The commercial beauty industry nowadays is all about the external appearance and less about internal nourishment and health. Big cosmetic companies use clever marketing tactics to create (rather than fulfill) the need for a new product, promising to make you feel more confident and beautiful.
Behind the packaging, campaigns and photoshopped images, lies the truth about conventional beauty and skincare and ironically, it’s not pretty. The majority of products on the market are full of chemicals, toxins and cancerogenic substances that enter your body on a daily basis. Ready to make the switch from conventional to natural beauty? Read on to discover where to start and what you should know before you do.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS
If you’re used to conventional beauty products, you may find it challenging to switch to more natural alternatives. It’s a journey of trial and error and not giving up. Though more and more natural and organic beauty brands are emerging on the market, not all of them work as promised. Green washing finds its way even among natural products, so it’s important to know that if it’s natural or organic, it doesn’t automatically mean ‘good for you’. You should still read the labels and do your own research. Many mainstream beauty and skincare products contain a long list of harmful chemicals like parabens, mineral oils, Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS), perfume (petroleum-based), and phthalates. When you read labels, remember that ingredients are listed in order of amount present in the product. The first few ingredients prevail in the formula and the last ones are present in small amounts. For example, if a natural product mentions a certain essential oil as its selling point, but the ingredient is the last on the label, the amount in the product is insufficient to provide any benefits or results.
A great example is the difference between a conventional and a natural deodorant. Commercial brands use chemicals and preservatives to which many people can be allergic to, but the product is effective for most people. On the other hand, natural deodorants, although made with gentle and organic ingredients, may not be effective against sweating and odors the same way as commercial ones. In any case, balance is key. When you start switching to more natural products, your skin, hair and body will need some time to adjust to a new routine. You, too, will need to spend time gathering information, learning all about natural beauty and testing new products.
NATURAL HAIRCARE AND SKINCARE
In many instances, natural skincare products are more expensive than regular ones. When transitioning, bear in mind that you’ll need to discover what works for you and what doesn’t. This process may not be budget-friendly, but for starters, you can make your own natural beauty products at home. Let’s use turmeric as an example here – known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-aging properties, it’s the perfect base for a natural beauty product catering acne-prone and damaged skin.
FACE
There are tons of recipes for homemade face masks, hair conditioners, body lotions, and body scrubs. Most of them are cheap and you can use food items you already have at home. You can customize the recipes and swap out ingredients that fit your skin type and hair texture. When you’ve found the perfect natural brand or homemade recipe, you’ll be ready to take the next step.
Here’s an easy recipe for a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory face mask:
- 2 tsp. chickpea flour or oatmeal flour
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- 3 tsp. yogurt
- ½ tsp. honey
- ½ tsp. coconut oil (optional)
Mix the ingredients together to form a paste. Apply to your face and neck with a brush and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Note: Turmeric may stain your skin, clothes and bathroom sink. When using the mask, wear old clothes or a towel to prevent stains and rinse your sink immediately after use.
HAIR
Avocado and eggs are not only a great breakfast – your hair could use some of their vitamins and minerals, too! This hair mask will give your hair all the nutrients it needs, leaving it silky smooth and refreshed. Simply mash together 1 egg with 1 ripe avocado until you reach a smooth consistency. Apply on your hair and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm or lukewarm water. Shampoo as usual.
HEALTHY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE
No conventional or natural beauty product can be effective if you don’t follow a clean diet. The health of your skin, hair and nails is directly correlated with the types of food you’re consuming daily. For example, if your meals are loaded with carbs, unhealthy fats and little nutrients, you’ll see it on your skin through breakouts, dullness, flaking and premature aging. The same goes for your hair. For example, most conventional shampoos promise shiny, luscious hair with regular use, but you keep ending up with dry, brittle, lifeless strands. This is because the products strip your scalp from its natural oils to give you that squeaky-clean feel.
The skin on the scalp then tries to overcompensate for the lost oils by producing even more oil. This is the reason why your hair is a greasy mess the day after you washed it. The hair needs nourishment from the inside, starting from the roots all the way to the ends. You can do this by eating fresh, unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods, such as:
- Spinach and other collard greens
- Dark chocolate
- Avocados
- Walnuts
- Hemp seeds
- Goji berries
- Blueberries
- Yogurt
- Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
- Wild-caught salmon
- Mackerel
- Tuna
- Anchovies
- Rainbow trout
You can also use most of these items to prepare homemade masks and beauty treatments.
We’re all about natural and organic beauty and lifestyle and we hope these tips will help you transition to a cleaner beauty routine seamlessly.
If you’d like to explore natural living, wellness and turmeric lattes, check out our blog.
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Author Bio & Photo:
Frosina is a freelance writer for hire specializing in lifestyle, health and wellness topics. When she’s not busy writing about productivity tips and mindfulness, you can find her learning all about digital marketing and dreaming of Italy.
You can learn more about Frosina at https://figsproutcreative.com/ and connect with her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.