Have you ever read the back of any standard shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or facial cleanser? What is that stuff? When it comes to what we put in and on our body, I believe this: keep it simple. So I’ve set off on a quest to find products I can use that didn’t have added chemicals — and that really work.
The good news: there are so many natural alternatives to the preservatives, dyes, sulfates, and parabens that riddle these kinds of beauty products. After exhausting my Google search by looking for natural alternatives, I’ve tried all sorts of different things— I’ve put egg whites in my hair, avocado on my face, olive oil on my lashes — all so you don’t have to. Here is a list of the best things I’ve found!
1. Apple Cider Vinegar and Jojoba Oil for Facial Cleansing and Moisturizing
These two make for a killer nighttime facial ritual: Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water, and use it as a cleanser with a cotton ball. Afterwards, take a little jojoba oil and lather it on (a little goes a long way!)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) had a pH level of 4.5 to 5.5, which is about the ideal pH balance for the acid mantle of your skin — in other words, ACV can help keep your skin balanced and working at its best. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which protect your skin from the air pollutants and harmful bacteria that you encounter daily.
Jojoba oil is nearly identical structurally our skin’s natural oils, and therefore is a great way to keep skin “naturally” moisturized.
2. Coconut Oil for Body Moisturizing
Your skin is your biggest organ! And when you put on moisturizer, that product is seeping into your dermis and bloodstream — so choosing a non-carcinogenic, non-toxic moisturizer is important. There are myriad reasons that coconut oil is beneficial to skin health, but my very basic reasons for using it are: It is more moisturizing than anything I’ve used before (did you know most moisturizers contain drying agents, like alcohol?) and it is a natural oil.
If you’re interested in reading more about the benefits of coconut oil, read this!
3. Acure Facial Wash
Not only do many facial washes contain harmful or toxic ingredients, but many also contain microbeads. Microbeads are extremely environmentally damaging due to the fact that they often end up in major bodies of water, absorbing toxins “like a sponge” and being eaten by fish and wildlife.
So what’s a good facial wash alternative? I have been using Acure’s Brightening Face Scrub — and it has worked very well as an exfoliant, redness reducer, and cleanser. Acure’s products are organic, natural, fair-trade, and mostly vegan.
It can be overwhelming to change a system that we’re used to — including our beauty routines. But if you are committed to switching to natural alternatives, it is just a matter of changing out the products in your normal routine.
Don’t feel defeated if the first natural product you try doesn’t work for you. I started by just replacing one item at a time and tried to remain curious and open to trying new things on the “natural product” journey. This attitude made the process more fun, and helped me from feeling defeated if something wasn’t working — to keep on looking and exploring!
Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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