Green Hygiene

Hygiene is something that has been artificially transformed in the world today. There are so many synthetic chemicals that can actually be harmful to your body in the products that are on the market today. Therefore, a greener approach to your person hygiene might not only be beneficial for you cleanliness, but also your health.

 

The face products today, and even some toothpaste, use synthetic chemicals that are harmful to your body and to the environment.  "A 2006 article in Ms. Magazine explains that some of the chemicals in popular cosmetics-phthalates (a hormone disrupting chemical), formaldehyde, petroleum, parabens, benzene, and lead-have been linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, reproductive orders, birth defects, and developmental disabilities in children" (121). Using more eco-friendly hygienic things will help the environment and keep us healthy and away from these harmful chemicals.

In the environment, these chemicals have been found to make their way into the environment. Various species were effected by these chemicals by producing offspring with deformities. Scientist reported that "bald eagles" egg shells were thinning, harming reproductive rates to the point that the bald eagle became endangered" (156), because of these hormone disrupting chemicals. Making hygienic products more eco-friendly will help save the varieties of species found in our environment, and help to make humans that use these products healthier.x

 

 

Eco-Friendly Hygienic Methods-

Here are just a few methods that can help your hygiene while not harming the environment.

 

1)   "Oatmeal naturally exfoliates your skin. Mix with water, lightly cook, and scrub away!" (127)

The warm oatmeal actually felt really good on my face, but it was like have a warm slimy goo plastered on my face.

2)   "Lie down with avocado slices under each eye and rest for fifteen to twenty minutes to relieve puffiness." (127).

Your face will probably smell like avocados after this one, but my eyes did feel a little less agitated. I wear glasses all day so this method was especially helpful.

3)   "Soak week nails in warm extra virgin olive oil for five minutes to strengthen them." (127).

This method was perfect for my mom. Ever since she picked mangos for the Punahou Carnival she has had cracking nails from the chemicals in the sap of the mangos. Her nails didn't come out 20 years younger, but maybe she just has to keep putting them in the oil.

4)   "Whiten your teeth with equal parts sea salt and baking soda. (Okay, Tosh admits he loves this one!)" (127).

If you like a salty sensation then this method is perfect for you. Your not going to get shinning pearly whites after the first try but my teeth did seem to get a little whiter.

5)   "Want to try the world's best facial mask? Take one organic free-range egg white, whip for ten seconds with a fork in a bowl with one half of a tablespoon of honey. Apply to your clean, dry face and then rinse after fifteen minutes." (127).

This was probably the strangest facial mask I have ever had. Your face gets really sticky from the honey after about 5 min. of drying and it feels like your skin is being stretched when you open your mouth. My skin felt pretty good after I washed the mask off though. My skin felt a lot more elastic, and tighter which is a good sign of using a facial mask.

 

Other forms of cleanliness-

1)   Use Borax for your cleaning needs.

Why: "Using phosphate-free detergent (Borax is a good solution) requires less water to rinse away and causes less harm to the fish exposed to it at the other end of the sewer" (72)

Borax is not harmful to the environment, unlike other phosphate using cleaning products. Plus you can use borax for so many purposes in your house including washing your hands, washing the dishes, and even doing the laundry.