I've said before that if I were stuck on a desert island and could only take a few things with me, 2 of those things would be Vinegar and Baking Soda. If I were limited to 1 thing, I'd take the Baking Soda.
The more I try to get away from using chemical-laden home cleaners the more I realize that I can use these two products to clean almost everything, and not just my home. I've compiled a little list of uses for both items and thought I'd share in case you needed some inspiration.
Baking Soda:
1. Drain Cleaner- dump about 1/4 cup down the drain and then pour about a cup of very hot water down the drain. It will help disolve build up and keep your pipes moving. You can also use vinegar for a more foamy drain cleaner after the baking soda.
2. Deoderant- I've mentioned this before but you can dust baking soda and cornstarch on your arm pits to keep them fresh and dry. Some people find that it can irritate their skin if they use too much baking soda, so playing with the ratio of B.S. vs cornstarch can help.
3. Teeth! I've run out of toothpaste and just dipped a clean damp toothbrush into some baking soda and gently brushed. It worked great!
4. Toilet Cleaner- instead of harsher chemical abrasives, you can sprinkle baking soda into your toilet bowl and use your scrubber to scour. It works great and there are no dangerous chemicals that may harm pets and children.
5. Rash relief- I have severe allergies and I've used this one quite a bit. Make a paste with cool water and baking soda (consistency is up to your liking) and pat onto affected area. The baking soda helps calm the skin and take the itch away. It works for bug bites as well.
6. Shoe deoderizer- sprinkle a little in your sneakers to help absorb moisture and odor. I like to do this everyone once in a while to my running shoes to keep them from getting funky.
7. Laundry- instead of using a ton of detergent you can add between a 1/2 cup and 1 cup to your washing machine.
8. Go No 'Poo- instead of using shampoo you can sprinkle baking soda in your hair and massage it into your scalp with some water to clean your hair and remove product build up. Rinse thoroughly.
9. Antacid- you can use baking soda as an antacid, the directions are actually on the package! But beware of the taste; it's not my favorite.
10. Dishes- you can use baking soda for your pots and pans to get rid of tough stuck on food. It's also great for cleaning out your coffee pot.
11. Clean your floors- you can use a little bit of baking soda and water to scrub away scuff marks on your floor or you can sprinkle a little all over your no-wax and tile floors before you mop and your floors will glisten aftewards.
Vinegar:
1. Hair Rinse- after using baking soda to clean your hair you can dilute vinegar in some water ( I use about 1 part vinegar to 6 parts water) and pour onto your hair. Let it sit for a few seconds and then rinse as usual with water. The vinegar helps to seal your hair and makes it shiny.
2. Relieve itchy dry skin- you can add a couple tablespoons to your bathwater and soak. You can also dampen a cotten ball and dab on itchy dry areas.
3. Clean your produce- fill your sink with water and add about a 1/4 cup of vinegar. Soak your waxy-skinned fruits and veggies for a minute or so and then rinse to remove any dirt, germs, etc that may be lingering. This isn't reccommended for porous skinned fruits and veggies.
4. Lint- you can get rid of lint in your laundry by adding a cup of vinegar to your wash.
5. Stain Remover- you can dilute vingar and dab onto stained clothing or fabrics. This works well for perspiration stains, pet stains, and some food stains.
6. Remove mineral deposits- deposits can build up in tea kettles and coffee makers so you can run vinegar through your coffee maker to help rid it of deposits followed by a plain water cycle.
7. Clean your cutting boards- wiping cutting boards and surfaces with vinegar and water helps to clean and sanitize them.
8. Clean your Floor- using 1 part vinegar and 3-4 parts water, you can use this solution to clean your laminate, tile or wood floors.
9. Stainless Steel- you can clean stainless steel surface by wiping with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
10. Unclog the Shower head- warm some vinegar in a pot and unscrew your shower head. Dip the shower head into the warmed vinegar a few times to help removed build up that causes clogs. Rinse the shower head with water and replace. It should run much cleaner.
There are hundreds more uses, but I just wanted to get you started on the path to using these great alternatives to traditional household cleaners. What are your favorite uses for baking soda and vinegar?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
What Matters Most: Weighing Ingredients Versus Health Benefits
A few years ago I started using Tom's of Maine toothpaste instead of my regular name brand kind because I had just started my journey into being informed of the ingredients in my health and beauty products. I saw the "All Natural" label and grabbed a tube. When I tried it I liked the light flavor and the toothpaste didn't feel too gritty or gross in my mouth so I stuck to it.
Fast forward to a few months ago when I took another look at my toothpaste and actually READ the ingredient list. I was shocked to see a couple things on there, namely SLS!
Not that Tom's has a bad product, but I definitely should have read the label more carefully instead of assuming that just because a label says "All Natural" means that it doesn't contain ingredients I don't want in or on my body. Also, to be clear, SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) is sometimes derived from plants such as coconuts and not always from artificial means, but it is still a known irritant and not something I want in my products.
Anyhow, so I was back to the market searching the shelves for something more suitable to my needs. I literally spent 3 hours between Whole Foods, New Seasons Market and Fred Meyer reading labels and comparing pricing and ingredients and hunting down flavors that I don't find awful. Not my most fun day.
I found a ton of products that would have mostly great ingredients and one or two questionable ones, so I had to go back to the drawing board and weigh my priorities. I wanted a product to help keep my teeth and gums clean and healthy, but I didn't want to put anything into my body that would harm it. And I also don't want something that tastes like dirt (or worse). I then had to take into account what my dentist and oral hygenist would say.... if I suddenly started sprouting up cavities I would have a lot of explaining to do.
After thinking over everything I decided my priorities would be to find a product with minimal harsh or harmful chemicals if any and I would probably have to get something with flouride (though there is a large debate on whether or not flouride is good for you... just google it because it's enough for an entirely separate post!) to keep my dentist happy. Tom's is not bad, but I decided to give Jason Sea Fresh Toothpaste. It contains some pretty great ingredients, and instead of SLS it has Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate which some say is a less harsh chemical on your body (although, who really knows). I also use Tom's of Maine floss because it's slightly bigger than the big brands of floss and I think the larger string and texture helps grab more food particles from in between teeth. I had to give into my dentist when he asked me to use a flouride mouthwash after he did some sealants on my molars... I'm still on the search for a good one because I seem to find only chemical and dye laden ones!
