As we hear more and more about the environmental pickle we’re in, we’ve also become more aware than ever of the toxins around us. It’s really good to know these things. The not-so-good thing is that it’s not easy to get away from them.
But, don’t worry, we do have some control. While we might not be able to fully avoid all the harmful chemicals we encounter in our lives, we do have the power to choose what we use to take care of our skin and hair.
Choosing our self-care products wisely can significantly ease some of the stress our bodies endure due to toxins. Using cleaner skin and hair care is vital to our health since our skin is our largest organ and can absorb up to 60% of the chemicals we put on it.
If you’re concerned about toxins taking their toll, you should seriously consider making the switch to all-natural skin and hair care. And if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already decided to do just that.
But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a massive stress-inducing undertaking to ditch your self-care staples in favor of better options. The following tips will help you make the switch without all the stress.
Read labels carefully
Labels contain important information about a product’s contents. Unfortunately, some product labels are misleading. Many brands use specific wording that may lead you to believe the product is better for you than it actually is. Some of the words to look out for are “natural,” “non-toxic,” “plant-based,” “clean,” and even “organic.” These terms could indicate the product is safe, but it’s not necessarily so.
Other ploys to attract you to a product include highlighting a couple of the “good” ingredients on the front of the label, using a list of what it’s “free from,” or simply using images of plants and other natural things on the packaging.
Ultimately, the only surefire way to know if a product is safe or not is to read the list of ingredients, and then research them. Pay particular attention to the ones that you can’t pronounce and look them up.
A few common ingredients you definitely want to avoid are parabens, phthalates, sulfates and triclosan. These aren’t always obvious though since chemical names usually look more like hieroglyphics than actual words. So do your research on anything you aren’t sure of!
Take baby steps
Changing your routine doesn’t have to happen overnight. If you’re like many others, you probably have quite a few products you’ve been using and trusting for years. And now that you know how to read a label, you might be alarmed to find out that many (or maybe even all) of the products you’ve been using aren’t the healthiest.
Don’t feel compelled to round ‘em all up and toss them in the trash all at once though. You can use each of them until they’re gone, and once you finish one, then you can replace that one with a better alternative. In the meantime, you can start to research cleaner replacement products that are better for you.
You can also start with something really basic like body wash or hand lotion. Or pick something you use the most often, like lip balm or soap. These products are less expensive than some skin creams and cleansers and whatnot, so they’re a great place to start without shelling out lots of dough all at once!
Keep in mind that any little amount helps. The average woman uses 15 skin and beauty products every day. Every product you switch out means less chemicals in your body. Go at your own pace.
Give yourself time to adjust
Whenever we start something new, we might have an expectation of seeing radically magical results immediately. But in reality, some things take time to adjust to. Sometimes you will notice a difference right away, but if you don’t, don’t give up.
Give your new products at least a couple of weeks to wow you. And if after that time you still aren’t wowed, it might just mean you need to try a different all-natural product. Look for products that are specifically made for your skin or hair type.
There’s a whole host of purely natural ingredients out there, and they all have different benefits. You just need to find the ones that can give you specifically what your skin or hair needs.
Enjoy the process
Switching to all-natural skin and hair care products doesn’t need to be overwhelming. As you go along trying new products, have fun with it! You will most likely find products you love just as much or even more than what you were using.
And keep in mind that the main goal here is to take care of your health and protect yourself from ingredients that can be harmful. Your health is your most important asset, so the energy and effort you’re spending on making this switch is well worth it.
You'll also feel good about supporting businesses that are raising the bar in the world of health and beauty. Spending your money with brands you can truly trust instead of the usual suspects that might not be up to par also helps to encourage change across the whole industry.
We've Got the Goods
At Nurture My Body, we pride ourselves on creating all-natural skin and hair care products with certified organic ingredients that nourish and soothe. Instead of being produced in a big factory, our products are wildcrafted on the coast of Northern California, hand-stirred in small batches, and hand-filled daily to provide you with the freshest and safest products available.
If you’re looking for all-natural beauty products you can trust to be safe, toxin-free and kind to your skin, we’ve got you covered. From body washes to creams and serums to baby care, we are dedicated to providing high quality, naturally safe skincare to help you and your family live a happy and healthy life.