GLOW GOLD

Natural Skincare Workshop

Clean Beauty

Label Reading

DIY Scrub

Know Your Skin

Girl Scout Gold Award | 2025–2026

Did you know? 47% of students started using skincare regularly between ages 11–13 and 72% don't use natural skincare because of cost and lack of information. Today we change that.

About This Project

What is Glow Gold?

Glow Gold is a Girl Scout Gold Award project created to educate pre-teens and teens about natural skincare, ingredient awareness, and clean beauty.��The problem: Social media is selling teens products they don't need often packed with harmful chemicals.��The solution: Hands-on workshops, a DIY activity, label-reading skills, and a free online resource hub so anyone can access this info.

38%

Of Generation Z use skincare daily

59%

Of Generation Z use makeup monthly, with 23% using makeup weekly

50+

teens to be reached through this project

Goal: 5+ workshops + a free online resource hub

Environment Working Group

Why It Matters

The Sephora Kids Problem

📱 The Sephora Kids Trend

Young girls are flooding beauty stores, influenced by TikTok & YouTube to buy anti-aging products like retinol that their skin doesn't need yet.

“Children’s skin is thinner and more vulnerable to damage than adult skin… anti-aging or skin brightening can break down their skin barrier.”

​

⚠️ Harmful Chemicals in Kids' Products

A Columbia University & Earthjustice study found 70% of children under 12 use products containing lead, PFAS, phthalates & formaldehyde. “California Assembly Bill 2491 (AB 2491), introduced in 2024, proposes to ban the sale of certain anti-aging skincare products to children under 13.” 

🌍 It's a Global Issue

The WHO (World Health Organization) links skincare chemicals to hormone disruption & environmental damage. Countries across Europe & Asia are pushing for clean beauty laws.

✅ Small Changes = Big Impact

Research shows switching to low-chemical products can reduce harmful chemicals in the body by 25–45%. You have the power to choose better.

Sources: Columbia/Earthjustice Study · WHO Endocrine Report · BBC Health · petiteskin.co · formulabotica.com

Workshop Agenda

What We're Doing Today

📋

0–5 min

Welcome + Pre-Survey

💡

5–13 min

Why This Matters

🌿

13–22 min

Ingredient 101

🔍

22–30 min

Label Scanning Activity

✂️

30–42 min

Cut & Fill Your Zine

🍯

42–55 min

DIY Honey Sugar Lip Scrub

🌐

55–58 min

Resources & Wrap-Up

📝

58–60 min

Post-Survey

Before We Start

Pre-Survey Time!

Answer honestly: there are no wrong answers! This helps us measure what you learn today.

Q1

How often do you use skincare products?

Q2

Where do you usually get skincare advice?

Q3

On a scale of 1–5, how confident are you reading a skincare label?

Q4

Do you use any natural skincare products?

Scan QR or use paper copy

Ingredient 101

Ingredients to LOVE

🍯

Honey

Natural humectant: attracts & locks in moisture. Great gentle cleanser too.

🍌

Banana & Coconut Milk

Moisturizing, soothing: especially for eczema & psoriasis-prone skin.

🫒

Olive & Coconut Oil

Nourishing, promotes blood flow to skin and scalp. Kitchen staples!

🌊

Sea Moss

Packed with minerals: powerful for both skin and hair care.

🌸

Calendula & Rose

Calming, anti-inflammatory herbs perfect for sensitive skin.

☕

Coffee & Sugar

Exfoliate naturally, boost circulation, glycolic acid in sugar = younger-looking skin.

Source: Expert interviews — Starlett Davis (Natural Eccentrics LLC) & Nicole Rowe

Watch Out!

Red Flag Ingredients

🚩

Sulfates

Harsh detergents that strip skin's natural moisture barrier.

🚩

Phthalates

Linked to hormone disruption :especially harmful for developing bodies.

🚩

Petroleum / Mineral Oil

Synthetic, can clog pores and prevent skin from breathing.

🚩

Silicones

Create a false smooth feeling: no real nourishment, block moisture.

🚩

Kojic Acid

Used for skin lightening, not appropriate for teen skincare.

🚩

Bad Alcohols

Drying, stripping : look for denatured alcohol or SD alcohol on labels.

💡 Label Rule: Water should be ingredient #1. More than 6–7 ingredients? Can't pronounce it? Look it up!

Ingredient Spotlight

Coconut Oil 🡪 Benefits

Coconut oil is one of the most versatile natural skincare ingredients. It is used as a moisturizer, makeup remover, hair mask, lip balm base, and carrier oil for essential oils. It contains lauric acid, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

✅

Refined Coconut Oil

Best for skin

Odorless, lighter feel, less likely to cause breakouts. Great for body and hair use. Processed to remove impurities.

🌴

Unrefined / Virgin

Best for moisturizing

Cold-pressed, more nutrients retained. Stronger coconut scent. Best for dry skin but can clog pores for some acne-prone people.

⚠️

Watch Out

Not for everyone

Coconut oil is comedogenic (can clog pores). If you have oily or acne-prone skin, patch test first and use sparingly.

​

Want to find out your

Skin Type? Take this 3-minute

quiz!

In today's DIY scrub, we use refined coconut oil as our moisturizing base!

Ingredient Spotlight

Essential Oils 101

⚠️ ALWAYS dilute essential oils in a carrier oil (like coconut or olive oil) before putting on skin. Never apply undiluted. Citrus oils can react to sunlight and cause burns.

🌹

Rose

Ratio: 1–2% dilution

Hydrating, anti-aging, great for all skin types

💜

Lavender

Ratio: 1–2% dilution

Calming, good for sensitive or irritated skin

🍋

Lemon

Ratio: 0.5–1% max

Brightening — but AVOID before sun exposure!

🫚

Tea Tree

Ratio: 1% dilution

Antibacterial, great for blemish-prone skin

🌿

Peppermint

Ratio: 0.5–1% max

Cooling, refreshing — avoid near eyes

🌼

Chamomile

Ratio: 1–2% dilution

Anti-inflammatory, soothing, great for sensitive skin

Carrier oil ratio: 1% dilution ≈ 1 drop essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil

Label Reading

How to Read a Skincare Label

1

Ingredients are listed by concentration — highest first, lowest last.

2

Water (aqua) should be the first or second ingredient in most products.

3

If there are more than 6–7 ingredients, research each one.

4

If you can barely pronounce the ingredient, look it up before using.

5

Watch for 'fragrance' — it can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals.

SAMPLE LABEL

Ingredients:

✅ Aqua (Water),

✅ Glycerin,

🚩 Sodium Lauryl Sulfate,

🚩 Parfum (Fragrance),

🚩 Dimethicone,

🚩 Propylene Glycol,

✅ Phenoxyethanol

🔍 Good news: apps like INCI Decoder & Think Dirty can scan products and rate ingredients for you!

🔬 Activity Time

Label Scanning Activity!

Examine the real product labels on your table and answer these questions:

Q1:

What is the FIRST ingredient listed?

💡 Should be water/aqua for most products

Q2:

How many total ingredients are there?

💡 More than 6–7? Worth researching!

Q3:

Can you read all the ingredient names?

💡 Circle any you don't recognize

Q4:

Do you spot any red-flag ingredients?

💡 Sulfates, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil?

Q5:

Is this product marketed to teens?

💡 Does the marketing match what's actually in it?

Q6:

Would you still buy this after reading it?

💡 Your call — informed decisions matter!

Use your zine's 'Ingredients to Know' panel to help! ✂️

Compare & Contrast

Real World Example

Drunk Elephant Sunscreen

Visit formulabotica.com to explore clean ingredient alternatives and compare product formulas

• Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891): Mineral UV filter that reflects UV rays.
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Lightweight, coconut-derived emollient.
• Glycerin: Attracts moisture to the skin.
• Pentylene Glycol: Humectant and solvent.
• Tocopheryl Acetate/Tocopherol: Vitamin E variants for antioxidant protection.
• Silica: Absorbs oil and gives a matte finish.

Compare & Contrast

Clean vs. Conventional Beauty

Conventional / Trending

e.g. Sephora kids trend, petiteskin.co

🚩 Often contains sulfates, silicones, synthetic fragrance

🚩 Heavily marketed to teens & preteens on TikTok/YouTube

🚩 Anti-aging ingredients (like retinol) not appropriate for young skin

🚩 Products can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals

🚩 Higher price point, influencer-driven purchases

Clean / Natural Beauty

e.g. formulabotica.com, Natural Eccentrics

✅ Transparent ingredient lists — easy to read & research

✅ Uses natural humectants, oils, botanicals appropriate for teen skin

✅ Often more affordable when DIY or locally sourced

✅ Shorter ingredient lists = fewer unknowns

✅ Aligns with sustainability and environmental values

Visit formulabotica.com to explore clean ingredient alternatives and compare product formulas

Did You Know?

