Monday, December 7, 2009

This Post Is Not About Copenhagen

Although the talks began today, I don't much feel like rehashing right now. In any case, I think it's worth it to let a few days go by and see how things develop. I have moments of hope and moments of depression, but I think at this point, we just need to adopt a wait and see attitude.

So instead, let's talk more about beauty products!!

Because, let me tell you, after the whole coconut oil experiment, I am suddenly DYING to try new fun eco-nutty things. I go around trolling the internets wondering what to try next:

Apple-cider vinegar toner?
Do I dare try olive oil on my face?
Can I make my own chapstick?
Baking soda in my hair? Ew. No.

I would love to get to a place where my beauty products consisted of all natural products made from an incredibly small number of ingredients. I'm not sure how likely that is right now ... I still use Neutrogena face wash and Kiehl's toner and moisturizer. (There's no such thing as a natural SPF moisturizer, is there?) And because I had so many face issues last year, I'm not dying to futz with that. On the other hand, I do love using coconut oil as moisturizer....

In other daily deodorant news (I know, you've been watching this space breathlessly) I tried the coconut oil mixed with baking soda with good results. I'm going to keep at it for a while. If it doesn't work out, I'll move on to the crystal.

12 comments:

Kelly S. said...

There is natural, non polluting spf, not shure how/what its made of, but you're supposed to use it when like...you swim with endangered turtles. Kinda hard to find and incrediablly expensive. I think the kids skin product section at target had one...

Kim said...

Not all SPF's are the same, that's for sure. You can always run different products through EWG skin deep database to see how they compare. There are definitely high risks associated with a lot of sun screens, but then again, the risk-benefit analysis for sun screen makes some of the risk more acceptable, no?

And mineral based sunscreens are always safer than other chemicals. California Kids makes some really great products...they are just hard to find in Alaska.

For a little more than a year I've been useing the Naked Bee Orange Blossom Facial Moisturizer (spf 30) and have been very happy with it. It isn't in the skin deep database as of yet, but running the individual ingredients through the database, I'm pretty happy with it.

Even the "non-polluting" isn't necessarily great since most of the absorbs into your skin at a greater level (to keep it from washing off into the water.)

Anyway. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Don't mean to get too personal here, and I don't know what you've read or heard firsthand of the crystal, but my hunch is that it only works well on shaved pits. As a man, un-shaved, I tried the damn thing and was relentlessly made fun of by friends -- because it clearly was not working. And then the crystal itself began smelling! I'd read a good review on Grist but it didn't work for me, at least not under the aforementioned circumstances.

Got any aversion to or reservations with Arm & Hammer's "natural" (no paraben, no aluminum) baking soda deodorant? 'Cause that's what I've been using, and it's alright. I tried dousing some talcum powder (not long-lasting), and rubbing in baking powder (developed a rash?) before that...

ruchi said...

Kel, thanks for the info.

Kim, ditto. I'll have to look into it.

Anon, hey it's not too personal, it's what we're discussing!! Anyway, I hadn't tried the Arm & Hammer deo. I tried Tom's and it sucked. Maybe I'll put Arm and Hammer on my long list as well! :)

Unknown said...

I used only NEEM based herbal beauty products.

Color Me Green said...

i recently found this website and thought you'd be interested. i'm excited to venture into making my own stuff too. where did you get coconut oil? i can never figure that out. http://makeyourowncosmetics.com

ruchi said...

Thanks for the tip, Natural Care.

Julia, I picked up my coconut oil at Whole Foods. There were about three different brands there.

Kelly S. said...

i use the arm hammer, its not bad. the trader joes stuff SUCKS, dont bother. i am adverse to the regular stuff b/c it ruins my cloths and potentially causes breast cancer...no thank you!

heidi said...

Ignore Anon! My hubby's crystal deo started to smell also, but you just rinse it and the smell goes away. The trick is to have CLEAN pits and put it on while they're still wet. Don't dry off and then wet the crystal - it's not nearly as long lasting. I've briefly toyed with shaved pits and the crystal didn't seem to work as well - 1/2 inch fuzz and up it works just fine though.

ruchi said...

Thanks Kel & Heidi

Those are now on my list to try.

Linda Jane said...

I've actually tried baking soda in m hair and it worked pretty well. Kind of weird to apply, I just put some in a container and added water in the shower to make a paste and used that. I have also tried eggs (shiny hair! but not very cost effective since free range/cage free always cost more). I am actually trialling NOT washing my hair at all at the moment (except with water), which is quite interesting in combination with my no-hair-brushing policy...

ruchi said...

LJ, thanks for the tip. I know a few people who have tried baking soda. Not sure how I feel about it though. ;)