Eco Beauty & Fashion
Trader Joe’s Sustainable Skincare Anti-Aging Night Hydration Routine
Oh, aging. I’m 52 and, for a while there, it was like my skin was perpetually in Palm Springs — dry and desiccated no matter what I put on it. But I recently developed a quick-and-easy, Trader Joe’s sustainable skincare, anti-aging night hydration routine that really does work wonders — and together, these three products cost less than $25!
Mommy Greenest Loves: Ocean + Main
I recently featured LA-based sustainable fashion innovator Ocean + Main in the newsletter. The sustainable fashion innovator crafts limited-edition clothing in inclusive sizes, often from upcycled sources and just released its annual sustainability report and launched a #preloved program. Nope, this is not sponsored but yes I am OBSESSED.
Perfect Skin Doesn’t Exist – Inclusive Beauty Does
I’ve been a big fan of JUNOCO ever since I discovered their plant-based squalene, which delivers a shark-friendly, vegan and natural twist on one of skincare’s favorite ingredients. But their recent #ToBeHuman campaign — which recently popped up on a San Francisco street to prove that perfect skin doesn’t exist (but inclusive beauty does) — made me a fan for life.
Dry Shampoo Challenge: Could You Wash Your Hair Just Once A Month?
Editor’s note (10.2022): After I published this post, new analysis showed that 70% of dry shampoos contain benzene, a potent carcinogen. And this wasn’t just a small amount: Researchers found 340 parts per million in 10 seconds of spray; according to the FDA, the acceptable level of benzene in a drug is two parts per million. The problem is the propellant: Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson have recalled at least 10 aerosol brands over the past 18 months, and these include hair sprays as well as dry shampoos. Because manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients on labels it may be difficult to determine if your…
Mommy Greenest Loves: Plant-Based Squalane
I’ve been on quite the oil kick these days. As my skin gets more — ahem — mature, I’m finding that an oil-based skincare regimen gives me results that I just don’t see from creams and cleansers. But then I met an old friend from high school recently who was literally GLOWING, and she mentioned that she had added a serum made from squalene to her nighttime ritual. “Squalene?” I frowned. “Like from shark fins?” My friend is a serious animal lover. I couldn’t imagine her using that. “No, silly,” she said. “It’s plant-based squalane.”
Oil Cleansing Skincare Miracle
Decades ago, I complained to my friend Vanessa about the blackheads on my nose. She recommended washing with oil, but I ignored her advice. More oil on my oily skin? It didn’t make sense. Now I wish I’d listened to her, all those years ago. Because oil cleansing is a game changer. Over the past few weeks, the practice has DRAMATICALLY changed the way my skin looks and feels. But I had to learn how to do it — the right way.
Ask Mommy Greenest: My Daughter Wants A Sustainable Prom Dress – Help!
Today, I’m debuting a new column: Ask Mommy Greenest. Please share your questions in comments on this post and I’ll answer in a new one. Thanks! Jane asks: My daughter wants a sustainable prom dress. There is so much conflicting information out there – how do I know what’s really sustainable? Some of the “eco” brands are so expensive. How can I get her a dress that’s good for her and the planet – without breaking the bank?
Vegan Slugging, Naturally
My great-grandmother always had a jar of salve on her dressing table — she would slather it on her face before she went to sleep. This ritual was something she learned as an actress in Hollywood, a hundred years ago. Today, it’s been rebranded as the “slugging” trend that’s trending on TikTok. But can you slug without petrochemically derived products? In a word, YES! Try this inexpensive, all-natural vegan slugging solution.