Go Oil-Free

Go Oil-Free

You probably already know that the consumption of fossil fuels is not so great for the planet. But you may not realize that petroleum is also used for a number of products in your bathroom vanity. Petroleum derivates may be found in personal care products such as lip balm, lotions, and lubricants, as well as the plastics used in sanitary products. Pass on products that use petroleum or its derivatives (paraffin oil, propylene glycol, and ethylene) and look for alternatives such as beeswax, cocoa butter, and vegetable oils instead.

You probably already know that the consumption of fossil fuels is not so great for the planet. But you may not realize that petroleum is also used for a number of products in your bathroom vanity. Petroleum derivates may be found in personal care products such as lip balm, lotions, and lubricants, as well as the plastics used in sanitary products. Pass on products that use petroleum or its derivatives (paraffin oil, propylene glycol, and ethylene) and look for alternatives such as beeswax, cocoa butter, and vegetable oils instead.

Use a Little Less

Use a Little Less

Now that you have a baby on board, it may be time to reevaluate just how many beauty products you use each day. Sure, cosmetic companies want you to think that you need every lotion and potion on the store shelves in order to look beautiful, but you will find that when you use clean, all-natural beauty products, you only need the basics to look and feel your best. All the rest is a waste of money for you and a waste of energy and resources for the planet.

Also, be conscious of the amount of each product that you use each day. Do you consistently squeeze a huge dollop of styling products into your hand only to wash most of it away? Make an effort to use a little less of each of your beauty products to make them go further. It will save you money and minimize the amount of chemicals that eventually wash down the drain.

Green Beauty Basics by Jenn Savedge

Over the next nine months, every inch of your body will change in one way or another. As your body expands to accommodate your growing baby, you may notice differences in your skin, your hair, and even your fingernails. And at a time when you may be feeling most self-conscious about your body, it can be easy to fall prey to the constant bombardment from the global cosmetics industry as it aims to sell you products that claim to make you look younger, thinner, and more gorgeous.

Unfortunately, many conventional beauty products contain ingredients that are known to be harmful to human and environmental health. You might think that if they are on the store shelves, they must be safe, but there is actually minimal oversight over the safety of products that come from the personal care industry.

More than 1,110 personal-product ingredients have been banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union because of concerns that they may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive disorders. By contrast only ten are banned in the United States.

According to the Environmental Working Group: 89 percent of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the FDA (the agency that regulates the personal care product industry), the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (an in-house panel appointed by the cosmetics industry), or by anyone else.

Also remember that every personal care product you use in your beauty regimen, whether it is soap or mascara, will eventually wash off of your body and into the environment, where its presence may affect plants, birds, fish, and other wildlife.

Does this mean that you have to go without washing your hair or applying cosmetics in order to be green? Certainly not! Fortunately it is easy to green your beauty regimen, as long as you know what to look for. Here's

Skin Care and Cosmetics by Jenn Savedge

Beauty may only be skin deep, but the products you place on your skin to make yourself more beautiful go all the way into your body and your baby. Your skin is your largest organ and roughly 60 percent of the products you apply to your skin are absorbed directly in to your bloodstream. The average person uses about ten different skin care products in the form of lotions, soaps, toners, and moisturizers on her body every day. Sound familiar? If so, then you are likely absorbing the nearly 130 chemicals found in those products on a daily basis.

Cleansers. Just how clean is your bar of soap? Not only will the soap you use be absorbed into your body, but it will also run off of your body, down the drain, and directly into your local waterways. So, look for natural, plant-based soaps to get you clean without leaving a chemical residue. Choose bar soap over liquid soap to save money and packaging. Try skin cleansers from Dr. Bronner (www.drbronner.com), Evanhealy (www.evanhealy.com), or Nude Skincare (www.nudeskincare.com).

Also, avoid the waste that comes with disposable cleansing products like sponges, tissues, or cotton balls. Instead, use a quality organic facecloth that can be washed and reused over and over again.

Are self-tanners safe to use during pregnancy?

No. Self-tanners contain ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, and petroleum-based derivatives that are unhealthy for anyone, especially pregnant women. Most self-tanners also rely on dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to change the color of the skin by reacting with the skin's amino acids. This chemical increases the production of damaging free radicals in the skin, thus potentially increasing the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.

Lotions and oils. Many moisturizers use petroleum and petroleum derivates in their formulas. Look for healthier, greener products made from fruit and nut oils instead of petroleum. Ecco Bella (www.eccobella.com) and Dr. Hauschka (www.drhauschka.com) both make luscious moisturizing lotions that are as good for your skin as they are for the planet.

For stretch marks, try Erbaviva Stretch Mark Oil (www.erbaviva.com), Tummy Rub Bitter by Mama Mio (www.mamamio.com), or Mambino Organics Oh Baby! Belly Butter (www.mambinoorganics.com).

Sunscreen. According to the Environmental Working Group, 86 percent of sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Some may increase the production of free radicals that lead to premature aging and skin cancer. Look for a mineral-based sunblock that will protect your skin from the sun without exposing it to dangerous chemicals. Try Alba Botanica, (www.albabotanica.com), Avalon Organics (www.avalonorganics.com), Burt's Bees (www.burtsbees.com), California Baby (www.californiababy.com), or Jason Natural (www.jason-natural.com).

Bubble bath and bath salts. It goes without saying that a water-hogging bath is not nearly as eco-friendly as a shower; a regular size tub uses twenty gallons of water compared to the three gallons used to take the average shower. But when you are pregnant, the weightlessness of a bath is often a welcome relief for sore muscles and aching joints.

For a natural, cleansing bath, try adding Epsom salts to warm water. Epsom salts are made from a combination of two minerals: magnesium and sulfate, which can help lower your blood pressure, alleviate head-aches, and flush toxins from the body.

Pregnant women should avoid using hot tubs or getting in a bath tub with water that is over 98°F. And unless you plan on giving birth at home and have prepared a special bath to do so, do not take a bath after your water breaks, or you risk introducing toxins to your baby during birth.

Cosmetics. Every woman has her favorite must-have product; for some it is mascara, for others it's lip gloss, and still others won't leave the house without a swipe of blush. Many women think that green beauty means going without cosmetics, but there's no reason why you cannot enjoy your favorite must-haves and still be eco-friendly. Just choose your products carefully.

Most commercial cosmetics contain some combination of toxic chemicals, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and harmful additives and preservatives. Look for nontoxic plant-based cosmetics in recyclable and/or reusable containers, like those from Honeybee Gardens (www.honeybeegardens.com), Afterglow Cosmetics (www.afterglowcosmetics.com), Josie Maran Cosmetics (www.josiemarancosmetics.com), and Iredale Mineral Cosmetics (www.j