Do you ever think, "man, this lotion has got to have some unhealthy stuff in there that must be doing some damage?" Trust me, I know what you mean. And it seems so complicated to find simple products with simple ingredients that aren't toxic to your health. What is it that you should look out for, anyway? I'll tell ya!
With the new natural kick that consumers have coaxed corporations into, through the demand of natural products, it's so easy to find beauty products without toxins at stores you most likely make frequent trips to anyway. The main places I look to for my products are Target, Lindberg, CVS, and Soothe Your Soul. CVS and Target actually have exclusive sections for natural beauty products, now!
So what is it that you're looking for, and why are they bad? The two bad boys: parabens and sulfates (look for "sodium lauryl sulfate" and "sodium laureth sulfate"). These chemicals, found in virtually all beauty products are there for things such as preservation and adding foaminess to shampoos, and you do not want them in anything you use. They are said to be carcinogenic, in other words: cancer-causing chemicals (over long periods of use, of course.) To make this simple change, just skim through the ingredient list of the back of each beauty product before purchasing.
These are a few of my personal favorite hygiene products. I've tried several kinds of each and these ones that keep me feeling naturally fresh, and lovely.
1. Jojoba oil
I love this golden, multipurpose oil! It's great for mixing into lotions, mixing with a bit of water to using as a moisturizer (alone), using as a make-up remover, treating damaged hair, or healing dandruff.
Benefits: adds essential vitamins and minerals, (like zinc, chromium, B and E vitamins +) into your body through your skin.
Where to find: CVS
2. Dead Sea Essentials by Ahava, Witch hazel hand lotion
Made from minerals straight from the Dead Sea, Ahava manages to create a very moisturizing, but non-greasy lotion that is just the right one! Not to mention it smells AMAZING. Kudos to my step mom and sister for turning me on to this!
Benefits: Added minerals, and moisture. With the addition of witch hazel, it is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, and contains antioxidants, which prevent aging.
Where to find: Target
3. Floracopeia Herbal Hand Sanitizer
This "moisturizing and cleansing oil" is made from 100% plants! Crazy cool, ain't it? Leaves you feeling clean and herbal. It may be hard to believe that plants can keep you safe from viruses and bacteria; but, just as the inherently wise functions in our bodies can, those functions in plants can also be used to shield us from external offenders. The only down side: at $10 per 2 ounce bottle, it is pricy.
Benefits: Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Moisturizing, and immune strengthening. Great source of B-12 thanks to the aloe.
Where to find: www.floracopeia.com
4. Desert Essence, Thoroughly Clean Face Wash
This promising vegan face wash does just as it claims. After using it, my face feels thoroughly clean without any excess residue I've experienced from other cleansers. My skin feels radiant.
Benefits: Tea tree oil can help with acne scars on the face, and awapuhi (wild ginger native to Hawaii) can prevent acne from raining on your parade!
Where to find: Lindberg Nutrition
5. Soothe Your Soul Facial Oil
This is, by far, my favorite product. If you want seriously soft skin go to Soothe Your Soul in Redondo Beach, where they blend their very own concoction of oils including jojoba, rose hips seed, hazelnut, and more. Mix two drops onto your damp hands, and blend into damp face and expect a gorgeous dewy complexion. I feel like I am glowing after I use this product, and it does not leave me feeling greasy, as you'd expect oil to. Just find the right ratio of oil to water, which they explain upon purchase.
Benefits: Anti-aging/anti-wrinkle due to the natural antioxidants and minerals found within the oils.
Where to find: Soothe Your Soul (Redondo Beach, CA)
6. Crystal Body Deodorant Spray
Made from mineral crystal salts, which prevent odors from forming even before the fact, keep me smelling like--well.. nothing--all day! It also comes in pure crystal form, which you wet and apply. No good scents, no bad scents.
Benefits: Mineral salts (like electrolytes) absorbed. No harmful chemicals for this vulnerable area.
Where to find: CVS
In this day and age, it's impossible to live completely toxin-free. But why not do so as often as possible, so it is okay to splurge here and there? So, don't read this and feel grim about how you've been living, but be inspired to make some simple changes that could benefit your health in the long run!
Plus, most of these products are all pretty affordable. But, as as I like to say,
health comes at a price; it's just a matter of now or later, so don't skimp!
What kind of natural products do you guys like to use?
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Sources:
http://guide2herbalremedies.com/jojoba-oil-benefits/
http://www.floracopeia.com/store/products/Natural-Hand-Sanitizer.html
http://www.acnemythsetc.com/what_you_need_to_know_about_acne_and_awapuhi.html
