to make something great. Reusing, and making a habit out of it, is something that can benefit everyone. 

Recycle

There are so many things that we can recycle. However, there are some materials that will require a little extra effort on our part, in order to get them to be recycled. Collect them up, find out where they can be recycled, and then you can go from there. Just because they can’t be recycled with your trash collection, doesn’t mean that it can’t be recycled at all. You can get a little creative with recycling too. There are so many things that you can make with waste boxes, packets, and bottles, and things like ripped clothes could become cleaning rags. 

When you live in a more sustainable way, it is great for everyone. You don’t need to spend a lot in order to live in this way. It is all about switching your mindset and thinking about the things that you can do that will make a difference. 

24 Cosmetic And Personal Care Ingredients To Avoid

July 28, 2020 9

The personal and beauty care market is completely unregulated by the FDA. There are many chemicals that are put into the products that you may use every day on your face, hair, nails, and body that have the potential to cause frightening health consequences.

I have put together a list of the most common chemicals that are found in everyday conventional products that you probably use. This way you can take the health of your body into your own hands.

1. Bismuth Oxychloride
Reason for Concern: causes itching, breakouts, and general irritation as it is a heavy metal.
Found in: products with a pearlescent finish.

2. Ethyl Acetate
Reason for Concern: Irritant to the eyes, skin, and lungs. Vapors may cause dizziness and drowsiness and it is highly flammable.
Found in: mascara, perfumes, nail products, and tooth whiteners.

3. Hydroquinone
Reason for Concern: respiratory intoxicant, suspected to cause a skin disease called ochronosis, and may cause cancer.
Found in: skin lightening products.

4. P-Phenylenediamine
Reason for Concern: may cause cancer, neurological and endocrine damage, asthma, and is a respiratory irritant.
Found in: shampoo, hair dyes, and hair sprays.

5. Toluene
Reason for Concern: liver and kidney damage, can be toxic to infants and children and potentially may cause cancer.
Found in: nail products and hair dyes.

6. Sodium/Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (LSL)
Reason for Concern: skin irritant and alters skin structure allowing chemicals to deeply penetrate the skin.
Found in: toothpaste, sunscreen, perfumes, shampoo, conditioner, whiteners, and moisturizers.

7. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Reason for Concern: causes neurotoxicity, eye, and skin irritation.
Found in: lipsticks, fragrances, moisturizers, lotions, shampoo, conditioner, foundations, and acne treatments.

8. Parabens
Reason for Concern: skin irritation, rash, dermatitis, or allergic skin reactions.
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, whiteners, lotions, insect repellents, and liquid skin and hair products.

9. Diazolidinyl Urea
Reasons for Concern: linked to cancer and endocrine system disruption.
Found in: fragrances, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, foundations, eye make-up, lipsticks, and liquid hand soaps.

10. Diethanolamine (DEA)
Reason for Concern: toxic to the immune system, irritant to skin, and may form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Found in: shampoo, body wash, cleansers, bath oils, bar soaps, moisturizers, deodorants, body scrubs, and hair sprays.

11. Formaldehyde
Reason for Concern: known human carcinogen, potentially toxic to human immune, respiratory, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems.
Found in: nail products, hair dyes, deodorants, shampoo, soaps, shaving creams, and gels.

12. Petroleum and Petroleum By-Products
Reason for Concern: may cause allergic reactions, contains impurities that cause cancer and liver toxicity.
Found in: creams, lotions, styling gels, eyebrow pencils, mascara, lip products, and liquid powders.

13. Phthalates (Dibutyl Phthalate, (DBP) Diethyl Phthalate
Reason for Concern: damage to liver, kidney, and lungs.
Found in: fragrances, hair sprays, nail polishes, deodorants, hair gels, lotions, and moose.

14. Talc
Reason for Concern: respiratory irritant
Found in: baby powder, blush, eye shadows, face powders, deodorants, and soaps.

15. Prophylene Glycol
Reason for Concern: alters skin structure and allows toxic ingredients to penetrate the bloodstream, skin irritant, and may cause allergic reactions.
Found in: shampoo, conditioner, body washes, toothpaste, moisturizers, colognes, deodorants, nail polishes, and eye shadows.

16. Triethanolamine
Reason for Concern: may form carcinogenic compounds and it is one of the most potent cancer-causing agents.
Found in: shampoo, lotions, creams, and soaps.

17. Butylated Acetate
Reason for Concern: causes skin dryness and cracking.
Found in: nail polish and treatments.

18. Triclosan
Reason for Concern: may cause cancer and reproductive toxicity.
Found in: liquid hand soaps, body wash, toothpaste, and lipsticks.

19. Synthetic Fragrance
Reason for Concern: neurotoxicity, allergies, and immunotoxicity.
Found in: moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, cleansers, body washes, hair dyes, deodorants, styling gels, and facial treatments.

20. Methacrylate Monomers (MMA)
Reason for Concern: causes skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, with the potential to cause neurological damage ranging from headaches and dizziness to memory loss.
Found in: most artificial nails.

21. Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, AHA (Alpha hydroxy acid), BHA (Beta hydroxy acid)
Reason for Concern: developmental and reproductive toxicity.
Found in: anti-aging, moisturizers, and acne treatment products.

22. Padimate-O, PABA
Reason for Concern: irritation of the eyes, rashes, and allergic reactions.
Found in: sunscreens and hair dyes.

23. Cocomide DEA/Lauramide DEA
Reason for Concern: may form carcinogenic nitrosamines
Found in: shampoo, body wash, cleansers, bath oils, liquid soaps, bar soaps, and moisturizers.

24. Coal-Tar Colors (FD and C or D and C)
Reason for Concern: known human respiratory toxin and possible cancer risk.
Found in: shampoo, psoriasis relief liquid.

Check out Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database from The Environmental Working Group. It is a searchable database of toxic ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products.

5 Green Tips For Eco-Friendly Drinking & Dining

July 27, 2020 2

There are many ways to make your dining and drinking experiences more eco-friendly. Here are a few from Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, read on, and then leave your own tips!

1. Eat Local Foods:
Knowing where your food comes from is great for conversation and also good for your local farmers, economy, and the earth.

2. Ditch Processed Foods:
Choose whole recognizable foods that are as close to their natural state as possible, instead of refined foods.

3. Buy Organic and Biodynamic Wines:
Organic grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers or chemicals. This means that the fertilizers and chemicals won’t get into the air, water, soil, or your body! 

4. Support your Local Micro-Brewery:
Cold ones are made from barley, hops, and sometimes wheat – conventionally these ingredients are grown using herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides. Choose a local organic or biodynamic brewery to support instead.

5. Fair Trade/Shade Grown Coffee:
Only drink coffee that is shade-grown, Fair Trade Certified, and Organic. It is really easy to find in your local markets these days. It is important because it helps to prevent the deforestation of the rain forest. Several decades ago farmers found that if you cleared the lovely canopy of the rain forest to grow coffee in the sun, it would grow faster. However cutting down the rain forest to do this, is a horrible idea.

How do you make your dining and drinking experiences greener? 

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