Maybe you’re on the fence about natural products? Maybe you’re like me three and a half years ago. I thought all natural and organic labels were an excuse for cosmetic and food companies to raise the prices of their products.
Here is what I’ve learned...
- You can buy simple and natural products without breaking the bank. I use to think that all natural food and beauty products were meant for people who had a lot of money. There was an impression that organic products were sold at an exponentially higher price. While that may have been true a few years ago, more and more companies are developing and selling products at an affordable price. Grandma’s Lavender, Seventh Generation, and Grove to name just a few.
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Simple and Natural products can be just as effective as Commercial products. Over the last two years I have switched over my health, beauty, and cleaning products to more natural alternatives. I was hesitant at first because I wasn’t sure natural products would hold up to their big name competitors. I have found that they do. It was surprising to me that my house could be cleaned without harsh and harmful chemicals and that I could wear natural make-up and it would hold up. It has actually saved me money to switch from the big name competitors!
- Switching to all natural products doesn’t have to be overwhelming and you don’t have to live in the all or nothing mindset. Switch what you can (or what you want to) and slowly implement it in your lifestyle. There is no right way to do it. It really is and should be an individualized approach.
- Always be skeptical at what is being pitched to you. Something to be aware of is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has failed to define clean (& natural) beauty leaving it open to retailers to give their own definition. Always check the ingredient label even if something is being advertised as all natural and organic. Some companies have been found to do what is called “greenwashing”. It is when a company uses misleading packaging to convey a false message. They may be marketing a product as all natural and organic on the label but really it isn’t.
A couple of useful resources I have found helpful as I have made the switch to natural products has been the app think dirty and ewg.org.
It is helpful to familiarize yourself with the most common toxic ingredients used in health care products. It will help you avoid them and when you are in a store you can quickly scan the ingredient label.
Here are the ten most commonly found ingredients to avoid:
- Parabens
- Fragrance
- Chemical UV Filters (Octinoxate & Oxybenzone)
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Triclosen
- Phthalates-Dibutyl phtalate
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SIS)
- Formaldehyde
- Polyethylene (PEGs) PEG-10 laurate
- Butylated Hydroxyonisole (BHA)
We use a LOT of products daily. From Shampoo to Laundry Soap. It can be extremely overwhelming to know where to start.
Here are a few starting points:
- Start with products you use on your face and body. Products tend to absorb quickly into your hands and scalp. Your shampoo, lotion, and hair products are products you likely use daily so it will have a higher impact on your health over time compared to cleaning products which you might not use daily (but its still a good idea to switch at some point).
- Find resources (like think dirty and ewg.org) to educate yourself on what is in the products that you are using. These are resources I have found along the way and have found that they are really helpful to me.
- Have fun! The last thing you want to do is to be stressed out over switching your products. I get it because I was at that point. Some of the products I switched from where products I had used for a long time. I switched my perspective from being in all out panic of I have to switch everything now to I can take my time. I can try new brands, and view as an experience. At that point it became fun for me. I found brands that I truly liked rather then brands I had used out of habit. But I think most of all I found brands that I like AND that are safe for me and my family.
I hope this was helpful and you have a better big picture of natural products. Now that you do, dive in, educate yourself, have fun, and enjoy a more simple and natural lifestyle.
Emma Kesterson
Owner | Grandma's Lavender