Aging.  As inevitable as death and taxes, right?  Some of us age more gracefully than others, and when it comes to our skin care, there are a whole host of factors that play into how well our routine can hold up over time. 

From diet to pollution, sleep deprivation to stress, there’s one culprit that does the most damage to our skin. Remember when your mom would force you to sit on the towel under the umbrella at the beach and smother you with thick, white sunscreen while warning you not to get a sunburn?  We hate to say it, but your mom was right. While we wish we could reveal some amazing new find about what really causes skin aging and how to prevent it to let you sun lovers off the hook, UV rays are in fact the biggest offender. As little as a few minutes a day of sunlight without protection over time can lead to dark spots, wrinkles, sagging skin and even skin cancer.

According to Cancer.org there are three main types of UV rays:

– UVA rays age skin cells and can damage their DNA. These rays are linked to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but they are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers. Most tanning beds give off large amounts of UVA, which has been found to increase skin cancer risks.

– UVB rays can directly damage skin cells’ DNA, and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.

– UVC rays don’t get through our atmosphere and are not in sunlight. They are not normally a cause of skin cancer.

The amount of UV rays in our atmosphere is affected by a number of factors including the time of day, time of year, elevation and cloud coverage. (To learn more about the current level of UV Rays in your area, click here.)

Similar to repeatedly stretching out a rubber band, over time, your skin loses its ability to repair itself and the damage becomes irreversible.  Cumulative UV exposure breaks down collagen, which is the main protein connective tissue in our body, and the process of creating new tissue becomes harder and harder. The same is true for elasticity. The greater the damage, the harder it is for skin to repair itself, and signs of aging start to accumulate.

One of the determining factors for how the sun will affect your skin is color complexion. Do you have fair skin and burn easily? If that’s the case, you are more likely to see signs of aging than someone with darker skin who tans well. Genetics are capable of telling us a lot about our bodies. Do your parents or grandparents have sun damage? Did they take preventative measures? Your skin may be comparable to theirs.

Now that you’re sighing in resignation that laying out is a bad idea, or perhaps you’re beating yourself up for those reckless teenage years of baby oil and tin foil, the first step in addressing sun damage is to prevent any more. Here’s how:
1.  Neutralize UV rays, protect skin from additional assault and help reverse existing damage.

RawSkinCeutical’s RegenceC Serum is an oil based serum for easy absorption, rich in naturally occurring vitamin C from their unique herbals complex, which includes chrysanthemum, helichrysum flowers, orange peel, rosehips, eyebright, acerola cherry, cleavers, and l-ascorbic acid.  Studies  have shown vitamin C applied topically can limit UV damage due to it’s high antioxidant activity, reducing UV induced DNA damage and inflammation and increases cell survival following UV exposure.

Blissoma’s Amend Solar Repair Anti-Aging Serum is a lovely, low scent, easily absorbed, non-oily serum that includes a unique type of potent pomegranate extract that has been clinically verified to reduce UV ray related cell death and free radicals generated in exposed skin.

In addition to protecting skin from further damage, both products will also go to work to help repair the damage that’s already been done. For the best protection, wear your vitamin C and/or pomegranate products under your sunscreen during the day.
 
2.  Shield skin from damaging UV rays with a healthy, natural sunscreen, every day, all year long.

For those seeking a higher SPF but who don’t want to know they’re wearing sunscreen or tend toward oily skin, COOLA Suncare makes an incredibly lightweight, matte finish mineral sunscreen, tinted or untinted.

Those with normal to dry skin seeking SPF 30 along with sheer, tinted coverage, added moisture and a multi-tasking formula should try Suntegrity’s Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen SPF 30, which can also be called a BB cream. This luxurious formula leaves skin well hydrated with a dewy finish and features a variety of healing and protective antioxidants, including green tea and pomegranate extracts, among others. Available in five shades to work with any skin tone, it’s also available in a clear, untinted formula.

Both formulas do double duty, providing chemical free, non-nano, mineral UV protection via zinc and/or titanium dioxide, they all run in well when used appropriately without leaving a tell-tale white film (or you looking like a mime).