Daily here is my oral hygiene routine:
AM
floss- Tom's of Maine
toothpaste- Jason Sea Fresh
toothbrush- Phillips Sonicare
PM
floss- Tom's of Maine
toothpaste- Jason Sea Fresh
toothbrush- Phillips Sonicare
What I decided during this toothpaste quest is that it's all about balancing my health needs with my desire to use natural, organic and sustainable ingredients. I'd much rather NOT have cavities and the costs/health issues that go with them and put a little bit of a questionable ingredient in me for now. And until there are conclusive unbiased tests for the claims against flouride I feel I should probably use it (sparingly, though, just in case!).
What do you use? Have you found any great natural alternatives?
Fast forward to a few months ago when I took another look at my toothpaste and actually READ the ingredient list. I was shocked to see a couple things on there, namely SLS!
Not that Tom's has a bad product, but I definitely should have read the label more carefully instead of assuming that just because a label says "All Natural" means that it doesn't contain ingredients I don't want in or on my body. Also, to be clear, SLS (sodium laureth sulfate) is sometimes derived from plants such as coconuts and not always from artificial means, but it is still a known irritant and not something I want in my products.
Anyhow, so I was back to the market searching the shelves for something more suitable to my needs. I literally spent 3 hours between Whole Foods, New Seasons Market and Fred Meyer reading labels and comparing pricing and ingredients and hunting down flavors that I don't find awful. Not my most fun day.
I found a ton of products that would have mostly great ingredients and one or two questionable ones, so I had to go back to the drawing board and weigh my priorities. I wanted a product to help keep my teeth and gums clean and healthy, but I didn't want to put anything into my body that would harm it. And I also don't want something that tastes like dirt (or worse). I then had to take into account what my dentist and oral hygenist would say.... if I suddenly started sprouting up cavities I would have a lot of explaining to do.
After thinking over everything I decided my priorities would be to find a product with minimal harsh or harmful chemicals if any and I would probably have to get something with flouride (though there is a large debate on whether or not flouride is good for you... just google it because it's enough for an entirely separate post!) to keep my dentist happy. Tom's is not bad, but I decided to give Jason Sea Fresh Toothpaste. It contains some pretty great ingredients, and instead of SLS it has Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate which some say is a less harsh chemical on your body (although, who really knows). I also use Tom's of Maine floss because it's slightly bigger than the big brands of floss and I think the larger string and texture helps grab more food particles from in between teeth. I had to give into my dentist when he asked me to use a flouride mouthwash after he did some sealants on my molars... I'm still on the search for a good one because I seem to find only chemical and dye laden ones!
Daily here is my oral hygiene routine:
AM
floss- Tom's of Maine
toothpaste- Jason Sea Fresh
toothbrush- Phillips Sonicare
PM
floss- Tom's of Maine
toothpaste- Jason Sea Fresh
toothbrush- Phillips Sonicare
What I decided during this toothpaste quest is that it's all about balancing my health needs with my desire to use natural, organic and sustainable ingredients. I'd much rather NOT have cavities and the costs/health issues that go with them and put a little bit of a questionable ingredient in me for now. And until there are conclusive unbiased tests for the claims against flouride I feel I should probably use it (sparingly, though, just in case!).
What do you use? Have you found any great natural alternatives?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I Fell Off the Face of the Earth...
I got real busy with work and life, you know...
Speaking of Face...
It's harder than heck trying to find gentle natural cosmetics. I've spent hours upon hours on the interwebs looking for A) natural, gentle make up for me to try/ use, B) Products that are actually available in retailers near me (I'm nervous ordering cosmetics sight-unseen from online- who knows what the real color will be when I bust it open) and C) products that don't leave me broke until payday.
I opened my make up bag a while back to see what I truly use on a daily basis and what I could purge (and by bag I mean a crazy Caboodle box that's big enough to hold tools that I've had since high school). First I started by throwing old gross make up out (like items I used when I was in plays and musicals in the late 90's and early 2000's, GROSS!). Then I threw out colors that I had but never used (yellow and teal eyeshadow anyone?). Once I got down to what was left I found that I don't really use a ton. Here are my daily make up requirements:
1. tinted moisturizer/ poweder or light foundation
2. blush
3. Mascara- black
I also decided that I needed to keep some other things around in case I have the chance to dress up for a special occassion. Those items are:
1. eye shadow (mostly neutral colors, but a few slightly shimmery shades too for fun)
2. Eye liner (black and brown).
3. tiny pot of concealer- just in case.
So I pretty much threw everything else out and decided that once I ran out of something, I would look for a more natural alternative.
The first thing I ran out of was mascara. I LOVE mascara- I feel awake and pretty when I wear it and it's the ONE beauty item I could not do without. Seriously, if everything was destroyed in my make up bag I'd be ok as long as I had some plain black mascara. Anyway, so I started my search online to see what the top mascaras were and where I could find them.
A lot of people reccommended Physician's Formula Ultra Black Organics and when I found it was available at most local stores (Fred Meyer, Target, etc) I ran out and grabbed a tube. When I first put it on it felt a little sticky until it dried, then it felt much better but it definitely started flaking and rubbing off pretty early in the day and it made my lashes feel a bit heavy. I used it for a few days and got really tired of having to keep q-tips with me to swipe under my eyes every few hours so I didn't look like I got in a fight.
I then tried Origins Full Story Lush Lash mascara- it felt a little heavy when it was wet, but didn't feel sticky and didn't flake off. The only thing I didn't really like was that it didn't add much oomph to my lashes so I had to apply multiple coats. I'm not one to reapply make up throughout the day.
I'm waiting to run out so I can try a few more. On my list to try are:
1. Tarte Lash-hugger Eco Friendly mascara
2. Lavera Natural Cosmetics
3. Honeybee Gardens mascara
I also ran out of light foundation a few weeks ago, so I tried Physician's Formula Organic Wear Foundation and bought the PF Bamboo Wear powder as well. LOVED the powder because it's light, has hardly any scent and it didn't irritate my skin. I was not very impressed with the actual foundation as it felt heavy and goopy on my face (I only used it for a couple days and by mid day each day I had wiped it all off because I was tired of feeling it).
I went to Origins and asked to test their Stay Tuned foundation in Bare. It's very light and matched my skin perfectly. I don't always wear foundation, so I've got a lot of this left and I'll probably keep using it unless I find the need for a different one.
I'm still using my BareMinerals blush in "Beauty" because that stuff lasts forever so I've yet to try out any blushes.
I also haven't tried any eyeliner or eyeshadows because I rarely use them and had brand new of both (or all).
What are you using and what have you tried?
Speaking of Face...
It's harder than heck trying to find gentle natural cosmetics. I've spent hours upon hours on the interwebs looking for A) natural, gentle make up for me to try/ use, B) Products that are actually available in retailers near me (I'm nervous ordering cosmetics sight-unseen from online- who knows what the real color will be when I bust it open) and C) products that don't leave me broke until payday.
I opened my make up bag a while back to see what I truly use on a daily basis and what I could purge (and by bag I mean a crazy Caboodle box that's big enough to hold tools that I've had since high school). First I started by throwing old gross make up out (like items I used when I was in plays and musicals in the late 90's and early 2000's, GROSS!). Then I threw out colors that I had but never used (yellow and teal eyeshadow anyone?). Once I got down to what was left I found that I don't really use a ton. Here are my daily make up requirements:
1. tinted moisturizer/ poweder or light foundation
2. blush
3. Mascara- black
I also decided that I needed to keep some other things around in case I have the chance to dress up for a special occassion. Those items are:
1. eye shadow (mostly neutral colors, but a few slightly shimmery shades too for fun)
2. Eye liner (black and brown).
3. tiny pot of concealer- just in case.
So I pretty much threw everything else out and decided that once I ran out of something, I would look for a more natural alternative.
The first thing I ran out of was mascara. I LOVE mascara- I feel awake and pretty when I wear it and it's the ONE beauty item I could not do without. Seriously, if everything was destroyed in my make up bag I'd be ok as long as I had some plain black mascara. Anyway, so I started my search online to see what the top mascaras were and where I could find them.
A lot of people reccommended Physician's Formula Ultra Black Organics and when I found it was available at most local stores (Fred Meyer, Target, etc) I ran out and grabbed a tube. When I first put it on it felt a little sticky until it dried, then it felt much better but it definitely started flaking and rubbing off pretty early in the day and it made my lashes feel a bit heavy. I used it for a few days and got really tired of having to keep q-tips with me to swipe under my eyes every few hours so I didn't look like I got in a fight.
I then tried Origins Full Story Lush Lash mascara- it felt a little heavy when it was wet, but didn't feel sticky and didn't flake off. The only thing I didn't really like was that it didn't add much oomph to my lashes so I had to apply multiple coats. I'm not one to reapply make up throughout the day.
I'm waiting to run out so I can try a few more. On my list to try are:
1. Tarte Lash-hugger Eco Friendly mascara
2. Lavera Natural Cosmetics
3. Honeybee Gardens mascara
I also ran out of light foundation a few weeks ago, so I tried Physician's Formula Organic Wear Foundation and bought the PF Bamboo Wear powder as well. LOVED the powder because it's light, has hardly any scent and it didn't irritate my skin. I was not very impressed with the actual foundation as it felt heavy and goopy on my face (I only used it for a couple days and by mid day each day I had wiped it all off because I was tired of feeling it).
I went to Origins and asked to test their Stay Tuned foundation in Bare. It's very light and matched my skin perfectly. I don't always wear foundation, so I've got a lot of this left and I'll probably keep using it unless I find the need for a different one.
I'm still using my BareMinerals blush in "Beauty" because that stuff lasts forever so I've yet to try out any blushes.
I also haven't tried any eyeliner or eyeshadows because I rarely use them and had brand new of both (or all).
What are you using and what have you tried?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Getting Rid of the Funk- Naturally
No one wants to be known as the smelly person in the office (or at school), so besides regular bathing most people use deodorants and antiperspirants. I've always been petrified of smelling foul so as soon as I hit puberty I was on the perfumed deoderant band wagon. Finding the right deoderant BEFORE I was concerned with natural, sustainable and non-toxic ingredients was difficult- I'm a picky girl when it comes to scents- but AFTER has been quite the challenge.
I'm not into heavily perfumed lotions and body products; I don't want you to smell where I've been or know I'm coming down the hall because you smell my perfume/lotion/deoderant first. However, I do like fresh, light, more naturally good smelling scents so way-back-when I would spend eternity in the deoderant aisle at the store taking off caps and smelling prospective deodorant purchases. As time went on I found that there were fewer and fewer fresh or clean smelling scents and an overwhelming abundance of perfumey ones in their place. It was frustrating.
When I started becoming more aware of what I was putting on and in my body via daily products I wondered what exactly was keeping us from smelling and sweating. One of the first things I learned in my beginning research was that sweating is a natural way for the body to expel toxins and to cool itself down. I sort of already knew that, but when I dug a little deeper I discovered that the deodorants and antiperspirants we were using to stop that bodily function could be harming us.
Most deodorants and antiperspirants work by using harsh chemicals that kill and inhibit bacterial growth on the surface of our skin. There is conflicting research on whether the chemicals commerical deodorant/antiperspirant manufacturers use causes cancer, Alzheimer's and other serious illnesses. Just do a Google search and you will find all sorts of sites dedicated to debunking deoderant myths and finding out what those chemicals actually do.
Rather than risking my health, I decided it was best to avoid as many of the harsh chemicals and toxins as I could. I'm not sure I believe all of the claims that deodorant causes X,Y and Z diseases, but I do know that it makes me feel better to do what I can to put the most natural, healthful items in and on me during my lifetime. Also, I noticed that the more regular deoderant/antiperspirant I was using, the more I needed to use it. I felt stinkier and sweatier, so I'd use it more often, and then I'd feel even more stinky and sweaty. Maybe that's just me.
I started trying out different, more natural deodorants about a year ago, and to date I've tried 7 different kinds and 1 homemade recipe.
Here's what I've tried and what I think about each:
Tom's of Maine- I've tried both the Original Care Unscented Stick and the Roll On Crystal Confidence in Wild Garden. The stick was not impressive. I felt sticky when I first put it on, and then I felt sweaty and smelly within a few hours. The roll on I like better and it's what I currently use in the mornings. You can find a list of ingredients on their site here. The Wild Garden scent is floral, but not perfumey and you cannot smell it unless you stick your face right in your armpit (why would you do that?) so that's why, besides the efficacy, I continue to use it.
