DIY Personal Care From phthalates & petroleum to detergents & fragrances—what we put on our skin is as important as we put inside it. By making our own personal care products, we decrease the amount of excessive packaging; save money; & control the ingredients that feed our largest organ—our skin Oral hygiene • No one wants bad breath, or worse, a cavity • You can have a clean mouth by using all natural chemical-free products • Toothpaste can be made with baking soda, a bit of water & an antiviral essential oil like clove, cinnamon or thyme • Rinse your mouth with salt water, a drop or two of essential oils & a splash of vinegar instead of alcohol-based, artificially colored mouthwash Shampoo • Most shampoos, even some marketed as natural, contain harmful chemicals • Try washing your hair instead with a mix of one-part vinegar, 2 parts baking soda, half part lemon juice—it should be thick & pasty—massage it into your scalp • You can also mix it into a castile soap like Dr. Bronner's • Or, if you aren't able to give up your shampoo completely, try a 50/50 blend Conditioner • In cultures around the world, oil is used on the hair to condition & nourish • Coconut, avocado, sesame & almond oil are great at moisturizing hair & scalp • You can leave it in or wash it out • Even if you're not ready to give up your favorite conditioner, your hair—especially if chemically treated—will benefit from the healing effects of a good oil treatment Lotion • Stabilized with chemicals & scented with fragrance • You can easily skip all that nonsense by trying shea butter, cacao butter, coconut oil or jojoba • Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a natural fragrance Deodorant • Antiperspirants are made of harmful cancer-causing agents that try to prevent your body from performing an important & natural function—sweating! • While preventing perspiration is not recommended, you can "deodorize" your armpits, naturally • Baking soda makes a wonderful odor absorber • If you sweat lightly, spraying essential oil-scented water may be all you need • In a 2 oz spray bottle, mix 50-75 drops of your favorite oils with water & spray Facial care • Many skin care products are not only ineffective & even damaging—they're expensive, too • Regardless of your skin type—oils are cleansing, moisturizing & balancing • Try these three ingredients for glowing skin: wash with apple cider vinegar (or a gentle castile soap) • Cleanse/moisturize with jojoba or coconut oil • Get a fabulous glow with sea buckthorn oil • Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water & look better than ever! Really! Inspired by NaturallySavvy.com You can contact me at [email protected] or 516.521.0098 ©2014ThriveNaturally