While we are here together talking about safe products, I’d be remiss if I didn’t make a quick plea to consider, if you haven’t already, the products we use on our bodies.
My intention is not to be on a soap box. But it is a true story that our largest organ is our skin, and it absorbs everything we put on it. Our clean-up-crew organs (liver and kidneys) do a lot of work and I know they appreciate it when we choose to use products that don’t contain chemicals that do damage to us.
Here are a couple of moisturizers that are safe products for our bodies:
Coconut Oil: This is an effective moisturizer for your whole body. Lips, too! If you have sensitive skin (I do!), I don’t recommend using this on your face. If you practice the no-poo shampoo method, one drop of coconut oil diluted in a cup of water makes a good once in awhile conditioner for the ends of your hair.
Aloe Vera: Another great moisturizer! I use this all over, plus lips and face. My face does not break out from this! I use parts of my aloe plant, but have also used Lily Of The Desert Aloe Very Gelly with great success!
We Can’t Forget Deodorant!
I noticed on the label of my regular, run-of-the-mill anti-perspirant a warning label, stating that one should consult with their physican if they have kidney issues before use. WHAT?! Further research taught me that anti-perspirants contain aluminum, which is hard for kidneys to process, and it can build up in the system. High aluminum levels are linked to dementia. It is nearly impossible to use so much anti-perspirant that this would ever be an issue. The warning label is really intended for people who fit the criteria of having stage 4 or 5 kidney disease.
Check out this article about it from the National Kidney Foundation.
That being said, I myself have one kidney and guess what? I am taking such good care of my kidney, and not using regular anti-perspirants unless wherever I am going is such a big deal that it warrants it. There are numerous products available for deodorizing without all the chemicals in normal deodorants and anti-perspirants. Here are a few:
The Crystal
Tom’s of Maine
Native
Here is a little known fact, and you’ll see why it’s little known….On a day to day basis, I don’t wear either deodorant or anti-perspirant. I say it a little sheepishly on the off chance that I smell like my son’s gym bag but no one is willing to say it to me. My experience has been that when I first stopped, I sweat a lot, almost like my skin was clearing out the pores clogged up by chemicals. After a little time, that stopped. I still sweat, but not enough to show up on clothes, and it doesn’t smell. Partially because I am clean, but also because there’s nothing clogging those pores, no bacteria etc. Most people probably aren’t as hard core as I am regarding this area.
Shampoo and Conditioner
There are several shampoos and conditioners on the market right now that are sulfate free and working towards eliminating more and more chemicals from them. Our scalp is skin too, and absorbs whatever is put on it. Our hair becomes coated as well. I have not tried the brands that I am about to list, but I would use them and feel good about it.
And here is an all natural do-it-yourself shampoo worth trying!
I myself used the no-shampoo method for a year, maybe a little more. Here is a great website with lots of info if you are interested. My hair was absolutely fantastic, and I only needed to wash it once every 10 days or so (sounds crazy, doesn’t it?), but I had to change it up some because the baking soda was starting to have a different effect and I didn’t like it. I happen to have very, very thick hair. I won’t bore you with details of what I do now, but do ask if you are interested.