Don’t forget the body! Perfect for sensitive skin and those prone to breakouts, Devita’s Solar Body Moisturizer SPF 30  hits the sweet spot between body lotion and sunscreen. The light formula acts as a moisturizer and provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection without leaving you feeling oily or greasy. Perfect for daily use to protect skin during sporadic exposure (think about that arm hanging out your window while driving) when you don’t plan to spend hours and hours in direct sunlight sweating or playing in the water.

For those who live an active lifestyle (or have kids that do) All Terrain’s TerraSport SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray is the end to your excuse not to wear sunscreen. This highly rated, very water resistant formula is proven effective after 80 minutes in water and it’s easy to apply, non-whitening, non-greasy, non eye stinging, fragrance-free finish leaves you with no excuse not to use it. Also available in an uber water proof formula called AquaSport.

Just remember, in all cases, for face and for body, no matter how water resistant the formula: reapply, reapply, reapply.

3.  Protect from the inside out

Studies indicate that ingesting green tea can help protect skin from UV damage because of its powerful antioxidant, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent type of catechin. EGCG neutralizes free radicals, which reduces their ability to wreck the type of havoc that causes inflammation and wrinkles. A study out of Cambridge in 2013 found that oral green tea metabolites are incorporated into human skin and offer protection against UV related inflammation. The Journal of Nutrition reported in 2011 that women who consumed a drink with green tea polyphenols for 12 weeks saw improvements in skin elasticity, roughness, scaling and moisture content.

Not a fan of drinking endless mugs of green tea to get a sufficient dose? Sneak some edible green tea into your daily smoothie or pop some Green Tea Extract in capsule form for a concentrated dose.

Our last word?  Take your mother’s advice and don’t skip the sunscreen. Tune in as we address a variety of other skin agers and what you can to do help prevent them and turn back the hands of time. #stopskinaging

Related on EcoSalon

Behind The Label: The Safe Sunscreen Debate

5 Super Safe Sunscreen Options for Summer

6 Green Sunscreens for a Superb Summer Glow

top image: monimix, product images via brands

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Consider these six EcoSalon-approved sunscreens for a safe summer glow.

Our relationship with the sun can be akin to hanging out with an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. There was a time when he or she warmed you to the tips of your fingers. But if you let your guard down, you were toast. Consequently, it’s time for us to rise up and reclaim our defenses, and keep our outer layer of skin intact. The essential rules to sun care are simple. Hats, clothing, and shade are key in your defense against ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen remains an essential component in preserving our skins, but we have to be careful with which brands we’re slathering on.

Foremost, do not be lured into a false sense of security of sunscreen – aka spending the entire day in the sun with only one application, then expressing bewilderment that you’re burned. Be sure to reapply it every 90 minutes while you are in the sun, more if you are sweating or swimming. Look for both UVA and UVB protection. (Ultraviolet A is linked to skin cancer, while ultraviolet B causes sunburns.) And be sure to investigate whether its ingredients are as clean as you can get.

And finally, consider these six EcoSalon-approved sun products this summer.

Daily Repairing Moisturizer SPF 16 by Block Island Organics ($49)
This vegan-formulated moisturizer makes a great first line of defense against the sun. Made with certified organic ingredients, it offers both UVA and UVB protection. Best of all, it goes on light and absorbs as quickly as any regular moisturizer. Containing a light SPF, it’s a good choice for both face and body.

Brush-On Sun Defense SPF 30 by Mineral Fusion ($19.99)
The golden rule of sunscreen is that is must be reapplied throughout the day. And who likes to continually spackle on more product after already applying makeup? Mineral Fusion’s Brush-On Defense is a great solution for reapplication during a normal workday. Offering up a 30 SPF through its powder protection, you can literally sweep an SPF onto your face throughout the day in a convenient, self-contained applicator. It contains translucent powders good for all skin types. It is free of gluten, parabens, talc, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, SLS, and phthalates. Further, the company utilizes wind power and recycled packaging.

Sun Shield SPF 28 by MyChelle Dermaceuticals ($19.19)
Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, this mineral-based sunscreen offers up a full spectrum of UVA/UVB sun defense. Like all the sunscreens featured here, it does not contain any retinyl palmitate, a common mainstream sunscreen ingredient which is now believed to speed the damage of skin exposed to sunlight. Cruelty-free, its box packaging is printed on 100% post-consumer paper.

