Although most of us have adopted some eco-friendly practices around our homes, we remain unaware of the products and habits lurking in our beauty routines that are destructive to ourselves and the rest of the natural world. In 2011, be beautiful – naturally.

Great for you

When taking into account the damaging effects of many beauty products, the last thing we expect them to affect is our own health, but toxic ingredients are rife in the products we use daily. “To date, 89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (an in-house panel appointed by the cosmetics industry), or anyone else,” says environmentalist and mother Jenn Savedge in her article ‘Green and Gorgeous: Green Beauty Tips’ on the website 5MinutesforGoingGreen.com. Is this really what we want to be slathering onto our bodies?

There is a myriad of different products that are already in your home – found in your kitchen and even your garden – that can substitute or at least supplement the chemically laden products you are using right now.

Moisturisers and their plastic containers? Try olive oil as a hand treat, a hydrating delight for your face, or even a conditioning treatment for your hair. Body scrubs from sugar can help to exfoliate and perk up tired skin, and delicious ingredients such as honey, oats and fruits can be whipped into luxurious facial masks.

A simple paste of water and baking soda can even break your hair’s addiction to its daily washing ritual! "Conventional shampoo and conditioner are like heroin for your hair. The chemicals in them make your scalp crave them like a junkie," says Umbra, an adviser on environmental news website Grist.

Another unexpected beauty saviour? Coffee grounds. Use these in body scrubs, rub them into the scalp to increase hair shine, give brunette hair a colour boost, and wake up puffy eyes with ‘coffee bags’ of thin material. The caffeine in coffee grounds even acts as an anti-cellulite treatment when massaged into the skin!

A mixture of white wine vinegar and water removes oily product residue from hair, and lemon juice can accentuate beautiful summery highlights all year round.

If you want a golden glow that can’t be fake-‘n-baked on the red carpet, mix turmeric and whole milk into a paste for your face and body. Not only will you look healthy and glowing, but you will also have treated your skin to the healing properties of turmeric.

If you are pressed for time and do not envision yourself making your own skincare and beauty products, make sure you buy products with natural and certifiably eco-friendly ingredients.

For more green beauty queen tips, try http://thegreenbeautyguide.com/.

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