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Isn't it nice to get into a warm and cleansing shower after a day in the long hot sun or after a long day at work. Not only is it relaxing, but the scents that we have come to associate with showers and cleanliness also work on our emotions and soothe us.....right?
Well, yes, the above is true....BUT unless you have already made the switch to "clean" bath and body products, the likelihood that you are altering your body's chemical make-up is very high indeed.
Many, if not most of the bath and body products that are sold in stores today have some pretty yucky things in them - PARABENS and PHTHALATES are quite often found in these products. Both Parabens and Phthalates are have been studied and proven to have negative effects on our bodies, act as endocrine disruptors (changing our hormones), have carcinogenic effects, and increase potential pregnancy loss. {To read more about parabens and phthalates continue reading through to the bottom of this post}
If you are reading this and you have not made a switch yet to clean body and hair care - take a look at the ingredients in your personal shampoos, conditioners, and body washes. You may very well decide that NOW is the time to clean things up a bit and decrease those toxin imprints a bit on your daily journey.
If you are ready for the switch or even if you are already there - trust me - there are amazing "clean" replacements for your hair and body care. Below I will walk you briefly through mine and my family's journey and describe how easy it can be to transition to natural hair care.
Natural Shampoo - Even your hair needs to detox!
Ok. You know what is in that stuff you have been using and you are ready to SWITCH it UP! Yay for you!!! However, I am going to be completely honest with you..... you will have some detoxing to do. If you have never used natural shampoo, that would be THE ONLY "not so fun" part of this - and honestly - I have to say I would do it all over again -many times over to ensure that I am cleaning up the toxins my family and I are exposed to every day.
All of those chemicals that are in your hair care products have compounded over time and put layers upon layers of synthetic product onto your hair. You hair WILL go through a detox phase. DO NOT GIVE UP!!! I promise, you will love me in the end. This detox can last anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on your hair type, length, and how often you wash it. Which, really, you are only supposed to wash your hair 2-3 times a week at the most (but I do know that sometimes it can not be helped, especially when working in a very dirty environment.) My husband washes his every night and his always looks great too!
When switching to a clean product it will naturally feel like your hair is more oily and greasy than it ever was before. That is your hair restoring itself to its correct PH balance. During this time you can wear it up more often if you choose -that is what my daughter and I did with our longer hair. Weird enough, my husband did not have as long of a detox as he has short thick hair. So for all of you people with thicker and short hair - it may not take as long for you.
Benefits to switching to a natural shampoo:
The most amazing benefit for me for natural shampoo is also knowing that I am not using products with hidden carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, or products that can do harm to my body. I love that when using a natural shampoo I know that everything that goes onto my head is beneficial to my health, to my hair, and that it can still cleanse effectively using products straight from nature's doorstep.
Some potential benefits of natural shampoos:
Gentler on the Scalp: Natural shampoos often contain fewer harsh detergents and chemicals, which can be gentler on the scalp and reduce the likelihood of irritation, itching, and dryness.
No Harsh Chemicals: Many conventional shampoos contain synthetic chemicals, such as sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, which some people may want to avoid due to potential health and environmental concerns. Natural shampoos typically avoid these ingredients.
Reduced Sensitivity: Some individuals with sensitive skin or allergies may find relief by using natural shampoos that contain fewer potentially irritating ingredients.
Less Environmental Impact: Natural shampoos are often formulated with biodegradable ingredients that have a lower impact on the environment compared to some synthetic chemicals found in conventional shampoos.
Nourishing Ingredients: Natural shampoos often include botanical extracts, essential oils, and other plant-based ingredients that can provide nourishment to the hair and scalp.
Sustainable Sourcing: Many natural shampoos focus on using sustainably sourced ingredients, supporting eco-friendly practices and responsible ingredient procurement.
Hair Health: Some natural ingredients, like aloe vera, coconut oil, and herbal extracts, are believed to promote hair health by providing vitamins, antioxidants, and moisturizing properties.
Reduced Build-Up: Natural shampoos may be less likely to cause product buildup on the hair and scalp, leading to cleaner and more manageable hair.
Cruelty-Free and Vegan Options: Many natural shampoo brands are committed to cruelty-free and vegan practices, which can align with ethical and lifestyle choices.
Our Journey with natural shampoo
There are so many different all natural products out there. The big idea is to make sure that what you are getting stands up to the all natural label. (see the info below on parabens and phthalates to know what to look for on ingredient listings)
Remember - there IS a transition period if this is all new to you! At first your hair may feel greasy, unclean, and heavy. You are probably used to the regular shampoos that contain harsh detergents that strip your hair of their natural oils. The natural oils on your scalp make your hair feel slick. Those oils also keep your hair healthy.
This article has a lot of great information, but loved what they said best here... “We are so used to over washing our hair with sulfates to remove these natural oils that protect our hair and scalp,” says Kim Wallace, founder of kimberlyloc.com, a lifestyle and natural beauty blog. “So, making the switch from conventional to natural will make it appear that these shampoos are making your hair greasy. That’s not the case at all!”
