Are you like most people and buy your beauty products without too much thought of what's inside. Maybe you've read about the chemicals that's in most products these days. You want to change and use more organic products. But you're not sure what to do next. Do not fret. I know it's a scary world out there and it's not easy to venture out in the unknown. I've put together a guide to to hopefully make it a little easier.
1. Don't change everything over one nightBe realistic. First of all we don't want more waste. Changing all your beauty products in one go will just be expensive. Instead, for each product you finish swap it with a green alternative. Little by little you'll soon have a majority of green/organic beauty products.
2. Keep a list of ingredients to avoidIn the beginning it's hard to know what to avoid in a product. I keep a card that I picked up from Well People that lists ingredients to avoid. Another easy rule to follow is the lesser ingredients the better.
3. Use think dirty appThis is a great app for your phone. It helps you finding clean, natural and good for you products. You scan the product and it tells you how clean or dirty the product is from scale 0-10. You should avoid any product with a high number. It lists the ingredients and highlights them red if they're bad. It also gives you alternative products.
4. Tell your friends and familyLet the people around you know that you're choosing a different lifestyle. It can be frustrating when trying to change all your old habits and only buy organic. Then it's your birthday or Christmas and you're stuck with toxic products all over again.
5.Do your researchWhen you'll seek you'll find. It can be hard to even know where to look. Some areas are easy to forget when changing to an organic lifestyle. Maybe it's time to look for a new hairdresser that uses less chemicals and more gentle products. What about your waxing or your nails. There is places that uses organic and natural products and polish but they're a lot harder to find.
6. Don't be afraid to bring your own productsIf you can't find anywhere near where you live. Don't be afraid to bring in your own products when getting your hair or nails done. It might be worth checking with them first. But most of the time they're fine with it.
7. Embrace online shoppingOnline is where you'll find most of your products. Especially if you live in a smaller town. There's so many great products out there, but again do your research. Read reviews by green beauty bloggers. Sometimes it can take time to find the products that works for you.
8. Many products are easy to do yourselfFollow the hype with coconut oil and you'll save yourself a fortune on beauty products and hair treatments. Making your own bath salts, soaps and body scrubs are easy and so much fun. You'll know exactly what's in it and you can make a big batch and give as presents to all your friends.
9. Justify the costCleaner beauty products can be a bit pricey compared to what you're used to paying. That's because they contain far more superior ingredients than the cheap synthetics that many products contain. Your health is worth it.
10. Let your skin get used to itAnother reason why it's good to start small is for your skin to get used to better products. See it like the detox effect. When you flush out all the toxins in your body, your skin and organ reacts. The same when your skin is used to lots of chemicals. You might experience break outs, dry, oily unbalanced skin, greasy hair, excessive perspiration (using natural deodorants you finally letting your body breathe). Do not worry. Your body will recalibrate and begin to function how nature intended it to again. To ease symptoms slowly wean yourself off products you're chemically dependant upon.
Ingredients to avoid:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES
- Parabens
- Propylene Glycol
- Coal Tar
- Phthalates
- Silicone
- Dimethicone
- Polyethylene
- Glycol (PEG)
- Synthetic fragrances
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Monoethanolamine (MEA)
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
- Formaldehyde
- Petrolatum
- Mineral oil
- Resorcinol
Other post's I've written that can be helpful:
