I want to ditch the chemicals and go natural...

[ContinentalKat]

I read an interesting article yesterday about chemicals in cosmetics yesterday iPad went to work with dh, will try to link later.
Had a quick check of ingredients lists, and I think I will try to replace everything that runs out with a less chemical option from now on.

The one and only thing in the house that fits the bill at the moment is the Waitrose baby bottom butter. I think I'll be buying some more of their range.

I don't want to go all homespun, so what will I do for make up? Mineral? I only had one demonstration of mineral make up by a pushy Mary Kay lady and didn't love it... Is it actually less chemical, and is it any good?

Is anybody willing to give this a try or already on a mission? Any input very welcome!

@ContinentalKat. Thank you for saying! And re you comment about google - I only wish I knew how.

If your skin is reacting to fragranced natural/organic products it's likely to be the essential oils that are causing the rash. My suggestion is that you try some ultra-pure brands like Pai skincare or MV organics. They both have websites where you can ask questions about your particular skin problem.
www.paiskincare.com
www.mvskincare.com

@naturallyme. Interesting what you say about coconut oil being drying long term. I hadn't heard that. Can you tell me more?

Lush have a new make up range similar to their old sister cosmetics company. The range is around £10 per item, cruelty free and natural with intense pigmentation, especially in their lip colours which can be used as blush and eyeshadow too.

mv is gorg, but not cheap, I reviewed it last year on Yum

Green People do the most amazing shampoos (I'm not so keen on the conditioner though). Faith in nature is great too and better priced.

I don't use soap/shower gel at all. It seemed wrong to use soap to strip all the oils off my skin & then apply a product to put it back. My skin was lovely with this for years, but now I am getting older (mid-40's) I think I might look into some kind of moisturising product. Probably grape seed oil with added neroli & mandarin oil - I made this up & used it on my bump through 2 x PG's and it is marvellous, light, easily absorbed etc.

Fish oils really help with skin (taken orally that is), and I use OCM on face which is fab.

I've not been so hot on the make up front - though I think replacing stuff with more natural products is a good way to go.

I believe Origins are quite good???

I wish I hadn't said 'replace everything that's running out'! I am itching to go on a massive shopping trip. Unfortunately my bank balance doesn't agree. Which is mostly thanks to the bargainous Christmas threads.

I too am gradually weeding these things out, and learning more every day. Always made an effort for my dc, but now realising some of their stuff - eg little me organics, has some dubious ingredients.

Does anyone have any hair dye suggestions, am dark, covering grey? I've heard mixed reports about henna, was going to try the lush henna block.

I like the shampoos and conditioners from Faith in Nature.

I also like Pure Nuff Stuff: I like their moisturising creams and their foaming facewash.

I can also recommend Aleppo soap; it is good for all-over washing (including face).

You really need to ignore the marketing - lots of products labelled "organic" and "natural" include the same base ingredients as the cheapest alternative.

Think you are getting a premium product in, for example Molton Brown? Packaging may be pretty but the ingredients aren't. For same ££ you will be able to buy great proper natural products.

Shelf life is an issue and this is something the big companies want to maximise. So smaller companies are worth looking at.

Lots of viable alternatives that really work aren't marketable - oil cleansing, and moisturising, for example.

I found a huge part of the change over was letting go of the advertising/marketing connection (former addict to gifts with purchase etc)

I swear by Dr Bronners liquid castille soap - I love the lavender, but the tea tree and the peppermint ones are fab too (though can be a bit 'tingly' on the lady bits!) They are great because you can use them for your hair, body, laundry and cleaning. And if you don't like the ones with the essential oils, you can go for the plain one. It's recommended for use when people go back country camping here as it leaves no environmental waste when used for washing or laudry in streams/rivers etc.

Love the thread - following with great interest.

I love the thought of OCM but my face is prone to greasiness at certain times of the month. As does my hair. I wash my face with a (can't remember the name) French facial wash from Boots - it's really sorted the greasiness out but packed with chemicals. I tone with Neils yard Rose toner which I love before using the Boots moisturiser for greasy skin.

Any ideas how I can swap for more natural products, but without the spots returning?

Hi canelilly, yes one of the propertied of coconut oil it's drying effect as it is very astringent. It is used in soaps for it's drying effect. I would dilute it with another oil with the other oil being the majority unless you want the drying effect. i.e. if you have really oily skin.

Welshmouth, just going completely natural will help with the spots, help to clean it up. Also some oils, are actually balancing on your hormones and helps to regulate sebum production which is what you need if it is a monthly problem.