Plant UV SPF 30 Face Moisturizer by Coola ($42.00)
The latest entry from organic sun care experts Coola, this product has been developed with naturally-protective plant cells such as anti-inflammatory lilac leaf. This 70% certified organic product contains a trademarked plant protection element which is said to boost its sun protection elements. Cruelty-free, this product is biodegradable/reef-friendly and arrives in a box “powered by wind.”

Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 30+ by Loving Naturals ($12.99)
This vegan sunscreen goes on thick but absorbs quickly. It offers up high-protection SPF while blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Loving Naturals takes pride in their product being non-nano, which means that its mineral protectors are unable to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. Nanoparticles are commonly used in mainstream cosmetics and are believed to deliver questionable ingredients straight into your system. This sunscreen contains 100% natural ingredients.

Facial Sunscreen SPF 30 by Goddess Garden ($17.99)
Mineral sunscreens protect your skin by employing non nanoparticle-sized zinc and titanium. They are generally thought to be safer than chemical sunscreens containing ingredients like the hormone-disruptor oxybenzone. (However, if you don’t like mineral products, look for avobenzone.) This 92% organic sunscreen from Goddess Garden offers up SPF 30 broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage without the use of chemical sunscreens. It provides an intense moisture and is also biodegradable and “reef-safe,” meaning it won’t contaminate any environments you happen to swim through.

Check out some of our previous looks at sunscreens:

7 Favorite Green Sunscreens
Best Body Sunscreens
Best Face Sunscreens

Image: juicyverve

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Every day is better with a new track. 

Caribou – Sun (Pyramid Remix) by Pyramid (Technofavrik)

Every day we bring you one track for a little musical inspiration. Have a track you want to submit? Email us at contact@ecosalon.com.

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EcoSalon’s weekly playlist pick from 8tracks.

We were in need of a spring-worthy playlist and we came across this: “For the season where we begin to shed our clothes and run wild in the sun. Where flowers bloom and our hearts grow fonder.”

Here’s to celebrating those blooming flowers and smiling in the sunshine.

photosynthesis. from jahnavijane on 8tracks.

On Music Monday we bring you a featured playlist from one of our favorite music sites 8tracks. From indie rock to electro pop we hope it’s a playlist that kicks your week off right.

Image: 8tracks

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Spring has sprung. Are you ready for the season of sunshine and optimism?

The natural world is unfurling and coming alive – and we invite you to celebrate the season of renewal and boisterous good health with a springtime selection from our archives.

These flowering plants grow in the wild on open fields throughout the country. Distinguished by its spiky leaves, thistles can serve as a tasty potherb. Just cut off the leaves’ sharp tips, peel the rind off the root and use salt water to boil these parts of the plant.

A Guide to Foraging for Food: 20 Tasty Wild Plants

If you are applying to college, you have a better chance of getting in with lesser grades on a sunny day.

Uri Simonsohn is the behavioral economist at the University of California at San Diego who conducted a study of the science of sun. As he told Psychology Today, “Applicants who are strong academically are more likely to be admitted on cloudy days, whereas candidates who are strong socially are more likely to be admitted on sunny ones. Cloudy days call to mind thoughts of staying inside to read or study.” No word on what snowy days say about academics.

10 Benefits Of Sunshine

Tumble-drying needs huge amounts of energy (see below). So go for a combination of an eco-friendly spin dryer for when it’s raining, and washing lines (standard or fancy) for when the sun’s shining.

Tumble dryers use around 2.5 kwH of electricity per hour. Compared with the rest of your appliances, that’s huge. Dry naturally, and you’ll save $100s a year. Oh, and millions of tons of CO2.

Save the Planet, Save Cash: 25 Best Ways to Green your Green

Traditionally, spring-cleaning involved scouring the house from top to bottom. Our grandmothers rolled up their sleeves, grabbed a scrub brush and bucket and went to work. Comforters were packed away, windows washed until the glass gleamed, rugs beaten and aired out in the sun. That sounds like a lot of trouble to me…

From Dreaded Chore to Refreshing Ritual: How to Reinvent Spring Cleaning

Many of us want a bronzed look, but achieving a safe summer glow can be tricky. We want to look gently kissed by the sun, not smacked in the face by a metallic tangerine. So check out our favorite products this season for sun-less (and safer) color.

