Healthy Swaps Part 2: Personal Care
Things I have swapped in an effort to make healthier choices!
Happy Monday!
A couple of weeks ago, I shared some of my favorite food swaps. If you missed that post, you can read it here. This week, I am sharing some of the personal care product swaps our family has made. Like I said in my previous post, this journey is ever-changing and never-ending. Some of the products I use now, I am sure I will look back on in a few years and wonder why I ever thought they were a good choice. However, you have to do the best you can with what you know.
We live in an era of information overload, and I believe our brains simply were not made to know as much as we do. It is a daily challenge for me to work to be a good steward of the body God has given me well while not thinking that I ultimately have control over my health. I do what I can, but I also trust that God made me and will sustain me.
So with that perspective in mind, let’s jump into these swaps!
Personal Care Swaps!
Skincare - Face
I have tried a lot of clean brands when it comes to skincare, but I was so overwhelmed by the amount of products to buy and the routine I was supposed to follow every morning and every night. I wanted something simple, and this is what I have landed on.
Face Wash: Cetaphil - I have been using this drug store face wash morning and night. I was tired of spending a ridiculous amount of money on something that was going to be on my face for a few seconds. I do believe what we put on and into our body matters, but I also believe in budgeting. So this is where I am right now!
Moisturizer: Beef Tallow - Using tallow as a skincare product is a recent trend, but I am usually pretty quick to jump on anything that seems like a return to a simpler, earlier time. So every night, I slather cow fat on my face as moisturizer. It does smell a bit like a farm, but this brand I bought also has an essential oil scented option if you prefer. It honestly feels so good on my skin, the canister is lasting forever, and it has helped my skin clear up. I am a fan!
Guasha - I have finally incorporated guasha into my daily routine. I use a stone I bought off Amazon and currently am using jojaba oil. I believe basically any oil you have or prefer should work fine, but be sure to check the comedogenic rating to make sure it will not clog your pores! The lower the number, the better.
Skincare - Body
Body Lotion: Attitude - My skin gets super dry so I need a lotion on hand to use, especially as we enter this colder time of year. I have tried a few cleaner lotions, but this one brand has been my favorite so far. I tend to lean towards sensitive or fragrance free products, but they have a ton of options for you to choose from!
Body Wash: Everyone - We honestly have not tried a ton of body washes, but this one I have rebought since trying it out. It smells really fresh, clean well, and also serves as a bubble bath and shampoo.
Exfoliant: Homemade - I have been homemaking an exfoliant for the past couple years by mixing coconut oil and sugar together. The sugar exfoliates and the coconut oil leaves your skin feeling so soft! I would love to just make everything I use at home, but for now, this is a start!
Shave Cream: Alba Botanica - I am still working on finding the perfect shaving products and routine, but this is what I have been using for the last few years. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be to find an unscented shaving cream. This one works well, and all you need is a little each time!
Deodorant: Lots of options - Deodorant is a swap that has been very popular and because of that, I feel like it has become even harder to find an actually safe deodorant hiding within all the brands marketing themselves as clean and safe. Personally, I have used the fragrance free deodorant from acure, and it has been good. Perfectly Frank and Schmidt’s have also been good options. I have heard good things about Earth Mama and ThinkSport, but I have not tried either of those myself. Everyone is different, so find what works for you! Lots of people also find that after allowing their armpits to detox from the toxic ingredients, they need little to no deodorant at all.
Hair Care
I have never been a great caretaker of my hair. Ask my mom, and she will tell you she did (and still something does) have to fight me to wash my hair. I am contemplating a chop that will make my hair a lot easier to maintain, so we will see if that helps me do better?!
Shampoo & Conditioner: Acure - I have been using this brand of shampoo and conditioner for about a year now. Typically, I buy the clarifying and the iconic blonde (which is a purple shampoo). I really don’t have any complaints. I have also heard really great things about the Carina Organics hair care products; however, I have not splurged on one of their bottles yet. Let me know if you have used it and like it!
Dry Shampoo: Acure - I have also found this brand to have the best dry shampoo that is not in a spray can and also works pretty well. They have a blonde and brunette option.
Oral Care
For a long time, my husband struggled with getting canker sores. He would get one almost once every single month. I did a lot of research on what causes them and how to treat them, and I came across some people saying that when they got a cleaner toothpaste that did not have sodium lauryl sulfate as an ingredient, the canker stores stopped. Immediately, I bought us some clean toothpaste, and Jackson has had little to no canker sores since.
Toothpaste: David’s - I have really liked this brand we have been buying recently, but I have also heard great things about Tom’s and Risewell.
Tongue Scraper - Scraping your tongue has many potential benefits including fresher breath, less bacteria, improved taste, and improved digestion. After I started doing this, I notice if I have gone a day or two without it. Essentially, you scrape off the film that starts to coat your tongue. It is gross but also very satisfying.
And that wraps up this list!
Let me know what personal care swaps you have made and what you recommend!
Remember, you can only do what you can do. As you learn more information and make more room in the budget, you will be able to do better, but things do not have to change overnight! Making a few simple switches can really make a difference.
Part 3 will be coming soon sharing all of the home & lifestyle swaps we have made!
Take care,
Caroline