Sunscreen

Most over the counter sunscreens are filled with chemicals making them harmful instead of helpful. There are two kinds of sunscreens, one that contains chemical filters and one that contains mineral filters. The most common sunscreens on the market are the ones that contain chemical filters. These products contain active ingredients such as: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. These ingredients are highly toxic and you should stay away from them.  Sunscreens that contain mineral filters contain active ingredients such as: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the only sunscreens you should use.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes their guide to safe sunscreens every year. Of the 2000 sunscreens and 257 brands reviewed, 75% of them contained toxic chemicals. The 2016 edition has been released 2016 Sunscreen Guide

Here are the sunscreens I recommend. According to EWG's rating scale, all of them rate 3 or below out of 10.

Beautycounter - Protect All Over Sunscreen SPF 30

Alba - Very Emollient Fragrance Free SPF 30

Thinksport - Everyday Face SPF 30

Bare Republic - Mineral Body Spray SPF 30

MDSolarSciences - Mineral Creme SPF 30


These two haven't been rated by EWG yet as they are both new products. I highly recommend both of them too. 

Wegmans - Mineral Certified Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Perfectly Posh - My Hero SPF 30

Dry Shampoo

I have long naturally curly hair that I straighten with a flat iron every day. Since this is quite a process, I only wash my hair every other day. I use dry shampoo on the days I don't wash. I tried every dry shampoo on the market, Alterna, Blow Pro, Bastiste, Bumble and Bumble, Oscar Blandi, the list could go on and on. I wasn't thrilled with any of them. When I switched to chemical free shampoo, I knew I needed to find a chemical free dry shampoo. That was nearly impossible so I had to make my own. I made a few before I found one i'm obsessed with. This homemade dry shampoo soaks up excess oil, gives my hair lift and body, and smells great!

Homemade Dry Shampoo
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup organic non-gmo corn starch
1/4 cup alcohol (you can use vodka or rubbing alcohol)
5 drops of Young Living Grapefruit Essential Oil

Mix all the ingredients together until the corn starch is fully dissolved. Transfer into a spray bottle. Part your hair in small sections going from one side of your head to the other. Spray the mixture on the scalp of each section. Let it sit for a minute or two, comb through your hair, then blow dry it out.

Be sure to shake the bottle before each use. The corn starch will settle at the bottom of the bottle so it's important you shake it up enough to dissolve it before you spray it on your scalp.

I truly think my hair looks better on the days I don't wash it thanks to this dry shampoo!

Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C provides potent antioxidant protection. It helps reduce the appearance of brown spots and sun damage, boosts collagen production, and reduces inflammation and irritation. Considered the 'skincare superstar', it can help you achieve younger, healthier, and more radiant skin. You can certainly buy vitamin C serums but they will run you a pretty penny. Most cost close to $100 a bottle and contain chemical additives. I prefer to make my own for a fraction of the cost and so I know exactly what's in it. Below is the homemade vitamin C recipe I use.

Vitamin C Serum

2 tsp vegetable glycerin - Vegetable Glycerin
1 tsp vitamin C powder - Vitamin C Powder
Dark colored glass bottle with dropper - Dropper Bottle

Mix the glycerin and vitamin C powder with a whisk until completely dissolved. You can put it in the microwave for 20 seconds to help dissolve the vitamin C powder faster. Just make sure you use a glass bowl. Once completely dissolved I add a few drops of orange or citrus essential oil. Use a funnel to pour it into the dropper bottle. Put 2-3 drops on freshly washed face at night. You might feel some tingling after applying this due to the high content of ascorbic acid. Also, if you are anything like me (and Oprah) we only use all white bedding. So my sheets, pillows, and my duvet cover are white. If I put the serum on right before I go to bed, I notice it leaves orange stains on them. So now put it on at least an hour before bed so my skin fully absorbs all of before I hit the pillow.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is an all natural topical astringent. It's a liquid distilled from the dried leaves, bark, and twigs of the hamamelis virginiana plant. Witch hazel has been around for many years dating back to the Native Americans who used it to treat skin irritations and tumors. These days, witch hazel has many uses:

1. Natural astringent - witch hazel contains high levels of tannins making it great astringent. It removes oil from the skin and shrinks down pores.

2. Post hair removal - witch hazel is great to use after shaving. It prevents razor burn and stops the bleeding from nicks and cuts.

3. Treat sunburn - witch hazel's anti-inflammatory properties aid in healing a sunburn. It will also help in the prevention of peeling after a bad burn.

4. Fade bruises and blemishes - witch hazel can help fade discoloration and speed up the healing of bruises and blemishes.

5. Brighten eyes - witch hazel tightens the skin and reduces inflammation making an excellent remedy for puffiness around the eyes.

6. Treat acne - witch hazel removes excess oil from the skin which prevents blemishes and blackheads.

7. Reverse aging and sun damage - witch hazel contains polyphenols and tannins which help protect against skin cancer, melanoma, and other damage caused by UV light.

Is your deodorant toxic?

Click on the Deodorant tab above to see some chemical free options!