Eco-Beauty 101

There is something about a pregnant woman that compels complete strangers to turn and pause. Whether it is the radiance you emit from the increase in blood volume and pregnancy hormones or simply your burgeoning bump, you're bound to turn some heads. Every woman wants to look and feel their best, regardless of the stage of life they are in. This week I'll give you the 411 on greening your beauty regime. 

Just as important as what you consume is what your skin consumes. As the largest organ in the body, we underestimate how vital the skin is in protecting us from chemical and environmental toxins. Anything that you put on your skin has the potential to be absorbed into your bloodstream and carried across the placenta to your developing baby. Accentuate your beauty with these au natural tips that will help keep you and your growing baby healthy.

Beauty...it goes beyond skin deep. Check out Skin Deep, the Environmental Working Group's website safety guide to personal care products.

Ditch the dirty dozen. Check out The Green Guide for a list of chemicals all preggie and nursing mommies should steer clear of.

Mind your p's. Phthalates and parabens are known hormone-disruptors and found in numerous cosmetics and personal care products. Skin Deep and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics are your go-to guides for avoiding these and other potential toxins. Here are my favorite eco-picks: Earth Mama, Angel Baby, Mia Amore, and Babybearshop.

Face the facts. Your favorite blush, foundation, and powder may contain paraben and formaldehyde-based preservatives. Parabens are thought to mimic estrogen and formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Long-term, rather than incidental exposure is the concern. At the very least, do your research. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is your go-to guide. Check out their comprehensive list of companies committed to avoiding potentially harmful chemicals in their products.
Eco-picks: Futurenatural and Kaia House

Hair you'll dye for. Little is known about the effects of conventional hair dyes on the developing fetus. Walk into any salon and your nose will tell you otherwise. Whole Body has an entire line of body care products, including all-natural vegetable dyes, designed to help you look your best. Of note, henna is the safest natural hair colorant available commercially.
Eco-picks: Light Mountain Natural and Logona Naturkosmetik.

Wax on, wax off. Those luscious locks on your head are the result of increasing pregnancy hormones. For some women the growth doesn't stop there. Rest assured that once your body has returned to it's pre-pregnant state and your hormones have normalized, hair growth will abate. In the meantime, avoid chemical depilatories laden with carcinogens and petroleum-based waxes. While you are welcome to engage in your own ritual of hair removal, I suggest the following eco-picks: Aveda Plant Wax hair removaland Moom organic hair removal.

Nail it down. One of my favorite relaxation indulgences is getting a salon mani/pedi. Unfortunately there are few eco-safe alternatives and pregnant women should avoid nail polish if at all possible. The smell alone (along with the fact that your manicurist is wearing a mask) clue you in to the potential harm long-term exposure can elicit. True confession: I did get a mani or two when I was pregnant, so here are some tips for minimizing you and your baby's exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

-Take a breath of fresh air and ensure the room is adequately ventilated
-Go au natural and nix the nail polish...at home and at the salon

Eco-picks: Suncoat products, PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics and HoneyBee Gardens

Worship your skin...not the sun. We all know how dangerous the sun's rays can be. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US and one of the most preventable. The hormonal skin changes wrought on by pregnancy make you susceptible to burns and hyperpigmentation. Sunless tanning lotions are relatively safe, but if you're concerned about chemicals, try this 
homemade recipe for a sunless tanning lotion.

Protect those pearly whites. Pregnant women should avoid conventional peroxide-based whitening agents as their effect on the developing fetus is unknown. Opt for this yummy all-natural whitener derived from strawberries.

I hope you've found that going green doesn't mean you have to give up glamour. Eco-mommies can be chic, glam, and fab!