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Going natural can be confusing to say the least. At the beginning, we too struggled with seven-syllable chemical names and the wide range of product labels (is an “organic” sticker the same as “green” or “natural”?) If you’re not sure how to get started, this post is for you. We’re sharing five of our favourite books that helped us along our green beauty journey by breaking things down in a simple, easy to digest way.
No More Dirty Looks: The Truth about Your Beauty Products - and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics
by Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Sprout
"Every time we decide we want to wash, plump, moisturize, nourish, shine, buff, soften, bronze, and otherwise play around with how we look and feel, we are reaching for bottle whose contents are largely a mystery.”
If you use any conventional beauty and personal care products, this is essential reading to help detoxify your beauty routine. Co-authors Siobhan O’Connor, the Health Director at TIME Magazine and TIME.com, and Alexandra Spunt, Head of Creative at Everlane, have written this comprehensive guide to the common beauty nasties. Warning: this book is potentially life changing (it was for us)! Be prepared to want to throw out most of your bathroom cabinet!
Eat Pretty: Nutrition for Beauty Inside and Out
By Jolene Hart
"While we can’t eliminate outside beauty saboteurs from our daily lives, we can stop ourselves from creating an additional beauty burden inside our bodies."
We're certainly not alone in viewing nutrition as one of the fastest-rising beauty trends around the world. Eat Pretty gives us a simple plan to get "gorgeous looks, at any age, that last a lifetime". Learn about why sugar, caffeine, dairy and alcohol are our beauty enemies and understand the common beauty buzzwords like antioxidants and omega-3s. You'll also read about 85+ everyday foods and their specific beauty benefits! Jolene promises a full lifestyle makeover, exploring not only how to eat for beauty, but also stress management, hormonal balance and mindful living.
It IS difficult giving up morning coffee, dessert and that Saturday brunch bubbly, especially all at once. We suggest starting off with a "mindful eating" approach and working towards at least seriously limiting ingredients that promote ageing. To leave you with a more positive message from Eat Pretty: "Every bite is an opportunity to boost your outer glow, deeply and over time."
Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary
By M. Varinia Mi and Joseph C. DiNardo
If you are interested in taking that extra step to understanding your own skin and how beauty products interact with it, this is an invaluable resource. More than just a reference guide, learn about skin types, conditions and problems and skin physiology as well as product formulation. To help you make mindful choices about your skin care, the book also lists thousands of cosmetic ingredients with definitions to explain their purpose.
A good dermatologist or skin care expert can give helpful advice but everyone's skin is unique and ultimately you are the best person to know how to care for your own skin.
The Organic Cook's Bible: How to Select and Cook the Best Ingredients on the Market
By Jeff Cox
One of our favourite organic cookbooks. Just because we want to eat healthier doesn't mean giving up tasty foods! The Organic Cook’s Bible covers not only fruit and veggies but also meats, dairy, grains and pastas.
This A-Z guide to cooking organically tells you the what, where, when, how, and why of choosing and using more than 150 types of organic foods.
The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You
By Jessica Alba
“Why should safer products only be available to those who can afford them? Why would a laundry detergent sold today be different from the same brand of laundry detergent that my mom used 30 years ago? Just what was in this stuff anyway—and why would it make me break out in a rash?”
We confess to being Dark Angel fans and having a soft spot for the gorgeous Jessica Alba - so it's no surprise her book made it on our list! Like us, Jessica also went on a search for a cleaner and more natural way of life after becoming frustrated with the lack of trustworthy information that an everyday mom could use. In 2012, she launched The Honest Company, a brand that prides itself on reliable information and products that are safe, stylish, and affordable.
