I got a request to do this post a while ago. A long long while ago. So here it is…a compilation of the things I use to keep me and my household clean and toxin free. [FYI, this is not sponsored]
Face wash: Avalon Organics Lavender Luminosity facial cleansing gel
Face lotion (moisturizer): Avalon Organics Lavender Luminosity moisture plus lotion broad spectrum spf 15
Shampoo & conditioner: Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender shampoo & conditioner (the big 32 oz ones with the pump are $19 at Target or when they go on sale at WF)
Hair spray: Andalou Naturals Lavender & Biotin
Hand & body wash: Jason Calming Lavender Hand & Body wash
Hand soap for kitchen & bathroom sinks: Dr. Bronner’s Lavender hand soap or EO Lavender hand soap (in bulk for refilling)
Make-up: Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals eye shadow & Urban Decay eyeliner (I use the color underground, which is vegan)
Sunscreen: Alba Botanica Hawaiian sunscreen and Carribean Solutions
Chapstick – for daily use, Dr. Hauschka Skin Care lip care (this is ridiculously pricey but it’s awesome and lasts a long time); and for color, Burt’s Bees (I like them all but right now I have papaya shimmer)
Body lotion: Costco’s Kirkland 100% pure plant extract lotion (I know it sounds crazy, but it’s paraben free, smells nice and neutral, and is a great moisturizer)
Deodorant: Tom’s of Maine mountain spring (this is the men’s deodorant, which I guess is stronger than the other one, it’s okay for daily use but not great for intense exercising)
Cleaning supplies: we use Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer’s, and EO products for various household scrubbing (ie kitchen, bathroom, window, laundry, etc.) and water + distilled vinegar for cleaning the hardwood floors
Dish soap: right now we are using Ecover (but we usually go with whatever green product is on sale at WF)
I guess that’s it.
FYI; these sites are great resources: Safe cosmetics database & Paige Padgett online – plus this link has all vegan and gluten free cosmetic info
As you can tell I like Lavender (I’ve tried the citrus Avalon Organics shampoo & conditioner too but prefer the soothing lavender smell)
Other brands I’ve tried:
Alba Botanica hawaiian facial cleanser – I used this stuff forever & I love it, but it’s hard to find at times.
Yes to Carrots shampoo & conditioner and chapstick – I like all of them.
Kiss My Face hand soap – this used to be our #1 but now we just do the bulk Dr. Bronner’s and refill them all with that.
I’ve tried (and didn’t like) both 365 brand and Alba Botanica natural shampooo & conditioners.
Tom’s of Maine Lavender deodorant – this kind didn’t cut it for me (hence my switch to their “men’s strength” deodorant). Additionally, their toothpaste is mediocre, and while I still use it intermittently with conventional (chemical filled) toothpaste, I don’t love it.
Seventh Generation dishwashing detergent – I haven’t had any success with natural dishwasher products. Biokleen is awful, too, by the way.
Stay tuned for the next installment with baby products…
And of course, feel free to offer up your own favorites in the comments section!!
Thanks for this roundup! I’ve been wanting to make the switch to more natural products lately and this is very helpful. I also wanted to share my new favorite product – Soapwalla Deodorant Cream. This stuff is amaaaazing. I have dealt with stinky pits for years and it is so frustrating! I used to use all the hardcore deodorants with aluminum in them, but they didn’t work. Then I started trying lots of natural deodorants like Tom’s because I didn’t want the aluminum anymore…the best one I found was Tom’s Long Lasting, but it still left me skunky by the end of the day or if I got the nervous sweats. Soapwalla’s product in unbelievable…there is absolutely no scent at all! And no, I’m not getting paid to say all this…I just discovered the product about a month ago and I’m just really excited about it 🙂
Have you tried the Tom’s gel toothpaste? I’m not a fan of the regular stuff, but the gel version seems to be significantly better for some reason
I’m really looking into slowly switching over all my products so this post came at a great time! Lots of research to do…
Oh, also there’s this site: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ They have a ranking system so you can see how your current products stack up against other options. I love it and they are constantly reviewing the scientific literature to add information to their site (yay for evidence based science!).
I have tried so many natural deodorants and cannot find one that works. I’m not even a very sweaty person, so I’m not really looking for something to control the sweat, just the smell. I gave up and use Secret. Eh, I tried, right?
