Like food – we know that chemical-free and organic beauty buys are better picks. Natural and non-toxic products, especially soaps, detergents and shampoos, are also more septic-friendly, keeping both you and your cottage healthy.
For a truly relaxing cottage experience, let your natural beauty shine and simplify your regime with help from a few multi-tasking products. A lightweight sheer wash of color is all you need to show off that healthy glow that tells everyone that summer is here. A tinted moisturizer is perfect if you want just a little coverage plus many often do double duty and include SPF protection.
Add a touch of color with a little cream blush in the apples of your cheeks and a swipe on your nose and forehead and you’ll have the perfect sun-kissed effect. You can even dab a little on your lips mixed with your SPF lip balm for just a hint of tint.
Daily sunscreen is to summer as boots are to winter; a good broad-spectrum natural SPF 30 is a must. Zinc oxide is often the natural ingredient that provides the protection, but it can leave an ugly white filmy layer so look for a ‘non-whitening’ formulation and nourishing butters like shea to give added moisture. Choosing natural & organic based ingredients, which are biodegradable is a choice that helps to protect your lake as well.
While we welcome the warm temperatures of summer, it often brings with it pesky unwanted guests. Keep bugs away with a deet-free all-natural repellent made with essential botanical oils.
Since humidity can often wreak havoc on summer hair, the secret to summer style is to embrace, not fight the elements. Leave the straighter and blow dryer at home and let Mother Nature be your stylist. Instead, control the frizz with a silicone-free serum that tames your tresses and adds a boost of shine. Counter the effects of summer’s dry hair by deep conditioning once a week and rinsing in cool water for added shine.
Considering bathing in the lake? Soaps, even eco-friendly ones, can potentially harm the lake’s eco-system. Choose true biodegradable, phosphate-free versions. Better yet, grab a bucket and sponge and rinse off at least 60 meters from the shoreline.
And you don’t have to look further than your shoreline to get the best natural summer exfoliant. Simply grab a handful of sand from the beach and scrub your feet, legs and arms, rinse off in the lake and voila, smooth skin!
Melissa Shabinsky is an eco-preneur, passionate about the beautiful side of all things organic and healthy. As the creator of successful beauty products she is an expert about what should and shouldn’t be a part of a beauty routine.
