The purpose of Earth Day on April 22nd is to raise awareness about pollution and the environment, and I think it’s time to address the chemicals we put on our bodies as well. The U.S. is very lackadaisical about researching new ingredients they approve for the cosmetics industry. If you have never looked at the ingredients in your personal care products and cosmetics, you really should. When I did, I was surprised about how many chemicals I was putting on my body. In the last several years, I’ve made a concerted effort to use beauty products that are more natural, and I’ve tested hundreds. There are some conventional products I haven’t switched yet because I haven’t found anything  that works for me, but there are a number of natural products that I’m very happy with. If you want to go more natural too, here are the best natural cosmetics.

Dr.Hauschka Skin Care Translucent Bronze Concentrate. My mom is the one who discovered this product made from mineral pigments, plant extracts and oils. It’s a liquid that gives you a hint of color wherever you need it, and the color looks so natural! I will be mixing this with sunscreen and putting it on when I go to Aruba in July. I also use it in the summer to give myself a bit of a glow when I am looking too pale and pasty. $39.95

Scotch Naturals Nail Polish – Loch Ness Mystery. Conventional nail polish had some bad stuff in it. Toluene, dibutyl phthalate and formaldehyde are all linked to cancer, asthma and birth defects. Scotch Naturals polishes are eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, fragrance free and do not contain the toxic trio. They have a technology that provides a high-gloss, salon quality finish that dries to the touch in three minutes. This is such a fun color for summer! $15

Jane Iredale In Touch Cream Blush. This cream blush gives a soft, natural and dewy finish. I really love it (I use the color “Connection” for my pale complexion). It goes on very easily and smells like cocoa butter Yum! $27

tarte emphasEYES Aqua-Gel Eyeliner, Brown. This eyeliner has a very high concentration of pigment that lasts a long time, and it is formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic, fragrances, synthetic dyes or petrochemicals. $18

tarte emphasEYES Aqua-Gel Eyeliner, Teal. I love mixing eyeliners. I wear two every day – one that is a neutral and one that is a color. This teal mixed with the brown above is beautiful. $18

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara – Blackberry. This is by far the best natural mascara that I’ve found. It has lash conditioning provitamin B5, vitamin E, oat and wheat protein conditions for healthier lashes. It’s a gentle formula, so it’s good for people with sensitive eyes or who wear contacts. This color has a bit of purple in it, but it also comes in black. $18.00

Gabriel Lip Gloss. Wearing a lip color with natural ingredients is very, very important because the average women ends up eating a good bit of what she’s wearing on her lips. I looooove this Gabriel lip gloss (I use Diva when I want my lips to look natural and Caramel when I want a bit of a darker color). It lasts a very long time, even through some meals, and it keep my lips moist for hours. It’s formulated with jojoba, aloe, chamomile and other conditioning plant ingredients to soothe and smooth sensitive or chapped lips. $16.75

Happy Earth Day! I’m always looking for great new natural products, so if you have any that you recommend, let me know!

Illysia