When my family first transitioned we found this natural shampoo that helped ease the transition. It kept the liquid feel of what we were used to, but took all of those yucky toxins out. For a family of five, washing our hair every other day this bottle lasted about three weeks. The boys hair detoxed much quicker that all of us girls, but we have much more hair to contend with.
Now we use our own special formulated Goat Milk Shampoo Bar that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. When transitioning to this shampoo, I actually was a bit skeptical due to the fact that this is a "bar". I had never used anything but a liquid shampoo on my hair and it was a bit weird for me to use a bar to wash my hair with - please don't ask why - I have no reasoning for this thought process. My husband had no issues with using a bar of soap on his hair.
I was so pleased to find that it actually works AND that it works well. It took me a few tries to figure out how to get the consistency right and make sure I am washing my hair and not just adding some really good oils to it. For example, the first few times I would wash, but I did not really get a good lather. After rinsing it just felt heavy and a bit oily like I was detoxing again.
After speaking with my husband who always has really soft amazing looking hair (for a guy) I asked him what I was doing wrong. He said I have to bring it to a full lather. So - there you go! Make sure that if you choose a natural soap bar that you are getting a full lather before rinsing.
Your Turn - Easy Steps for Using Natural Shampoo
1. Rinse hair thoroughly
2. Bring hair to a FULL lather - you want it to be sudsy :)
(if using a shampoo bar, lather the bar first in hands then add lather to the hair or use the bar and rub on hair to get a good lather)
3. Rinse soap from hair
4. Follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse if needed
If you have hard water or you feel that the soap is not fully rinsing out of your hair you can follow up with this rinse. Not only does it restore the natural PH balance to your hair, it also acts as a great conditioning agent and promotes shine.
*Start with 2 TBSP distilled water to 1 cup vinegar for first use and
increase amount of vinegar from there depending on your hair's needs. (I currently use a 1 to 3 ratio for my hair since it is long and very fine and that works perfect for me.)
*After washing pour rinse evenly over hair and massage scalp to work in, also massage into length of hair if needed. Let sit for about 2-3 minutes.
*Rinse, comb and style as desired.
Next Steps...
If you took those steps above or have already been there before reading this...congrats to you! I am so glad that you are on this journey with us as you find ways to integrate more natural products into your lifestyle. So, where you do you go from here? Keep your eyes open. Look at the ingredients of all of those skin care products you use, take a look at some of your house care items, even your laundry soap and cleaners...
Maybe your goal is not to eliminate all toxins...but those that you can have control over. In the real world we will not be able to completely eliminate all toxins from our exposure due to how rampart they are and how we are exposed to them even when we have no control over our environment. BUT - eliminating what you do have control over will go a long way in increasing your health and wellness.
If you don't know where to start - take a look at this calendar. Try to eliminate one thing a week that you might use that has parabens or phthalates in it and switch to a more clean product. Still aren't sure what those nasty things do to our bodies...read on.
Enjoy the journey~
All About Parabens and Phthalates
Parabens are a one of the most popular preservatives used in cosmetics. They are added to these products to extend their shelf life and prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast.
Parabens have been used for several decades due to their effectiveness in preventing microbial contamination. The downside is that these parabens are easily absorbed into the body. According to a 2019 study published in Dermatitis, parabens are associated with endocrine activity, carcinogens, infertility, spermatogenesis, and psychological and ecological disruptions.
Parabens can be found in a wide range of products, including:
Cosmetics: Makeup products (such as foundation, mascara, and lipstick), skincare products (such as moisturizers and serums), and hair care products (like shampoos and conditioners).
Personal Care Products: Body washes, lotions, deodorants, and shaving products.
Pharmaceuticals: Some medications and topical treatments.
Food and Beverages: In some cases, parabens are used as food additives to extend the shelf life of certain products, although this usage is less common.
Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are a group of synthetic chemicals that are often used to improve the flexibility, durability, and longevity of certain products. They are commonly used as plasticizers, which means they are added to plastics to make them more flexible and less brittle. Phthalates can also be found in a variety of other consumer products due to their ability to improve performance and stability.
Phthalates have been used in a wide range of products, including:
Plastics: They are used in the production of many types of plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used in various items like shower curtains, vinyl flooring, plastic containers, and medical devices.
Personal Care Products: Some cosmetics, fragrances, hair sprays, and nail polishes may contain phthalates. They can be used to help fragrances last longer and improve the texture of cosmetics.
Household Items: Phthalates can be found in items like vinyl upholstery, synthetic leather, and certain cleaning products.
Children's Products: Some toys, teethers, pacifiers, and baby care items made of plastic may contain phthalates.
Medical Devices: Phthalates are used in some medical equipment and tubing, including intravenous bags and catheters.
Food Packaging: Phthalates can sometimes leach into food from packaging materials made of PVC plastics.
The concern about phthalates arises from the fact that they can migrate out of products and be absorbed through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Some research has suggested that exposure to high levels of certain phthalates may have potential health effects, especially in vulnerable populations such as fetuses, infants, and children. Some phthalates have been classified as endocrine disruptors, which means they have the potential to interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the body.
Due to these concerns, there has been growing interest in reducing phthalate exposure, especially in products used by children and pregnant women.
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