Guide to Green Skincare: 5 of the Most Eco-Friendly Skincare Ingredients

When you’re looking for new skincare products, you want to know that you’re getting the best. For some, that might mean paying for the most expensive products, but for others it means inspecting the ingredient list before purchasing anything. What goes into your green skincare products is super important to look at, especially if you want to live an eco-friendly life.

Many chemicals common in skincare products aren’t safe for the environment once they get washed down the drain or thrown out with the trash. Not many people think about this effect when they’re in the checkout line, but those products will still end up effecting the earth, even if you think you’ve used it all up before throwing out the container it came in.

“To make sure your next beauty run

results in greener skincare products, read this

list of eco-friendly ingredients.”

To make sure your next beauty run results in green skincare products, read this list about eco-friendly ingredients. You’ll know what to look for and be confident in what you end up buying.

1. Plant Oils and Products

It’s not unheard of to have plants featured in products that also have chemicals in them. Aloe vera is a very popular plant that’s used in skin care products because it naturally soothes skin and rebalances any discoloration.

The trick is to make sure that aloe vera is the only ingredient in these products. If there are other ingredients, they should also be eco-friendly or plant based. Chamomile oil is also a perfect option for people with more sensitive skin or skin prone to redness as it has a gentle and soothing effect on skin.

Marula and Argan oil are two naturally occurring oils that do wonders for people who struggle with skin issues, such as acne or scarring. They’re lightweight and can be applied on their own, so there’s no need to even buy a product when you can get the oil itself.

Jojoba oil also has been shown to have numerous benefits for the skin, particularly for those with dry skin, or who are looking for an anti-inflammatory for their skin or to treat sunburn. The oil can be used directly on skin or many products now contain the oil as well.

2. Algae

Algae isn’t so much fun when it squishes between your toes at the bottom of a river or lake, but it’s amazing effect on skin can’t be denied.

Red and blue-green algae have proven to be a skincare super food. They have antioxidants that protect the skin, along with amino acids that reduce the look of wrinkles. Algae based creams will do wonders if you struggle with dry, wrinkled skin.

3. Glycerine

The word “glycerine” looks like it could be a chemical, but it’s not! It’s a colorless, sweet liquid that’s produced by hydrolysis of vegetable or animal fats.

It naturally brings water from the second layer of your skin to the top one, so it hydrates from within. It can also trap humidity in your skin to further hydrate. This is the ingredient to look for if your skin is dry and sensitive.

5. Essential Oils

Essential oils have a powerful two-in-one punch. They act as a natural perfume, while also helping your skin.

They hydrate, heal and cleanse all at the same time. Look at what the variety of options located in your nearest beauty store and get the one that smells the best.

Try a Variety

Back when you were first getting into the world of skincare, you tried out multiple different products before deciding which ones you loved the most. Eco-friendly products will work the same way, so open your mind to exploring a bit.

Try different oils or plant and vegetable extracts to solve your skincare needs. They can be just as powerful as any chemical product on store shelves, and they may be even better if your skin has become tired of dealing with synthetic products.

A Few Product Recommendations:

With sustainable, organic skin-care products gaining popularity, many brands out there now offer great products, some of my favorites include: