Living the Green Life

As consumers, each time we make a purchase, we can either choose to support manufacturers who are participating in sustainable practices, or we can choose to purchase products that contribute to environmental pollution.  Our choices matter and affect both human and environmental health; from the air we breathe to the quality of our water.  When we choose cosmetics and personal care products that are free of toxic chemicals, we are essentially protecting our health and the planet.

DEC has begun taking action to regulate certain chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products that are known to be toxic. One example of such actions includes DEC’s regulation of the contaminant 1,4-dioxane*. This contaminant can be found in personal care, cosmetic, and household cleansing products and is linked to adverse human health effects such as cancer. This chemical is usually not included on a product’s ingredient list because it is primarily a manufacturing byproduct, not an intentionally added ingredient.

With many cosmetic and personal care products potentially containing toxic ingredients, DEC has taken the initiative to update public program webpages to include relevant information on ingredients to communicate the potential risks of these toxic ingredients and help the public avoid potential exposures. Alternatively, another way to avoid potential toxic exposure from ingredients is to try making some of the products you need with ingredients you may already have on hand. Below is a gallery of homemade personal care product recipes for you to give a try!

*Visit this page in April for more information on the actions DEC is taking to regulate these chemicals. 

If you don’t have some of these ingredients, we encourage you to ask friends or family if they have any ingredients they could share. Be sure to check that no ingredients have been spoiled. Your local natural foods store likely carries most of these ingredients. Remember that reading ingredient labels is key before purchasing and you should be weary of and research any ingredients on a label that you do not understand, recognize, or can’t pronounce. It’s important to be mindful when purchasing the base ingredients for these recipes, sometimes researching the brand is necessary.

Lotion Bar Recipe:

You will need double boiler or glass bowl set over a pot of boiling water (Note: It would be best to have a bowl dedicated to lotion making due to the difficulty of cleaning after), 24-cavity silicone mold, any shape, spoon for mixing and pouring.

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup shea butter
• 1 cup beeswax pellets
• 15-30 drops of essential oil, optional.

Use organic ingredients when possible.

Directions: Begin by melting the beeswax pellets in a double boiler. Once the beeswax pellets are melted, add the shea butter and melt. Finally, add the coconut oil. Once all the ingredients are melted and mixed, remove the bowl from the heat. Stir in any desired essential oils. Pour the mixture into silicone molds. Allow the mixture to cool completely before removing the bars. Store in an airtight glass container out of direct light for up to a year. The lotion bars can be rubbed directly onto the skin, and the warmth of the skin makes them easy to apply. Makes about 24 bars depending on the size of your mold.

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Did you know that? 

• Use your DIYs when you travel as hotels, apartment hotels, motels, or boarding houses are restricted from providing any small plastic bottle containing less than 12 oz. of a hospitality personal care product.
• Choosing organic and purchasing ingredients in glass containers when available is often the best choice for your health and for the environment.
• You can make these recipes in bulk and share them as gifts or use them as favors for events.