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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

SDF: My Clean(ish) Routine

Um, for some reason this is showing up in Google Reader early, even though it was scheduled to go live on Friday. So I guess we're having a something-different Wednesday! Damn you, Blogger.
When I was in high school, one of my teachers introduced the concept of "Something Different Fridays." On Friday, instead of teaching math, he'd teach us something else he thought was worthwhile, like how to play the stock market, or Piaget's theories of development. I am stealing this concept here to indulge my occasional urges to blog about something unrelated to crafting- not every Friday, but once in awhile. Sometimes they'll be silly, sometimes serious. I hope you'll find them an enjoyable diversion!


Ok! So last time on SDF we talked about how everything is poisoning you- not least of all your beauty routine. I feel funning calling it a "beauty routine," since I'm really pretty low maintenance (working at home will do that to you) but I guess that's essentially what it is.

(Incidentally my "Morning Routine" just went up on the No More Dirty Looks blog! It's a few weeks outdated but pretty similar to what you'll read below.)

I figured I'd cobble together a list of some of the bath & body products I've found that fit the non-toxic-er criteria, since I know it can be tricky to find ones that work as well as their more conventional cousins and don't cost a friggin' fortune. Obviously, this is just the stuff that's worked well for me- I promise nothing! (And btw, I'm not affiliated with any of these companies, I just buy 'em.)


We'll start in the shower:

Giovanni Shampoo and Conditioner. I vary which one I use- I've used Smooth as Silk and Root 66 (the volumizing one) and liked both, for the simple reason that it works just as well as conventional shampoo. A lot of "natural" shampoos don't leave my hair feeling clean- I know you can get used to that feeling and let your hair balance itself out, but I don't really want to. I want my hair to feel all squeaky clean and soft, dagnabbit. This stuff also smells really fruity and yummy but it doesn't have any artificial fragrances- it's just the natural smell of whatever botanical oils are in there.

For the majority of my body I use good ole Dr. Bronners on a loofa. The maniacal rantings on the bottle freak me out, but the stuff is gentle and works well, and what more can you ask for? It comes in like ten scents (all essential oils, nothing artificial)- Peppermint is popular, and there's also Citrus, Rose, Almond, Unscented..... I usually use the Eucalyptus because steamy eucalyptus oil is a great allergy/asthma treatment, and I've always got a touch of that going on.

Most shaving creams are super nasty, and some of the natural ones either don't work very well or are greasy and sticky and make a mess- but I've found that I really like Alba Botanica's Unscented Very Emollient Cream Shave. It's sort of like a thick conditioner or thin lotion. Since I bought this thing a few years ago, I pretty much only have to shave my armpits (it hurts to much to rip out that hair) so one tube of the Alba lasts a good long time.

Most days I just wash my face with hot water, otherwise it tends to get dried out. But every few days I use Evan Healy Rose Cleansing Milk, which does a good job of making your skin feel clean without being too drying. This is one of the pricier products I use, but it goes a long way when you're not using it every day.


After the shower:

After I've dried off a bit, if I didn't use the Evan Healy, I'll use some Kiss My Face Toner. I'll also spray it on any other part of my skin that's acting up. I have no idea if it does anything, to be super honest.

I was using this stuff as a daily facial lotion (I got the one for "Aging skin" because it was the only one without fragrance) but it was very sticky and hard to rub in, so now I reserve it for days when I'm actually going to be in the sun, and otherwise use Acure Day Cream. It's super light and soaks in well even when you're still kind of damp from the shower.

For the rest of my skin, I use a combination of grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and a little bit of argan oil (usually at night, since it's greasy.) For awhile I was using pure argan oil on my face at night because it's supposed to be great for balancing out combination skin, but I didn't notice much of a difference :-/ Now I just use the oil mix once in awhile. Amazingly, it doesn't make me break out or anything- it just soaks in and any excess rinses off in the morning shower. If you put it on a little while before you wash your face, it softens up the dirt and oils in your pores and helps you rinse it all out. The brand of oil doesn't really matter, as long as you get pure, high quality organic stuff. Fair warning: while your skin will probably look fine in the morning, any hair that came in contact with the oil will look quite greasy, so don't use it the night before if you have to go somewhere before you can wash your hair (or at least, wear a headband or something.) I'm sure it's good for dry hair, though.

The oil isn't strong enough for my super dry hands and feet, so I use shea butter before bed (either pure or this stuff) and Weleda Skin Food on my hands throughout the day. That shit is AMAZING. Pricey, but amazing. Between knitting, being a germaphobe, and having two grungy dogs who I'm slightly allergic to (ie, I have to wash my hands after I touch them) my hands get really dry, and this stuff is a lifesaver.

