Eco Conscious Beauty Products That'll Work Wonders for You

I’ve always known that organic and eco-conscious beauty products were the better choice. Looking for labels with natural ingredients that were sustainably sourced is a no-brainer, but the bummer is that they always seem to come at a steep price. Sometimes seeing that “organic” label was enough to make me avoid a product. It may sound crazy, but I would also sometimes equate all-natural to ineffective.

It was once I got pregnant that I finally wised up. I was looking for products that were better for me during my pregnancy, and of course, better to have around the house once my son was born. Through replacing almost everything on my vanity with all-natural and eco-conscious beauty products, I can truly say that my assumptions about eco-friendly products were wrong.

From hair to skin to makeup, these eco-conscious beauty products give new meaning to going green. Here are my top beauty picks that are just as good for the planet as they are for you. (Check in with your ob-gyn if you are pregnant, before trying anything new).

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Eco-Conscious Beauty Products

Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil

Oh hey, amazing tan! Already an ardent believer in Josie Maran’s miracle products, I was beyond thrilled to learn she added a self-tanner to her line. Josie Maran Argan Liquid Gold Self-Tanning Oil ($38) is a light emulsion and infused with natural DHA, pure argan oil, coconut water, and aloe juice, a combo that leaves skin deeply hydrated and just bronzed enough to look beachy—and never streaky. (Oh, and it smells heavenly, too.)
Priti NYC Soy Nail Polish Remover

That telltale scent of nail polish remover is wretched, isn’t it? Do yourself a favor and invest in Priti NYC Soy Nail Polish Remover ($22.50), a luxe alternative made with a soybean oil derivative that has a lovely white blossom fragrance. The non-toxic formula is non-flammable, so you can order it from anywhere and it will come directly to you. It's almost worth it for the scent alone.
Dr. Alkaitis Organic Night Creme

Made with 100% organic ingredients, Dr. Alkaitis Organic Night Creme ($70) feels luxurious to the touch and even better once it sinks into the skin. In addition to powerful anti-aging ingredients and magical pore-minimizing powers, this ethically crafted moisturizer is enriched with light essential oils and nourishing shea butter.
Pangea Organics Brazilian Brown Sugar Body Polish

Think of this body scrub as your weekly indulgence. During those rare moments of me time, nourish your skin with Pangea Organics Brazilian Brown Sugar Body Polish ($28), an exfoliant that gently sloughs off dead skin while drenching it with conditioning shea and cocoa butters. "Me time" has never felt quite so euphoric.
Juice Beauty Organic Lip Moisturizer

Ever notice how some lip balms break you out, cause your lips to swell (and not in that sexy, plump way), or simply taste kind of foul? That’s not the case with Juice Beauty Organic Lip Moisturizer ($15). It’s orange-vanilla scented (if you're a fan of Creamsicles, you're going to love it), but more importantly it contains organic vitamin E, cocoa butter, and shea butter. Oh, and it’s certified USDA Organic. How can you go wrong?
Olvine Atelier Love + Roses Beauty Mist

So, ignoring the fact that the first ingredient listed is “unconditional love” (meh), Olvine Atelier Love + Roses Beauty Mist ($38) is a versatile mist is infused with rose petal oil, anti-inflammatory moringa seed extract, and rhodiola rose root extract, an herb that combats the visible signs of aging and may protect against the harmful effects of free radicals. This is 100% natural and vegan, it's packaged in a recyclable bottle, and it can be sprayed anywhere from your hair to your skin. In a word…well, love.
S.W. Basics Hibiscus Mask

S.W. Basics is all about simplicity. Ease. Cutting the crap, basically. You’ll realize what a concept that is when you see that their products never have more than five ingredients. S.W. Basics Hibiscus Mask ($22) is a wonderful face mask containing organic hibiscus flower powder, organic lavender powder, and French green clay. That’s it---and that’s all you need to enjoy smoother, refreshed skin free of toxins and impurities. Bonus points for just being plain pretty in pink.
Conscious Coconut Organic Coconut Oil

There are almost too many reasons to love this particular brand of coconut oil. Conscious Coconut Organic Coconut Oil ($16.95) is USDA organic, it's sourced from fair trade farms in Thailand and the Philippines, and (drum roll) with every purchase, a meal is provided for a hungry child through Feeding America Food Banks. Coconut oil is one of my household staples, so I’m all over this---and you should be, too.
Treat Collection Nail Polish

