In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we give you seven ingredients to self-police out of your life year-round.

We’ve already established that breast cancer awareness month perhaps may be a wee bit commercialized with tainted pink product. And by “wee bit,” we really mean as commercialized as a Kardashian wedding set in Vegas directed by Michael Bay. And that this over-commercialization, in fact, takes away from the message that being aware of breast cancer is a good and noble thing.

What’s more, as a writer who covers green beauty, nothing steams my kale more than the giant beauty companies getting in on the “pinkwashing” game. Yes, I’m talking about the companies who promote breast cancer awareness via area run/walks and plaster their product with pink ribbons while doing very little to actually take cancer-causing ingredients out of their lipsticks, mascaras and more.

Green beauty expert Stacy Malkan addresses this in her call-to-arms “Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry.” Calling out Revlon, Estee Lauder, and Avon, she writes, “When new knowledge comes to you that your product contains problematic ingredients, if you were authentic in your support for breast cancer, you would be vigilant in addressing that.” She further points out that the “pink-ribbon companies” defend their use of bad ingredients and actively work to keep their industry unregulated and self-policed.

Where does this leave us? The easiest way to ensure you are purchasing a safe product is to become a vigilant reader of labels. How best to do it without the chemistry degree it seems to require deciphering such labels? Here are seven ingredients to avoid that will be plainly listed on your product.

Fragrance
Of all the ingredients, fragrance is perhaps the sneakiest. The beauty industry has enacted so-called “trade-secret laws” allowing manufacturers to create synthetic chemical mixtures to contain as many as five hundred chemicals at a time. And what do they call these chemicals? Fragrance. In other words, you’re not just getting a delightful whiff of pleasant smell; you’re also likely getting a ton of masked, potentially-dangerous chemicals. And these chemicals may expose you to allergens, neurotoxins, hormone disruptors and more.

Listed as fragrance, perfume or parfume, they are in (yes) perfume, makeup, deodorant, body lotions, shampoo, soap and basically any beauty product that has a scent. Fragrance can also stand in for natural essential oils, which can be irritating to the skin. Basically, you just don’t know what you’re getting unless it is from a reputable brand or you run it through the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database. (More on that later.)

Nanoparticles
These tiny particles are 80 times thinner than a human hair. Nonetheless, they are big in the beauty industry just now because they can deliver a product’s benefits in an effective manner. Unfortunately, this means that they can also deliver the product’s dangerous chemicals straight through protective layers of your body, such as the ones surrounding your brain and your womb. This could potentially cause cell damage.

Until there are more studies done on nanoparticles, sideline them from your makeup and sunscreens.

Phthalates
Phthalates as perhaps one of the best known criminals on the ingredients label, if only because no one seems to know how to properly pronounce them. (Some speculate that it is thall-lates.) Popular in just about everything, including makeup, hair spray, perfume, nail polish and more, they are suspected carcinogens and known hormone disruptors.

Parabens
Like their phthalate cousins, parabens are also extremely common in beauty ingredients. These are the preservatives that keep your makeup, conditioner, shampoos, and lotions “fresh” on the shelves. Known hormone disruptors, they also may be a carcinogenic. They can prematurely age your skin. One study shows that they can contribute to a higher rate of wrinkling and sun spots on skin when exposed to the sun.

1,4-dioxane
1,4-dioxane is not listed on labels; rather, it refers to a process called ethoxylation which occurs in the body from certain ingredients. These include PEG, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene, and polyoxyethylene, which have been used to reduce the risk of skin irritation for petroleum-based products. 1,4-dioxane is a known carcinogenic. Further, it was found in up to 48% of personal care products tested by the Environmental Working Group in 2008.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
These are surfactants used in our shampoo, soaps, toothpaste and more to make them suds up. However, they are possible hormone disruptors. And the worst thing? Our old enemy 1,4-dioxane may be found in sodium laureth sulfate. So sacrifice a little suds for a lot a health. Luckily, the conventional beauty industry is starting to catch on with this ingredient as more and more brands are sporting the “SLS-free” label. And that’s a great thing.

