New Year, New You Health & Beauty Product Purge

A self-care day with all-natural health and beauty products.  What could be better?  Amelie Cloth Shower Turban in Painted Peony by Louvelle 

Oh yes, it's a NEW year and also a new decade.  Trending now is the urge to purge our lives of toxins and unnecessary chemical additives in our food and personal care items. This can be quite the challenge even for someone like myself with a pharmaceutical background.  Reading the label is important but understanding it is essential.  Waxes, parabens, and silicones should be on everyone's product purge list.  You should also note where on the label an ingredient appears.  The products listed first make up the largest percentage of the formulation.

There are also natural health and beauty tools that offer a gentler, better choice moving forward.  Here is my list of the top new "clean", natural health and beauty products to consider for 2020:

Garner's Garden 100% Natural Body Butters

1.) Garner's Garden 100% Natural Skincare Collection - Their Whipped Body Butters are very close to the ones we make at home. The very first ingredient on the list is organic, unrefined shea butter followed by coconut oil. Topped off with pure essential oils like lavender, grapefruit, and lemongrass, these body butters offer deep moisturizing and healing properties with NO artificial chemicals or fillers.  GarnersGarden.com

Natural oral care products for the entire family

2.) Soft Fiber Toothbrushes & Natural Oral Care Products - Another personal care area due for a purge is oral care.  Your mouth is no place for harsh chemicals and astringents which can dry it out and accelerate gingivitis which leads to tooth loss. Children are especially sensitive as very young ones actually have taste buds located on the inside of their cheeks. Really, adults can also use these gentle products. 

Dr. Ploka's Mouthwatchers Soft Flossing Bristle Toothbrushes - Dentists are moving away from harsh, stiff toothbrushes that can damage gums over time. Dr. Ploka's softer, flossing bristles reach in between teeth yet are gentle and naturally antimicrobial. Comes in Adult, Child and Travel sizes. Mouthwatchers.com

Kid's Toothpowder & Mouthwash - Products like these are making a comeback as this is what was used prior to the invention of tubed toothpaste.  This Kid's Tooth Powder is made with natural bentonite, baking soda, organic neem powder, and organic peppermint powder. The mouthwash contains both natural tea tree and peppermint oils in a base of hydrogen peroxide. Both the tooth powder and mouthwash are swished in the mouth together before and during brushing. There are no artificial sweeteners in these oral products.  GarnersGarden.com

100% Natural Antibacterial Mouthwash - The natural answer to Listerine! Basically, the same Hydrogen Peroxide based formula found in the Kid's Mouthwash. Very effective in killing odor-causing bacteria and repelling plaque. GarnersGarden.com

Natural Roll-On and Stick Deodorants

3.) Natural Deodorants (that actually work) - I've used natural deodorants for most of my adult life and remember most of the earlier ones to not be very effective. Other "natural" antiperspirants simply clog your pores with heavy metals like aluminum to prevent wetness. That's something I would never recommend either.
The cycle is odor-causing bacterial growth on the skin that is facilitated by the warm, moist environment of your arm-pits. So any product that can disrupt this sequence naturally is going to be effective. 

Smartypits 100% Plastic Free Deodorant

SmartyPits deodorant does not have baking soda, aluminum or plastic as they are packed in biodegradable paper dispensers. 4 essential oil scents are available in both sensitive skin and super strength. The scents are delicate and natural with 1% of sales going to breast cancer research and survivor support. SmartyPits.com 

Zatik Odor Defense liquid roll-on deodorant is aluminum-free and made with botanicals like coconut oil, bentonite, and herbs.  Unscented, no white residue and very effective. 

Magnesium Deodorant is a solid stick, mineral, and herb-based natural product.  These sticks come in scented and unscented versions but are all-natural and botanical based.

Natural Cold, Rhinitis and Allergy Relief 

4.) Nasopure Nasal Wash - Rather than take antihistamines and cold preparations, you might want to switch them out for a natural saline nasal wash.  Developed by a Pediatrician, Dr. Hana NasoPure is very simple to use even for children and hygenic. It can make a real difference in managing rhinitis and sinus issues without using OTC medications.  Nasopure.com

Gentle, natural hair care essentials

5.) Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brushes and Polished Combs - These heirloom quality natural bristle brushes were first made in 1885 are said to have been carried in Princess Diana's handbag.  Mason & Pearson and Kent rubber cushion brushes (both manufactured in London, England) are gentle on the scalp as well as your hair.  The natural bristles distribute oils and sebum to the ends of the hair-shaft for natural conditioning and a 1,000-watt shine.  Synthetic or nylon bristles do not do this causing hair to break. Likewise, Mason Pearson combs are high quality and hand-polished.  They glide through your hair without snagging or breakage. One of the best investments you'll make in your hair.  MasonPearson.com  KentBrushes.com

Alcohol-Free Fragrance by Annick Goutal, Paris

6.) Goutal Paris Eau D' Hadrien Eau Sans Alcool, Alcohol-Free Water - As much as I enjoy applying fragrance, I don't care for the stinging I get from alcohol-based perfumes. Goutal Paris continued the trend of making fragrances gentle enough to be used on Hollywood elites' babies and children. It is also made without artificial colorants and is safe to use even in the sun.  An alcohol-free gentle alternative to perfume. Made in France by GoutalParis.com 

Soho House, NYC  -   Happy New Year!