Also not a fan of Toms and now I use Jason’s Powersmile. Pretty good! Thanks for sharing your list. I also like Lavanilla deodorant, Devita sunscreen (30spf), and Nubian Heritage body soaps/body wash (they sell it at Erewhon). otherwise I just keep trying new things…
Deoderant: http://www.realfooddevotee.com/
She makes THE BEST deodorant ever! It stands up to exercise – as in I did a 10-mile run with it and WHOA! It’s the best. Can be a little pricy, but it is absolutely worth it. My husband uses it, too, with no problem.
gracias!
She even personally delivers all her stuff… sign up for her weekly menu! She has a lot of GAPS friendly items, too. I LOVE her kimchee!
thats basically how i felt w toothpaste. i can only be so granola 🙂
awesome link. thanks!
im so much happier now w these clean products. youll be so happy you made the switch. seriously.
whoa seriously? thats so cool!
i totally get it. i am the same way when i find something awesome. i want to share it w everyone. i appreciate you passing the rec on 🙂
ok ill look into it. thx 🙂
I know! She’s a really cool person, too. You can tell her stuff is made with enthusiasm & joy!
Great list! Thank you! I’ve been researching some good green-vegan natural products to start trying and this will give me a great place to start!
I’m with you in the Soapwalla fan club, Libby! That stuff is amazing!
I actually really like BioKleen laundry detergent and BacOut. Both are moderately ok with cloth diapers (not the best, but don’t destroy them).
I also really like Method products and Malie Organics (expensive but such nice lotions, body soaps, and perfumes).
Ha! I use the Tom’s of Main men’s deodorant too, lol. The woman’s stuff didn’t cut it for my sweaty self 🙂
I love Dr. Bronner’s and Mrs. Meyer’s too. Have you ever used Caldrea? http://www.caldrea.com/ I love them. LOVE them! They have cleaning products as well as hand and body products and laundry stuff. SO worth the money. And I am cheap!
Courtney
LOVED this post! While I also love Avalon products I had to share my new favorite…Trader Joes tea tree oil face wash. 100% vegan and it is INCREDIBLE. We paid $6- for a bottle that lasted my husband and I a little over 2 months. I cannot say enough about the product-it makes your face feel so clean and it stays oil free all day. Thank you Trader Joes…and Thank you Elise for your posts. 🙂
I love many of those same products 🙂 My favorite deodorant is Funk Butter, and I love the Eco-Dent tooth powders for brushing. I get all of my stuff at a great price through a local Frontier co-op. it’s like a buying club where you pay wholesale prices- usually much less than what you pay for the sane items at WF. I’m sure there is one in your area.
Kiss My Face Active Life cucumber green tea is the best I’ve found. Plus I look at it this way, I can reapply freely throughout the day since there are no “icky” ingredients.
I am A Dr Broner’s fan through and through – that, coconut oil and then the rest of my beauty stuff is home made 🙂
I am a Dr Bronner’s junkie! I rub down my legs & feet after every run with the peppermint castile oil soap. I’m just a little superstitious on that point…
hi elise i’ve been following your blog for almost 2 years now (not that im a stalker) LOL, you have influenced and inspired me in so many ways… anyways…. my favorite is Dr. Organic i use the pomegranate range, and i love it! works well too
I make my own deodorant, and it is FANTASTIC.
All you need is a 1:1 ratio of coconut oil and baking soda. I mix it up, keep it in the fridge (coconut oil has a low melting point) and it is amazing.
Just as an example, I put it on before flying across the Atlantic and was awake for 20-odd hours before collapsing into bed and in between I was sweating from the airport/running with luggage/nervousness etc.
I didn’t smell at all. Seriously.
Go try it!! I love this stuff.
This is a great blog – thank you! I use Desert Essence toothpaste and really like it. I also had a question about almond milk – are you concerned about carrageenan at all? I’ve read that we should avoid them but I love Almond Breeze (which contains it). Thoughts? Thanks!
i dont love carageenan in my milk. it concerns me that its so controversial and has mixed studies…but i dont really know of an alternative. ive looked into it, but since i dont tolerate cow dairy, my options are basically to make my own. im going to be perfectly honest and tell you i dont have time for that. as of last week, though, i started using a canned coconut – bpa free, organic, only ingreds are coconut and water – so maybe ill keep doing that. its way expensive though. 🙁
Thanks for your thoughts. I have been considering making my own almond milk as well, but my time is pretty limited too. I appreciate your blog – so glad I stumbled upon it!! 🙂
my pleasure michelle 🙂
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