Triclosan
This anti-bacterial agent and preservative is popular in body products from deodorant to soap to toothpaste and more. It’s a known skin irritant and does not have a conclusive positive effect on every day use. (Meaning, outside of a hospital where it is tackling a super bug.) Further, it may disrupt hormones and could be helping along a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. Instead, wash your hands with soap and water, and look for products that contain thyme, a natural and effective anti-bacterial agent.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? You can always ease into green beauty by just pulling one or two ingredients from your products. Work your way up the list. Plus, there are several fantastic green beauty brands you can trust, as well as excellent purveyors of such product. Here’s one of our vintage pieces listing some great eco-beauty boutiques.

If you want to learn more about green beauty, be sure to consult the EWG’s Skin Deep database. You can run many beauty products and individual ingredients through this database for a safety ranking. For your nightstand reading, check out Stacy Malkan’s “Not Just a Pretty Face” and Siobhan O’Conner and Alexandra Spunt’s “No More Dirty Looks.”

And take heart – the first leap into healthy beauty products may seem daunting, but it gets easier with each positive step forward.

ALSO CHECK OUT

Top 10 Best Organic Beauty Blogs

Best Organic Shampoos

Tips For Buying Natural and Organic Makeup

Images: xshamethestrongx/Flickr  adforce1/Flickr  vikingzippy/Flickr

SeriesBeauty and the Green.

After long months of cold temperatures, low humidity, and heated air blasting our skins, we can be left with a dull, dry, scaly anti-sheen complete with rough patches on our knees, elbows and feet. It’s time for a good spring cleaning on our skin, and we’ve got the products to do it.

Juice Beauty Organic Face Wash ($22.00)
The last thing your stressed-out winter skin needs is a bath in chemicals and fragrance. So consider treating it to a gentle, organic cleanser such as this USDA certified organic soap-free wash. Great for all skin types, this cleanser contains natural antioxidants such as apple juice and soothing extracts of carrot seed. Honey and primrose extracts provide natural emollients and soothing anti-inflammatory agents to calm skin. Want to read more on more green cleansers? Check out our list of great green cleansers.

Kimberly Sayer Ultra-Light Facial Moisturizer ($32.00)
For all but the driest skin, a heavy moisturizer can feel too oily or slick. So what happens? We end up skipping the daily moisturizer and missing a key step in our daily beauty regime. This lightweight moisturizer from Kimberly Sayer is noncomedogenic and easy on the skin. It contains organic ingredients and utilizes a mineral sun block to protect from the sun. Want more? Check out this list of gentle, green moisturizers.

Mychelle Dermaceuticals Fruit Enzyme Scrub ($17.19)
Exfoliation is key to reviving dull skin, but harsh chemical scrubs can do more damage than good. Not so with this scrub. Vegan and gluten-free, this gentle scrub helps dissolve dead skin cells through natural fruit enzymes while clearing clogged pores and polishing skin. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, this scrub leaves a smooth and soft finish. Or, make your own healthy, exfoliating scrub.

John Masters Organics Vitamin C Anti-Aging Serum ($30.00)
A great solution to dull, dehydrated skin is to revitalize with a deep concentration of product. In terms of balancing skin tone and promoting collagen, vitamin C is heralded as perhaps one of the best natural tools to do so. This serum, made with certified organic ingredients, yields an intense serving of antioxidants and moisture that can soften fine lines and balance skin tone. While you’re at it,  read more on how serums work.

Antipodes Natural Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream ($52.00)
Bring your skin back to your life with this rich botanical night cream. This vegan product is full of certified organic ingredients to battle free radical damage and stimulate collagen production. It’s a must-have for any face wanting to fight damaging free radicals and wrinkles in a natural, non-toxic way. This rich and smooth botanical night cream promises to stimulate collagen production by 92% and it does not disappoint. Morning skin feels hydrated and plump and happy.

EO Lemon Verbena Body Lotion ($8.99)
Moisturizing from head to toe is important to get ship-shape for shorts and sandals. And with our wintry parts concealed for months at a time, it’s easy to forget about our more neglected parts. Free of synthetic fragrances and containing pure essential oils, this nourishing moisturizer is quickly absorbed into skin. With a crisp scent, it restores skin’s smoothness with organic oils and botanicals.