The Gold Guide to a Safe Summer Glow

Forget the days of mindlessly jumping in a taxi to go from point A to point B. Urban hiking is all about planning, executing and enjoying the journey, another great example of slow travel. According to the Urban Dictionary, urban hiking is “the exploration of diverse urban environments on foot.” Conservation and travel groups alike promote urban hiking, as it not only gets people outdoors and active, but also allows them to explore the ins and outs of urban landscapes…

The City Girl’s Guide to Urban Hiking

Images: Matt McGee, foxypar4, WarmSleepy, nicephore, Evil Erin and brartist.

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When you have bad allergies, it can seem like you are allergic to everything. Turns out, you might be! Or you might just be super paranoid. We don’t judge. But what we can do is offer a list of everyday objects or activities that could have you swelling up like ice in the Arctic. Check out some common things that might get you sniffling and sneezing.

Cell Phones
We’ve all heard the rumblings about the dangers of cell phone radiation. But it turns out, your actual cell phone might make you sick. As the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports via Newsweek, the nickel in cell phones can lead to red, itchy skin.

Water
Yes, some people are allergic to the wet stuff. Aquagenic urticaria is a disorder that gives people hives, rashes and even blisters when they come in contact with water. It is an extremely rare, temporary condition.

Sex
Experiencing a burning, itching, or swelling in the genitals? You might be allergic to sex. Some women have an allergy to their significant other’s semen.

Exercise
This might just seem like a good excuse to skip the gym for most. For an unlucky (or lucky) few, it is because they suffer from exercise-induced anaphylaxis. Nausea and vomiting are just some of the symptoms associated with this disorder.

Soy
Soy is actually one of the most common food allergies in children, though some adults suffer from it. Symptoms include hives, swelling, wheezing, dizziness, and tingling in the mouth.

Condoms
Latex allergies come from the proteins found in natural rubber, from which latex is derived. And since some condoms are made with latex, this can lead to a (pause) sticky situation for some. Symptoms include redness and itching, but trouble breathing is also possible.

Sun
There are actually several different kinds of sun allergies. As The Mayo Clinic reports, these are “polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), actinic prurigo, chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) and solar urticaria.” Symptoms include hives, blisters, and painful rashes.

Chocolate
Yes, an unlucky few are actually allergic to chocolate. This is common in people who are already allergic to other food items such as milk, nuts and eggs.

iPod
Remember how cell phones can cause allergies? So can your iPod. It turns out that the nickel found in iPods can be just as irritating as some of your annoying neighbor’s musical choices.

Alcohol
Yes, that glass of wine might be giving you more than just a hangover. However, it is not the alcohol itself which causes the reactions, but often the sugar and fermentation process used in creating it. So next time you break out in hives, you might want to put the glass of wine down.

Images: mcfarlandmo, compujeramey , darkpatator, wtlphotos, mikebaird, fotoosvanrobin, rorrororro, tambako, feastguru_kirti, nez
hlkljgk

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Recently, I took a gander at the world of teen tanning when a “Teens determined to tan, no matter what” headline screamed at me from Msnbc.com. I learned that one in nine teenagers uses sunless tanning products. Cause for “yay, they’re out of the sun,” right? Nope, said teenagers are also using these products alongside tanning beds and bad sun burns.

And dermatologists are noticing. Some report seeing patients in their early 20s with skin more akin to what you get in your mid-30s. This includes the beginning of wrinkles and age spot. Age spots, also known as sun or liver spots, are flat black-brown spots that occur on areas of the skin most exposed to sun. They may be more noticeable on lighter-skinned folk, though all races have them. They like to show up on faces and hands and can also be the result of hormones and acne scarring.

The good news? Age spots are not cancerous. The bad news? If you don’t like them, they can be difficult to rid yourself of them. Some dermatologists use cryotherapy (freezing,) laser therapy, and topical creams. Sun spots are relatively preventable if you start young and are meticulous about wearing sunscreen. But – who was really good about slathering on sunscreen when we were ten years old splashing away in an outdoor swimming pool? If you’re raising your hand alongside me right now, odds are you may be dealing with them.

