Aside from not eating grains, this is how I keep my skin looking nice: honey and baking soda mixed together 50/50. I keep it in a 1 cup covered Pyrex container in my shower because otherwise it is pretty sticky. I have learned to check the cup before I jump in the shower just in case I need to add more. The honey is very moisturizing and makes a great all over body wash!
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| Ingredients: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Sodium Chloride |
How I wash my hair: I wash my hair about once a week with Avalon Organics Lavender shampoo the rest of the time just with water. I do not use conditioner because I have no need. For a while I did "no-poo" and washed with baking soda and conditioned with apple-cider vinegar but right now I like that I can wash it without trying to remember to fill the baking soda container. I haven't bought shampoo for nearly two years; I am still using the same bottle.
How I clean my teeth: I was getting sick of paying for sensitive teeth toothpaste and still having sensitive teeth. I recently read that it is actually the toothpaste that causes recession and sensitivity, not brushing too hard as I had always thought (and been told). Technically you don't even need toothpaste to get your teeth clean, but you can also boost your whitening power by using a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. I just mix it in the cap and brush away. My teeth are less sensitive and this is WAY cheaper. Oh yeah, and I floss but that is just floss which I don't believe you can get any more natural than that.
How I moisturize: Extra-virgin coconut oil is AMAZING! I use it to moisturize as well as a sunscreen and after sun lotion. Hint, it also makes a great lubricant.
How I style my hair: This is one where I haven't stumbled upon a good solution. I use a styling wax, Redken Rewind to be precise, but it is super expensive and I don't like how chemically it is. I just found this lovely tutorial on how to make your own pomade. I don't love that it uses petroleum jelly but maybe I could use Shea butter instead? Hmmm...It also looks like you can use jojoba or olive oil instead. I think I will need to experiment!
I have heard that if you get a blemish you could put tea tree oil diluted with olive oil on it, but I can't recommend it because I have never tried it myself. If you have any questions or tips, please send them my way!
First, I really want to try that olive oil soap. Hopefully it is at my local grocery store as well. Second, the toothpaste thing sounds really interesting. Does it keep your breath fresh? I have a major gag reflex with toothpaste (I dry heave almost every time i brush my teeth), so I really like your solution. FYI - Most "whitening" toothpastes do not whiten because of the baking soda or peroxide in them. If you feel their texture, it is extremely gritty, which essentially strips the stain off your teeth (as well as weakens the enamel). NOT a good idea, IMO. So if I make, say, a 1/4 c. mixture of the hydrogen peroxide/water, how long does it keep, and do I just dip my toothbrush in before brushing?
ReplyDeleteLauren, I believe the best way to do it is to mix a very small amount like half a tsp. in an equal amount if water and just dump it when you are done. Hydrogen peroxide needs to be stored in a dark container so I imagine it would lose its oomph fairly quickly. As I am brushing I like to refresh my brush in the solution so I end up dipping it multiple times.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'll be giving that a try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHm, interesting about the toothpaste. I knew toothpaste was abrasive, but didn't know what alternatives there were.
ReplyDeleteI don't use soap on my body except my arm pits and feet, and I don't live in a super-dry climate so I don't need much lotion except for my hands, but the coconut is interesting. Vitamin E oil feels really good--I've been using it over my kidney to help it heal without scarring.
I used to use Avalon Organics and liked it but now I'm using JASON and like it. But I want to try devacare no poo. I don't like baking soda, but I love apple cider vinegar. I wash every 2-3 days, keep trying to stretch it out.
I also discovered body-brushing! I brush my skin with a body brush to exfoliate (I do it dry). It makes showering quicker because I don't have to scrub in the shower, and I can use it to freshen up on non-shower days.
I like your new profile pic, by the way!