Anthology Organic Foot Scrub ($13.95)
Fearful of feet that haven’t seen the sun since September? Treat your toots to an invigorating scrub to remove calluses, rough spots and more caused by your winter boots. This product, comprised of 99% USDA certified-organic ingredients is detergent, and preservative free. It is made of Dead Sea Salt to slough away dry skin while countering germs and odors with antibacterial essential oils like rosemary.

FTC Compliant

behind-the-lense

Want a centuries-old beauty trick? Tie on your sunbonnets and lean in. (Yes, now I am whispering.) Honey is the secret to everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but it comes pretty darn close. It’s the multi-tasker of natural beauty. Cleopatra made milk and honey baths infamous. Poppea, wife of Rome’s Emperor Nero, used milk and honey to maintain a youthful appearance. And best of all? It is everywhere and it is relatively cheap.

From your farmer’s market to local grocer, almost everyone carries a stock of honey. Naturally, you want to try to use organic honey. But beware of green washing – while many claim their honey is organic, it is nearly impossible to discern where the bees which created it foraged. They could have easily been exposed to pesticides, fertilizers and more. Some recommend buying farmer’s market honey, where you can talk to the grower about how his or her bees were cultivated and how the honey was bottled.

So just why is honey so awesome?

It’s a fantastic moisturizer.
Honey is a natural humectant. This means it draws in and maintains moisture, making it an excellent albeit sticky solution for dry skin. Want a great homemade moisturizer? Mix two tablespoons of warm honey with two tablespoons of organic yogurt. Whisk the mixture together and apply to your face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. And try not to annoy any neighboring bees in the process.

It can work as an anti-ager and acne treatment.
Honey helps slough away dead skin cells, renewing skin. It is also packed with antioxidants, which can help combat the signs of skin damage. It also has antimicrobial properties, which makes it an excellent treatment for acne. This means honey can help clear blockage in pores as well as fight bacteria causing pimples. It is much easier on the skin than many of the harsh chemical acne treatments on the market.

It can help heal scars.
As we have already reported, honey is a superstar for scar treatment. Because of its antimicrobial properties, it has been used for centuries to treat wounds. And because it is also a fantastic moisturizer, it can help skin along on the road to recovery. You can place honey on your recovering scar and cover it with a layer of gauze to help along treatment.

It’s good for your hair.
For the same reason it’s a good moisturizer for your skin, honey works great on your hair. Some use it as a deep conditioner. Mix half a cup of honey with one tablespoon of olive oil. Work into your hair and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse like you’ve never rinsed before! Your hair will be soft, silky, and hopefully not too sticky.

It gives you fresh breath.
Worried about your breath? Consider gargling with antimicrobial honey. Mix one tablespoon with a half cup of water. Some suggest throwing in a dash of cinnamon or a squeeze of lemon. Gargle away. And don’t forget to throw a little honey in your tea for sweet, fresh breath.

Image: vickyb

Have you ever bought shampoo without (steel yourself) reading the label? Or have you ever gotten home from the gym, thought about washing your face, and then collapsed on the couch in front of the TV, maybe to watch bad reality television? If you’ve answered “yes” or “dear God woman, get out of my brain” to either of these questions, you have committed a green beauty sin.

And just what are the seven deadly (okay, not really) green beauty sins?

Not using Skin Deep to research our products.
Skin Deep is a lifesaver. The safety guide to cosmetics, brought to us by the Environmental Working Group, is the standard resource in what is non-toxic and safe in the cosmetics industry, traditional or green washed. Uncertain about the chemicals in a shampoo? Run it through their database. Shampoo not in the database? Take a look at its ingredients, pick the most “chemically-sounding” and run those through. What you learn will change your buying habits forever. (And want 15 green  beauty products under $15? Find em’ here.)

Not taking care of our skin.
I was once a young scamp, running through fields of sun with nary a sunscreen thought in my head. Now I won’t get the mail without using non-toxic sunscreen – like this! Be sure to wear sunscreen, but make sure it is non-toxic. Moisturize using organic products (Here’s a good one.) Use a scrub at least once a week. And be sure to washing your face after exercise or travel.

