Many of us are looking for preservative-free skin care products to avoid toxins like parabens. But the reality is, preservatives are needed to ensure that harmful mold and bacteria don't grow inside our favorite moisturizers and other personal care products. The solution isn't to resort to chemicals, but to read labels correctly. You can safely use food-grade preservatives like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, or safe alcohols like organic ethanol, witch hazel and benzyl alcohol. Look for these on labels when you're shopping for skin care products.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you want to help lessen strain on the electrical grid and save money, try this: Run your dishwasher at night. You can load up your dishwasher throughout the day and after dinner, then turn it on right before you head to bed. The grid is less strained during overnight hours, and it's cheaper, too. Energy costs decrease during the hours when we're traditionally away from home, before 4 p.m. and after 9 p.m. Running appliances like the laundry machine and dishwasher at night is both economical and ecological.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Even accidentally taking a little bit of sand from the beach (like stray sand that ends up in sneakers or in the bottom of bags) can add up to significant erosion when you multiply by the number of people who visit the beach every day. To help prevent accidental sand loss, try these tips. Use a mesh tote bag so sand can easily fall through the holes. Avoid sneakers and closed-toe shoes; choose flip-flops, which can be easily shaken clean, instead. And choose a chair over a beach towel when lounging; chairs can be dipped in the water so any sand is easily washed off and returned to the beach.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION