Green Make-up

By Traci Chudej

“GREEN” Skin Care? The thought of such products might conjure up a little nervousness in us all, but “green” make-up and skin care is not for Halloween or to turn you into the Joker. Instead, it is a healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional products. Many women, and consumers in general, are not aware of the environmental risks associated with many beauty products not to mention the risk to one’s very own health.
Beauty is a concern for all of us, and women often focus only on finding the perfect concealer or lip color. The quest for what works outweighs the more interesting questions like how are products manufactured? Are they derived from animal fat or harmful colorings such as FD&C? What about animal testing? Are animals being murdered in order to test potentially deadly products? The answer is “yes”. Most of the products used in the beauty industry are derived from animal fats and harmful coloring, carcinogens and a host of other negative elements in addition to containing elements that damage the environment.
New Braunfels women are fortunate to have environmentally friendly options available for both skin care and cosmetics.
“We have taken steps to include a line of products that are organic in nature for facials and other cosmetic procedures,” said Dr. Keeli Stumbo of the Skin Renewal Center.
It is not always the most cost effective or most convenient solution to beauty but the options do exist. Lauren Krock and Shannon Hanz, owners of For Goodness Sake, have made this their life’s work, continuing the legacy their mother left for them.
“I recently brought in a line of lipstick, Hemp Organics by Color Organics of San Francisco,” said Lauren. Lip color is often hard to find without animal fat or FD&C dyes. These dyes are petroleum based, which are not renewable resources (meaning once we use it we cannot get it back) and they are not environmentally friendly. Hemp Organics uses natural plant waxes and natural pigments to offer women a full color palette of luscious lip colors. Hemp Organic has 32 colors in their line and can be purchased locally at For Goodness Sake. Lauren adds, “We also have a line of mineral make-up that does not use harmful elements such as FD&C dyes. Consumers really have no idea how important it is to be aware not only of what they put in their bodies but what they put on their bodies.” Larenim is a mineral make-up that does not contain harmful dyes, talc or bismuth ox chloride, and the element in many mineral make-ups that gives a greasy and “big pored” look that many women are afraid of. There are other organic mineral make-up companies; however, Lauren says, “I chose to carry Larenim and the lip color from Hemp Organics because of their superior reputation and quality.”
It may be more difficult to locate organic skin care, make-up and lip color but there are options today. Taking the time to research what is in the products that you do use may lead you to a heightened sense of awareness. Women of New Braunfels are fortunate that there are resources like For Goodness Sake. Throughout the community, attempts are being made to increase accessibility of organic or “green” products for the consumer. Going “green” just might be the best thing for your skin.