Naturally Green Sheen: Make your own Chemical-Free Lip Gloss

Sorry Smokey - it turns out that Beauty is more that skin deep after all! The average person uses at least 10 different skin care products on their body every day—and since our skin acts more like a sponge than a barrier, we absorb the almost 150 chemicals we regularly expose ourselves to (and I was surprised when I found out what mattresses and bedding are made of!?). Cosmetics companies and the FDA maintain that these chemicals are safe, and many of them might be—in small doses at least. But consider that the average woman ingests several pounds of lipstick in her lifetime, and you begin to understand how a dab here, a spray there begins to add up. The fact is, no one really knows how chemicals effect us over a time, or how they react in our bodies in combination.

According to the Environmental Working Group almost 90 percent of the 10,000 cosmetics and skin care ingredients known to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not been evaluated for safety by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution.

Because of this, many folks prefer to go natural, whenever possible so I think it is important to spread the word. It is easier than you might think, like getting back to basics. Simple, right? Well, maybe not always, but awareness is the first step so let's reach out with some green alternatives for health and beauty and we just might feel better in the process.

After you read about the chemicals that lurk in your favorite lipsticks your will appreciate this natural recipe even more. I think is is especially important for something that you are applying to your mouth area, as it is easily ingested. So, next time your lips need some natural soothing, smoothing and lip TLC, try this green glosser!

Mix about a teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel (you can buy aloe vera gel in health food stores, or better yet, grow your own). Slice open a leaf and scrape the gel out) with about 1/2 of a teaspoon of coconut oil and 1/8 of a teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Simply mix them all together until smooth, then pour into a clean container. You can use the mixture as soon as you'd like to. Last christmas, after reading this incredibly simple recipe, I whipped up some all natural gifts in a flash: Just increase your recipe for enough to fill five (or however many you need) small glass containers. I found mine at a health food store. Then I added a drop of mint oil for energy or lavender oil for its realxing, soothing properties. To make each a bit more festive, I labeled and tied a dried mint sprig on the outside of the mint gloss and a few lavender sprigs on the outside of the lavender gloss. Secure with a colored ribbon.

Another very simple basic recipe:

• Vaseline: 3/4 teaspoon
• Coconut Oil: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon
• Cocoa Butter: 1/2 teaspoon
• Shea Butter: 1 full teaspoon
• Peppermint Oil: 1-2 drops
• Beeswax: 1/4 teaspoon
• You can adjust the ingredients above to suit your own favorite scents or follow the video below for a simple preparation: Combine shaved beeswax and coconut for a naturally luscious lip balm that has no harmful chemicals or additives!
• Leave natural or add a powder tint from eyeshadow or blush that you like.