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Alternative Personal Care Product Use
Commercial personal care products contain a lot of substances that are unpronounceable
by the average consumer.
Some of these additives can cause problems with your immune system and play havoc
with your hormones. And can also give you a headache from the artificial perfumes they contain.
Some of the ingredients are linked to cancer, allergies, and irritations.
And last but not least they are very expensive.
But don’t feel discouraged there are healthy alternatives that can replace these retail items.
They are not only inexpensive, but more than likely you have some of them
in your kitchen cupboard.
Hair Shampoo, Detangle Agent and Conditioner
Do you have to wash your hair daily? Not so long ago, people only washed their hair
weekly or every two weeks. Not only did their hair look good, it was healthy too.
Shampooing hair too frequently strips the hair of its natural oil. And when you try to replace
this oil with synthetic conditioners you start a vicious cycle that causes you to over produce oil.
It seems that hair product prices have become very costly.
And there seems to be a different product for every conceivable hair type and condition.
The shelves are so full that it is confusing to the average consumer. Most of the time
they will buy hit and miss before they find a product that they like.
You might want to give the following alternative a try.
It may sound funny and even a little odd, but you can clean your hair simply and effectively
with baking soda, and apple cider vinegar as a ph restorer and effective detangling agent.
The following instructions have been tried and proven by the writer and countless others.
Depending on how much hair you have the following amounts can be adjusted,
the average head of hair will use:
1 tsp. baking soda mixed in a plastic squirt bottle with warm water for the wash and
1 Tbsp. Apple cider vinegar mixed in another plastic squirt bottle for the final rinse.
Use the plastic ketchup, mustard and vinegar bottles that come altogether in a package.
You can find these in a dollar store or hardware store.
Start by combing your fingers gently through your hair to detangle it and loosen the grime.
Wet your hair in the shower or over the sink, just like you would when you start to shampoo.
Slowly squirt and work the baking soda mixture onto your scalp and massage.
Continue to work the mixture through your hair for a minute or so.
Baking soda naturally strips the hair of product build up and dirt.
Rinse your hair thoroughly, it will feel different than when you use shampoo.
And you may be tempted to repeat this step, but it is clean, no need to repeat.
Then slowly work the apple cider vinegar mixture through your hair being careful
to wet it thoroughly.
This is the best detangling agent, this writer has ever used.
Leave the vinegar in your hair, do not rinse it out. Yes there is a strong vinegar
smell while the hair is wet, but it completely disappears when your hair is dry.
Wrap your hair in a towel turban style and firmly press your hands against the towel
to help absorb the moisture from your hair. Do not rub your hair with the towel
as that will tangle it and possibly break it or cause split ends.
To comb out your hair use a large wide toothed comb. Notice how manageable
it feels, and your hair will comb into style easily.
When the natural ph balance is restored, the small scales that make up the hair shaft
are all closed tightly. And combing through your hair with a wide toothed comb will be a joy.
This also gives an incredible shine to your hair.
You will notice that you will need to repeat this procedure again in 2 or 3 days.
But as you continue this technique of washing and rinsing, you will eventually
be able to go longer between washing. You should be able to work up to a week
without needing a hair wash.
You will notice with each cleaning that your hair is becoming more manageable,
and that your hair will eventually return to the healthy, vigorous hair of your youth.
For some people, they will find the first month is the hardest, but for others
you will notice the benefits immediately. You will feel healthier and more energetic
as your body eliminates the foreign chemicals from your body.
Conditioner
Most people will find that the Apple Cider Vinegar will work well enough
that they don’t need a conditioner.
Then there a few people who need something extra. The following steps
will give a good conditioning to your hair.
Just before you actually wash your hair work a small amount of coconut oil
into the ends, let it sit for a few minutes and continue with the cleaning
and detangling routine.
Another good intensive hair conditioner that you can use weekly is the following:
Mix two eggs and a whole mashed avocado, and apply to wet hair.
Cover your hair with some saran wrap then wrap in a hot towel (place a towel
in a clothes dyer on hot for a few minutes to achieve a hot towel).
Leave the towel on your hair for an hour.
Then wash and rinse with the baking soda and vinegar.
Body Wash
A great alternative to the perfumed and chemical laden body wash is a product
called Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap.
This is a pure Castile liquid soap infused with organic essential oils.
These come in a variety of essential oils, such as Almond, Lavender, Eucalyptus,
Peppermint, Rose, Baby Mild, Citrus, and Tea Tree.
This lovely soap is completely biodegradable, and natural based in a combination
of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils.
You will experience a few moments of bliss when you smell these incredible scents.
And emerge from your bath or shower glowing with silky, smooth skin.
Deodorant
I would like to introduce you to a 100% natural mineral salts crystal deodorant rock.
These little rocks are hypoallergenic, fragrance free, they don’t stain your clothes
and they are not sticky.
With proper use they will last anywhere from 1 year to 2 years, all for one very low price.
They are a great savings to your budget.
The basis that they work on is they place an invisible, topical layer of minerals
on your skin. Which prevents your perspiration from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria,
which will cause odor.
Deodorant rocks are generally gentler to sensitive skin. They don’t cause irritation.
They don’t reduce wetness, but your body needs to eliminate toxins through this wetness.
They are available in roll-ons, sprays, stick form or they look just like a smooth rock.
Crystal rocks neutralize body odors on underarms and feet.
To prepare yourself to start using a deodorant rock elect to start on a weekend
that you will not need to socialize on. For those two days wash as usual but do not
use your commercial deodorant or any form of deodorant. This is called the cleansing
and flushing out time, where your body will attempt to rid itself of the chemicals
built up in your underarms. On the Monday wash your under arms and leave them wet.
Slightly moisten the crystal rock and apply as you would a regular deodorant.
You will notice that the longer you use this miraculous little rock that you will only
need to use it infrequently as you will be odor free sometimes for days.
Here’s to you a healthier, happier, and more energetic life
(article submitted by Hope Brayman, freelance writer)
