Earth Week

The thought of putting an oil on acne prone-skin can be a really scary thought for some, but with the right oil-based ingredients, you can in fact treat and fight stubborn greasy build-ups. Today's Earth Day so we're taking acne treatment back to nature with The Jojoba Company's new Acne Attack Pack ($49.95). The gentle treatment regime incorporates the wrinkle-fighting jojoba oil in conjunction with a cleanser, exfoliant, serum and spot treatment — which has strong antiseptic nettle and burdock extracts, along with bacteria-fighting totarol. Curious as to how an oil-based skincare regime can help control oily, acne-prone skin? Keep reading.

In honour of Earth Month, we thought we would clear up a few things first. As we all become more aware of the environment, climate change and all that jazz, there's been a huge surge in green cosmetics. Now, just about anyone has a natural, organic or certified organic collection or product that they want you to know about. But before you buy, it's important to know the rules and regulations around claiming to be natural, organic and certified organic.

Natural: This is the tricky one because, as we stand currently, there are no regulations around the use of the word natural in the Australian beauty market. Saying that, truly natural beauty products should feature at least 90 percent of naturally-derived ingredients and be free from all synthetics, but as there is nobody policing it in Australia, you need to be careful. The Natural Products Association was founded in the US in 1936 and they represent over 10,000 retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products, including those in the cosmetics industry. In order to gain their seal of approval, a personal care product must: "be made up of only, or at least almost only, natural ingredients manufactured with appropriate processes to maintain ingredient purity," should not be tested on animals and furthermore, should use "biodegradable ingredients and the most environmentally sensitive packaging." If it does all that, it gets the seal so keep your eyes peeled for the logo. And always check the ingredients list.

The lowdown on organic and certified organic . . .

To celebrate today's Garage Sale Trail event, we thought we'd give you the low-down on this eco-minded recycled fashion fest, as suggested to us by Tluxe designer Rebecca Powell. Did you partake in the Garage Sale Trail last year? No? Well, 2012 looks to be even bigger and better — and it's on right now! The sustainable shopping initiative started as a Bondi-based event, but this recycled fashion festival is now Australia's biggest community-based market place. Marnie Skillings is one of the GST's ambassadors this year, and the designer is urging fashionable types to get involved. "This programme is great for the wider fashion community. For those who want to clear out their wardrobe, for brands who want to hold sample sales and to aspiring fashion designers and makers and creators who can use this as a way of showcasing their talents...It’s also the such a great way to nab a great find.” 2012 sees the Garage Sale Trail getting an e-update thanks to some high-tech partnerships. You'll be able to navigate your way around your locally listed sales in a flash via True Local, then pay cash-free with the help of PayPal. Happy bargain hunting...

Giving back runs in the family for Rupert Noffs, the creative force and founder behind eco shoe label, Gideon Shoes. Rupert is the grandson of the late Reverend Ted Noffs, whose legacy lives on via the Ted Noffs Foundation. Gideon's cool kicks help support the Street Universities charity, and their latest design takes the giving-back ethos one step further. The Giving Shoe is 100% vegan, handmade from sustainable products and almost completely bio-degradable. Rupert keeps busy in NYC, but we managed to steal five minutes from his schedule so he could answer our eco-queries. . .

I make ethical fashion because. . . I have a conscience.
Living in New York City is. . . like running around a theme park that never closes — some days are like being on the dodgem cars and others are like a roller coaster.
Everyone can live ‘greener’ by. . . buying vintage pieces or organic fabrics, and not following seasonal trends.
Apart from Gideon (obviously) I heart eco brands. . . Stella McCartney's vegan but on-trend shoes, Edun is amazing, and From Somewhere — amazing garments made from post-consumer waste!
People may not know. . . Gideon Shoes is run by the Ted Noffs Foundation with 100% profits going back to empowering Aussie kids in need. We also have a vintage store called OneNoffs, where donated clothes are reconstructed and deconstructed into one off pieces!

The Giving Shoe retails for $69.95, 100% of profits go to the Street Universities charity, and you can buy it here.

Earth Day is coming up on April 22 and to mark the occasion Sierra Club, an environmental organisation in the US, asked some celebrities to name their favourite places in the world. Blythe Danner, Modern Family’s Nolan Gould, Alison Janney and more shared their love of nature and listed places that are special to them, while stars like Jessica Alba and Joshua Jackson reinforce the need to take care of the planet. Where is your favourite place in the world?

Erika Heynatz is the official Australian ambassador for Aveda's 2012 Walk for Water, the Earth Month initiative that highlights the average distance (6km) women walk in developing countries to get access to water for their families. We chat to Erika about her involvement with the brand, her makeup and skincare must-haves and how her views on beauty have changed over the years.