GoGreen.OK.gov is an OK.gov initiative showcasing how Oklahoma eGovernment is helping to reduce the carbon footprintby reducing paper consumption and citizen travel to government facilities.

Welcome to the 13th "Green" Tips Message. This message is sent to all subscribing users on a weekly basis providing simple tips on becoming more Green! This article is part of Earth911’s “Green Eight” series, where they showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas.This week's message provides simple tips on:

8 Ways to Green Your Hygiene

1. Choose Greener Hygiene Products

It’s time to start reading the backs of your bottles. Some personal hygiene and beauty products contain harmful substances known to be skin irritants, poisons and even carcinogens. Choosing natural-ingredient products over those highly processed ones has many benefits.

First, the toxins will no longer be coming in contact with your body each day, and you’ll also be avoiding companies that produce excessive greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing.

So, which ingredients should you avoid and what products might contain them? In partnership with the Environmental Working Group, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has created Skin Deep, a searchable online database of cosmetics and personal care products where you can check your sunscreen, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream and more for toxic ingredients. 

2. Opt for Energy-Efficient Appliances

Being aware of how much electricity you use during your daily hygiene routine could help you make some cutbacks. Think about this the next time you’re in the market for a new electric razor, curling iron or hair roller set.

Most modern hair dryers use between 1,700 and 2,000 watts of electricity. If you use a hair dryer on a daily basis, switching to one with a lower wattage would not only use less power but ultimately save you a little cash on your electricity bill each month – making those additional five minutes in the morning worth it.

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