Not eating healthy foods.
Want acne? Like dull skin? Indulge in sugar and fried foods. Mary Sullivan is a nurse and nutritional expert. According to Sullivan, “There is a lot of important new research showing tremendous power of antioxidants in general, and in some specific nutrients in particular that can make an important difference in the way your skin looks and feels – and even in how well it ages.” Spinach, broccoli, blueberries – all good for your body and beauty!

Not exercising – outdoors.
Exercise gets the blood flowing and the toxins sweating out of our bodies. Exercising outdoors gives our minds an extra chance to unwind and take in some of the sights that don’t involve a TV screen with images we can’t control flashing across it. I have seen more True Hollywood Stories at the gym than I can count. Is it relaxing or healthy to see crime scenes from OJ Simpsons’ murder trial? Not for this runner.

Not taking cooler showers.
Some of us enjoy a hot shower. And by some of us, I mean people who recycle, drive hybrids, talk to the Greenpeace activists on the street corner, and may or may not write for green online publications. I know, we’re supposed to be conserving water (which we do) and keeping electricity bills down (which we do). But also think of this next time you’re ready to blast away the day with a steam – hot showers can strip away our skin protective oils, drying out our skin. Plus they are bad for the Earth.

Not washing our hands.
You would never NOT wash your hands after using a gas station bathroom, right? Well think about all the times your may or may not have washed your hands after going to the grocery store, holding the door for someone, or even using your own cell phone. Transferring germs and dirt to your face is easy when you touch your face without washing your hands. And consider giving your cell phone an anti-bacterial swipe while you are at it.

Not considering our inner beauty.
I know, this seems like a no-brainer. But stressing out, not getting enough sleep, sweating all the small stuff is going to reflect to the outside world. Meditate. Read. Go for a walk and dance when no one can see you. (Or do it when they can, just embrace the looks.) Act like a general goof. Know what? You’ll feel better – and will feel better about shortening that hot shower. (Setting my timer right now”¦.)

Image: Esparta

Yes, we love our green beauty. What we don’t love? Paying $120 for a bottle of rose-infused night cream crafted by the organic-mittened kittens of Costa Rica. Seriously, doesn’t it seem like the latest biodynamic/organic/natural world can cost more than the price a Hollywood starlet pays to turn “jail” into “rehab”?

But not to worry – we went through some of our favorite eco beauty brands and made our most frugal picks for healthy dose of beauty.

Let’s start with Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner ($9.95) which moisturizes, tones, and generally brings your skin hue to a shade it hasn’t seen since you were wearing diapers. Okay, perchance I exaggerate a wee bit, but it really does wonders for restoring your skin tone. You can read more about it here.

Ready to wash that day right out of your hair – organically? Check out the Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash by Weleda ($8.01). Formulated from natural essential oils, this shampoo gives a slight herbal scent. And don’t forget the conditioner.

Consider Peppermint Hair Conditioner and Style Crème by Dr. Bronner ($7.19). This product is USDA Organic and certified Fair Trade. Also? It smells awesome.

And finally, for when you don’t have time to shower at all, think about using the Exfoliating Cleanser to Go by Suki ($9.95). This vegan product, containing organic rice flour and sugar, naturally buffs away the day.

Now let’s get down to body business. Want a divinely vegan soap? Try Strawberry Hedgehog Ginger Blood Orange Soap ($8.00) . This product is made with 100 percent certified organic coconut oils and pure essential oils. You can read more about Strawberry Hedgehog here. Next you’ll need a great eco scrub.

The Deep Steep Grapefruit Bergamot Sugar Scrub ($7.69) is fantastic for sloughing off the day’s grime and rates a 2 from Skin Deep. Finally, think about softening up that epidermis with Natural Baby Powder by Urban Forest ($7.00). Infused with lavender, this product is an all-natural baby powder free of talc and containing only natural arrowroot, tapioca, and a touch of baking soda.

Time for deodorant. But you’re no Drugstore Cowgirl waving a stick filled with aluminum. Check out this Citrus Deodorant from Weleda ($6.43). This spray is an aluminum-free concoction made with alcohol and natural essential oils. (And you can read more about organic deodorants here.) But wait, body not bikini-ready? Check out John Masters Organics Shaving Bar ($8.00). This product contains certified organic ingredients with olive oil and more.