Jason- I tried the Jason Deodorant Stick in Tea Tree Oil. The first few days it worked well enough, but usually I was a little smelly by the end of the day. I think I actually was more sweaty while using this product, but again, it helped with keeping the smell to a minimum. I only used it for a few weeks. There aren't any petro chemicals, aluminums or otherwise in this product and the smell is extremely light and hard to notice.
Hugo Naturals- While perusing the soap and deoderant section of Whole Foods, I found this particular Hugo Naturals Mexican Lime and Bergamot deoderant stick. After smelling it I immediately wanted to buy it because it was such a fresh, good smell. I checked the ingredients (click for ingredients) on the label and bought it. Again, I absolutely love the way it smells, but as far as deoderants go it didn't keep me all that dry and I was feeling smelly by lunch. I kept it because it smells so freakin' good, but also in a pinch it's a good back up deoderant. I keep it in my backpack so if I need a refresher at work or on the go it's there.
Avalon Organics- I tried the Avalon Organics Spray Deoderant in Lavender. I should have first tried it on unshaven armpits, but I didn't even think about it and since this product contains alcohol it burned like the dickens when I first put it on and it irritated my skin. I tried it again a few days later after the iritation had gone down. The smell is ALL LAVENDER, ALL THE TIME. It's serious. Not my favorite, but better than a perfumey smell. It works alright, I wasn't smelly for most of the day, and I wasn't wet and sweaty either, but if I use it too often it irriates my skin. Click here for the ingredients.
Alba Botanica- Alba Botanica Lavender Enzyme Deodorant looked SO CUTE in the travel section at my local natural foods market so I had to try it. It has a light lavender scent (especially compared to the Avalon Organics spray one), but didn't do much to keep me dry or un-stinky. I guess it worked for the first 2 or 3 hours and then it was done. I reapplied multiple times during the day, but I felt a little smelly and pretty sweaty when it was all said and done. Ingredients here.
Weleda- So fortunately for me, Whole Foods sometimes carries the travel sized version of the Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant Spray (and the two other scents) because they are a little spendy (regular sized bottle costs around $14) and I didn't want to pay for a full sized bottle just to try it. I tried both the Wild Rose scent and the Citris scent. I liked both because at first they are a little strong, but after a few minutes the scent changes with your body chemistry and becomes lighter and less noticeable. Both scents worked pretty well, but this product does contain alcohol and can sting your skin if it's freshley shaven or if you have very sensitive skin. I didn't notice as much of an irritation with this one, though. I made it most of the day without feeling really sweaty or smelly, but if I was doing a strenuous activity (like going to the gym), I would have to reapply or use a back up deoderant so I wouldn't stink-out the cardio section of the gym. For a regular office day it works pretty well. Info and ingredients here.
Arm and Hammer- Ok, I know that Arm and Hammer make regular deodorants as well, but they have a line called Arm and Hammer Essentials and there is a scented Natural Deoderant and an unscented version. I tried the unscented version, which still has an extremely light, but natural smelling scent so it's not bad. This deoderant uses baking soda to absorb moisture and control odor. The controversial ingredient, the only one in the list of ingredients that is debatable on being natural, is Triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that is derived from benzene, which is a petroleum derivative. This deoderant works really well, but since I found out about the triclosan I have stopped using it. Without getting too far off topic, triclosan, a petroleum product, does not break down easily and is not water soluble. It has been linked to slowing the production of algae and other plant life in water (which is not great once it leaves our homes and gets into our water systems) and may increase antibacterial resistance in common bacteria (which is partially why antibiotics aren't working as well on illnesses). Other countries have restricted the use of Triclosan in home and beauty products. You can read more about it here or just do a quick search online.
Homemade Recipe- In doing reserach I found that a lot of people have homemade recipes for natural deodorants. Some of them are very simple while others are more like laboratory projects. I decided to try a very simple recipe of cornstarch and baking soda. I simply put 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part baking soda in a little jar and shook it up. I used a fluffy make up brush to apply it to my armpits. I noticed that if I get dressed right after using it it can leave some white powdery stuff on your clothes. This recipe works really well, but my armpits got irritated after a few days of use. I decreased the amount of baking soda and that helped with the irritation, but then I noticed I was a little smellier and sweatier than I wanted to be. I think if I were brave enough to only use this mixture every other day I would do it, but I just don't feel confident about going to work and being around people if I didn't put on some sort of funk-protection. Again, I don't want to be the smelly girl!
Again, I'm still using the Tom's of Maine Wild Rose roll on deodorant pretty much daily and haven't had any issues.
Everyone raves about Dr. Hauschka's Fresh and Floral deo, but I cannot seem to find it here and I don't want to order it just yet.
What natural deodorants have you tried? Which ones worked, which ones didn't?
I'm not into heavily perfumed lotions and body products; I don't want you to smell where I've been or know I'm coming down the hall because you smell my perfume/lotion/deoderant first. However, I do like fresh, light, more naturally good smelling scents so way-back-when I would spend eternity in the deoderant aisle at the store taking off caps and smelling prospective deodorant purchases. As time went on I found that there were fewer and fewer fresh or clean smelling scents and an overwhelming abundance of perfumey ones in their place. It was frustrating.
When I started becoming more aware of what I was putting on and in my body via daily products I wondered what exactly was keeping us from smelling and sweating. One of the first things I learned in my beginning research was that sweating is a natural way for the body to expel toxins and to cool itself down. I sort of already knew that, but when I dug a little deeper I discovered that the deodorants and antiperspirants we were using to stop that bodily function could be harming us.
Most deodorants and antiperspirants work by using harsh chemicals that kill and inhibit bacterial growth on the surface of our skin. There is conflicting research on whether the chemicals commerical deodorant/antiperspirant manufacturers use causes cancer, Alzheimer's and other serious illnesses. Just do a Google search and you will find all sorts of sites dedicated to debunking deoderant myths and finding out what those chemicals actually do.
