Simple Living With Simplified Beauty Products
About 8 years ago I made the switch to natural, organic beauty and toiletry products. It seemed overwhelming at first, but after some research and testing a few products, I realized that it actually simplifies my life. And my home too.
Like, a lot.
I used to be an addict of luxurious and expensive face creams, shampoos, oils, lotions and basically anything that smelled nice and promised youthful beauty. I thought little about the consequences this had on the environment, my health, and my wallet. Sure I recycled all of those plastic bottles, but what about what was running down the drain and into our watersheds? Yes that eye cream promised to reverse my laugh lines, but at what cost to the rest of my cells that were being exposed to harmful, often even carcinogenic, chemicals?
I decided I was ready to make the switch to natural, eco-friendly and health-friendly products. I had done it already with cleaning solutions and I'm always careful about not bringing VOCs and other toxins into the air in my home, so this was the natural next step.
What I found was that simple and natural products work as well or even better than the expensive brands I had been using, plus they cost way less and make life so much easier because I don't have a ton of different plastic tubes and jars cluttering up my bathroom.
The products I have now come in beautiful glass bottles that I can order again online at the click of a button. The soaps are handmade from local artisans and smell and look amazing displayed in a glass jar on my counter. I don't have to constantly rinse and recycle tons of plastic, and my bedside table looks a whole lot better with a simple white jar of lavender hand cream than an ugly branded bottle I try to hide.
I also don't spend as much time morning and night with my beauty routine. Best of all, I don't have to worry about the toxic chemicals I'm putting into my bloodstream or our waterways.
I urge you to take stock of your beauty routine and products. Do you have a ton of half-empty or seldom-used bottles cluttering up your vanity cabinets? Does your shower look like a drug-store shelf? Think about how even the sight of all of these "things" affects you every morning when you see them. Then think about how much plastic (and I'm talking about the product packaging and your credit card) is used for all of your stuff. Is it worth it?
HOW TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO ORGANIC BEAUTY AND BODY CARE PRODUCTS
Clean out the things you don't use, gradually, but with intention.
As you finish up the rest of the products you currently have on the go, begin looking for natural and sustainable products you like.
Look for organic products, locally-made if possible, in glass or cardboard packaging when possible.
Check out your local farmers market for soap makers and buy a few to always have on hand to both smell and look pretty in your bathroom (I use hand-made soap every day for washing hands, for in the shower and even as a shaving cream - I found I just don't need anything else!).
Look for shampoos and hand creams and liquid soaps that are refillable at naturals stores in your community.
Simplify your routine down to a few products that are essentials.
Here are my favourites:
Total facial care (cleanser, moisture oil and eye oil): Skin Essence Organics (Canadian!)
Hand and body cream: Shea & Cocoa Butter Lavender cream from NEOB Lavender
Bar soap: Crate 61 Organics
Makeup - tinted moisturizer, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara from DeVita
Shampoo and Conditioner: bars from Upfront Cosmetics
Deodorant: Fat and the Moon deodorant cream or Crystal Deodorant.
Toothpaste, Mouthwash: Tom's of Maine - available at national food and drug stores
Liquid Hand Soap: Nature Clean or other organic options available at food and drug stores
Other brands I haven’t yet tried but that have great reviews:
Glow'rious Routine is a Canadian BIPOC-owned green beauty brand for ethical skincare.
Satya Organic is a Canadian Indigenous-owned company that makes all of its products with five natural ingredients including Organic Calendula Petals, Organic Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Cold Pressed Jojoba, Organic Colloidal Oatmeal.
Are you ready to try to make the switch? Remember to just switch up slowly and go for simplicity - you’ll love it. I promise.
