Want not, Waste not

I read an article recently which stated the average Japanese woman uses something like 19 skincare products daily. 19!!! Outrageous, right?!

Well, I got to thinking about the skincare products I use, and....I'll save you the laundry list, but I can say my product count is safely in the double digits. It makes me think not just about the TIME I must spend working on my skin, but the amount of product and packaging I must go through in any given time period. I do agree with the idea that one should take good care of their skin since after all, it's the same skin one has for the rest of their life. But there's got to be a way to streamline my routine and conserve resources, right?

Flashback to a couple months ago, when I was staying at a house my boyfriend was renting in the Mission district of San Francisco. The house was owned by a couple with two kids under 3. I peeked in the bathroom cabinet (yeah, I'm a peeker!) and was amazed at how empty is was. Compared to my bathroom cabinet, which usually has all sorts of bottles and jars tumbling out of it, this cabinet contained 5 items:

1) A bottle of three-in-one facial cleanser which tripled as a makeup remover and toner.,
2) A tube of Garnier moisturizer with SPF,
3) A travel size bottle of fancy shampoo,
4) A travel size bottle of the corresponding conditioner, and
5) A toothbrush.

That's all, folks. Super hardcore - not even a stick of deoderant!

As I myself consider the big move to the city (possible bringing the boyfriend along with me), I imagine it would be a lot easier, cheaper, and eco-friendly to buy and use fewer skincare products in general.

Americans are often criticized for being overly self-indulgent and I can see where we get that rap. But hope that as our generation progresses, we learn to lead simpler lives - buying less, working less, eating more healthfully, appreciating the outdoors more, and relying more heavily on the things that cannot be bartered for - love, life, and family (blood relatives or not).

I hope that cutting down on my product consumption will take me one step closer to leading a simpler life. And a less hectic life, too :)

Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick

With both work and the weather heating up, two things are causing me to break out like no other: stress and sweat! Above is the weapon I'm currently using to battle these foes - Burt's Bee's Herbal Blemish Stick.

It contains:

-Willow bark, a natural source of salicylic acid which helps to fight zits.
-Tea Tree and Juniper Oils, natural antiseptics which kill bacteria and reduce oil.
-Calendula to reduce inflammation.

The product smells a little like licorice and the scent does stick around a while after application but I like it The liquid has a golden hue but it rolls on clear. This stuff works for me because it performs as well as Neutrogena and Clearasil products I've used but it doesn't irritate or dry out my skin. The roller ball is compact and seals tightly so it's easy to throw it in your bag for later applications.

When I first bought this product the roller ball would sometimes stick and I would have to mess with it a while before it got moving. Now that I've had it a while, though, the ball is rollin' freely, and I haven't hit a jam in months. The next time I buy a stick I might try fully coating the ball in product so it rolls better.

Wow, this post is starting to sound a little softcore a la the Axe Detailer commercial :P

With daily applications my pimples usually recede within several days. You can buy Burt's Bee's Herbal Blemish Stick at most drug stores, natural food stores, and value stores (I got mine at Walmart). To buy online and/or read more reviews, visit http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/outdoor-treatment/herbal-blemish-stick.html.

Green Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Eco-Conscious Rating: A+ - The ingredients are 100% Natural!