You’re shaved, deodorized, powdered and ready to go. But don’t forget your hands! Check out Coola Natural Hand Lotion Bar ($12.00) (shown above). Containing only all-natural ingredients, it protects the natural moisture in the skin. And finally, don’t even think about leaving the house without sun block. Consider California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30 Sunblock Stick ($14.99). This product, which rates a 1 from Skin Deep, is considered a must-have for eco-moms and babies.

You’re cleaned and covered with sun block. But won’t anyone think about your precious lips? Try Cocoa Butter Lip Balm by Badger ($5.00). This lip balm is made with simple ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, extract of Aloe Vera and more. But want to put some color into your pucker? Consider 100 percent Pure Fruit Pigment Lip Gloss: Sheer Cherry ($13.00). This product will give your lips a lovely glow with 100 percent natural ingredients.

And the big finish? Of course it’s all about the eyes. Consider accenting your peeps with Earth’s Beauty Natural Mascara ($12.95). It contains basic ingredients such as water, organic beeswax, Aloe Vera and more. And finish it all off with Pure Mineral Eye Shadow by Orglamix ($5.00). This product is free of nano particles, Bismuth Oxychloride, Synthetic Dyes, Parabens, Synthetic Fragrances, Petrochemicals, and Parabens. And they are Peta-friendly!

Image: pinksherbert

Stretch marks. Friend and new mom Erin Fox speaks of them in hushed, angry tones, calling them, “Something so evil they must be destroyed. Evilly.” Yes, Erin, stretch marks are bad. What’s more, they are complicated. No, I’m not talking complicated like understanding the appeal of putting crazy people on reality television. Stretch marks are complicated because a vigorous debate exists as to whether they can actually be prevented.

And the debate over stretch marks is fierce. It pits doctors against mothers against physical trainers against beauty technicians. And sure, there are those who argue that stretch marks are natural, we must embrace our bodies, and these marks just accentuate perfection. All good and true points – click here, my positive-thinking friends!

For the rest of us still reading, let’s talk options.

The cosmetics industry has produced tons of creams, oils, and salves that they swear will decimate stretch marks like a nuclear bomb takes care of tree. Meanwhile, other skin experts shake their heads, check their offices for hidden microphones, and admit that nothing can be done to prevent them. They are, in fact, a result of the genetic makeup of your skin.

And it does seem that stretch marks are unavoidable for some people. I have friends who cocoa buttered themselves ceaselessly during pregnancy – only to end up with stretch marks best described as Freddy Kruger-esque. Then I know others who sailed through pregnancy without a mark to be had. And nary a cream or oil did they touch.

So what’s the deal? Firstly, stretch marks aren’t just due to pregnancy. They come from weight loss or weight gain – basically, from anything that will stretch the skin. Men and women get them all over their bodies. They arise in the elastic middle layer of skin called the dermis. Experts point out that when the dermis is constantly stretched, it can break down. Voila, stretch marks. They start off red or purple and can end up silvery white on the skin.

So what can you do to fight them naturally? Yes, I know that some say they are unavoidable. But experts suggest keeping the skin as hydrated as possible – and that sure can’t hurt the situation. Use Vitamin E lotions and oils on the skin, and get as much Vitamin E as you can in your diet. Nuts, spinach and tomatoes all contain a lot of it.

Finally, Narine Nikogosian of Return to Beauty details a natural recipe for stretch mark care in her book. She suggests combing 3 Vitamin E capsules with 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter, covering your affected areas every night before bed. She also offers up a similar recipe combining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil, and ½ teaspoon of honey. You can purchase Narine’s book here.

Have any of your own homemade recipes or tips to fight stretch marks that you’d like to share? Let us know!

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You know when you see a candle shaped like a cupcake – and you’re debating just how chewy and gross wax might taste because now you want to eat a cupcake? If so, then you will relate to my current dilemma. At the recommendation of Primrose Organics Salon in Los Feliz, I decided to check out Strawberry Hedgehog’s Whipped Body Crème.  This product contain organic and fair-trade ingredients. The problem? It looks so good, I want to eat it.