Be warned: Once you try one bottle of Treat Collection Nail Polish ($12.60) you’ll want them all. There’s something remarkably sexy about the brand’s luxe packaging and decadent colors. You’ll feel a little more glam than usual (or perhaps ever) with this on your tips and toes. And because they’re five-free and gluten free, you’ll feel pretty good about yourself, too.
Lina Hanson Global Baby Serum
Tata Harper Very Highlighting Luminizer

You don’t have to go the fake tanner route to achieve a natural glow. This little pot of Tata Harper Very Highlighting Luminizer, ($40) delivers brightening and highlighting effects for an overall dewy, healthy looking radiance. It’s also ideal for brightening up your complexion on those less-than-stellar mornings. The 100% natural product is made with coconut fruit extract, sunflower seed oil, and acai fruit oil, among other gentle, skin-loving ingredients.
Lina Hanson Global Baby Serum

Perfect for baby and mama, Lina Hanson Global Baby Serum ($50) is a multipurpose, 100% natural, and certified organic serum hydrates skin with ingredients such as safflower, jojoba, camellia, and grape seed oils. The deeply nourishing formula is also wonderful to rub onto pregnant bellies to maintain skin’s integrity while potentially reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Kari Gran Radiant Lip Whip

Made only with natural, organic, and non-GMO ingredients, Kari Gran's line of beauty products is perfect for the eco-conscious consumer. My pick: Radiant Lip Whip ($16.80), a soft balm that boasts an airy, souffle-like texture. It produces a just-bitten hue that’s ideal for warm weather wear. Try it with bare skin for a fresh, natural, not overly done look.
Alterna Bamboo Luminous Shine Mis

Heat can really do a number on your hair, as evidenced by the obvious appearance of flyaways and frizz. Take a rain check on both with Alterna Bamboo Luminous Shine Mist ($24). Made with organic Indian gooseberry, it gives hair a glossy finish while protecting it from damaging UV rays.
Vapour Organic Beauty Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector

Lightening up your look is essential come spring. I’m in love with Vapour Organic Beauty Stratus Soft Focus Instant Skin Perfector ($56), available in three shades (a pearlescent pink, a soft-sheen nude, and a just-flashy-enough gold). A drop added to foundation serves as a makeup base and luminizer at once. Made with a combination of 30% natural mineral pigments and 70% organic ingredients, it delivers healthy ingredients to the skin while brightening the complexion.
Nourish Organic Hydrating and Smoothing Organic Body Lotion

Recognized as the first beauty brand to earn a USDA organic skin care certification, Nourish Organic has been at the top of my essentials list for a while now. I’m especially crazy about the company’s Hydrating & Smoothing Organic Body Lotion ($11.99), made with skin-loving rice protein and vitamin E. It’s available in several great scents, including the must-have Fresh Fig (which is light, fresh, and perfect to wear year round).
Green People Fruit Scrub Exfoliator

Founded by Charlotte Vohtz in an effort to formulate products for her eczema- and allergy-stricken daughter, Green People is one of the most beloved organic skin care companies in the UK. And if I can be partially responsible for giving it the crossover attention it deserves, I’m happy to do so. The line’s Fruit Scrub Exfoliator ($17.92) is made with 88.6% organic ingredients, including bergamot, mandarin, and apricot, and is formulated to slough away dead skin while leaving it softer and healthier. It’s also completely free of plastic microbeads, which have been known to contaminate marine ecosystems.
Karma Naturals Nail Polish Remover

Traditional nail polish removers can be tough on the skin surrounding your nails---not to mention they’re loaded with chemicals and ingredients that you probably can’t pronounce. I was thrilled to discover Karma Naturals Nail Polish Remover with Soybean Oil and Lavender ($12). It’s completely organic, removes even the most stubborn polishes with ease (I’m looking at you, glittery tips and toes), and smells light and spa-fresh.
Acure Cell Stimulating Body Wash

A combination of natural and organic ingredients makes fair-trade line Acure Organics a must for high quality beauty products. I’m fairly obsessed with their vegan Cell Stimulating Body Wash ($8.07), made with easily identifiable ingredients you can buy whole at the grocery store. The certified organic body wash feeds and restores cells and the light coconut scent is reminiscent of sipping a drink on the beach.