Rather than risking my health, I decided it was best to avoid as many of the harsh chemicals and toxins as I could. I'm not sure I believe all of the claims that deodorant causes X,Y and Z diseases, but I do know that it makes me feel better to do what I can to put the most natural, healthful items in and on me during my lifetime. Also, I noticed that the more regular deoderant/antiperspirant I was using, the more I needed to use it. I felt stinkier and sweatier, so I'd use it more often, and then I'd feel even more stinky and sweaty. Maybe that's just me.
I started trying out different, more natural deodorants about a year ago, and to date I've tried 7 different kinds and 1 homemade recipe.
Here's what I've tried and what I think about each:
Tom's of Maine- I've tried both the Original Care Unscented Stick and the Roll On Crystal Confidence in Wild Garden. The stick was not impressive. I felt sticky when I first put it on, and then I felt sweaty and smelly within a few hours. The roll on I like better and it's what I currently use in the mornings. You can find a list of ingredients on their site here. The Wild Garden scent is floral, but not perfumey and you cannot smell it unless you stick your face right in your armpit (why would you do that?) so that's why, besides the efficacy, I continue to use it.
Jason- I tried the Jason Deodorant Stick in Tea Tree Oil. The first few days it worked well enough, but usually I was a little smelly by the end of the day. I think I actually was more sweaty while using this product, but again, it helped with keeping the smell to a minimum. I only used it for a few weeks. There aren't any petro chemicals, aluminums or otherwise in this product and the smell is extremely light and hard to notice.
Hugo Naturals- While perusing the soap and deoderant section of Whole Foods, I found this particular Hugo Naturals Mexican Lime and Bergamot deoderant stick. After smelling it I immediately wanted to buy it because it was such a fresh, good smell. I checked the ingredients (click for ingredients) on the label and bought it. Again, I absolutely love the way it smells, but as far as deoderants go it didn't keep me all that dry and I was feeling smelly by lunch. I kept it because it smells so freakin' good, but also in a pinch it's a good back up deoderant. I keep it in my backpack so if I need a refresher at work or on the go it's there.
Avalon Organics- I tried the Avalon Organics Spray Deoderant in Lavender. I should have first tried it on unshaven armpits, but I didn't even think about it and since this product contains alcohol it burned like the dickens when I first put it on and it irritated my skin. I tried it again a few days later after the iritation had gone down. The smell is ALL LAVENDER, ALL THE TIME. It's serious. Not my favorite, but better than a perfumey smell. It works alright, I wasn't smelly for most of the day, and I wasn't wet and sweaty either, but if I use it too often it irriates my skin. Click here for the ingredients.
Alba Botanica- Alba Botanica Lavender Enzyme Deodorant looked SO CUTE in the travel section at my local natural foods market so I had to try it. It has a light lavender scent (especially compared to the Avalon Organics spray one), but didn't do much to keep me dry or un-stinky. I guess it worked for the first 2 or 3 hours and then it was done. I reapplied multiple times during the day, but I felt a little smelly and pretty sweaty when it was all said and done. Ingredients here.
Weleda- So fortunately for me, Whole Foods sometimes carries the travel sized version of the Weleda Wild Rose Deodorant Spray (and the two other scents) because they are a little spendy (regular sized bottle costs around $14) and I didn't want to pay for a full sized bottle just to try it. I tried both the Wild Rose scent and the Citris scent. I liked both because at first they are a little strong, but after a few minutes the scent changes with your body chemistry and becomes lighter and less noticeable. Both scents worked pretty well, but this product does contain alcohol and can sting your skin if it's freshley shaven or if you have very sensitive skin. I didn't notice as much of an irritation with this one, though. I made it most of the day without feeling really sweaty or smelly, but if I was doing a strenuous activity (like going to the gym), I would have to reapply or use a back up deoderant so I wouldn't stink-out the cardio section of the gym. For a regular office day it works pretty well. Info and ingredients here.
Arm and Hammer- Ok, I know that Arm and Hammer make regular deodorants as well, but they have a line called Arm and Hammer Essentials and there is a scented Natural Deoderant and an unscented version. I tried the unscented version, which still has an extremely light, but natural smelling scent so it's not bad. This deoderant uses baking soda to absorb moisture and control odor. The controversial ingredient, the only one in the list of ingredients that is debatable on being natural, is Triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that is derived from benzene, which is a petroleum derivative. This deoderant works really well, but since I found out about the triclosan I have stopped using it. Without getting too far off topic, triclosan, a petroleum product, does not break down easily and is not water soluble. It has been linked to slowing the production of algae and other plant life in water (which is not great once it leaves our homes and gets into our water systems) and may increase antibacterial resistance in common bacteria (which is partially why antibiotics aren't working as well on illnesses). Other countries have restricted the use of Triclosan in home and beauty products. You can read more about it here or just do a quick search online.
Homemade Recipe- In doing reserach I found that a lot of people have homemade recipes for natural deodorants. Some of them are very simple while others are more like laboratory projects. I decided to try a very simple recipe of cornstarch and baking soda. I simply put 2 parts cornstarch to 1 part baking soda in a little jar and shook it up. I used a fluffy make up brush to apply it to my armpits. I noticed that if I get dressed right after using it it can leave some white powdery stuff on your clothes. This recipe works really well, but my armpits got irritated after a few days of use. I decreased the amount of baking soda and that helped with the irritation, but then I noticed I was a little smellier and sweatier than I wanted to be. I think if I were brave enough to only use this mixture every other day I would do it, but I just don't feel confident about going to work and being around people if I didn't put on some sort of funk-protection. Again, I don't want to be the smelly girl!
Again, I'm still using the Tom's of Maine Wild Rose roll on deodorant pretty much daily and haven't had any issues.
Everyone raves about Dr. Hauschka's Fresh and Floral deo, but I cannot seem to find it here and I don't want to order it just yet.
What natural deodorants have you tried? Which ones worked, which ones didn't?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
My Natural Cleansing Routine
About 8 months ago I read about SLS and SLES, checmicals in most shampoos and conditioners and the possible harmful side effects of these and other chemicals commonly found in our everyday care products. That triggered me to start researching ALL of the ingredients in my personal care products and a quest to find products that were safer, didn't have harmful side effects, had a smaller impact on the earth and were more sustainable. (For a refresher on ingredients to avoid, click HERE).
