Natural skin / personal care products

JohnR1972JohnR1972
in General

There was a related thread a few weeks ago that focused more on scents / fragrances and people’s preferences when cuddling. The consensus was basically “that is so individual, ask your cuddle partner what they prefer.”

This thread is related but different. In 2021 I not only cleaned up my diet (to eliminate ultra processed foods and sugar) but I also cleaned up my personal environment. I purchased air purifiers for my home and filtered water bottles & pitchers for my home. I also threw away all soaps, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, and tooth paste with a long list of chemicals in them.

I now use Amish made goat milk soap and a mineral salt crystal deodorant (it is literally a mineral crystal cut to fit the container and I wet it down and use it as a deodorant and it works very well as an anti microbial layer to prevent odor.

I have tried a couple of all natural shampoos and toothpaste but I am still looking for something better than what I have found so far. Does anyone else have experience with all natural alternatives for skin / personal care products? What do you recommend?

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Comments

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    I use Burt’s Bee face lotion. I never found a good shampoo or conditioner. And, I just use regular toothpaste too due to it finding anything I liked. Although I didn’t try hard on that one. I did try multiple shampoos and conditioners. Keep me informed if you find a great one!!!
    (I use the same kind of deodorant as you.)

  • Minestrone101Minestrone101

    Nothing special : I use cocoa butter and petroleum jelly for my skin

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    @CuddleHugs01234
    I am currently using a tea tree / eucalyptus based shampoo I bought at Trader Joe’s and I think they also have conditioner but I have never used conditioner in my hair. The shampoo works really well and is much more natural than most shampoos but I would still like to find something better if I can that does not have tea tree extract in it.

    I am currently using Boka toothpaste which also seems to work well and has a LOT fewer chemicals in it but it does still have sodium benzoate in it and I am trying to get away from that as well.

    I am very happy with my goat milk soap that I bought not too far from you. I bought them at “The Amish Hippie” in Monteagle, TN.

  • stormydaycuddlestormydaycuddle Mod
    edited September 2023

    There is a specialty blend natural shampoo brand that customizes it for you. I’ll have to find it. Or google. It’s not prose.

    https://www.functionofbeauty.com

  • TxTomTxTom

    Good on you @JohnR1972 for doing that. I, myself, go through these phases (natural products, local farmer's markets, plastic disuse, etc.), but my work/life imbalance makes it extremely hard to maintain for very long before I fall back into the typical consumer routine. I need to develop better discipline.

  • TNNativeTNNative

    I have been using Earthling products for my hair. They have body soaps, and a household line as well. https://theearthlingco.com

    I use a Dermalogica face cleanser (something I have used for sensitive face skin for Years).

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    @stormydaycuddle and @TNNative
    Thank you both for the links, I will check those out.

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @JohnR1972 Thanks for the info. Either you or someone else posted that store a while back. Last time on the interstate traveling I saw the sign but haven’t stopped yet.

  • [Deleted User]CaringPaws (deleted user)

    I'm Indian and we have a lot of little home recipes for stuff like this. Live yogurt as a hair mask, honey for skin. I like to put Jasmine oil in my hair to condition and it smells lovely too

  • PeopleLikeUsPeopleLikeUs

    https://terressentials.com/

    I use salt covered in jojoba oil as a body scrub. And sometimes just plain vegetable glycerin.

  • LovelightLovelight

    "Does anyone else have experience with all natural alternatives for skin / personal care products? What do you recommend?"

    Water. Preferably straight from the river or ocean. Sorry, that's the best I got for you. I don't think it gets more natural than that, then roll in some sand or mud to protect your skin from the sun's UV Rays and munch on some leaves if you get hungry. 😅

    On a serious note though, I think just whatever you're comfortable with is okay. As long as you aren't breaking out from it or having breathing issues because of it. Or that it doesn't contain really harmful stuff, I think you're probably gonna be fine.

    In terms of freshening your breath, I find using 1 or 2 cloves at most to be really good. Keeping hydrated is also a key to that.

    Though I wouldn't overdo the cloves and would make sure there are at least a few hours between before you use it again. I also wouldn't really do it right before bed or would make sure to drink some water after a little while of having it, then wait some time if you need before sleeping. That way you lessen the chances of waking up with a dry mouth or something. Some types of tea can also help, especially if it has neither sugar nor milk.

    That's all I got for now. :)

  • LovelightLovelight
    edited September 2023

    By the way, when it comes to moisturizers/emollient* for the skin, and hair: I often use Vaseline, just the unscented original type. I've never had issues with it, though for some people it might not work best, so best to look into that for yourself. I use it on wet hair, and skin. That's it. Anything else I might use inconjection or on it's own have been rare and completely optional for me.

  • JustPlaneCuddleJustPlaneCuddle

    Ulta has a large supply of more natural products. I work with local creators or etsy sellers.

