Going green doesn’t have to cost a fortune. From making your own treatments to scoping the shelves for bargains, there are plenty of ways to adopt a healthy and natural beauty regimen without dropping a ton of cash.
- Create your own treatments with natural ingredients. Honey makes a great facial mask because it is a humectant and also clears up acne, says Suki Kramer, founder of the luxury natural beauty line >Suki Advanced Organic Science. Oats are great for calming dry skin. Pour some in your bath for instant itch relief. Olive oil can be used as a nourishing makeup remover and moisturizing lotion.
- Use essential oils to scent your products. Synthetic fragrances can be irritating and loaded up with preservatives. Stick to buying all natural unscented products which usually cost less (or make your own!), then make them smell delicious by adding a few drops of an essential oil. Grapefruit is a great pepper-upper and also helps with headaches. Ylang ylang is a good stress-reliever. For mixing novices, Kramer suggests starting out with lavender oil. It’s extra gentle, so there’s no risk of overdoing it and irritating sensitive skin.
- Look for the bargain buys. Now that organic products are mainstream, there are many affordable and high quality brands that don’t cost a bundle. Renata Helfman, owner of the chic L.A. boutique Vert, is a fan of Buddha Nose, Pratima and John Masters Haircare.