And yes, sun spots are all part of the natural process of aging. So embrace your age spots – and then, if you choose, send them on their merry way to oblivion. You can consult a dermatologist who will provide you with all sorts of medical options to restore your face to a more even tone – many of which ask you to turn into a chemical receptacle and fork over wheelbarrows full of cash. And so, we’ve already looked at cheaper, homemade remedies to fight dark spots. But this got us thinking – is there a natural product out there that does that trick?

Happily, there seems to be one that helps in La Isha’s Natural Age Spot Eraser ($45.00). La Isha skin care is based on clinical essential oil therapy, inspired when owner Sharon Gnatt Epel’s young son suffered severe chemical burns after a white water river expedition in Panama. (The river was filled with illegal toxic chemicals used by a nearby plantation.) Epel’s son was entirely healed by using medical-grade essentials oil, and she has used the experience to develop a complete line of skin care based on natural essential oils.

But does her Natural Age Spot Eraser work? After using a tiny sample of it for two weeks straight on my most nefarious age spot, I can report that said age spot is, in fact, lighter. Is it gone completely? No, though, to be fair, this product does claim to only gradually fade spots and discolorations. Further, we are instructed to allow a full 90 days for extra stubborn spots.

Containing organic essential oils like “Frankincense, German chamomile, Roman chamomile,” the smell rocks. It feels a bit like aromatherapy when I leave it on my face. And it does not contain hydroquinone or any other harsh artificial chemical-based lighteners. It is pricey at $45, but a little does goes a long way.

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Image: Jason Anfinsen

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Lately, I’ve come to think of the sun as a bad relationship. First we’re supposed to stay away from it for our own health. Then we think about jumping back in for short-term visits – just a few minutes a day can’t hurt, right? Next we start questioning our use of protection. And now, for some of us, new information reveals that we’re never able to really say goodbye. Yes, sun equals bad boyfriend!

Nonetheless, people are progressively tanning. Flip on MTV, and you’ve got the so-called Jersey Shore kids (aren’t they all well into their 20s?) sporting skin hues something akin to pumpkin orange. But it turns out that some over-zealous tanners just may not be able to help themselves. New evidence shows that tanning may be as addictive as any substance – and that the medical community is considering “tanning addiction” as a new diagnostic category.

For many of us, tanning addiction rings true. I had a friend in high school, let’s call her Jessica, who proudly sported a year-long tan. After a trip to the beach, she came back with a sun burn so bad she had to wrap her blistered forearms in gauze. Before the scabs were even healed, Jessica was laying out in her backyard hoping to turn her newly-pink skin back into a Hawaiian Tropic glow. Why? Because she felt like she “had” to be tanned.

Now it turns out Jessica’s need may have been beyond her control. As the New York Times reports, this year alone, 3.5 million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer. And it is not likely due to a lack of education about the dangers of UV exposure. A new study from the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal shows that “tanners also report mood enhancement, relaxation and socialization.” They also found that frequent tanners “showed signs of both physiological and psychological dependence.” In other words, some people react to tanning the ways addicts react to alcohol and drugs.

Dr. Richard F. Wagner Jr., a dermatologist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, has worked on diagnosing tanning addiction. He modified a list of questions used to determine alcohol addiction in terms of tanning. These questions form an acronym called CAGE. As the NY Times reports, these questions are: Have you ever felt you needed to cut down on your tanning? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your tanning? Have you ever felt guilty about tanning? Have you ever felt you needed to tan first thing in the morning – as an eye opener? Answer yes to any of these questions, and you may have an addiction to tanning. Dr. Wagner further points out that the endorphins released from tanning are likely what causes people to over-bake. Other researchers have found evidence that frequent tanners react to “lack of tanning” much as addicts react to withdraw.

So will tanning soon be regarded as an addictive substance warranting regulation? Yes, if the medical community can make it so. What can the rest of us do? Spread the word of awareness – and keep our own skin tones from matching up with Halloween.

For further reading: When Tanning Turns into an Addiction

Image: psycherika

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There are pesticides on our food, so we eat organic. There are chemicals in our products, so we buy eco-friendly. There is danger in the sun, so we wear sunscreen. But a new study from the Environmental Working Group shows that skin cancer may be on the rise, partially from the overuse of chemical-laden sunscreens. Now everyone say it with me – “We. Can’t. Win.”

So the real dangers of the sun may not be from overexpose, but from the sunscreen we’ve been told to slather on since childhood? One fact is indisputable – melanoma, cancer of the skin, is on the rise. As we just reported, some experts feel this is because of the overuse of tanning beds.