For my lips, I love YesToCarrots Berry Lip Butter. It's the only YesTo product that I'm still using regularly, at this point, because most of them have fragrances (saaaaaaaad.) This stuff is mostly coconut oil and it's pretty great, though I'm sure any other coconut-oil-based lip balm would be good too. Or just straight-up coconut oil.


Something else I tried recently, since I had some samples: Dr Hauschka's Signature Cleansing. Though I'll admit I don't do the stupid "roll your fingers outwards to drain your lymph nodes" thing or whatever. Maybe it works, I don't know, I'm not that patient- I just rub the shit in and rinse it off. But the products involved are nice- Lavender Bath, Cleansing Cream, Clarifying Toner. I'm realizing now that they are crazy expensive and I'll probably never buy them, but they're nice! The Lavender Bath also works really well as a bath oil- just dump a capful or two in the tub when it's filling up and it smells pretty (but mild- I usually don't like lavender but I like this) and feels nice and silky. I usually add some of my oil mixture too and swish it around. It ends up leaving a nice thin layer of oil all over you, which is nice when you don't feel like you need to slather it. (I know it sounds gross but it soaks in quickly, I promise.)


Whew, that's a lot of text. I was going to talk make-up too, but I think I'll wait til next time. I wasn't much of a make-up person until recently so I'm still sorting out what products I like, anyway ;-)

And now the fun part!

bathprize

I'm going to give one reader a little sampler pack of some of the goodies I like! It's not all of them (I couldn't find mini sizes for everything) but it's a few good basics- shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lip butter, hand lotion (I love these mini tubes, I keep one in my purse) and a bottle of my trusty oil blend ;-) No artificial colors or scents, no sulfates, no bad crap.

To enter, just comment! If you've got a "clean"ish product (bath, body, makeup, etc) to recommend, please do, but you don't have to ;-) I'll pick a winner at random a week from today.

29 comments:

  1. Oooh yay! This is the best giveaway ever!
    I've been using Organix shampoo and conditioner lately and I absolutely love them! www.organixhair.com

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  2. Oh man, this is a rad giveaway!! And hello, we're product twins in many ways. I would love to try your trusty oil blend, and I always need new travel size products :D

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  3. I wish I used more natural stuff, I should start the switch. And this would be a great way to start!

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  4. I started using Lush shampoo bars after my hair got so gross from regular shampoo it was better not to wash it (ew). They're pretty good but I'd rather use something parabin free and the UK ones aren't yet, but I am poor. I also found just skipping conditioner was better for my hair (aka only have to wash it twice a week which is perfect for lazy people). Really want to try some Dr.Hauschka products because they always have such crazy instructions!

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    1. Dr Hauschka seems awesome...but I doubt I would've ever tried it if I hadn't gotten some free samples, cause YIKES they're expensive :-(

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  5. I have a friend who makes his own soap. It's awesome it's DAFE soap co on facebook if anyone is interested! I would love to try more natural products, but like you said, it's usually expensive.... :/

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    1. I keep thinking I should try and DIY more soapy products. And mineral makeup... if all sorts of people on etsy can make eyeshadow, I can totally make eyeshadow, right?

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  6. I have been low maint. for a while now and sadly that has forced me to be a little more high maint. I've become insane about skin care lately but like most can't afford the super nice stuff. I have had friends gracious enough to give me Arbonne skin care samples which are all natural, botanical rememedies and have seemed to work nicely considering I don't do too well to harsh chemicals. I am always up for trying something new and think this is an awesome giveaway that could help! Thanks for the opportunity!

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  7. Eeeee, exciting! I really like shea butter as a moisturizer - you can use it on hair too, just rub a little of the pure stuff between your hands to warm it, and run it over frizzy/dry hair (not too much so you don't look greasy), or use lots at night as a deep conditioner while you sleep!

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  8. I am obsessed with Lush. Almost everything I use comes from them. I love how everything smells and how well it all works. I constantly recommend them to people. One of my favorite products is their Curly Wurly shampoo. It's amazingly hydrating-it has bits of coconut in it which threw me a first but now I love it. I have insanely thick curly hair and it's hard to find products that work for me.

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    1. I'm going to try their henna hairdye soon, I think! The nearest shop's about an hour away - close enough that I don't want to order online, but far enough that it takes me awhile to get around to going. It's sort of overwhelming to be there, though- you can always smell them a block away.

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  9. I love Weleda products! Great for kids with super sensitive skin (like mine). I use Weleda's Lip Balm on a regular basis. I have at least 4-5 tubes at any given time for my purse, next to me when I knit, at my desk at work, in the car, etc. I love it!

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  10. I'm just coming around to using more natural beauty products, though I do find it quite overwhelming - this guide is really useful for knowing where to start! Emerging from winter, I've had really dry skin, and have used all sorts of super-moisturising body washes, but nothing seemed to work. Then I switched to E45 emollient wash, which is unscented, and soap- and detergent-free, and I've noticed a significant difference.

