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Ladies, don’t be fooled to believe that you really need all these cosmetics and other beauty products showcased on TV commercials. Natural is always better. There are healthy and ecological alternatives to some industrial beauty products which often contain harmful chemicals. So, instead of unnecessary expenses in artificial cosmetics it is better to use a natural beauty product that is safe to your body and the environment; a little olive oil for example, to massage on your face and around the eyes before going to bed.
By the end, we will help you sort through your closets and get rid of those unnecessary beauty products that only clutter you up. You will be savings and feel better in your skin.
Here are 15 harmful beauty products to avoid their safe and natural alternatives:
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Cotton swabs
You would have been lied to, the cotton swabs are not necessary to clean your delicate ears, but to form plug of 
wax. Besides, there are those made of plastics on the marker which are not banned. That is, an alternative is better.
Oriculi, which, unlike cotton buds, is a lifelong reusable ear cleaner that prevents the formation of plugs. Use it once or twice a week to remove visible earwax at the entrance to the ear. Do not go further! Earwax is an asset since it protects the eardrum, so you might as well keep it as long as it is not unsightly.
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Shower gel, an unnecessary liquid
We are not saying that washing is useless, of course not, but that common shower gel in plastic packaging, which you throw away just a few weeks after buying it, cannot compete with bar soap, which is much more ecological and economical. And shower gels tend to dry up the skin.
Here is a simple natural shower gel recipe you can prepare at home, on your own:
Ingredients
- ⅔cupliquid castile soap
- ¼cupraw honey
- 2teaspoonsjojoba oil or olive oil
- 1teaspoonVitamin E oil
- 50-60dropsessential oils.
Instructions
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Combine in a bottle with a squirt top, shake the bottle to mix the liquid. Shake gently before each use.
- PEG
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used as a thickener in many cosmetic products: liquid soaps, moisturizers and shampoos. The problem it may contain a known carcinogen called 1,4-dioxane. Also avoid propylene glycol (PG) and similar chemical derivatives that contain the letters “eth” as for example in polyethylene glycol.
The good news Natural glycols are a good alternative to PEGs. For example, natural vegetable glycerin can be used as both moisturizer and emulsifier in beauty products.
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Mouthwashes
Mouthwashes sold commercially are often made with questionable chemical ingredients. And if they are, it can cause cosmetic and health problems. Brush your teeth well and floss regularly to avoid bacteria. Rinse your mouth, gargling with water for 20 minutes after eating. It is as easy as that!
In case you want to prepare your own natural mouthwash, here is a simple herbal mouthwash recipe you can prepare at home with just 4 ingredients:
Ingredients
3 oz of peppermint and sage leaves
1 oz Echinacea Angustifolia root
12 drops of mint extract
1 tsp of thyme
2 tsp of Myrrh gum extract
5-7 drops of eucalyptus oil.
Instructions
Prepare an herbal infusion made with the peppermint and sage leaves, and Echinacea Angustifolia root. Pour all the ingredients, including the infusion, in a mason jar, and shake it strongly until blended well.
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Eye contour serums
Even if the brands try to make you feel guilty for not taking care of your fine lines, don’t give in, this is all just marketing!
Vegetable oils such as argan, black cumin or sweet almond oil have no equal when it comes to moisturizing the most fragile eye contours. Bonus: You will only need a very small amount, which will save you a lot of money.
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Body milks
No need to buy commercial body milk; it is easy to replace. With a little olive oil, you will be able to replace your body milk, which will look gray after the intense hydration provided by this dual-use herbal elixir.
It’s totally safe to use olive oil without any added ingredients by applying it directly onto your skin.
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Parabens
Paraben is used as preservatives in several products of the cosmetic industry. It is suspected of being endocrine disruptors and of damaging reproduction in males. Since it was discovered, many products boast of no longer having it in their composition. But still some do. Be careful because some cosmetics have replaced them with ingredients that are just as toxic.
Sodium benzoate is a safe preservative that is 100 as effective as parabens and cost effective. It has no side effects.
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Dry Hand creams
There again, fancy tubes of hand cream are another type of marketing that leads some people to spend 100s in beauty products every year.
With a little coconut oil or shea butter, you can coat your dry hands and regain their comfort much faster. For transport, put a quantity in a small glass jar or an old tube of cream. You see you don’t need so many varieties!
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Bathroom Air Freshener
The spray that sits next to your toilet is such an obsolete object: with a simple matchstick, you can eliminate the odors of big errands ten times more effectively.
Lighting 2 matches is a quick and effective way to mask bathroom odor with a relatively pleasant and familiar smell.
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DEA and its derivatives
Diethanolamine, or DEA, is used in creams and foaming products such as body milks and shampoos. It produces nitrosamines, carcinogenic and extremely dangerous chemical derivatives. DEA is also harmful to the environment and all forms of animal life. Avoid similar chemical derivatives, including monoethanolamine (MEA) and triethanolamine (TEA).
As long as you can, avoid DEA and its derivatives. Certain essential oils, such as Lavender oil, is great alternative.
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Roll-on deodorant
No one wants to have a smelly armpit. But did you know that a little baking soda can be even more effective than a deodorant roll-on? Don’t feel like stuffing yourself with baking soda every morning? No problem.
Choose a natural alum stone, a potassium-rich mineral extracted from a rock. Alternatively, you can use palmarosa essential oil, a quick and easy alternative that has a lovely scent of rose. Just add drop under each armpit in the morning.
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BHA and BHT
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) are primarily used as preservatives in moisturizers and makeup. These 2 substances are known to be endocrine disruptors, and BHA is also linked to cancer. Both are also harmful to the environment, including wild animals. Avoid products that contain them.
Rosemary extract is a safe and natural alternative for chemicals like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).
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Shampoo and conditioner bottle
Then again, it’s not about no longer washing your hair, but using a simple, natural, and economical ingredient to do it: baking soda and Apple cider vinegar.
To do this, rinse your hair, sprinkle it with baking soda, massage in and then rinse with apple cider vinegar. A brilliant result after a few weeks. If you have very dry hair, coat it with vegetable oil before or after shampooing.
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Tampons and sanitary napkins
Those feminine care products, when they are not organic, contain chemical dyes that are harmful to your private parts, which manufacturers careful avoid to mention on the packaging. Unlike food, the law does not oblige them to do so.
The menstrual cup, an economical, zero waste and 100% ecological alternative that you will not be able to do without once you get the hang of it!
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Petroleum Jelly
Also called petroleum jelly, petrolatum is a type of Vaseline. In hair care, it helps hair shines. And in lip balms, lipstick, and moisturizers, it’s used to create a hydrating barrier. But it is also a derivative of petroleum, which can cause cancer.
Cocoa butter is natural replacement for petroleum jelly. It is safely used as a moisturizer for dry skin. It can also be used in any cosmetic recipe that require petroleum jelly.