But now authorities from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) propose that the extensive presence of chemicals in sunscreen may be causing damage on the cellular levels. And that the false sense of security provided by sunscreen may also be complicating the matter. In other words, people put on one coating of sunscreen and then spend the day in the sun sporting around chemically-sunscreen and a false sense of security. (So yes, you can either use too much sunscreen or too little. Your pick!)

Here are the facts as recently reported. Common sunscreens contain cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid, which counteract sunlight when it is absorbed by the skin, thus causing genetic-material to damage. It doesn’t stop there. The EWG points out that 60 percent of beach and sport sunscreens contain the hormone-disrupting oxybenzene chemical. Another 40 percent include retinyl palmitate, a type of vitamin A that “may accelerate skin cancer-growth.”

So where is the FDA in all this? As Columbia Doctors East Side dermatologist Dr. Monica Halem told reporters, the FDA is developing a four star rating system for sunscreens – that they have been working on since 1978. Yes, the FDA has been writing this report for 32 years.

According to Dr. Halem, “The FDA is still trying to implement this four star monitoring system and hopefully within the next year or two this will be out so that patients are aware that they’re not just being covered by UVB but they are also being covered by UVA.”

The take-away from all this? It seems that safe guidelines to sun are about as complicated as a Real Housewives of New Jersey’s bank account. (Garden State love!) So we will try to keep it simple. Stay out for ten minutes without sunscreen, but slather on once you’ve gotten your allotment of vitamin D.

Keep your sunscreens and sun blocks eco-friendly. Why? Because they do contain less chemicals that traditional brands. Click here for safer face sunscreens. And here for safer body sunscreens. In the meantime, can someone please come hold my hand while we wait for the next news to break about the dangers of beauty?

For further reading:
Study reveals sunscreen’s darker side.

Image: Tom Purves

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Tell me if you relate. You’re outside frolicking in the sun (swimming, reading, secretly stalking your cute neighbor who pretends not to notice you walk by his house three times a day) and you think “Darn it, I should have brought a hat.” Sure, you’ve already carefully spackled your skin with all things SPF, but you forgot the hat. Maybe it was too hot, maybe it clashed with your outfit, or maybe you didn’t think you’d be so long in the sun. But now you’re cooking your scalp in the noon-time rays and you know it ain’t going to end up pretty.

Scalp sunburns are never pleasant to deal with. First, they hurt. Second, they flake off like dandruff. I’ve been able to actually peel my scalp, leading to a whole lot of grossed out friends and family members. You can treat a scalp sunburn with organic aloe vera, and some experts even advise against shampooing your hair while your scalp is burned. Harsh detergents can irritate it, so make sure you use a gentle organic product. (And here are some great ones to consider.)

But the best way to treat a scalp sunburn is to not allow it to happen in the first place. Yes, wear a hat. You can also simply slather sun block onto your exposed scalp – though this isn’t a favorite due to the excessive goop that can end up in your hair.

Or you can check out these products!

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

I Love This Product. Why? Because It Works. (Caps for emotion are necessary – recall that I have been able to peel said scalp.) For the sake of you, appreciated reader, I just spent four hours in the sun with no hat and exposed scalp. But before I embarked on this experience, I slathered my hair up with this product – and no burn! We’d never suggest our readers head out sans hat – but I can say that I’ve found a product that seems to protect your scalp, and presumably hair, from the sun’s rays.

It has a wonderfully citrus smell that is very appealing. It does leave a little bit of a residue – sort of like you haven’t washed your hair that day. This cruelty-free product comes in a container that is 100 percentpost consumer PET. It contains some organic ingredients, as well as shea butter, green tea extract, and Vitamin E.

Aveda Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser

Aveda recommends this product for your post-beach shower. It is a “color-safe formula that gently and effectively removes chlorine, salt and product build-up, while helping to maintain moisture balance.” Like the hair veil, this product comes in a container that is 100 percent post consumer PET and contains some organic ingredients. I used it on my hair and really liked it. Sure, it wasn’t after a day at the beach, (I merely hadn’t washed my hair in a couple days,) but it has a terrific orangey smell and really does get your hair squeaky clean.

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Image: kaibara87

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