  • stormydaycuddlestormydaycuddle Mod
    edited September 2023

    @lovelight Vaseline it super useful. My only comment is that it’s made from petroleum jelly which is made from the left overs from oil and gas production. My mom worked for BP for 15 years. It’s a whole subsection of the oil industry. Good stuff though. It is one of the best moisturizers in ways.

    Edit: I am not knocking it at all I know it can be bad for some skin types etc. It works for you clearly so I’m not saying, “Ew, gross petroleum.” More like proceed with caution to newbies. I have super super tiny pores it’s hard to even see them which means my skin can’t absorb well but it also can’t get rid of things optimally. And if I were knocking it that would be bad since I’m a firm believer in additive delivery systems. Most things can’t penetrate the outer most level of skin so getting to the dermis level requires a delivery system or the product stays on the surface and can’t do its job. And those delivery systems are what most people don’t like due to chemicals. And now that I’m super far off and rambling… about another topic…I’ll stop talking now😂

  • stormydaycuddlestormydaycuddle Mod
    edited September 2023

    https://www.lush.com/us/en_us/c/new-products
    Lush is amazing. I have others I’ll add to this comment as I find the links.

    Grove Colab is wonderful for household items and pet care.

    https://www.grove.co

  • TxTomTxTom

    ...it’s made from petroleum...

    It's amazing how many things we use contain some form of hydrocarbons. Not a complaint or anything; just an observation.

  • Minestrone101Minestrone101

    These beauty products don't work. I use them, and afterward I look in the mirror. Where's the beauty ? lol

    @Lovelight I'm all about that petroleum life. I think I'm gonna add Shea butter at some point and see how that feels.

    Celebrity Cybill Shepard claims her secret skincare is petroleum oil.

    @CaringPaws I'll give jasmine oil a try. I've been experimenting bc of dry scalp. I've used almond oil and argon oil.

  • sunnysideupsunnysideup

    Not sure if related, but my skin noticeably looks worse when I haven’t drank enough water

  • sunnysideupsunnysideup

    @TxTom isnt crude oil just dead organic matter anyway? Plants and dinosaurs etc

    Perhaps, one day we all will be crude oil and in the next jar of Vaseline .. lol

  • TxTomTxTom

    @sunnysideup I like to refer to it euphemistically as dinosaur goo.

  • LovelightLovelight

    @stormydaycuddle

    "Vaseline it super useful. My only comment is that it’s made from petroleum jelly which is made from the left overs from oil and gas production. My mom worked for BP for 15 years. It’s a whole subsection of the oil industry. Good stuff though. It is one of the best moisturizers in ways."

    It definitely is, I've been mainly using it for at least a decade if not much more. So for me, it works wonders and I've little to no need for any other products along that line. Yeah, I've heard of that and cool to know that about your mom. :)

    "I am not knocking it..."

    Yeah, cause you're not a cat lol, so I'd feel safe to put my beauty products at the edge of the table if you were ever around. :)

    "Most things can’t penetrate the outer most level of skin so getting to the dermis level requires a delivery system or the product stays on the surface and can’t do its job. And those delivery systems are what most people don’t like due to chemicals. And now that I’m super far off and rambling… about another topic…I’ll stop talking now😂"

    Interesting, thanks for sharing. Even some natural products such as say olive oil which I've heard some people love aren't good for others. So a very natural product isn't necessarily a better option either, just depends on one's needs and preferences. :)

    @Minestrone101 Team Vaseline! ✊😊

    I don't really think I used Shea butter or take to it well. Though I used to use some products by Shea Moisture which I heard are good. :)

  • LovelightLovelight

    @Minestrone101 "I've been experimenting bc of dry scalp. I've used almond oil and argon oil."

    I don't wanna know, though I wanna know, how dry are we talking lol. Maybe Dabur Amla hair oil can come to the rescue? Though I think you'll have to use it on a day or two that you plan to not be near civilization lol. By the way, not the Gold type, while I love the smell of the Gold type, I heard it's not that healthy. I used to use the Gold type, a bit, years ago and the other I maybe used once. I think I bought it by accident and just ended up not using it. Though I'd like to try it sometime, and get my hands on the Gold type too, to use it ocassionally. I haven't used it, though I think argon oil is nice.

    By the way I'm gonna link this video too which you or others might find helpful:

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery
    edited October 2023

    I have rather finicky, hypersensitive skin that reacts to a boat load of stuff and will randomly decide to react to stuff I've used for years out of nowhere sometimes, so I started experimenting with natural and simple skincare products as a teenager.

