The Green Beauty Guide:  Your Essential Resource to Organic and

Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Fragrances

By Julie Gabriel

Book Reviewer:  Molly Solanki

There continues to be growing concern about the dangers of ingesting food contaminated with anything from toxic chemicals to pathogenic bacteria.  How often do we think about the potential hazards of products we put on our skin and hair? Author Julie Gabriel addresses this concern in her book The Green Beauty Guide:  Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Fragrances (Health Communications, Inc. Deerfield Beach, Florida. 2008.)

Women who are interested in alternatives for cosmetic and personal care products would find this book valuable -- it is full of information on how to find, make, and use real green products. The author also seeks to correct misinformation regarding organic cosmetics and skincare products. Gabriel who is a registered nutrition specialist, writer, as well as a beauty and fashion editor explains how readers can avoid industry greenwashing. 

Unfortunately for consumers, there are several companies that tout a “natural and green” image through their advertising claims, but in fact use ingredients that are not safe or have questionable safety.  Even if you don’t wear cosmetics, there is plenty of information in this book about other commonly used personal hygiene products like shampoo and deodorant. In The Green Beauty Guide, Gabriel provides information and tips on how to use or make a variety of green products including facial items, hair care, baby care, mineral makeup, bug repellant, and fragrances. 

Ms. Gabriel also demystifies common labels, such as “organic”, “hypoallergenic”, and “cruelty-free” on beauty products. Even though a product contains a few natural ingredients in its entire formulation, it may also contain synthetic and potentially toxic ingredients. Sometimes even some truly natural ingredients may be irritating; in light of this, there are some natural ingredients she does not recommend.

Her “Ten Commandments of Green Beauty” and her twelve lessons for smart beauty shopping inform readers how they can become better cosmetic consumers while maximizing the effectiveness of their skin care regimen and minimizing negative environmental impacts. She discusses how important it is for consumers to read ingredient labels and recognize toxic ingredients, which she identifies and describes in detail.

Gabriel’s suggestions for commercially available products would probably be more appealing for those less inclined to create their own products from scratch. She rates products (of varying price ranges) with one to three “green leaves” depending on their level of greenness. The author also describes the product’s ingredients and what she believes it could do for you.  Gabriel realizes that some store products are pricey, but homemade alternatives do exist. This is where her collection of 80+ recipes comes in!

The chapter entitled “Do-It-Yourself Green Beauty” would be very valuable especially for those who like to cook and create. She includes information on the necessary equipment and tools, as well as a list of possible natural ingredients to use in her recipes.  Gabriel offers recipes for scrubs, masks, acne treatments, eye care, bathwater blends, hair removal, and baby washes.  Some ingredients for these recipes are available in your grocery store and others available from health food retailers.

Many would probably find the Green Beauty Guide with its index, list of recommended resources, and appendix of 100 toxic cosmetic ingredients a handy reference to keep on the bookshelf.  Julie Gabriel’s book underscores that you can look and feel great using greener products without having to break your budget. Consumers can reduce the toxic load on their bodies and on the environment all while putting their best face forward so to speak!

About the Book Reviewer:  Molly Solanki

Molly Solanki is currently a freelance editor and writer with a background in biology and environmental science. Her photograph "Crayons Close Up" was recently published in the 2009 issue of Ekakshara literary magazine.