Finding the perfect face cleanser for your skin is almost like the great quest for the Holy Grail. It seems impossible. And after countless tubes and bottles end up in the trash (or donated to friends) you start to wonder, "Is the perfect cleanser for me out there? Continued...

Good things always take time-especially when they stem from the earth. Which is why I’m thrilled that fashion is finally going green. And it's completely stylish too-nothing frumpy. Some of my favorite brands are good for the earth, and for your street cred. So put away that granola-eating, tree-hugging stereotype for good. Eco-friendly, organic fashion has come a long way, and it’s high time you wear clothes that made you feel and look good while making a statement. Continued...

If you're diligent about buying only organic produce and checking labels for chemical ingredients while strolling through the market, I encourage you to take that awareness one step forward: to alcohol. When you think about where wine or vodka comes from (plants) the light bulb may turn on in your head. Shouldn't these ingredients be organic too? Shouldn't they be farmed and processed using sustainable methods without chemicals and pesticides? Yes and yes! Continued...

Sometimes times a zit isn't just a zit. Or perhaps that patch of dry, flaky skin isn't just your body's way of telling you to slather on extra rich moisturizer. Your face is a mirror to your health. So symptoms like these could be your body telling you there are problems. Sound crazy? Well it's not. For three thousand years the Chinese have been practicing face reading, which dictates that by understanding the problems of your skin, you can then correlate them to internal problems. Once you've fixed the internal, you've potentially fixed the external-your skin. Now this isn't the secret to solving all your skin concerns. But it is another tool to help you get the best skin possible, all while improving your overall health. Continued...

If you read my blog or spend some time on Saffron Rouge you'll find plenty of green words that get tossed around left and right (including the word 'green' itself). Some of these words, like 'organic' seem simple enough until you realize the complexities involved. Others, like carcinogens and phthalates, seem like they need someone with a doctorate degree to figure them out. So I've compiled a mini-dictionary of common terms you'll run across. Continued...

She's considered one of the world's most beautiful people. Her films have made you laugh (Wedding Crashers) and sob so hard you ran out of tissues (The Notebook). But I bet you didn't know that in addition to being a magazine cover girl, a leading lady and a red carpet goddess, she's also an environmentalist. Better yet, her love for nature and the environment isn't just an excuse to get press or a pet project to help her get tax breaks. She's been environmentally conscious since she was a kid, and to this day she does everything she can to lighten her footprint on the world (and even dreams of living in a tree house and growing her own food). Continued...

Once you have kids going to the beach no longer requires just a towel, a trashy novel and one tube of all-purpose sunscreen. Now you need swim-approved diapers, water toys, buckets and shovels, snacks and an entire arsenal of sunscreen. Because, after all, the same sunscreen that works for you, won't necessarily work for your baby and that sunscreen may not work for your toddler. Pretty soon you're toting enough tubes to rival the local drug store. Continued...

If you're like me, most of the time you're too busy to make dinner, let alone making your own face product. Which means it's a good thing that there are so many pre-made facial toners out there. They contain skin-beneficial plant extracts that are often hard for the average person to find. But making your own is easy and fun. If you just want a very basic toner that's also ultra cheap, add cooled-off tea (such as green tea) to 1-3 drops of essential oil and shake. Just remember that without the proper alcohol (approx 14%) or preservatives, it won't stay fresh very long. For something a little more complex, add 1-3 drops of essential oil(s) to 8 oz of floral water. To really understand the intricacies of floral waters, I recommend reading my floral waters newsletter. Continued...

"Go Surfing. If reading labels isn't your thing, visit websites that weed out less-than-natural products for you. SaffronRouge.com is the Sephora for the organic set."
-Beth Janes, Senior Beauty Features Editor
from "Natural Beauty For Everyone", Self Magazine, July 2007, p.124 Continued...