Neutrogena, Garnier release eco-friendly lines

Today, I started noticing commercials for Neutrogena's new eco-friendly line of facial cleansers sans sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. 

Neutrogena Naturals has more vitamins and minerals, amino and fatty acids, and antioxidants. Even the folding cartons are made from 100% recycled paper and  65% post-consumer recyclable content. 

Last week, while doing research for my eco-beauty salon article, I found Garnier recently released its "greenest" line of products with shampoos and conditioners without silicone, parabens, and dyes and infused with acerola berry antioxidant. 

The bottle also uses 50% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. And their commercials are coming to a television near you soon.

These new lines add to the number of widely available and relatively affordable products that use natural ingredients and show environmental support.

Natural facial cleanser: African black soap

With so many products promising to repair blemishes and zap pimples, you want a mild cleanser that not only makes the promises but does the job. One little known natural beauty secret is the African black soap.

Nubian Heritage African Black Soap, $3.79, The Vitamin Shoppe

Used as a major beauty product in West Africa, black soap is known as a gentle and effective cleanser for the face and body.   

Black soap could be made from banana leaves, palm tree leaves, and various other parts of trees and plants. The ingredients are then burned in a kettle or pan. 

To solidify the soap, water is poured over the mixture with shea butter, palm oil, and other oils. 

The soap can help ease acne, relieve eczema and psoriasis, and moisturize dry skin. Also, the soap leaves you with a softer impression than other soaps that may be too harsh and drying to your skin. 

Black soap can be found at many local natural food markets, health stores, and drugstores. Be aware of some bottled liquid black soaps that can be too watered down that you wouldn't benefit from its natural properties.

Natural facial cleanser: castile soap

Once upon a time, I used to wash my face with cleansers containing cocamidopropyl betaine and glycol distearate. Of course, I can barely pronounce these chemical names that supposedly zap zits and give you that fresh face look in the morning. But then the unthinkable happened to me.

I used ProActiv. I never had bad acne, but, in the summer, my skin fell victim to hair product sweat and created mountains on my face. So when I saw those celebrity-endorsed ads, I just had to have it. I used the so-called acne miracle medication and, instead of clear skin, I got an infection. My face burned like a million little volcanoes erupted on my face. To get the chemical-ridden stuff off my face, I had to use something natural.

I found Dr. Bronner's castile soap (~$13.99 at your local pharmacy; I bought a bottle for $4 bucks once at a farmers market). It's literally all natural. The ingredients: water; organic coconut, olive, hemp, and jojoba oils; natural rose fragrance (they come in different flavors), and vitamin E. And I know how to pronounce all those words! 


Well, long story short: my skin cleared up, and I wash my face with the castile soap every morning, and sometimes I wash my hair with it; it's so versatile!) Also, you still get that pleasant sting like you feel like it's doing its job. It's definitely a must-have  natural beauty product.