There are many misconceptions attached to a sustainable or zero waste lifestyle. One being not taking care of yourself, appearance-wise. Another one is that it has to be expensive and time-consuming. None of it is true though.
I for one love to pamper myself with a beauty day. The main difference is probably my strong dislike for products with long ingredient lists and words on it not even my chemist friend working at the lab of a university understands.
Did you know the average woman puts 515 chemicals onto her skin alone every day? Many of which are harmful and banned in the EU – but not by the FDA! According to an article in the Huffington Post, cosmetic regulations in the US do not require that cosmetic companies disclose their ingredients to any governmental entity before they hit the shelves!
The good news is that you don't have to harm your health or the environment to take care of your skin. Let me let you in on a secret: all you need for great skin is medical clay, coffee grounds, and organic cooking oils. Yes — that's it!
I love to use coffee grounds to exfoliate, bentonite clay as a face mask, and organic canola, olive, or coconut oil instead of body lotion, face creams, or chap sticks. Heck, you could even eat all of these ingredients. I for sure wouldn't recommend trying that with store-bought cosmetics!
Where Can I Buy Package-Free or Plastic-Free Bentonite Clay?
If you are lucky, your local coop might offer bentonite clay in bulk and you can bring your own jar or container to fill it up. It is quite uncommon though. So you will most likely still have to buy it in a big plastic container. It is not "zero" waste, but if you ask me, it shouldn't be about perfection anyway. It is about minimizing waste within what is accessible to you and what is manageable in your very own individual situation.
Clay doesn't go bad, so I recommend buying the biggest container you can find and you won't have to worry about running out for the next few years! Or you can split it with family and friends. Share the love!
Recipe All-Natural Bentonite Face Mask
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of bentonite or any other medical clay
- 1 teaspoon of chamomile tea or just water
Instructions
- Mix the clay with your liquid until it forms a paste.
- Apply to face, neck, and chest. Do not apply around the eyes and on the lips.
- Let it dry, and rinse with lukewarm water.
- Dry the areas with a towel and apply (organic) olive or canola oil. You will feel very refreshed and your skin will be glowing!
Nadine says
I want to try the coffee grounds! I am waiting to see if our new local refill store will have bentonite clay. PS: nice face!
Mauro says
Hi Shia
Maybe you don't know, but bentonite is used for cat's sand, sorry I don't know the usual term used in US… I think you can find it in pet shop!
Bye,
Mauro
Ashley says
Bentonite clay for cosmetic use is actually banned in Europe because it contains lead, cadmium, mercury and other heavy metals. The EU does not allow ANY levels of heavy metals to be in cosmetics. Exposure to Bentonite in powder form has a causal link to lung cancer.