This is the second article in green personal care, read the previous article, as stated before going green most often is a phased process. In my opinion this is the best way to go green. By making small changes you make a big difference and this way you sustain your efforts (pardon the pun) and living greener becomes a way of life and not just a passing fad.
In this article we explore how to go green from head to toe so to speak. We look at green hair, skin and nail care.
Let’s start at the top - your head
All clichés definitely contain huge elements of truth after all, that’s how it became a cliché. So the old “bad hair day” cliché definitely holds its ground. I know its does for me; bad hair = bad day. If you want to green your hair there are three basic things to look at, what you wash your hair with, the containers those products come in and then how you dry and style your hair.
What’s inside the bottle?
Although your shampoo and conditioner stay on your head for only a few second, the chemicals in these products gets absorbed by the very thin skin on your scalp and go straight to your bloodstream, bypassing your liver which would normally neutralize these toxins. And if you do not want it in your bloodstream we most certainly do not want it in our groundwater.
Harmful chemicals to look out for when shampoo shopping:
So, the next time you have to purchase shampoo, look out for labels that contain ingredients that you recognize (be able to pronounce would be a bonus), contain none of the above mentioned chemicals and are cruelty free.
What’s the bottle made of?
Most of these beauty products come in PVC containers. PVC is extremely difficult to recycle and most recycling facilities will not accept it as recycling PVC is very labour intensive process. If a piece of PVC gets mixed with other plastics in the recycling process it could contaminate the whole batch. Manufacturing PVC is also very energy intensive and it contains harmful chemicals such as chlorine and carcinogenic. Look at the bottom of the container if it has the recycle sign (three arrows that forms a circle) and the number 3 in the middle, it is made from PVC or vinyl.
Dry less
Many greenies advocate the killing of your hairdryer, sorry but I cannot be that green I need my hairdryer. As stated before good hair = better day! But there are a few things you can do to green your hair-drying regime.
If you use a 1875 watt hair dryer for 12 minutes every day it equates to more than 250kg of CO2 emissions per annum. It you cut that time in half it will half the emission! (I’m such a mathematician! ha ha)
So how to break your dryer dependency?
- After washing your hair squeeze out as much water as possible
- Then cover your hair with a towel, squeeze the access water out, do not rub your hair with the towel, this damages your hair and will cause it to frizz
- Do everything you need to make yourself gorgeous and leave attending to your mane last, this way it would have air dried more and you do not need to spend that much time drying it.
- If your hairdo requires styling, quickly dry your hair with the dryer until it is only damp and then only pick up the brushes and start styling.
- Always remember to unplug your hairdryer, if it is plugged in it still draws some energy.
Natural hair
Soap-nuts
This is a wonderful natural product, a fruit known for its cleaning ability. Read more about soap-nuts.
Henna
Henna is a great natural conditioner, it gives it a natural shine and luster. The henna plant produces a red-orange dye that has long been used to colour hands and hair with. Today the colour has been neutralized leaving it colourless but still give the conditioning and shine.
Thinning hair?
Sardines is your answer. Biotin is an essential B vitamin found in sardines that's good for maintaining the texture of your hair, similar to protein. It helps maintain the hair once it grows so that it doesn't break. You find biotin in sardines, egg yolk and salmon.
Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and different areas of the skin are exposed to different elements throughout the day so it requires different types of moisturizers to keep it healthy.
Most skin care products feature ingredients derived from petroleum, this is what ads moisture to the skin. It will be listed as mineral oils, paraffin or propylene glycol. Apart from the fact that petroleum is a natural non-renewable resource, it is known to block your pores, thus creating a vicious cycle of cleaning and clogging.
Always look for skincare products that contain certified organic or botanic ingredients. Try to go for products that are fragrance free and if you do like the nice smells opt for fragrance derived essential oils.
Natural skin
A good body moisturizer for dry skin is made with beeswax, distilled water, coca butter, sesame, coconut, and olive oils. The combination of these ingredients works to preserve and protect the skin by sealing in the body's natural moisture. Coconut oil is a wonderful skin softener which is high in vitamins, minerals, and saturated fats. Sesame oil is a natural oil that contains sun-screening properties. Calendula and peach leaves are also good for dry skin.
Sun
Our general health and mental well-being are linked to exposure to sunlight. But as with all other things - moderation and use a sunscreen especially in our harsh climate. Try to avoid those with parabens, DEA and TEA and go for those chemical free ones. Mineral sunblocks are the healthier option (those are the ones that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) as they are designed to lie on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into it.
Read more about greening personal care and how to go about it.
Nails
Although your nails are hard it is extremely absorbent and as with your hair, products applied to your nails go straight to your bloodstream. Many nail polishes contain formaldehyde a carcinogen. It also contains VOC toluene a neurotoxin.
Nail polish remover again contain acetate and acetone, the stuff that makes the nail polish come off your nails real quick.
Artificial nails are another no-no, they host bacteria and the product they use to get them off your nails (acetonitrile) is similar to acetone!
If you need more than beautifully buffed natural nails, go for a nail polish that is free of toluene, phthalates and formaldehyde.
Natural Hands
Take a large bowl of warm water, add 2 teaspoons of olive oil, a few drops of organic rosemary oil, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Soak fingers and cuticles.
For smooth, supple, and fragrant hands, exfoliate them weekly with a scrub made by mixing a cup of organic sugar, a teaspoon of olive oil, and a few drops of your favorite essential oils.
Olive oil is a great lubricant that helps to maintain healthy hands and nails and vitamin B helps to strengthen your nails.
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