By Casey Sharbaugh
If you are conscious about taking care of your health and overall wellbeing, chances are you understand the importance of using all-natural beauty formulations. If not, remember that your skin is your largest organ. That means that if you’re concerned about the chemicals you're ingesting, you should also be concerned with the chemicals you are applying since they will inevitably make their way into your bloodstream. Luckily, there is an absolute plethora of safe brands that specialize in products that are actually good for your body.
Beauty routines should change according to the seasons. During the stifling hot temperatures of the summer, the last thing you need (or want!) is thick and creamy formulas. Here are the top six items to add to your summer beauty arsenal ASAP:
1. Grown Alchemist Matte Balancing Moisturizer ($69)
This mattefying, non-greasy moisturizer leaves skin balanced and radiant. It is chock-full of natural ingredients such as rice bran and tomato to give you that much coveted glow.
2. Dr. Bronner’s Fair Trade & Organic Castile Liquid Soap ($16)
Do you ever get home after a long summer day and feel like your skin is covered in a day's worth of dirt and grime? Oldie but goodie Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap will wash all that away without disturbing your skin's natural moisture barrier. Even better, it is certified organic and vegan.
3. Bottega Organiza Relaxing Eye Mist ($38)
Whether your eyes are puffy from a night on the town or looking sallow from lack of sleep, this product is sure to soothe. High mallow and garden thyme work with olive leaf extract and cucumber to relax and rejuvenate.
4. FIG+YARROW Cleansing Nectar ($30)
Cleansing and exfoliating your face is crucial in the summer since it will evitably be covered in sweat and sunscreen. The key is to deeply clean, but in a non-irritating way. FIG+YARROW’s Cleansing Nectar is a washless cleanser/toner to draw out impurities while also balancing your skin’s natural pH. Use it once and you’ll never wash your face any other way again!
5. Beautycounter Protect All Over Sunscreen SPF 30 ($26)
SPF should be used all year round, but is especially important when exposing yourself to harsh UV rays at the pool or beach. Many sunscreens on the market are unfortunately full of scary chemicals, but Beautycounter’s protects with non-nano zinc oxide, a completely safe mineral.
6. Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo ($12)
Whether it is perspiration, saltwater or chlorine, your locks are sure to be filled with things OTHER than what you want in it during the summer. Additionally, your oil glands will inevitably go into overdrive as the temperatures rise. To gently but effectively cleanse your scalp of these irritants, use this shampoo with both matcha green tea and ginseng extract.
Casey Sharbaugh is a New York City resident who works in the fashion industry. In her spare time, you can find Casey working out, writing, trying new beauty products, or browsing the city for the best ice cream cone or green smoothie (not simultaneously). Check out her personal blog www.comfortablycasey.com