Lush is actually not natural, only some of their stuff is, I had a look at their makeup and some of them use parabens.

Here is my shop www.etsy.com/shop/UzuriOrganics, I'm a naturopath and qualified holistic cosmetologist. I know someone on MN uses my stuff. I would love them to give a review.

If anyone does want to go homespun, I will be putting recipes up on my blog using things available in the everyday kitchen.

Ok, something's run out! We need new hand soap for the whole family.
I like the look of the Dr Bronner's liquid castile soap, but aren't people with dry and sensitive skin supposed to use soap-free "soaps"?

Faith in Nature do a range of soaps, all very mild and very good value. You can buy online here if you can't find anywhere local to you.

Naturally - I like the look of your products. I use loads of hand cream (have to wash hands lots and get very dry, tight skin) have you any plans to make a hand cream for your range?

For body and face you could try Akamuti, here; www.akamuti.co.uk/

I discovered their products via S&B on MN - love S&B!- and switched to their products as they are completely pure without any preservatives at all. I react badly to parabens and phenoxyethanol so this stuff is a joy for me (no more sore face).

For makeup I went mineral quite a few years ago. Lily Lolo is good. Bit drying if your skin is very dry anyway. They have also changed their formula from when I first started using them 6 years ago. Less coverage now which is a shame. Their eyeshadows etc are really great though.
Inika is great too. Their foundation feels softer than LL and have really excellent coverage so no need for concealer.
Barefaced Beauty is good but I couldn't find the right colour for me. You may have better luck.
And Bare Minerals. Lots of people love them. I struggled with their original foundation which has bismuth oxychloride in it. Some people find that irritating but clearly those without sensitive skin use those products very happily. BM looks very airbrushed on.

I use various organic sls free children's products. Not recommendations in particular as I am still searching for something really special.

Good luck with your quest for natural and preservative free beauty

Oh and as others have said, Castile soaps are great. Not drying and nice for sensitive skin.

Castile soaps are made with oils which are cooked with lye to form the soap. The oils (anything from olive to Shea butter) makes it non-drying.

I noticed a real difference in my skin after going chemical free.

i like this site - so organic.

Thanks for article link Canalily.

ContinentalCat the dr bronner's brand of castile soaps are completely biodegradable and vegetable based, made with certified Fair Trade and organic oils and contain no synthetic foaming agents, petrochemicals, thickeners or preservatives. They are gentle enough to use on newborns (though you'd probably want to use the ones with no essential oils in) and are not at all drying. Add that to the fact that you can use them for like, a million different things, they are worth every penny and are actually not as pricey as other similar, natural products.

I read that back to myself and realise it sounds like a press release
*disclaimer, I do not work for Dr Bronners, I just love it !

Hi Callisto, Thanks. Yes my range is actually larger than is currently up. I have hand balms and moisturisers which I am yet to put online. My hands use to be very dry too and always looked older than my age. it depends on your personal preferences. I use a solid hand lotion bar and would recommend it for those who's hands dry out due to washing. It's wonderful (if I do say so myself). I have the lotion bar loose near my sink so as soon as I wash my hand, I shake it dry a bit, then I rub the solid bar in my hands, then rub that into the rest of my hands fully. It moisturizes it and dries it at the same time. 'locks' in the moisture. I'm normally on the go so it is easier for me. I only use my hand cream when out and about so last for ages.

i have just set up my new website. What do you think? www.uzuri-organics.com

Just resurrecting this thread as wanted to ask a few questions:
-I've just started using coconut oil on my hair as a conditioner...is this actually a no no as it is drying?
-Can anyone recommend a natural tinted moisteriser or liquid foundation?

Thanks!

don't know where this myth about coconut oil being drying comes from, it's an oil fgs

re tinted moisturiser/foundation: dr hauschka, lavera, 100%pure, UNE are all crap free, depends on your skin and budget

I think I a making quite good progress in my non-toxic mission, but find looking for make up alternatives very confusing and immensely time consuming...

I need a whole new make up kit! I tried bare minerals but was more than disappointed with the result, as it didn't feel nice and emphasised every single line. Made me look 10 years older! For that reason I think I'll give mineral make up a miss.

At the moment I am debating whether to go for the Lavera carrot face cream or tinted moisutriser. Is the Lavera mineral compact powder any good?

I have to say I am not keen on buying make up online. I am willing to travel into London if anyone can recommend one or two shops that stock a lot of different non-toxic beauty products?