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  11. Sweet deal! Good suggestions on things to keep us ladies pretty!

    I don't use anything ectra special when gettin clean, but I do love me some shea butter!

    -AmyK

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  12. I use dr. bronners too! I use it as my shampoo as well. Sometimes it will leave your hair greasy, so I brush my hair in the shower to make sure it's well rinsed. Aside from that I just use homemade herbal salves. :)

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    1. Dr Bronners seems to give my hair a lot of volume, it's kinda nice! It gets more tangly and dry, though, so I don't do it all the time. (I think the eucalyptus oil might be more drying than some of the others.)

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  13. Wow, I wasn't expecting a giveaway! How very nice of you. :) I use strictly argan oil to moisturize at night, and usually pour a little jojoba into my shampoo bottles. I've hated all the eco-friendly shampoos I've tried thus far, so I will have to give Giovanni a shot! The website (well, and you) makes it sound pretty awesome though. I've been meaning to try Weleda on my stomach to try and stave off stretch marks (I'm expecting) but haven't quite finished my bottle of Earth Mama Angel Baby just yet.

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  14. I just got a free bottle of JASON shampoo from klout and it has freakin' silicones in it, I was like...wtf?? The Giovanni seems to be free of the basic baddies but I haven't cross referenced every single ingredient yet.

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  15. yes, please. i am using the Giovanni shampoo right now and I love it - I have the invigorating tea tree kind.

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  16. I am obsessed with, and in this order: any kind of rose salve (the good kind is just a petrolatum base with some rose oil, which does amazing things to my lips and cuticles), Burt's Bees Cleansing Cream with chamomile and soap bark (not the healthiest, contrary to their marketing, but sooooo good and fresh feeling...), and any shampoo free of parabens and sulfates. Oh, and anything made by Cetaphil.
    I thought I was the only hot-water-face-washer!! Skipping soap in the morning makes any makeup go on smoother. Thanks for the rockin' giveaway offer, and sorry for typing a novel!
    --thisgirlsaysno

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  17. Very cool! I've become a tad obsessed with Bar Maids foot cream. Between standing all day at work and my new addiction to running and zumba my feet need all the love they can get!

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  18. I'm really enjoying this series! I try to use unscented/natural products for my skin because my skin is very sensitive to scents and chemicals. Thanks for all the great ideas!

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  19. This is great. I use almost all food grade products now, except makeup and perfume. My husband jokes that when I get out of the shower, I roll around in food. He's only half joking. I shampoo with baking soda, tea tree oil and water. Condition with apple cider vinegar and water. wash my body with diluted Dr. Bronner's, wash ky face with coconut oil, make my own deodorant with coconut oil, corn starch, baking soda, tea tree oil and essential oils, and moisturizer my lips with coconut oil. Oh! Shaving cream. I need a new one of that. Still using the striped cans that cost 99 cents. Lol. This series is great, by the way. I love seeing what else interests you. I'm bookmarking this to look into the oils you use. Also lotion and shaving cream.

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  20. I don't know if I have any cleanish products, unfortunately. I got a little bottle of Butter London nail polish remover that might be, but I'm not sure haha.

    spectralcountry [at] gmail [dot] com

    http://spectralcountry.blogspot.com/

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. I use Garnier Fructis 94% biodegradable shampoo and a facial cleanser with microbeads. Target's "face sweepers" are great for freshening up. I don't wear makeup whatsoever. my hair is pretty low maintenance because it's pixie short. it used to fall to my mid-back, but I cut and donated it. conditioner tends to make my hair freak out, but I have found that it actually works wonders for my feet and makes them lovely and soft.

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  23. Ooh, Alex! This is a good giveaway! Currently, I've been taking steps to "green" up my daily life. I've been shampooing sulfate-free for the past month (only every 2-3 days) and plan on trying baking soda/ACV rinse next month. I'm also obsessed with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). I have really oily, acne-prone skin so I've been massaging my face with a mixture of jojoba and castor oil and then steaming off the excess oil with a warm towel. My skin is definitely a lot softer and less oily. I want to try making my own deodorant next month because I think that would be neat. And secretly, I love reading the rants on Dr. Bronner's soap because they are so insane, it makes me feel like I'm in the 1800's listening to a traveling salesman from his caravan!

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  24. I wash my face with oil, and lately I've added vitamin e oil to the mix. (It's not much of a mix, just jojoba and vitamin e.) I bought some (cheap) commercial moisturizer the other week because I've had crazy dryness as the weather changes, but it made me break out like crazy.

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  25. I'd love cleaner stuff for my face and conditioner. I'm pretty attached to my evil shampoo, though; it's the only thing -- including no shampoo at all -- that's ever kept my scalp from itching like an itchy thing. I object to feeling infested.

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