Strawberry Hedgehog is the eco-baby of artisan Tracy Perkins, who founded the line when she couldn’t find any good vegan soap alternatives. She is well known for her lines of glycerin soaps, and she also carries body care items. Her products are vegan and Perkins emphasized that they are free of any animal products, preservatives, weird chemicals and artificial dyes or fragrances.

And they are pure. Her Whipped Body Crème ($22) has no preservatives; it has a shelf life of one to three months. It comes in a clear mason jar and is packaged like a jar of Grandma’s preserves. Perkins urges you to “always use clean hands when reaching into the jar; you keep the lid clean of crème as it may darken and oxidize with the metal lid, and you may choose to refrigerate it.” Its ingredients include organic fair trade unrefined shea butter infused with herbs and organic fair trade cocoa butter.

It does contain the slightly controversial grapefruit seed extract, which some argue has its problems. (And many others argue that it is perfectly fine.) Regardless, Skin Deep rates grapefruit seed extract as relatively low hazard. You can read a complete list of the product’s ingredients here.

So you’re getting a good green product that looks like something you want to put on top of a sundae. But how does it work? I. Love. It. It goes on light and absorbs quickly, and it really leaves your skin hydrated. It has a neutral scent, which makes sense as it is fragrance free. And $22 gets you quite a bit of crème.

Want to know more about Strawberry Hedgehog? Check out our articles on their soaps, plus our exclusive interview with Tracy Perkins.

FTC Compliance

I just ran across an organic rose petal face cream that goes for around $200. Now, I’m sure it’s amazing organic rose petal face cream. But am I about to spend a couple hundred of my hard-earned clams on it? That’s about as likely as me becoming a marginally famous red carpet staple known for wearing shirts as dresses. (As in, not very. Worst trend ever.)

Luckily, history presents us with some options. After all, moisturizing isn’t a 21st century phenomenon. Cleopatra is said to have bathed her skin in donkey’s milk. And the women of the Oregon Trail didn’t have organic boutiques in which to shop for skin care between birthing babies in covered wagons and fighting off rapid raccoons with their bare hands. But they may have stuck their bare faces to the dusty wind and dreamed of the creamy white skins on the illustrations in Godey’s Lady Book.

So put on your Laura Ingalls Wilder sunbonnets (I have two), saddle up, and check out these tips and recipes for homemade moisturizers. Why? Because there’s a whole world of DIY makeup up there – and what’s better than organic ingredients you can control yourself?

For Dry Skin – Treat your skin to one tablespoon of organic sesame or olive oil. Use sparingly – I have found out the hard way that too much olive oil takes about three decades to absorb into your skin. You will be amazingly hydrated, but you will feel like salad dressing if you use too much. Also great for dry skin – mix two tablespoons of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and one egg. Apply to your skin for 15 minutes and rinse.

For Irritated Skin – Combine one tablespoon of organic rose hip oil, one tablespoon of organic olive oil, one tablespoon of organic aloe vera juice. Mix with three drops of organic chamomile oil. Mix the oils into a jar, shake well, and apply.

For Oily Skin – From Narine Nikogosian’s Return to Beauty. Take one small lemon, one tablespoon margarine, and one teaspoon almond oil. Peel the lemon and cut it in half. Warm margarine, mix with lemon and oil until creamy. Apply after cleansing.

For Normal Skin – Take two tablespoons of mashed organic strawberries, ½ mashed organic banana, and one tablespoon of mashed organic blueberries. Add two tablespoons of organic honey. Apply to face for 15 minutes, wash off with cool water. Fruit contains natural antioxidants great for your skin and the honey will moisturize.

Image: sunshinecity

How many of you moisturize and exfoliate your neck? I don’t, and apparently I am as foolish as this surfer who recently decided to stalk two great white sharks. (Yes, the neck is this dramatic.) The neck never lies. Because in this day of injecting ourselves with Botox and fillers and probably strawberry jam if it worked, the only sure-fire way to tell a person’s age is by his or her neck.

Think about it – how many times have you looked at the baby-smooth cheeks of a society Grande Dame, just to notice her neck matches her Hermes alligator bag? And I know that many of you would as soon as inject your eyeballs with glue than put Botox in your face. But that doesn’t mean we should continue to neglect our sassy necks or sexy upper bosoms.

