Green-eyed Girl: Perfectly Green Skin Care
By Tess Kurzeja

There’s a certain stereotype that has accompanied the environmentally friendly for years. Historically, the green gal isn’t overwhelmingly respected for her fashion sense, product prowess or, gasp, grooming rituals. But the times, they are a changin’ and Teva sandals, bare faces and patchouli oil aside, who ever said a new-age hippie couldn’t also be pretty in pressed powder and stunning with super skin?

When it comes to faces, the green gal is leaving others green with envy with the range of products popping up that work well and reflect well on the environment. And while great products come from near and afar, the highest quality the greatest green gal can get comes from Australia from the forward-thinking Stem Organics company. 

With a line of skin care products composing a full regimen of skin health, the company uses only natural and organic products and houses them in biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging.

Skin care experts stress the importance of frequent exfoliation so rest assured, your skin will thank you for using Stem’s Smooth Skin Exfoliant ($36 at stemorganics.com). Filled with Organic Jojoba, Pomegranate and Bamboo this fine exfoliant is as gentle as it is effective on all skin types. Sloughing off dead skin without over drying and irritating, this product adds moisture, antioxidants and essential oils to skin preventing free radical damage.

Another undeniable hallmark of progressive skin care is moisture. And while moisturizers are some of the most abundant products lining store shelves, not just any moisturizer will do. Organic moisturizers, full of antioxidants moisturize and protect. Add a little SPF to the mix and you have a balanced equation for an ideal moisturizer. To sweeten the pot, an extra tint can balance the tone of skin even before foundation. Encompassing all these ideal properties, Juice Beauty’s Organic SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer is just the moisturizer to try ($29 at juicebeauty.com). Enjoy the smooth application, light scent and high quality in this everyday moisturizer.

While the above products offer a great place to start clearing skin, covering imperfections is the business of makeup artist and product developer Alison Raffaele. So, whether you are fighting off blemishes, or simply seeking a refined look without damaging your skin, Raffaele offers advice and products galore.

Starting her boutique line eight years ago with her husband/business partner, Raffaele’s goal is to assist a busy population of ladies in taking care of their look with the knowledge she has accrued throughout years in the beauty industry.

She counsels using a primer, before applying foundation like her Acne Response Primer with SPF 15 ($44 on alisonraffaele.com). A primer (which should not replace a great moisturizer) will help minimize pores and stop the growth of acne bacteria that skin fights daily. This product contains Raffaele’s trademarked Frutta di Vita antioxidant complex, chock full of pomegranate, goji berry and more to reduce the effects of free radicals which can be responsible for premature aging. It’ll also smooth over flaky skin that often accompanies acne-laden skin and allows foundation to glide on, rather than cake over damaged layers of skin. This primer is packaged within biodegradable materials and is designed to be environmentally friendly as well as friendly to your face.

Where Raffaele is concerned, she has one supreme tip to share. When testing new products and ingredients, it’s important to “introduce one product at a time to better identify what works for you.” This, combined with a dependable skin care ritual (wash, tone moisturize) can make all the difference in keeping skin clean and pristine.

When it comes to glowing by day and night, keep makeup light and fresh with a thin layer of tinted moisturizer and foundation followed by a hit of Afterglow’s Organic Glow Bronzer ($18 at afterglowcosmetics.com). This loose bronzer lends a unique summer “glow” that enhances skin tone without the orange hue that other bronzers are known for. 

“Green-eyed Girl” is PrettyCity®’s monthly guide to the latest beauty products and treatment trends reflecting a consciousness for the environment and personal health. If it’s organic, we know about it; if it’s helping our environment while keeping us looking and feeling our best, we love it. And, you can rest assured we’ll tell you all about it. Please contact Tess Kurzeja with story ideas or product suggestions.