Eco-beauty favorites for Earth Day

Earth Day isn't till Friday, but many consumers never get around to making smart, greener choices -- at least when it comes to beauty, skin and hair products.

"It's overwhelming and hard to know where to start," admits Nneka Leiba, a research analyst with the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit group of scientists and policy experts based in Washington, D.C.

Stay realistic, Leiba suggests. Don't overhaul the entire medicine cabinet at once. Start by picking a few chemicals to watch for. "In the grocery store, I'll check the label and try to avoid products with parabens and phthalates," she says. Studies have linked such chemicals to potential health concerns like hormone disruption and cancer. It's still a personal decision, she concedes, and it can be hard to find the perfect product. But consumer choices make an impact.

We've collected some new eco-beauty faves. For more, visit newsday.com.