Trends | The N — Eco Makeup Article

Eco Makeup

A whole bunch of makeup products labeled "environmentally friendly" have been showing up on store shelves lately. So what does that mean? Can my face really save the planet?

What Is Green Makeup, and Does It Come in Red?
Eco-friendly, or green makeup, just like other green products, is gentler on the environment than the alternatives. Eco makeup causes less pollution, creates less waste, and contains fewer toxic chemicals than regular makeup.

Makeup manufacturing, like all manufacturing, causes pollution. Unfortunately, fashioning your own makeup out of sticks and berries went out of style years ago.

Green manufacturing approaches the problem in one of two ways. Manufacturers can cut the pollution by choosing ingredients and processes that are either totally renewable (like solar power) or less polluting. They can also make up for any pollution by actively helping the environment -- like donating some of their proceeds to an environmental cause.

Green makeup comes in environmentally friendly packaging: either recycled or recyclable, biodegradable... or simply less packaging. Less stuff to throw out means less waste in landfills.

Finally, green makeup contains ingredients that are safer for the environment. When they wash off your face and down the drain, the chemicals in your makeup go back into the environment. Some of the chemicals are harmless, but some can damage the environment.

Plus I mean, if toxic chemicals are bad for the environment, then they're probably not great for your face either.

Can My Face Save the Planet?
Your face might not be able to save the entire planet, but it can do its part. Here are a couple of things your face, and the rest of you, can do:

* Read the label. Look for specific claims rather than general descriptions like "green" or "natural." Look for statements like, "this package is made of 75% post-consumer materials and printed with soy-based inks" or "all natural -- no artificial fragrances or dyes."

* Check the brand or product's website to find out what they are doing (if anything) to support a greener environment.

* Be aware of the packaging that products come in. How much wrapping do you have to throw away before you get to the tub of lip balm? Can you recycle the container when you're done with it?

* Search for eco-friendly companies, products, or ingredients in the Environmental Working Group's database. This organization is working toward safer cosmetics for people and the environment.

* Learn more about the issues on the Teens Turning Green website.

Support Brands You Trust
It's important to be aware of the issues, but you don'’t have to agonize over every single makeup purchase.

Use these tips to find a couple of brands that are committed to selling environmentally friendly cosmetics. By supporting those companies, you'll be saving the planet and getting all prettied up at the same time.

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Comments

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pinkkmk

Posted: 12/13/2009 04:03 PM
QueenEnomi
Worried

yes, tthis products are ecofriendly, but ...What about the animals?

Posted: 12/04/2009 06:19 PM
nikki21112
OMG

Did you know some lipsticks are made of whale fat! not only gross but it kills whales

Posted: 11/28/2009 02:11 PM
lovers88
Friendly

this is so cool and good 4 da enviorment

Posted: 11/27/2009 08:50 PM
sugarlip24
In Love

at my school we have an environmental club that im in. if you want to help save the earth you should ask your principle about one. for our club we go around the school and recyle paper 1 time each week and we inform people in our school about how to help the evvironment. We call it T.H.E. club aka the tree hugging environmentalists. you could ever do a green school pledge at greenschools .net their are lots of cool things you can do to save mother earth.

Posted: 11/21/2009 10:48 PM
fungeek
Nerdy

awsome

Posted: 11/15/2009 06:43 PM
fungeek
Nerdy

Posted: 11/15/2009 06:42 PM
xnotgonax
Ill

I dont were any make up what so ever exept lipgloss aliitle but even that is usally lip balm, the only other make up I wear is purple eyeliner, put I dont really know if its green? but this is totally cool I have to make my bestfriend read this

Posted: 11/08/2009 12:22 PM
Madelynn98
In Love

sosososososoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookewl kel kewlsoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Posted: 11/06/2009 04:37 PM
CrazyRx3
Crazed

When I buy my makeup, I always try and find eco friendly and cruelty free products

Posted: 10/29/2009 01:29 PM
reneeberry
Happy

i like the green make up thing. i totally agree to being green and i think its a great idea. i recycle all the time, so its pretty great.

Posted: 09/11/2009 07:25 PM
XOackOX
Flirty

i use soooooo much makeup that ive probly melted a few ice bergs my self so i guess i should try it

Posted: 08/26/2009 02:45 PM
anpcutie
OMG

go green without goiin nuts !! lol i luv wearin makeup! eye shadow eye liner lipgloss mascara!!! luv it all except lipstick! lol

Posted: 08/22/2009 11:38 PM
OwwSheBadd
Bitchy

This is a good idea Well i would try to get it but to tell you the truth i probably wont. Normallyy green products cost more then everything else. Even though i think its well worth it to spend that extra cash i dont think mommy would want to

Posted: 08/22/2009 10:48 PM
Smily22
Random

wow, i have to try it!!!!!!!!!

Posted: 08/17/2009 12:27 PM
maisibelle
Grateful

WOW. i think it is soo soo important to be green... and now i can add that to my list of greener things to do i am a girl that buys all the expensive rimmel and maxfactor brands. its soo great that now i can spend the money on me and the world looking better i will definitely suggest that to all my friends who spend probably more than me on ysl make up i never really thought about being more green with my make-up YAY

Posted: 08/16/2009 01:08 PM
supergrl44
Hot

make up is really cool did i tellu im making my own line of make up and its amazing

Posted: 08/14/2009 11:26 PM
Maybemae

[This is a wicked good idea! Well i would try to get it but to tell you the truth i probably wont. Ushally GREEN products cost MORE MONEY then everything else. Even though i think its well worth it to spend that extra cash i dont think mommy would want to. ]

Posted: 08/14/2009 08:01 PM
ikidwonder
OMG

good info

Posted: 08/14/2009 02:08 PM
AnimeLuv07
Blah

I'm actually not into wearing make-up becuz I think it's all gunky . But this sounds like a great idea! Maybe I'll give this make-up thing a second thought!

Posted: 08/04/2009 02:49 AM
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