I LOVE making homemade products, but let's face it. There are some things I just can't make, don't want to, or haven't gotten around to making yet. I'm a busy mom with young kids! So here are some of my favorite store-bought products that I currently use. I chose these products carefully after spending way too much time comparing ingredient lists at my local health food stores. The store employees thought I was a weirdo.
Everyday Shea Shampoo & Body Wash
for Babies & UpThis shampoo/body wash contains the most natural ingredient list I could find. It's so simple and it contains a very gentle surfactant. It smells like lavender, which isn't my favorite scent, but I can live with it. I have dandruff so I haven't used it on my hair, but I shampoo my kids' hair with it and my husband uses it. I use it as a body wash and to shave my legs. That way I don't have to buy another product (shaving cream) to clutter my shower. I buy it from my health food store or
Amazon, depending on which price is better at the time.
Andalou Naturals
ConditionerI don't use conditioner every day because my hair is so fine and it's usually not dry. But when I need it, this is the conditioner I use. (I just noticed my picture is shampoo, not conditioner. Oops!) I really love the Sunflower & Citrus scented conditioner. It smells great, it doesn't weigh my hair down, and the ingredient list looks more natural than others I compared it to. You should be able to find it at your health food store or
Amazon.
Badger
SunscreenIt's expensive, but I don't mind paying extra for a safe sunscreen. It takes more effort to blend in to get rid of the white hue, but I don't mind. It's whiter than regular sunscreens because it uses zinc oxide (a mineral) instead of toxic chemicals like oxybenzone. I buy this sunscreen from my health food store or
Amazon. For more safe sunscreen options, check out Environmental Working Group's
Sunscreen Guide.
Desert Essence Organics
Hand & Body Lotion Usually I use
coconut oil for lotion, but sometimes I don't have patience to let it soak in so that it's not greasy. And my husband refuses to slather coconut oil on his body so I need a lotion to have on hand. My favorite scent is spicy vanilla chai, but I've also liked the other scents I've tried. I can find this lotion at my health food store or
Amazon.
Tom's of Maine
Children's Fluoride-Free ToothpasteMy kids still swallow their toothpaste. They haven't gotten the hang of rinsing and spitting yet. I'm not going to let them swallow fluoride every night and morning AND drink it in the water supply. I don't want them to get dental fluorosis. So that's why I chose a fluoride-free toothpaste. You should be able to find this children's toothpaste at a health food store or
Amazon.
Desert Essence
Tea Tree Oil & Neem Toothpaste Desert Essence toothpastes have a very simple, natural ingredient list so I went with that brand. Neem oil is very good for your teeth and tea tree oil is disinfecting. When I first started using this toothpaste, I noticed my teeth looked whiter although it doesn't advertise that it whitens. You should be able to find this toothpaste at a health food store or
Amazon.
Zuzu, Mineral Fusion,
and Dr. Hauschka Make-UpThese are the brands of make-up my Sprouts and Whole Foods store sells. Dr. Hauschka's is more expensive so I usually go with Zuzu or Mineral Fusion. Mineral Fusion mascara was clumpy, so I prefer
Zuzu mascara. I'm happy with the
Zuzu eyeliner pencil. I chose
Mineral Fusion eyeshadow because I like how it comes with three colors in one container. The only problem I've noticed with the
Zuzu blush and Mineral Fusion eye shadow is, it breaks easily so be careful not to drop it (can you see my broken blush in the pic?). I really love
Dr. Hauschka's liquid concealer pen. It goes on smoothly and blends in easily. I like the
Mineral Fusion lip gloss, but wish it was shinier.
Has anyone tried
100% Pure Cosmetics? I'm dying to try their brand because their ingredients are a lot more natural and simple than even the "natural" make-up brands I'm currently using. I'd love to hear about your experience with it if you've tried it.
Burt's Bees
Beeswax Lip BalmI usually use
oil and shea butter on my lips, but sometimes I need something faster. I'm sure most people are familiar with this lip balm. You can find it almost anywhere (even
Amazon), which makes me happy! I love the cool peppermint flavor and smooth texture.
Now it's your turn! What are your favorite natural products?
