check all questionable products that sit on your skin for longer periods, such as toners, moisturizers,
and serums. Replace them with nontoxic versions as soon as possible. Synthetic cleansers can be the
last to get the boot.
I don’t expect you to instantly discard all your time-tested beauty treasures. If your heart bleeds, put
them in a box and try switching to green, natural skin care for just one month. Give it a try. After one
month, if you still feel like it, you can always go back to your chemical skin care. But something tells
me you won’t want to.
Lesson 12: Spread the Word
As you gain more knowledge about the principles of green beauty, don’t keep it to yourself. Before
going to a store for a new lipstick or a shampoo, make it a habit to do a bit of online research. Read
unbiased reviews on skin care boards and forums such as MakeupAlley.com. In most cases, the
product that caused 75 percent of reviewers to break out will make you break out, too. The same
applies to redness, stinging, or flakiness. Post your own reviews and write comments on green blogs.
For a deeper insight into cosmetic ingredients, head to the Environmental Working Group’s website
(www.ewg.org).
If a cosmetic product causes irritation or an allergic reaction, take action. First of all, return the
product immediately. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, apply over-the-counter medication
or contact your healthcare provider. Call the manufacturer of the offending product and let them know
what you have experienced. Most likely, you’ll spend twenty minutes on hold before you talk to a call
center person, but don’t give up—and follow up with an e-mail. If you have suggestions or criticisms,
be proactive and speak out: it’s the only way to trigger changes.