natural skin and hair care advice please.

[foxdongle]

I bought some shampoo and conditioner from Holland and Barrett
as I could actually read the ingredients (without my reading glasses on) and know what they are more or less.
I also got some 100% argan oil to finish off.

Anyone else use these and what difference do they make ?
what about coconut oil as a treatment. Any good?

I have more or less used up the old stuff with ingredients of alcohol and other nasty stuff as my hair is getting so dry. btw It's also thick and a tiny bit wavy.

Also while I'm at it any tips for more natural skin care?

I use too many lotions and potions and I want to start from the beginning.
Does anyone make their own exfoliators a la superscrimpers?
I've found some recipes using things like bi-carb or olive oil, just wondered if any of you have tried them out?
TIA

btw the shampoo and conditioner is Dr Organic morrocan argan oil.

I use these products. I use the shampoo, conditioner and argan oil. They work really well on my dry, coloured hair. But, you must make sure you give your hair a last wash with shampoo containing sulphates if you use products with silicon in them. The dr O shampoo won't get the silicon out and you will end up with very dry hair if you don't do this.

I can't help much on the hair front, I'm lucky that mine is naturally in pretty good condition so coconut oil didn't do much for it.

However, oil cleansing for your skin works like an absolute charm! I use a combination of castor oil and apricot kernel oil instead of cleansers. My skin is naturally dry and sensitive and I used to get mild psoriasis flare ups across my forehead and a patch of acne on my cheek. No more flare ups and my skin is the softest and clearest it has ever been. I finish with a thin layer of the Garnier apricot gel moisturiser and I'm all done.

Search for threads on the oil cleansing method - there's loads on here with plenty of advice and links to look at if you want to give it a go

I have used the conditioner but it's quite high in essential oils which I think has been irritating my scalp. It is a good conditioner otherwise though, left my hair v shiny. I use Palmers olive oil shampoo (sulfate free) and now Palmers coconut hair milk as a leave-in conditioner.

Their shampoo is sulphate free too. They have a hair oil but I use heat protector spray on my hair and on my skin after a shower (a good tip)!

thanks for your replies

losbreakingbad (like your name) I should be ok as I've been using L'Oreal sulphate free shampoo and conditioner.

cabinetsauvinyoni I have been googling the oil cleansing and that looks like what I'm after. Do you do it night or morning? or both?

scarlet007 my hair is a tiny bit wavy- no way would I get curls! It's good that it's not tested on animals though -that's another reason I want to change to more naturel stuff.

myrtledove my hair can be a bit straw-like so I'm glad it's a fairly intense conditioner.

I tend to just wash my face with water and moisturise in the morning but I make sure I cleanse properly every night.

It's become such a ritual I even manage it when I'm absolutely plastered slightly squiffy. It's always nice to wake up with lovely clear skin rather than half removed make up!

that's why LLB has lovely locks!

I need to get some castor oil for the cleansing bit, but I'm going to have try just with olive oil tonight- got to better than chemicals.
I did just use water and moisturiser this morning and my skin's been fine.

can anyone recommend a good natural sun cream?
I might as well go the hole hog.

I use Jason facial sunscreen. It's broad spectrum SPF 20. I use it under make up everyday and it's fine. It's not greasy or thick and sinks in well. I think I need to find a higher SPF though.
I am allergic to chemicals in sunscreen so am on the hunt for a mineral sunscreen to take on holiday that doesn't cost the earth and isn't too thick and white. Badger sunscreens have a very good reputation.