Do you have cleansers, creams, lotions, serums, sprays, perfumes, deodorants, and cosmetics packed in your bathroom drawers and cabinets? If so, you’re not alone. A 2004 Environmental Working Group (EWG) survey found that the average adult uses nine personal care products, containing 126 unique chemical ingredients, each day.
These products are expensive. More alarmingly, according to the EWG, many of them contain toxic substances like mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and petroleum byproducts.
But the best reason to ditch them? The vast majority are completely unnecessary.
That might sound crazy. Millions of advertising dollars are spent convincing us we need an arsenal of products to maintain proper hygiene and make us look younger and more attractive.
However, in the last five years, I’ve pared down and sought out pure, natural alternatives. And I’ve been shocked to discover that in almost every case, the simple non-toxic replacements work better. And trust me, you don’t have to be a chemist to make these.
Here are some easy substitutions to try if you’d like to simplify your personal care:
- Instead of under-arm deodorant
Try brushing on:
1/2 cup baking soda mixed with 1/2 cup corn starch
Or for a product closer to what you buy in the store, mix the baking soda, corn starch mixture with coconut oil and a few drops of essential oil, and put it in a recycled deodorant dispenser. (Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees. So in the summer, you’ll want to keep it in the refrigerator.)
- Instead of mouthwash
Try gargling with hydrogen peroxide. (Bonus: it whitens your teeth.)
Or a salt water solution.
Or a mint herbal infusion. (Steep 1 oz. dried herb in 4 cups boiling water. Refrigerate. Lasts several days.)
- Instead of shampoo and conditioner
Try using baking soda and apple cider vinegar. This combination works much better than the most expensive natural shampoos and conditioners I used to buy. I wrote about it here.
- Instead of dandruff shampoo
Try an infusion or decoction of aloe, burdock, cloves, lemongrass, nettle leaf and root, peppermint, rosemary, or willow.
(You can read more about natural herbal hair rinses in this Herb Companion article. It includes more herbs to try for dandruff, as well as herbs for dry scalp and oily scalp issues, and a how-to for making infusions, decoctions, and vinegar extracts.)
- Instead of hair dye
Try henna.
Or to darken hair, try a sage infusion.
Or to lighten hair, try a chamomile or calendula infusion.
(You can read more about natural hair dyes in this Mother Earth News article.)
- Instead of lotion
Try olive, almond, or coconut oil.
(Tip: It’s usually cheaper to buy oils in the food section of the grocery store than in the health and beauty section.)
- Instead of facial moisturizer
Try jojoba oil.
Or aloe vera.
- Instead of facial cleanser
Try castile soap.
Or a mixture of castor oil and jojoba or olive oil. You can find information about the oil cleansing method here.
Or Rosemary Gladstar’s “miracle grains”:
-
- 1 Cup finely ground Oats
- 2 Cups White Clay
- 1/4 Cup finely ground Almonds
- 1/8 Cup finely ground Lavender
- 1/8 Cup finely ground Roses
I haven’t sworn off all store-bought personal care products. But when I buy them, I look for a short list of ingredients that I’m familiar with. For example, the Badger Nutmeg and Shea body moisturizer my friend gave me for my birthday contains Organic Shea butter, Beeswax, Castor oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Nutmeg, Seabuckthorn berry, Rosehip, and Rosemary. Those are the kinds of ingredients I look for.
Do you have a favorite personal-care recipe? Have you discovered a simple, non-toxic alternative that works?
We love the rock crystal for deodorant…it lasts for years and costs around $5. We also use the baking soda/vinegar treatment in place of shampoo and conditioner and my husband’s dandruff has completely disappeared. I rarely have acne anymore since foregoing shampoo/conditioner. I use a few drops of tea tree oil in water when my face does break out, and it’s usually gone within a day. Love it!
Thanks for your tips! I’m going to get some tea tree oil.
The process of figuring out what works for you can take time, though. For instance, I went throught multiple natural (and expensive) deodorants before settling on plain baking soda. I tried OCM for face cleansing for a couple months but I was breaking out so badly I went back to my regular (not so healthy product). The Diva Cup worked like a charm for me. I have used olive oil and coconut oil as a moisturizer but in the winter (Alberta) I get so dry I break down and buy a bottle of organic lotion. I still buy organic shampoo but now only shampoo every second or third day… I love it when I figure out what works for me and actually enjoy the hunt too.
Thanks for sharing, Kika. Yes, I agree. It takes awhile to sort out what works best. OCM didn’t work for me either, although I’ve heard a lot of people love it.
Great list! I use baking soda/ACV for my hair and it works wonderfully for me. For mild dandruff I’ve added rosemary and it really seems to make a difference. I’ve also added some sage for nicer shine/color in my dark brown hair.
I am also a huge fan of the OCM method for my face. Between that, some coconut oil for lotion, and the occasional oatmeal/clay scrub, I’m totally happy with my facial routine. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your routine, Stephanie! I’m glad to hear you’ve had luck with rosemary for dandruff. I’m going to pass that info along to a friend, who stopped using the BC/ACV combo because of dandruff.
I just had a tea tree oil scalp treatment at a salon and my head feels better than it has in months – or maybe even years! I’ve had a completely itch-free, flake-free scalp for several days now. Definitely buying some tea tree oil! I agree that it does take more work sometimes to find the exactly perfect blend or routine for you, but it is so satisfying when you do find it. Now, what to do with all those products wasting away in my bathroom cabinets? (body products and cleaners) Someone recommended donating to a women’s shelter. I might look into that.
I tried the substitute for shampoo on my hair for a week but it didn’t work out well, I have oily skin/hair and it wasn’t strong enough. Then I tried the Dr. Bronner’s soap for soap and hair. The soap for my body works great. The hair part made my hair brittle and difficult to control. I did not use any conditioner. Do you know of any natural conditioner? I have fine blond hair that gets oily easily. I like the Bronners with tea tree oil in it– helps my skin and with the lavender. Currently I use the Tom’s toothpaste but could use baking soda if needed.
I just use water for all of the above. Your skin takes care of itself, if you let it.