Fun Facts About Natural Skincare

🍯

Honey has been used as a skincare ingredient for over 4,000 years , ancient Egyptians used it to moisturize and heal skin.

☕

Coffee is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods on earth, which makes it a powerful skin brightener and anti-inflammatory scrub.

🌊

Sea moss contains 92 of the 102 minerals the human body needs, including collagen-boosting zinc and sulfur for clearer skin.

🥥

Switching to products with fewer synthetic chemicals can reduce toxic chemical levels in the body by 25–45% in just a few weeks.

🌸

Calendula (marigold) has been clinically shown to be as effective as prescription topicals for some types of skin irritation.

🍌

Banana peel contains lutein, an antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage, many people use it directly on acne spots!

Glossary

Ingredient Glossary

Humectant:

Draws moisture from the air into the skin. Examples: honey, glycerin, sugar.

Emollient:

Softens and smooths skin by filling in gaps between skin cells. Examples: oils, shea butter.

Occlusives:

Create a barrier on skin to lock in moisture. Examples: beeswax, coconut oil.

Antioxidant:

Protects skin from damage caused by free radicals. Examples: green tea, vitamin C, sea moss.

Active Ingredient:

The ingredient responsible for the intended skincare result (e.g. glycolic acid exfoliates).

Carrier Oil:

A base oil used to dilute essential oils before applying to skin. Examples: olive, grapeseed, coconut oil.

Comedogenic:

Means it can clog pores. Coconut oil is comedogenic for some people — always patch test!

pH Balance:

Skin's natural pH is 4.5–5.5 (slightly acidic). Products that disrupt this can cause irritation.

Reference this glossary when reading labels or researching ingredients at formulabotica.com

Activity Time

Cut & Fill Your Glow Gold Zine!

⏱ You have 12 minutes!

1

Get your printed zine sheet and a pair of scissors.

2

Fold in half horizontally (top to bottom) ; you get a long strip.

3

Fold the strip in half again (left to right), then once more.

4

Unfold flat. Cut ONLY along the center dashed line (between panels 2 & 3).

5

Refold in half, push ends inward ; booklet pops open! Cover faces you.

6

Fill it in! Circle fave ingredients, X out red flags, write your skin goal.

🌟 Take your zine home visit glowgold.com for more recipes and tips!

DIY Time!

Honey Sugar Lip Scrub Recipe

⚠️ Safety first: Wash hands, keep workspace clean. No nut oils today. Patch test before use at home!

What You Need

🍯 1 tsp raw honey

Natural humectant

🍚 1 tsp white or brown sugar

Natural exfoliant with glycolic acid

🥥 ½ tsp refined coconut oil

Moisturizing base

🌹 1 drop essential oil (optional)

Scent + skin benefit = diluted!

🥄 Wooden stirrer

For mixing

📦 2 oz take-home container

To take it home!

Steps

1

Add honey + sugar to your clean mixing bowl.

2

Add coconut oil and stir gently until combined.

3

Add 1 drop of your chosen essential oil if using.

4

Stir everything together until evenly mixed.

5

Spoon into your 2oz container

6

To use: apply to lips, scrub gently in circles, rinse.

Store at room temperature. Use within 1–2 weeks (no preservatives). Recipe courtesy of Starlett Davis, Natural Eccentrics LLC.

Almost Done!

Post-Survey Time!

You did it! Now let's see what you learned. Be honest — every answer helps!

1

Name one natural ingredient you'll look for on labels.

Your answer:

2

Name one red-flag ingredient you'll now try to avoid.

Your answer:

3

On a scale of 1–5, how confident reading a label now?

Your answer:

4

Would you try making a natural skincare product at home?

Your answer:

Use paper copy

Keep Glowing

Resources & Next Steps

🌐

Glow Gold Curriculum

glowgold.com

Recipes, ingredient guides, label-reading tips, and all on the QR code at the back of your zine

🧪

Formula Botica

formulabotica.com

Research and compare clean vs. conventional product ingredients.

🔬

INCI Decoder

incidecoder.com

Paste any ingredient list and get a full breakdown of what each one does.

💅

Think Dirty App

thinkdirtyapp.com

Scan product barcodes to get a safety rating | free on iOS & Android.

Your zine goes home with you! Follow Glow Gold on social media for ongoing tips 💛

✨

You're Glowing!

Thank you for showing up for your skin today.

Clean Beauty

DIY Skills

Label Reading

💛Confidence

Questions? Stay in touch:�Glowgoldgs4858@gmail.com

Glow Gold — Girl Scout Gold Award · NC Coastal Pines Council · 2025–2026