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Eco-Friendly Beauty Tips for Pregnant Women

When you first discover that your efforts to conceive have resulted in a brand new life growing inside you, the first reaction you have may be a mixture of joy, excitement, and relief. But all too soon the worries will start to set in.

Are the products you currently use going to have an effect on your baby even before he takes his first breath?

When you only had your own health and well-being to worry about you might not have been unduly concerned with the inclusion of harmful, chemical ingredients in your beauty products, but now that every move you make has the potential to harm your baby you are probably a lot more interested in what you're exposing yourself to.

And you're likely starting to think towards your child's future and wonder if the world will even be habitable by the time he's heading off to college, what with all the pollution and waste.

pregnant woman(1)

The good news is that you're not the first parent to think these thoughts, and many people before you have found ways to enjoy the benefits of modern consumerism while simultaneously cutting their carbon footprint.

The result is that there are a plethora of beauty products, as well as tips and tricks, that can keep you looking gorgeous and feeling pampered throughout your pregnancy, and they're not only healthier for you and your baby, but also for the planet.

For example, many pharmacies and grocery stores now carry natural, organic (i.e. chemical free), free trade, and otherwise eco-friendly products like shampoos, body lotions, and the like.

Brands like Burt's Bees, Tom's of Maine, Kiss My Face, and Yes to Carrots, just to name a few, can offer you alternatives to the products you might normally use. In addition, you can order green brands like Dr. Bronner's online, and you can even get products from brands like Aveda and Alterna at some salons.

And for ladies who like to dye their hair, natural henna may help to keep your two-tone roots at bay in the interim.

But if you want to do more to cut back on manufacturing, perhaps you'll be interested to hear that there are also many ways you can make your own natural beauty products at home. And for the many women who are having a little trouble with heavily scented products, this route can be a godsend.

For example, instead of body lotions laden with chemical fragrance, consider using a natural oil to keep your skin soft and glowing. Coconut, olive, and jojoba work well, and if you add a few drops of essential oil you can make it smell like lavender, peppermint, or whatever scent you prefer.

You can even add a bit of vitamin E oil to the mix to combat stretch marks. Just be careful: a little goes a long way.

Ordering cocoa or shea butter online can give you a creamier base to work with if you prefer.
But that's just the beginning.

There are all kinds of beauty products you can make at home with natural ingredients, from soaps and shampoos to makeup. You might be surprised to discover that by simply looking online you can find recipes for natural, homemade concoctions to replace nearly every item in your beauty arsenal.

So if you're interested in a fertile future; for you, your family, and the planet as a whole; consider eco-friendly alternatives to you current beauty lineup. You'll see that it's not so hard to make the switch to a greener way of living during your pregnancy...and beyond.

(Written by Carol)

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