Save money, save space, and you may save your health. 

This week, my content detours. Through substantial time and effort, I’ve discovered ways to simultaneously improve my wallet and health, while minimizing the number of products in my home. I couldn’t resist sharing successful (at least, for me), nontoxic options to help you avoid the time-consuming trial and error process.

If you’re aiming to purge personal care items with harmful ingredients but doubt natural ingredients’ cost and effectiveness, this post is for you. This is not to persuade you certain ingredients are harmful. But, throughout this article, I’ll provide references, which convinced me to change what I chose to put on my body. Although what we put in and around our bodies is also worthy of awareness and attention, here, I’m focusing on natural ingredients in personal care products.

Why I’m Writing This

If you scrutinize labels and realize the staggering ubiquity of questionable ingredients, it can seem naively idealistic to replace every problematic product. This post is to save you the immense time and effort it takes to find workable, wallet-friendly products.

For me, replacing toxic products was worth it. I’ve been battling a health issue (endometriosis – more to come in a later post). Conventional, medicinal weapons went off without a boom. My original motivator may have been desperation for relief, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover healthier, cheaper, effective alternatives.

First, Some Disclaimers 

This surely is NOT medical advice or a scientific paper. Please research further and consult a medical professional, to avoid any confusion or undesirable outcomes. 

I am NOT a wellness expert. This content is based upon my personal research (which, indisputably, could be expanded) and experience. I don’t claim to be well traveled in the mountains of information regarding toxic exposure. 

For products, mentioned below: I receive no compensation or benefit, except to excitedly share another way to make life better and easier. 

Now that I’ve exposed my limits, if you’re still with me, I hope the following content brings peace and ease to the seemingly colossal goal of building a nontoxic home.

Cheap, Nontoxic, Multipurpose Alternatives

Natural ingredients can save money, improve health and are multipurpose. Here are the staples I use.

Apple Cider Vinegar (“ACV”)

1. Face Toner

If you’ve never used ACV as a face toner, to avoid burning your skin (I’ve never burned mine but don’t want you to have that experience!), mix half ACV with half water. Just shake and keep in a clean, glass container. I repurposed an old thyme spice bottle, which is cute on my vanity.

My toner solution is stronger. I mix about three quarters ACV with one quarter water, add to an organic cotton round (the cheapest organic cotton rounds I found were on Amazon) and apply. Of course, avoid eyes and ears. 

For me, ACV (antibacterial, antimicrobial) helps prevent breakouts, shortens the lifespan of breakouts, evens my skin tone, and decreases blackheads. It does smell funny, but if you want to avoid the smell, only use in the morning. I usually apply at least once per day, in the morning or before bed.

Bonus: before tossing in the trash, I use the ACV cotton round to quickly clean portions of my bathroom floor, since ACV is antibacterial, and bugs dislike ACV. Face toning, cleaning, and exterminating all in one – easy cleaning tricks make me happy.

2. Hair Conditioner

I mix one tablespoon ACV, or more, to eight ounces water (the right ratio may differ for you), and shake in a glass spray bottle with a rubber bottom. I keep this spray bottle in my shower. After washing my hair, I rinse excess water, spray on the ends of my hair (don’t spray in eyes or ears), leave in for a few minutes, and rinse. 

ACV fights my tangles and softens. More info about how ACV benefits your hair can be found at Unbound Wellness. Although white vinegar (I use for sanitizing) has clogged a spray bottle top, so far, over several months, ACV has not. 

3. Bug Bite Relief

I recently got dozens of skeeter bites in a foreign country. ACV came to the rescue. Per Thrive Pediatrics, the acidity neutralizes venom and acts as a disinfectant. 

ACV Tips

The best ACV to buy? Costco has an organic, raw, unfiltered version with the “Mother”. 

As Branch Basics notes, since it’s highly acidic, keep away from children and pets. Use care when using around others, especially if there is a respiratory issue or sensitivity. For more uses of vinegar, beyond ACV, Branch Basics has a great article.

Coconut Oil

1. Makeup Remover 

This is one of my favorites – very cheap, very effective. I use organic, unrefined, cold pressed coconut oil from the grocery store and fill a clean glass jar. In clean hands, I soften and apply directly to my eyes. I let it sit while brushing my teeth. I wash off with water and/or clean my entire face with nontoxic soap. For nontoxic soap, I use Branch Basics Concentrate as face and body wash (see pg. 21 of the user guide). To avoid clogging the drain, I use as little coconut oil as possible and rinse very well or remove the coconut oil with an organic cotton round.

2. Foot Softener 

I’ve used coconut oil as lotion in the winter, when I didn’t want to spend money on more products. Coconut oil as lotion works, if you allow 10 minutes, or so, to soak in. But, who has that time? I discovered coconut oil is best as lotion when applied to your feet. It only takes a small amount, shines nails, and softens callouses. I let the coconut oil soak into my feet, which quickly absorb it. 

Product Treasures 

Some nontoxic products are harder to find. I struggled to find lotion, shampoo and hairspray without the seemingly ubiquitous, inflammatory ingredients: phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and citric acid. If you’ve scanned shelves at the pharmacy or grocery store to find a brand without inflammatory ingredients, you know it’s a waste of time. I originally consulted this Branch Basics article to try new, nontoxic personal care products. The below products earned a spot in my home. 

Lotion

If you’re looking for a nontoxic, premade lotion, body oil and body butter are the best options. 

• Trader Joe’s has a $4 body oil, which 1) lasts for a long time, 2) requires little to use, 3) dries quickly with low residue, 4) smells good, and 5) softens skin. The only drawback is: no organic ingredients. 
• If you’re not into body oil, Primally Pure has a silky Body Butter option. I’ve tried the Almond + Vanilla kind. You only need a little to go a long way. The downside is the price tag. 
• The best price tag: four-ingredient, homemade lotion from Beauty in the Crumbs. The only con is the time it takes (about an hour, for me) and the sticky cleanup. 

When comparing nontoxic lotion options, I’d rather spend money on premade body butter or body oil. Primally Pure Body Butter is my favorite, due to its truly luxurious texture.

Shampoo

Carina Organics has reasonably priced shampoo without inflammatory ingredients. I’ve tried the Botanical Therapeutic – Unscented Shampoo & Body Wash and Peppermint Shampoo And Body Wash. Both work well for me.

Hair Spray

I love Carina Organics’ hair spray, as well. It’s a bit sticky, but I prefer the added stickiness compared to toxic sprays. It’s lasted a long time. 

Why remove certain ingredients from personal care products? 

I think Branch Basics has the most well versed, well organized information regarding effects of common, toxic ingredients. They prioritize education before sales and provide a wealth of resources. 

Leave a comment below to let me know if these suggestions work for you or to share your economical, effective nontoxic tips and tricks.