Luckily there are a lot of other people concerned about these issues and through other blogs, articles and research sites I found some better alternatives to what I was using.
I will take you through my current daily cleansing routine, along with some alternatives to what I'm using and a list of things I have tried.
** See note at bottom for disclaimer**
AM ROUTINE:
Shampoo- instead of shampoo I use a baking soda and water mixture and massage it through my scalp for about a minute and rinse. It's a little gritty, but it cleans my hair and scalp without the harsh chemicals. It doesn't have a smell, really, and I've noticed that it helps get rid of product build up in my hair as well (when I do use the occassional gel or spray). The baking soda to water ratio is completely up to you. I use about 1/4 cup of baking soda with 2 cups of water in a condiment squirt bottle for easy dispensing. Some like to use more of a paste while others have found that just sprinkling a little baking soda in their hair and then adding a bit of water works for them. It's completely up to you.
Every once in a while I will use a "shampoo", but I try to limit this as much as possible. There are a wide variety of natural shampoos, but the one I keep on hand to use is Giovanni's 50:50 Balanced Shampoo.
Here are a few others I've tried:
Again, you don't have to commit to buying a full sized bottle of shampoo to try it. A lot of stores carry the trial or travel sized bottles of product for between $1-$3 so you can take it home and use it for a few days to see if you actually like it. All of the shampoos I listed above I was able to find at my local grocery and natural foods markets and the prices are average for the product, between $3 and $9 for a full sized bottle.
Conditioner- Instead of using a traditional conditioner, I use an Apple Cider Vinegar, water and essential oil rinse. I use about 1/4 cup of organic apple cider vinegar, 1 1/2 cups of water and a few drops of an essential oil (I like fresh or spicy ones like lemon, lavender, clove bud or cinnamon) in a kitchen condiment squirt bottle for easy application. I squirt a little of this mixture on my hair after I've rinsed the baking soda wash out, concentrating more on the middle and ends of the hair shafts. I let the mixture sit in my hair for a minute or two before rinsing.
Sometimes I will use a conditioner right before this step when my hair feels dry (or if I'm using a shampoo that day). The conditioner I currently keep on hand is the Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Conditioner, but I also like Desert Essence Coconut Conditioner- it smells heavenly and really nourishes my hair without weighing it down.
A few conditioners I've tried:
Again, most of these can be found at your usual grocery store or natural foods store.
Bodywash- I've never been into heavily scented or creamy bodywashes so most of the ones I've tried I like. Currently I'm using Nature's Gate Sunflower Pomegranate body wash. It has a pretty light scent and gets the job done without irritating my skin.
I buy these ones frequently as part of my rotation:
I love Dr. Bronner's Castile Soaps because you can use them to clean virtually anything which is awesome. Plus they sell them pretty much everywhere so they are easy to find.
Facewash- I don't use a conventional face wash in the mornings, I just squirt a little Humphrey's Witch Hazel on a cotton ball and swipe it over my skin. It tones and cleans my skin well enough since my face doesn't get "dirty" at night. I do a more thorough cleaning in the evening.
I haven't even bothered trying face washes because I've been using an oil cleansing routine since last summer that has been working out quite nicely for me.
Moisturize- I use a rosewater and vegetable glycerin mist that I found at New Season's Market here in Oregon. I just spritz it on my face and go! If I need more moisture, I have a facial oil I use from Aubrey Organics called Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Seed Oil. I just dab it on the dry spots.
I'm currently looking at trying a few facial moisturizers, but I'm having a difficult time finding ones that meet all of my criteria (mentioned in yesterday's post). I find products that are all natural, safe to use, made of sustainable organic ingredients, but then I'm usually allergic to one of the ingredients and that wouldn't be so great to put on my face. If I find some that I like, I will update my list and let everyone know.
PM ROUTINE:
If I need a shower because I got really filthy (ie: worked out hard at the gym), I usually don't wash my hair again, just a thorough rinsing does it. I also use my same bodywash from earlier.
Most of the time I don't need to shower in the evenings, so I just do a facial cleansing routine before bed.
Face- Again, I don't use a traditional facewash, I just use Jojoba oil. I use about a dime-sized squirt of it in my hands, then I rub my hands together and then very gently massage the oil into my face for a minute or two. After a minute or two of massage I rinse my face with a splash of warm water. I use a hot washcloth to steam my face for another minute or two- either I run a clean washcloth under hot water and wring out or I pop a clean, damp washcloth in the microwave for 25 seconds. I don't let the towel get too hot or else it may burn/irritate my skin. The steamy cloth should have removed the excess oil from the massage. I then use a little of the Humphrey's Witch Hazel on a cotton ball and swipe over my face to tone. Again, I use the rosewater/vegetable glycerine moisturizing mist and spot treat any dryness with the Rosa Mosqueta oil.
I used to use an oil cleansing routine that consisted of mixing a carrier oil (like Jojoba) with Castor Oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil, but I found that I got the same results from using straight Jojoba oil and it took less time since I wasn't mixing ingredients.
I have not tried any of the pre-made natural facial cleansers out there since the oil cleansing method works well for me and the ingredients are easy to find anywhere.
If you are looking to switch to a more natural cleansing routine, I encourage you to do it!
**DISCLAIMER- I have not been paid or reimbursed in any way by any of the product labels or companies to review or try their products. These are my opinions about aforementioned products and are not a paid advertisement or endorsement of them. Please use your own judgement when trying new products and find what suits you best.
Luckily there are a lot of other people concerned about these issues and through other blogs, articles and research sites I found some better alternatives to what I was using.
I will take you through my current daily cleansing routine, along with some alternatives to what I'm using and a list of things I have tried.
** See note at bottom for disclaimer**
AM ROUTINE:
Shampoo- instead of shampoo I use a baking soda and water mixture and massage it through my scalp for about a minute and rinse. It's a little gritty, but it cleans my hair and scalp without the harsh chemicals. It doesn't have a smell, really, and I've noticed that it helps get rid of product build up in my hair as well (when I do use the occassional gel or spray). The baking soda to water ratio is completely up to you. I use about 1/4 cup of baking soda with 2 cups of water in a condiment squirt bottle for easy dispensing. Some like to use more of a paste while others have found that just sprinkling a little baking soda in their hair and then adding a bit of water works for them. It's completely up to you.