Here’s why. As we age, our skin gets loser and fine lines make their appearance. The skin on the neck is thin and blood isn’t circulating around it as well as other places. The neck doesn’t have any fat to plump it up. It is often as exposed to the elements as much as your face – as can be your upper bosoms. You’ve invested in that Nixxi Fringe Collar Wrap Dress, so you’re going to want to bring on the sass with your cleavage.

Here’s how. First, it is important to keep our necks and chests moisturized and toned. Strawberry Hedgehog has a fantastic moisturizer. They also offer a detoxifying facial mask that is great for the neck and upper chest area as well. Want to tone? Here’s a list of some toners on the organic and natural market. (Though be sure to still read the labels, as some still contain chemical ingredients as well as organic ones.)

You can also eat your way to a healthy neck. Consider consuming foods high in omega-3s like flax seed and salmon. Spinach contains skin-strengthening vitamin A. Berries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, which are both fantastic for your epidermis. Also think about giving your neck a massage with organic sunflower oils, which are high in nourishing vitamin F.

Next, think about your posture. Walk around with a book on your head. This will train your neck muscles to lift and elongate. (Suggests the person who spends most of her time hunched over a laptop looking like a turtle.)

You can also consider hot and cool compresses. Sitting in an armchair, wrap a warm, wet towel around your neck and clavicle for fifteen minutes. Then follow with a cool towel for the same amount of time. This will moisturize your skin and help you relax.

And finally, want a really great recipe for a homemade neck and décolletage wash? Try a Creamy Yolk Wash from Narine Nikogosian’s Return to Beauty.

Take one teaspoon of sour cream, one egg yolk, and one teaspoon of lemon juice. In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, and egg yolk together, then add lemon juice. Wash your neck and then rinse with cold water.

Image: teresawer

Sunscreen can be, well, complicated. It’s like the bad boyfriends of our earlier twenties. We were told they were necessary at the time, but were they really worth the hassle in the end? As we recently reported, the Environmental Working Group declared that skin cancer is on the rise partially due to the extensive chemicals found in common sunscreens. Common sunscreens are causing damage on the cellular level. Just like our ex-boyfriends did. See how it’s all circular?

So it’s imperative to keep our sunscreens as chemical-free as possible. This brings us to the tactile portion of your reading experience – and that is how the sunscreen feels. I’ve been lucky enough to sample organic and natural sunscreens galore, so I feel like I’ve run a marathon of sunscreens. Texture is everything. A sunscreen may be made from wild berries grown organically on Venus, but if it’s too oily, I’m out. And if it has a hint of chalkiness to it, it might as well be battery acid. “˜Cause I ain’t using it.

Why am I admitting to be a total sunscreen diva? Because I know I have secret sisters out there who have the same worries. Well worry no more, my divalicious brethren! I’ve found a face sunscreen that serves up the best of all worlds. Coola Suncare’s Mineral Face Matte Finish SPF 30 is like the holy grail of sunscreen. It’s free of parabens, preservatives, and chemicals, and it is made with certified organic ingredients. It offers both UVA/UVB protection.

And best of all? It goes on like air. Due to the matte finish, it offers up an almost powdery application that leaves your skin feeling like you just dusted with cover up, not slicked with sunscreen. It was so ingenious that I immediately contacted the founder of Coola Suncare, Chris Birchby, to ask the secrets to this matte finish. (Full disclosure: Chris is also a friend of mine from Lafayette College. Does this mean I’m biased? Only against Lehigh University – Go Pards!)

I asked Chris to explain how the “matte” concept came about for this sunscreen. According to Chris, “While our chemists were experimenting with the best way to achieve a transparent zinc and titanium dioxide based sun block, they developed this wonderful powdery matte formulation. The cashmere powder feel immediately hooked us!”

Chris goes on to explain just what makes this matte so special. As Chris told me, “All our products are unique in their own way, but this matte powder cream offers a perfect counterpoint to our ultra sheer SPF lotions and is ideal for normal to oily skin types.”

Now, this product isn’t cheap at $36 for almost two ounces. Coola’s Suncare is preservative free, so you’re going to want to use it and use it well. You can order it here or find a store near you.

FTC Compliance

Image: Adam Witwer