Check this out: http://cavegirleats.com/bodycare/

I totally did the baking soday and ACV for shampoo and conditioner last night (after 2 days of no washing) and my hair looks like I washed it with my usual shampoo.

I use DevaCurl hair care products (curly, thin hair, that's dyed with Naturetint color-- my hairdresser would kill me if I used henna again) and Alterna Bamboo oil, with argan oil on my ends. I was using For Pit's Sake deodorant, but I needed more of the antiperspirant for work, so I'm back to Tom's of Maine, which has aluminum, but since I'm going to die of Alzheimer's and not cancer, meh. I also use Tom's of Maine toothpaste. I use a lot of Lush body products, but I'm not cool about the parabens in them, so I may switch.

I was using Kimberly Sayer face stuff and while it's nice and organic, it does not beat down fine lines like retinol does. I'm not going to list everything that I use on my face, because it's an insane list, but Sephora is great about listing ingredients and what products avoid various chemicals.

There is a website (can't find it at the moment) that reviews various products and indicates how toxic/not they are, and I do use that.

You can make your own soap and lotions (fun!), but for the lotions, they do not keep for long periods, so small batches are best. I do make my own sugar scrubs (brown sugar, white sugar, olive oil) and use them in the shower. Some people are of the coconut oil for everything camp, but it does not work that well for me, though I do use it in things (on it's own, it just does not moisturize like I need).

I am conscientious about everything I do to my body now. The contaminant concern actually came long before I decided to address the diet that was killing me.

(WHAT, manufactured synthetic materials don't matter.... did I really read that in a primal/paleo group... ?)

There are many safer options, but beware that many companies these days are "green-washing" their products. Read the ingredients, then research each and every one. Even many "natural" ingredients are not beneficial. Basically, if I can't eat something then I won't use it on my body. (I could almost get a chemical engineer degree for the time that I've invested in research; all in the name of protecting my family.)

Don't forget to consider contaminants in cleaners and indoor pollution (from carpets, furniture, building materials, emfs, radio waves, children's pajamas, toys, etc etc).

I'm not saying "go live in a cave" (even if I want to do just that) but I do think that AWARENESS matters. And exercising our choice with what we buy. All of these contaminants, while each one individually may be "ok", when combined may have synergistic effects. I think with all of the health problems these days, it matters. Besides, when chemicals are developed and tested they are not required to be tested for synergistic effects with other compounds. Shouldn't they be with thousands of new chemicals developed and put in our products year after year?

Or we just keep trusting that profit-driven industries have only our health and safety in mind while developing new chemicals/products? And don't sick people make the pharma industry a heck of a lot of money too? Oh, but they wouldn't intentionally hurt their customers; yeah sure.

I used natural products way before going primal for everything (cleaning house and body products), i didn't have a choice as i was allergic to everything. i buy natural cleaning products,body wash, shampoo and hand soap. otherwise i use baking soda and lemon to clean things. Baking soda is also good for cleaning your teeth.

I occasionally make my own skincare products. I got given homemade organic lavender infused oil (takes over a year to make) and used it as a base for massage balms, lip balms and hand creams. Organic rose hip oil, coconut and hemp oil are good emulsifiers and are great to use for the base of whatever your are making.

harder to make so buy these brands

hair products Original & Mineral
nail polish Butter London has a toxic free range
fake tan Ecotan

Hope that helps.

My sister went no poo (shampoo) and it worked out well for her, I don't have the luxury of dealing with it until it regulates so I just use regular shampoo but I only wash it once/week. I don't use deodorant and I seem to not smell even when exercising so that works out. I don't wear makeup so that one's easy. I also stopped using tampons and now use the Diva Cup (amazing!) I don't use lotion but if I do want to use something I use coconut oil, it's natural and smells amazing. I can't think of anything else... I don't really use a lot of 'stuff'. Just try going without, you'll be surprised!

I went Poo-free almost 6 months ago...love it!! I use baking soda/water solution rinse really well then Apple cider vinegar solution to detangle. I have thin fine hair and my hair dresser said recently it looks and feels really healthy!! The transition can be hard, I used a conditioning cleaner called REN, london drugs $10, but I found I had lots of build up....thats where the baking soda came in It took me about a week to really get used to not using shampoo or conditioner...just conditioner. Then another week to get used to no conditioner. The only thing I miss is fragrance.
I changed to Val's organic vegtable based liquid soap for body wash and face wash (dont put it on your hair...feels ucky), and I use pure coconut oil as skin moisturiser. I have not however given up Nutrogena wrinkle defense...not gonna happen.
I also stopped using toothpaste and started using Toothy Tabs from LUSH...again will never go back!! My favorite is called Dirty

I feel pretty good about seriously reducing the amount of chemicals I put onto my body, some of which can cause estrogen disruptions (...affecting girly hormones and the like)

I also stopped using tampons and now use the Diva Cup (amazing!)




been using the moon cup for years and would NEVER use anything else!

Also a question for the females, what are your feelings on hormone based contraceptives? I have been on the pill for a month and feel like its making me feeling crappy. I am getting a hormone free IUD next month but until then I am been considering stopping the pill.

Personally I turn into a monster on the pill and yes even the patch so I haven't used it in months. I had considered an IUD but my friend got bronchitis after she had hers in for a month and it came out from all the coughing. After that I can't even think of having one. I tried to get fitted for a cervical cap or a diaphragm at my last girly check up but they couldn't find the kit and really kept trying to push me to get an IUD.

My hubby got fixed. We agreed that if I could go through giving birth to my daughter at home without drugs he would have the vasectomy, WIN! lol