Tried and tested non toxic skincare products
Diet and lifestyle clearly play a big part in our lives and there’s an increasing number of products & lifestyle factors that are being pointed out to us that are harmful to our health. So as a passion project, and to only recommend clean products to my clients in a holistic approach, I have decided to create an extensive list of unhealthy to healthy swaps.
A health directory - which I will be adding to as I find more good switches. Also I have tried and tested all product I write unless I mention next to it.
I listened to a health podcast once that suggested one swap out a week, or month or when the baddie runs out, makes things much more manageable for us all. Because it can all seem very overwhelming to try and change so many things at once and we haven’t got the time or money. Not to mention the waste.
Before I go on though, there are Apps that you literally scan a bar code of a product and it will tell you how clean it is. And if it’s not good for us, what chemicals are the toxic ones. My favourite app is Yuka. There is also OnSkin & Think Dirty. So there’s really no excuse to poison ourselves anymore. Be warned there’s a lot of greenwashing. Like Dr Organics with their oh so Clinical white packaging with the medical looking cross! See below & get the Yuka App I tell you!
Remember our skin is our biggest organ and it absorbs 60% of what we put on it. This then has to be processed by our liver.
Here’s a snapshot of what you can find out. I don't use these by the way I just scanned a few. The other big shock. Out of this screenshot is the very expensive Creme de La Mer. Has Paraffin, Petroleum and it lists lots of other nasties and scores a red dot & “bad” 1/100. I thought I’d be a geek & test it at the airport whiling away my time. Where as I used to try all those products at Duty Free. Not any more! I actually don't use Neal's yard - only because I could see alcohol in the ingredients and I don't want that drying feeling.
I will start with the top of the head and work down. I will create one for household products as well as there are some nasties in the kitchen cupboards too Like BPA, Teflon, tinfoil & scented petroleum candles.
Tina’s Tried & Tested
I’m asking all the brands for a discount code and working through the list. But if there is one you would like to try, do message me and I will try and ask for a discount code for you.
Hair (washing & styling)
What to avoid:
SLS (sulphates), parabens & Silicones, WHO state the first two can be an irritant to the skin. Hmmm why should we be putting on our scalps then where the skin is the thinnest. For me it’s how much it dries the hair, stripping it of it’s natural oils. I have written another blog on this if you want a deeper dive into haircare specifically.
Sadly 90% of the big brands have these in them like Aveda, Loreal.
Switch to:
Windle Lab London, Personal fave
Curlsmith They do a great leave in conditioner works as a light styling product
Only curls I find the styling products are good
Dry Shampoo
What to Avoid: They only one I know of... Batiste It is an endocrine disrupter which means it will mess with your hormones as it mimics oestrogen. As you can tell you can mostly avoid anything from Boots!
What to replace it with:
Fierce nature Dry Shampoo This is the only thing in the list I haven’t tried but I love every other product they make and other influencers swear by it. Discount code TINA10
Face
What to avoid: Seriously where do I start. Endocrine disrupters everywhere. More SLS & Parabens - Parabens are a preservative & fungicide. I don’t want that on my face.
What to replace it with:
Serums by Nibu Naturals Glow natural & darker & glow to sleep are my fave face products REFLEX10 for 10% off all have the amazing Astaxanthin supplement added in. My Skin has literally never been better.
Moisturiser The Real Health Beauty has adaptogens in. Another buzz new thing for skincare.
Cleanser Made By Coopers The best cleanser. TINANISSON20 for 20% Discount
Cleanser Athletia I’ve tried the body wash too. Both really lovely.
Teeth
What to avoid: Anything with Flouride in it knocks out our valuable magnesium levels. So that is most of the big brands sadly. This is a shocker, even Dr Orgaincs came up so badly on the app!
What to replace it with:
Dimples Love this remineralising Toothpaste. Both our teeth feel whiter. TINA10 for 10% off
Natch Labs These are also awesome. Tablet form and a real fresh unique Ayurvedic holistic approach to oral hygiene different flavours for different issues.
Mouthwash
What to avoid: The big one Listerine. But these are nearly all really important products to avoid. The harsh chemicals strip your natural microbiome in your mouth which will affect your gut.
What to replace it with:
Coconut oil Pulling! Yes the same oil you cook with. This has been used in Ayrudedic culture for year. Swish it around in your mouth and spit it out.. into a cup so you don’t block your drains when it sets again.
Body
What to avoid:
SLS Sulphates and Parabens, These show up again in body products. They will dry our skin and ultimately defeat the purpose of using them. Call me a cynic but they want us to buy more products don’t they. Once you find yourself a nice small brand (yes they usually are) You will notice you don’t need as much as your skin won’t be stripped. Since switching from drying products I need to use so little on my skin to stay hydrated. But I’ve tried these two and they are lush!
What to replace with:
Nibu Naturals lovely oil REFLEX10 for 10% off
Fierce nature If you are Vegan this isn’t for you as it is made from tallow. However it is so so nourishing. TINA10 for 10% off
Maternal Serenity Beautiful small brand with a buttery soft balm I have used this on my reflexology clients feet.
Soap
What to avoid: Traditional soaps. If they feel drying they will be.
What to replace with:
Faith in Nature or small brand hand soaps made from olive oil or tallow. Again Fierce Nature & Nibu both make some lovely ones too. These feel nourishing and you won’t feel the need to apply any moisturiser after.
Maternal Serenity Very nourishing (They also do a yummy natural candle)
Underarms
What to avoid:
Aluminium at all costs. It has been found in cancerous breast tissue.
What to replace it with:
Akt Absolute top marks from me & my husband (who’s a busy chef) TINA25 for a first time buyer discount
Earth Conscious Second fave
Fussy Not tried but lots of friends use this one.
Sunscreen
What to avoid: Titanium Dioxide: white dye also used in paint! Oxybenzone: endocrine disruption, plus toxicity to coral reefs. Avobenzone: testosterone blocker. Octisalate: Endocrine disruption. Octinoxate: this chemical has been detected in breast milk, urine & Blood. Homosalate: enhances absorption of pesticides. Supergoop has some of these Chemicals in. So beware.
What to replace it with:
Green People ( Haven’t used this one)
Fierce Nature sun balm Love this divine one. Worked in the tropics! TINA10 for your discount.
Tropics & Badger I have heard that both of these may have something dubious in them so I am going to check this & update.
As promised I will keep adding to this as I test more products. Hope it’s helpful. However I will do a different one for household cleaning and kitchen products as I’ve run out of steam lol!