Over the last two years, I started embracing some more “natural” practices. I have never considered myself particularly “crunchy,” but as time goes on I have adopted a few of these practices. It all started when I read something about aluminum in anti-perspirants and its links to both Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. Sure they might be rumors, but I decided to switch anyways. I now use Tom’s of Maine – I prefer the lavender fragance. I have a friend that just splashes a bit of vinegar in her pits to eliminate any odor (and she always smells great!).
The next practice I took on is cleaning my hair without shampoo. I first read this post on Simple Mom. I bought two 8 oz. squirt bottles from Rite-Aid and followed Tsh’s lead. I wash my hair with the baking soda solution (1 TBSP Baking Soda to 8 oz. water) every other day, and typically, I follow it with the vinegar solution (1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar). I am loving how my hair looks and feels. I used to use a LOT of conditioner and frizz serums and frizz sprays, because I have my hair highlighted. Now,I don’t need them because my hair is producing it’s own oils to keep the frizz down.
The back
Another back
You can see the hair, but no face
Does anyone take a good picture in the mirror? Not me.
When I read the post about going shampoo-free, I also found other links about OCM (oil-cleansing method). I had to try it! OCM is basically washing your face with a combination of castor oil (a drying oil) and a carrier oil. I have fairly dry skin, so I use a ratio of 90% grapeseed oil and 10% castor oil. You could use sunflower seed oil or olive oil as well.
Here’s a bit about castor oil from wikipedia: The use of cold pressed castor oil in folk medicine predates government medical regulations. Cold pressed castor oil is tasteless and odorless when pure. Uses include skin problems, burns, sunburns, skin disorders, skin cuts, and abrasions. Castor oil has also been used to draw out styes in the eye by pouring a small amount into the eye and allowing it to circulate around the inside of the eyelid. Note that most bottles of castor oil indicate the oil is to be kept away from the eyes. The oil is also used as a rub or pack for various ailments, including abdominal complaints, headaches, muscle pains, inflammatory conditions, skin eruptions, lesions, and sinusitis….Castor oil has also been noted for its acne-healing abilities.[32] via Castor oil – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
I’ve been using the OCM for a month now, and I really enjoy washing my face at the end of the day. There is a meditative quality for massaging my face with the oils, then steaming the dirt away. My face feels dewy and moist. There is no need for any other moisturizers after the wash or in the morning. A splash of water is al I need to get me going!
Grapeseed oil
From wikipedia.org: Grape seed oil is a preferred cosmetic ingredient for damaged and stressed tissues, possessing regenerative and restructuring qualities which allow for strong control of skin moisturization. It can help skin retain the normal structure of epithelium cells and nerve cells via supporting the cell membranes. It is noted to be especially effective for repair of the skin around the eyes. Used as an all-over skin moisturizer, grape seed oil is known to reduce the look of stretch marks….In addition, grape seed oil applied to the feet each morning clears up many foot problems such as itching, scaly flaking and odor.
I am also using grapeseed oil for moisturizing after I get out of the shower. My skin is extremely dry and itchy and most moisturizers don’t last very long. I tend to have ashy, itchy, flaky skin on my legs in the winter, so I’m hoping this is a good solution to help my dry skin. Dylan also has very dry, itchy skin, and I’ve been using this on him too.
These are just a few of the steps I am taking to use more natural products in my home. I am evolving and becoming a bit more crunchy.
I have considered doing the baking soda-vinegar thing for my hair, but it’s so frizzy, I’ve been convinced I needed the product. Your hair looks great though! And I like your mirror photo. I’m a classmate from Blogging for Scrapbookers.
Hello there! I’ve been making baby steps towards greener living lately as well.
I’ve been using Tom’s for awhile now and really like it–apricot for me!
I’d never heard of the natural shampoo alternative though. Very cool. Something I will think about. Thanks for sharing.
I have learned so much in this post! I use so many silly products in my hair and would love to simplify and have a more natural routine like you. Thank you for sharing this information! I’m bookmarking it!
How long did it take your hair to adjust to the new method? I know that sometimes our scalp will over-produce oils until everything gets adjusted…also, I color my hair as well as highlight…do you know if this will help my color hold?
I’m going to try baking soda and vinegar on my hair. I like the Tom’s of Maine Lemongrass.
Hi Felecia, It took my hair 2-3 weeks to adjust. At first I used a little bit of conditioner, because my hair was so dry. Now, in the last week, I’ve stopped using the vinegar, because my hair is now producing enough oils. And because baking soda is very gentle and there are no detergents in it, I would think your hair color would hold better. My highlights don’t mind the change. I’m sure my hair dresser may disagree, though.
I like the lemongrass, too and honeysuckle smells nice and flowery. Carol, you should definitely try the OCM–it feels so nice at the end of the day!
I have a lot of extraneous products sitting on my counter still. I’m using my conditioner for “shaving cream” when I shave my legs.
Hi Deanna, you should definitely give it a try. It takes a couple of weeks for your hair to settle into a groove. I really like the texture now, but it did take a while to get used to it. It is definitely different — I kept asking my husband and girlfriends if my hair smelled funny — it never did.