Every once in a while I will use a "shampoo", but I try to limit this as much as possible. There are a wide variety of natural shampoos, but the one I keep on hand to use is Giovanni's 50:50 Balanced Shampoo.
Here are a few others I've tried:
- Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo- liked it but my hair went flat quickly.
- Avalon Organics Lemon Shampoo- left my hair a little dry
- Avalon Organics Lavendar Shampoo- left my hair a little dry
- Desert Essence Raspberry Shampoo- liked it but it was WAY too sweet smelling.
Again, you don't have to commit to buying a full sized bottle of shampoo to try it. A lot of stores carry the trial or travel sized bottles of product for between $1-$3 so you can take it home and use it for a few days to see if you actually like it. All of the shampoos I listed above I was able to find at my local grocery and natural foods markets and the prices are average for the product, between $3 and $9 for a full sized bottle.
Conditioner- Instead of using a traditional conditioner, I use an Apple Cider Vinegar, water and essential oil rinse. I use about 1/4 cup of organic apple cider vinegar, 1 1/2 cups of water and a few drops of an essential oil (I like fresh or spicy ones like lemon, lavender, clove bud or cinnamon) in a kitchen condiment squirt bottle for easy application. I squirt a little of this mixture on my hair after I've rinsed the baking soda wash out, concentrating more on the middle and ends of the hair shafts. I let the mixture sit in my hair for a minute or two before rinsing.
Sometimes I will use a conditioner right before this step when my hair feels dry (or if I'm using a shampoo that day). The conditioner I currently keep on hand is the Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Conditioner, but I also like Desert Essence Coconut Conditioner- it smells heavenly and really nourishes my hair without weighing it down.
A few conditioners I've tried:
- Avalon Organics Lemon Conditioner- didn't moisturize well
- Dr. Bronner's Conditioning Rinse- smells funny and left my hair a little dry.
- Shikai Everyday Conditioner- I liked it, but I only had the trial size. Would probably use again.
Again, most of these can be found at your usual grocery store or natural foods store.
Bodywash- I've never been into heavily scented or creamy bodywashes so most of the ones I've tried I like. Currently I'm using Nature's Gate Sunflower Pomegranate body wash. It has a pretty light scent and gets the job done without irritating my skin.
I buy these ones frequently as part of my rotation:
- Giovanni D:tox System Body Wash- great in the summer when I'm prone to breakouts.
- Giovanni 3 in 1- it's a shampoo, body wash and bubble bath, but I've only used it as a body wash.
- Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap (almond)- comes in many different scents, a little goes a long way!
I love Dr. Bronner's Castile Soaps because you can use them to clean virtually anything which is awesome. Plus they sell them pretty much everywhere so they are easy to find.
Facewash- I don't use a conventional face wash in the mornings, I just squirt a little Humphrey's Witch Hazel on a cotton ball and swipe it over my skin. It tones and cleans my skin well enough since my face doesn't get "dirty" at night. I do a more thorough cleaning in the evening.
I haven't even bothered trying face washes because I've been using an oil cleansing routine since last summer that has been working out quite nicely for me.
Moisturize- I use a rosewater and vegetable glycerin mist that I found at New Season's Market here in Oregon. I just spritz it on my face and go! If I need more moisture, I have a facial oil I use from Aubrey Organics called Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Seed Oil. I just dab it on the dry spots.
I'm currently looking at trying a few facial moisturizers, but I'm having a difficult time finding ones that meet all of my criteria (mentioned in yesterday's post). I find products that are all natural, safe to use, made of sustainable organic ingredients, but then I'm usually allergic to one of the ingredients and that wouldn't be so great to put on my face. If I find some that I like, I will update my list and let everyone know.
PM ROUTINE:
If I need a shower because I got really filthy (ie: worked out hard at the gym), I usually don't wash my hair again, just a thorough rinsing does it. I also use my same bodywash from earlier.
Most of the time I don't need to shower in the evenings, so I just do a facial cleansing routine before bed.
Face- Again, I don't use a traditional facewash, I just use Jojoba oil. I use about a dime-sized squirt of it in my hands, then I rub my hands together and then very gently massage the oil into my face for a minute or two. After a minute or two of massage I rinse my face with a splash of warm water. I use a hot washcloth to steam my face for another minute or two- either I run a clean washcloth under hot water and wring out or I pop a clean, damp washcloth in the microwave for 25 seconds. I don't let the towel get too hot or else it may burn/irritate my skin. The steamy cloth should have removed the excess oil from the massage. I then use a little of the Humphrey's Witch Hazel on a cotton ball and swipe over my face to tone. Again, I use the rosewater/vegetable glycerine moisturizing mist and spot treat any dryness with the Rosa Mosqueta oil.
I used to use an oil cleansing routine that consisted of mixing a carrier oil (like Jojoba) with Castor Oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil, but I found that I got the same results from using straight Jojoba oil and it took less time since I wasn't mixing ingredients.
I have not tried any of the pre-made natural facial cleansers out there since the oil cleansing method works well for me and the ingredients are easy to find anywhere.
If you are looking to switch to a more natural cleansing routine, I encourage you to do it!
**DISCLAIMER- I have not been paid or reimbursed in any way by any of the product labels or companies to review or try their products. These are my opinions about aforementioned products and are not a paid advertisement or endorsement of them. Please use your own judgement when trying new products and find what suits you best.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Natural Health and Beauty
One of the hardest things for me to transition away from has been using my tried and true soaps, shampoos, conditioners and beauty products. I want to feel and be clean, but I don't want all of those chemical-laden products on my skin. I'm very particular with smells and textures and I also have sensitive skin, so it has taken me years to figure out what I like for cleaning my hair, face and body but then I became aware of the toxins and harsh cleansers that were actually in these products and it made me realize that I needed to find more natural products.
Once I decided to look for new products, I had a mini panic attack because:
A). I didn't want to smell bad
B). I didn't want to smell like a "hippie"
C). A lot of natural products are EXPENSIVE.
D). I have allergies and sensitive skin and a bad reaction could be disastrous.
I did a ton of research online, in stores, and talked with lot of people about what products they were using and why. A lot of my time was spent looking up exactly what chemicals were made of and what product ingredient lists actually consisted of. In my research I found that there were actually a lot more products and items that I could use and find in my neighborhood stores than I thought there would be.
