Swapping to natural organic products

[HarperFrannie]

I've slowly started replacing my skin care, shower products, etc. with natural/organic products in an attempt to cut down the amount of "toxins" I'm using. I've been looking at Noughty shampoos, Neals Yard moisturiser and soaps, for example.

Has anyone else done this? Can you recommend any good products? I'm particularly finding it difficult to find hair styling products - e.g. mousse, hair spray - for my fine flyaway hair; if anyone has found anything good I'd really appreciate a recommendation!

Of course not Maggie . I always do a spot test on the inside of my elbow.

Harper Essential oils MUST be mixed with a carrier oil that suits you. I use organic almond oil. Some people like other ones.

For cleansing I use 2 drops of tea tree oil in softened water (which is fairly harmless but you must test it on yourself before using). I use organic T tree neat for a deodorant. It suits me but might not suit others.

If you wouldn't drink it, why slather your skin it? Since the skin soaks everything in etc.

I'm not preaching, although it does sound like it!!

I someone tries to sell you anything by claiming it has no toxins and is chemical-free, it's a con.

I agree about Weleda products Maggie they are good to travel with , the Baby ones are lovely and are also great for my dry skin.

The Baby Change Weleda is magical for removing any red spots too!

I agree @ppeatfruit but some of their products have beeswax and I react to it but they're very good and not expensive -weleda has their factory near me in Derbyshire and you can buy their products in the attached shop and get loads of advice

Katharina It depends on the product and the manufacturer. There are some good ones that are not toxic. Though we all react differently to different ingredients however pure and organic they are . Like foods.

Maggie I'm not good with coconut but Weleda have alternatives, I'm good with their Calendula baby range

Eminence

I avoid SLS and try to cut down on plastic packaging. The ethical superstore is quite good, as is Ocado.
Most things marketed as green or natural are a con, google greenwashing.

Neals Yard and Dr. Hauschka are lovely, ethical, very gentle and cruelty free.

ppeat everything is a chemical. You really can't make a chemical-free product. And plenty of so-called natural ingredients are toxic. Those are just buzzwords.

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone.

Where did I say that chemicals are all rubbish Katharina ? I know that that everything is made of chemicals.

SLS is disgusting though and is STILL used by the majority of manufacturers because it's sooooo cheap and they pretend their stuff is brilliant. Charging a premium when the boxes are worth more than the ingredients.

I think if your aim is to be more environmentally aware re cosmetics you consume then it would be wise to make as many of these yourself. A lot of products are just not necessary to stay clean and healthy. Also in attaining some of these more ‘green’ products they have to be transported for miles and are packaged in plastic.

Think about what the bare minimum is you can get away with. Coconut oil for example has lots of uses. SUMA soaps are great and from a more ethical company. Beauty without cruelty still make good make up. It is easy to make your own body scrubs and hair rinses.

Maybe we are misunderstanding each other ppeat. I didn't try to say all products marketed as natural are bad, I quite like Dr Hauschka myself. I was objecting to statements often used, like that something is chemical-free or without toxins, or that natural or organic automatically means things are superior and better for you.

I said that that was the case, Iam (hopefully) not taken in by the hype of any manufacturer, the problem for me, with Hauschka is that it has so many ingredients. However pure they are.

I like to go into those 'posh' perfume shops at airports etc. and ask for Hauschka !!! They always look confused and upset that they can't sell me any of their rubbish!

I wish Dr Hauska would make their eye pencils softer.
They drag - both the old formulation and the new formulation ones. They are made in Germany and I find usually eye pencils made in Germany are very well made.

You are best off avoiding buzz words and deciding which ingrediants/ethics you are happy with and which you would like to avoid.
Try googling a few of the common ingrediants in your products and learn about them and possible alternatives.
"Natural" means nothing. "Chemical free" is nonsense.
Lovelula and naturisimo are good online shops but even then you need to read the ingrediants to see if you are happy using the actual product.
One thing I will say is that a lot of the products work differently to the ones from Boots so it might take a little while to get used to how to use them.

I get it, OP. Having been through some intolerances to (I think, from success with eliminating it) SLS, I have become a massive fan of Wild Sage & Co.

They’re a tiny company based nr Bristol who grow lots of their ingredient in their garden, use glass packaging or otherwise no plastics. I highly highly recommend their Argon oil beauty balm as a moisturiser and I also use their shampoo bar, soap, and pink clay face mask. I have stopped buying pretty much anything else and their stuff lasts ages. I now only shampoo a couple of times a week (having felt greasy by the end of a day, before). And my scalp, skin, nails, and hands are much happier.

They contain very few ingredients or preservatives. And smell amazing.

Original Sprout - they sell it on Ocado. It smells lovely, lasts a long time and ticks lots of boxes re no animal testing, no bad chemicals etc.

I used to work for this Cornish company a few years ago and still use their products. Absolutely brilliant. Cannot recommend enough.
www.madeforlifeorganics.com