Until recently, people rarely gave a thought as to whether or not the beauty products they buy are green. Not only am I talking about the ingredients they use, but also the packaging they come in. Let’s take a look at factors which determine whether or not your beauty products are eco-friendly.

Packaging

This factor is perhaps the most devastating to the environment. So much paper and plastic is wasted in creating fancy packaging which is designed to catch our eye when it’s sitting on the store shelf. While this may look nice, it’s a complete waste of resources. After all, you’re using these products for what’s inside, not the boxes and wrappers they came in.

For example, just last week I was at the drugstore shopping for anti wrinkle eye cream. I was shocked to discover that most of the so-called “leading” brands use such overly elaborate packaging. For example, the Olay Regenerist was a heavy plastic jar, wrapped inside of a plastic container, placed inside a cardboard box, and all of it enclosed in clear plastic…. whew, that’s a lot! Plus there were various glossy paper inserts inside, too. All of that just for a measly 1.7 ounces of eye cream?

Typically you see this excessive packaging used the most on skin care products, but it’s also used on frozen foods and many other manufactured goods. So next time you’re shopping, try and pick those brands which use don’t use an excessive amount of paper and plastic to bundle up their products.

Natural Ingredients

Just like food, beauty products can be made with natural ingredients, or they can be made using things which are not eco-friendly.

For example, one of the most common ingredients used in skin care is a byproduct of petroleum. It is used as a base ingredient and will be listed on the label as petrolatum, petroleum jelly, or soft paraffin. There are alternatives to this, such as hyaluronic acid cream. While it’s true that hyaluronic acid is more expensive to produce, it is more environmentally friendly since it’s not made from oil.

Then there are ingredients which are naturally, but they’re created in ways which can hurt the environment. For example, things like shea butter, cocoa butter, and kojic acid are natural substances, but when they may be grown using pesticides and fertilizers, then processed using chemicals. So when buying these, look for organic versions. You can buy products like unrefined shea butter which are not only unprocessed, but many claim they work better too.

For the sixth year in a row, the Washington DC Green Festival will be held again in our nation’s capital.

Global Exchange and Co-op America are again presenting the festial a forum to explore and build sustainable solutions for communities and the environment.

Previous years offered a wide array of popular speakers such as Amy Goodman, Lester Brown, Caroline Casey, Madeline Kunin, Hervé Kempf, Marion Nestle, Andy Shallal, Sharif Abdullah, Paul Stamets snd many many more.

The two day green fesival highlights will focus on popular green topics such as clean technology, green building, socially responsible investing, eco-fashion, renewable energy, green careers/green collar jobs, natural foods, groundbreaking films, eco-tourism and more.

When attending the event, before sure to make use of many popular offerings such as the Fair Trade Pavilion, Community Action Center, Yoga and Movement Room and Live Music.

Find out about DC environmental initiatives; and learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their cities healthier places to live.

If you visiting the Washington DC area to attend the festival, you should consider some of the many excellent Washington DC Vacation Rentals that available throughout the city.

The festival will be held on October 10-11, 2009.