Before I would ever try a product, I would look up the ingredient list and see if it passed my list of rules. If it did, I would look up reviews of that particular product and then reviews for similar or competing products and their ingredients. I would then research if I could find that product at retailers in my area and if I could, I would take a little trip to that retailer and either try a sample or ask for a sample to take home. You'd be surprised at how many retailers will give you a small sample of something! I'd then take the sample home and try it (or I'd use the sample product at the store) and wait a few days to see if there was a reaction. I'd also check to see if I liked the smell, texture, consistency, and outcome of the product.
My basic rules/questions to ask about a product's ingredients are:
1. If it's used in food it's probably ok to use on my body (but there are limitations to that as well).
2. Does the ingredient come from an unnatural source?
3. Does the ingredient cause known illness or health risks?
4. Am I allergic to an ingredient? (for instance Dandelion I stay away from).
5. Is this ingredient organic or come from organic sources?
6. Is this ingredient sustainable?
Some items I avoid in any body or beauty product are listed on the FitSugar Site HERE.
This week I will go over some of the switches I've made to more natural, sustainable bath and beauty products and hopefully be able to help anyone out who is looking for an alternative to what they are using.
Once I decided to look for new products, I had a mini panic attack because:
A). I didn't want to smell bad
B). I didn't want to smell like a "hippie"
C). A lot of natural products are EXPENSIVE.
D). I have allergies and sensitive skin and a bad reaction could be disastrous.
I did a ton of research online, in stores, and talked with lot of people about what products they were using and why. A lot of my time was spent looking up exactly what chemicals were made of and what product ingredient lists actually consisted of. In my research I found that there were actually a lot more products and items that I could use and find in my neighborhood stores than I thought there would be.
Before I would ever try a product, I would look up the ingredient list and see if it passed my list of rules. If it did, I would look up reviews of that particular product and then reviews for similar or competing products and their ingredients. I would then research if I could find that product at retailers in my area and if I could, I would take a little trip to that retailer and either try a sample or ask for a sample to take home. You'd be surprised at how many retailers will give you a small sample of something! I'd then take the sample home and try it (or I'd use the sample product at the store) and wait a few days to see if there was a reaction. I'd also check to see if I liked the smell, texture, consistency, and outcome of the product.
My basic rules/questions to ask about a product's ingredients are:
1. If it's used in food it's probably ok to use on my body (but there are limitations to that as well).
2. Does the ingredient come from an unnatural source?
3. Does the ingredient cause known illness or health risks?
4. Am I allergic to an ingredient? (for instance Dandelion I stay away from).
5. Is this ingredient organic or come from organic sources?
6. Is this ingredient sustainable?
Some items I avoid in any body or beauty product are listed on the FitSugar Site HERE.
This week I will go over some of the switches I've made to more natural, sustainable bath and beauty products and hopefully be able to help anyone out who is looking for an alternative to what they are using.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
What, Exactly, Is Composting?
The definition of compost is decayed organic matter used as a soil additive or as fertilizer.
One would think that decaying matter would smell and not be the best thing to have in close proximity to your living space, but when done correctly composting helps you make good use out of your kitchen scraps and yard clippings while also creating a nourishing fertilizer for your plants, lawn and garden. Not to mention you are saving a bulk of materials from being thrown into the trash.
What I didn't understand when I first started researching home composting was that what you put in mattered. I figured any food or organic material scraps were fine, but that is why garbage smells. There has to be a balance of "green" and "brown" materials thrown in. "Green" and "Brown" refers to the carbon to nitrogen ratio in an organic material. A Green item is an item with a higher nitrogen content while Brown items have a higher carbon content. If you keep a good balance, your compost will not have a rotten or terrible smell. If you have too many green items, your compost will run a little hotter and probably have a smell. That is not the case with too many brown items. If you have a lot of brown with only a little green your composting will decay at a slower rate.
So what can you put in your compost bin?
The guidelines, in general, for what can go in your compost bin are:
1. Kitchen scraps of fruits and veggies
2. Egg Shells
3. Coffee Grounds
4. Yard Clippings.
For a complete list of acceptable compostable items and their carbon to nitrogen ratios you can go here or here or here.
Things that should NOT go in your bin are:
1. Meat, fish, animal fats or products with animal fats in them.
2. Newspaper or paper goods
3. Pet Droppings
Other than the paper goods, some of these materials are likely to attract pests and vermin and will definitely smell when they start decomposing. The paper goods can possibly add inorganic chemicals and inks into your compost which is not good later when you are using that compost as fertilizer for your garden.
Basic composting is becoming more and more popular, but it is not the only way to go.
One would think that decaying matter would smell and not be the best thing to have in close proximity to your living space, but when done correctly composting helps you make good use out of your kitchen scraps and yard clippings while also creating a nourishing fertilizer for your plants, lawn and garden. Not to mention you are saving a bulk of materials from being thrown into the trash.
What I didn't understand when I first started researching home composting was that what you put in mattered. I figured any food or organic material scraps were fine, but that is why garbage smells. There has to be a balance of "green" and "brown" materials thrown in. "Green" and "Brown" refers to the carbon to nitrogen ratio in an organic material. A Green item is an item with a higher nitrogen content while Brown items have a higher carbon content. If you keep a good balance, your compost will not have a rotten or terrible smell. If you have too many green items, your compost will run a little hotter and probably have a smell. That is not the case with too many brown items. If you have a lot of brown with only a little green your composting will decay at a slower rate.
So what can you put in your compost bin?
The guidelines, in general, for what can go in your compost bin are:
1. Kitchen scraps of fruits and veggies
2. Egg Shells
3. Coffee Grounds
4. Yard Clippings.
For a complete list of acceptable compostable items and their carbon to nitrogen ratios you can go here or here or here.
Things that should NOT go in your bin are:
1. Meat, fish, animal fats or products with animal fats in them.
2. Newspaper or paper goods
3. Pet Droppings
Other than the paper goods, some of these materials are likely to attract pests and vermin and will definitely smell when they start decomposing. The paper goods can possibly add inorganic chemicals and inks into your compost which is not good later when you are using that compost as fertilizer for your garden.
Basic composting is becoming more and more popular, but it is not the only way to go.
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