    For awhile I was early on the "chemicals are bad, mmk" train, but then I started noticing how fast all the preservative-free stuff went bad and how poorly my skin tolerated all the essential oils. I started actually reading the science from chemists and started adding back in less reactive synthetics over the past few years, and my skin is finally starting to calm the eff down 😅

    Everyone's skin biome, immune system, and so many other factors are so incredibly different that it can be next to impossible to predict what will work from one person to the next. Even my sisters and I with the same upbringing and similar skin issues cannot tolerate the same products used in the same way 🤷🏻‍♀️ and I've learned the hard way HOW you use products is just as important as what products you use (for instance: the frequency you use them, the amount you apply, the order you apply them in, the method of application, etc.).

    I now use a mix of gentle derm-approved drugstore products, hand crafted products made locally, DIY concoctions, and the occasional splurge from Ulta or Etsy if I want something fancy. I've had to play around with textures and "skin cycling" (before it became a trend) to keep my skin happy and from reacting to even gentle products. Hydration and barrier protection are the name of the game to keep my eczema and rosacea controlled, so I use lots of light liquids/gels/serums and non-greasy lotions to lock in as much water as possible without breaking me out. I actually like petroleum used sparingly on active flares - nothing creates a better occlusive layer without causing acne. I do still try to stick to cruelty free, though that term isn't regulated either so I judge brand by brand if they meet my ethics.

    My biggest recommendations:

    • don't be afraid of chemicals and synthetics (they're highly regulated and tested, more so than most of the green washed claims being made in advertising)
    • be careful about using essential oils, many of them are NOT safe to use undiluted, are highly irritating, or are photo reactive (meaning they can make you more sensitive to sun damage - watch out for citrus oils in SPF)
    • if using soaps/shampoo bars check if you need a water filter (hard water + oil-based soap=build up)
    • when in doubt or struggling, I go back to basics: water only cleanse (maybe even using bottled water since chlorine = angry eczema & rosacea), hydrating moisturizer, SPF (many skin issues like rosacea are exacerbated by sun exposure, beyond just avoiding skin cancer or aging)
    • learning some of the cosmetic chemist lingo to be able to decipher product labels helps those big words seem less scary and helps me be a better informed consumer- like the difference between hydration and moisture, different types of surfactants/preservatives/emulsifiers, fragrance free vs unscented, why some formulas mix well with others and others don't, what ingredients are filler vs proven effective and in high enough quantities vs trendy advertising and in ineffective trace amounts, etc.
    • learn about and experiment with methods of application - does a product work best applied sparingly on damp skin? How much is a teaspoon, actually? Does your shampoo work better if you suds a 2nd time with half as much? Maybe try adding a couple drops of an oil to your lotion to use at night to make it richer?
  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @cuddlefaery Very informative, thanks. :)

  • Jova114Jova114

    The only real thing I use for personal care that out of the norm is argan oil for my hair.

    But I actually cut it recently so it's not as long anymore.

    I still need the oil otherwise it poofs up

  • [Deleted User]avebae (deleted user)

    I've never liked natural deodorant until I tried the Sprout's Mineral Salt spray, like you mentioned. I also got the roll on but both work sooo well. And they're cheap! Literally the best deodorant I've ever had - held up in an intense HIIT workout class that nearly killed me lol. Just here to vouch for it because it's amazing.

  • Minestrone101Minestrone101

    @Lovelight Wow! Didn't see this comment. Team Vaseline! lol I'm not sure, but I'll let it slide. lol Should be their new motto. Vaseline goes viral. haha

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    @CaringPaws - thanks for your reply. I have heard of people using honey on their skin but that seems so sticky. Do you mix it with something to make it thinner before applying it? I can’t imagine what it would be like trying to wash out of my beard 😂

    @PeopleLikeUs - thanks for the link, I have never tried body scrub before but the salt and jojoba oil sounds pretty natural!

    @Lovelight - “water, preferably straight from the river…” Funny you should mention that 😂 Saturday night I was camping in SW Ohio and I waded out in a river to wash up after a 65 mile bike ride. The water was just a little chilly but not too bad.

  • JohnR1972JohnR1972

    @JustPlaneCuddle @stormydaycuddle - thank you for your suggestions.

    @Minestrone101 - I know what you mean, that is why I only refer to them as “skin care” rather than beauty products. If I called them beauty products manufacturers would pay me to not use their brand just to protect their reputation 😂

    @sunnysideup - I know good hydration is really important to skin care, especially when it comes to skin elasticity. I stay hydrated and consume collagen peptides nearly every day and that really help my skin elasticity.

  • [Deleted User]SoftCuddleBunni (deleted user)

    Take Aztec clay and equal parts of apple cider vinegar to make a face mask and arm pit mask. It removes all the toxins (blocked sweat glands caused by chemical deodorant) when the toxins are removed and your sweat glands are unclogged you don’t smell at all and hardly sweat. Do the mask once per week until you see a change. Usually takes about 1-2 months.

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