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Over the years, I’ve tried various skincare products and routines, trying to find something that would work for my skin and be affordable too. One day after being so frustrated that my skin was getting worse and I was having to add more products trying to correct the increasing problems, I decided to get rid of all the superfluous products and routines and go as simple as possible. I had been buying organic products, but found even organic and natural products had ingredients that were either unnecessary or actually not good for the skin. I had ongoing acne, clogged pores, and skin that would peel and be prone to redness. In addition to this affecting my appearance, it also affected the way I felt physically. I think it makes sense when one’s skin is inflamed and struggling, it can make you not feel good overall. The skin is, after all, an organ.
So, I finally decided: forget all these products and complicated routines. And, although I never bought overly expensive products, it was adding up to more than I wanted to spend on skincare and makeup. Below you will find the products I discovered in my search for the most natural, basic, and affordable ideas. Everyone’s skin is so different, so these may not work for you. Also, be aware that just because a product is plant-based it can still cause reactions, allergic or otherwise. Test products first and try them at your own risk. I just hope there is something helpful here for you, if only knowing you’re not alone in the struggle for healthy skin. The companies I feature in this blog are ones I found randomly in hours of research and I currently use their products. Most, if not all, are very small businesses. I hope all the hours, and trial and error effort I put in, can save you some time and trouble.
*I belong to the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate programs, which means I may get a small commission on purchases through the links featured below. FYI, I already used these products before belonging to any affiliate programs.
Washing Up and Moisturizing
First, let’s start with washing the skin. I tried soapnut powder which worked okay. Definitely worth trying. Also, white kaolin clay is very gentle for cleansing the skin. Pink kaolin clay stained my bathtub and skin. Amla powder stained my skin when using it as a paste to wash up with, even though I read online that it doesn’t stain skin. I use it in my homemade shampoo and it doesn’t stain my skin in that mix when it runs down from my hair, but using it straight on my skin did stain. It was minor and washed off after several soap washes, but that’s not something I want to deal with. So, I am currently using Dr. Stamler’s soaps. They are completely unscented; they only have the wholesome smells of the organic ingredients in them.
This is one of the several Dr. Stamler soaps I use.
This is a pure olive oil Castile soap by Dr. Stamler. It only has two ingredients: olive oil and distilled water. It’s gentle and nourishing. It’s very soft, so it’s important to keep it on a soap dish with good drainage.
Also from Dr. Stamler, is this pure olive oil Castile soap. It is coconut oil free and fragrance free. For those with severe allergies, it can be a great option as it only has organic olive oil and distilled water in it. Very pure and gentle!
White kaolin clay can be used as a gentle skin cleanser or mixed with soapnut powder. Both have a pH that is friendly to our skin’s natural pH. These are the brands I use. I just mix the powders together and add enough water to make a paste. I add an essential oil sometimes.
I add marshmallow root powder sometimes too. It is very gentle on the skin. I also use it as a hair conditioner.
Here I’ve mixed some various powders and some aloe vera in a bamboo bowl. I just added water to make a paste.
I rotate between the Dr. Stamler soaps and the homemade powder mix. I use the same for both face and body wash. So that’s step one of the two step skincare routine: just wash up face and body with a simple soap or homemade wash.
Step two is moisturize. I use the cream below for face and body. Simple! I also use the cream for a clear mascara.
This cream is available in three versions: the original version plus vegan and coconut oil free.
The cream comes in a 2 ounce jar. It’s in glass or you can request cardboard, which is my favorite. Either way, it’s plastic free!
The cream is made by a plastic-free company, Foraged Fields.
Here are a few other moisturizers I use and recommend. I rotate these with the aforementioned cream. These are oil moisturizers rather than cream:
When I have time I like to do gua sha massage. I’ve found it really does make a difference. I received good instructions with pictures from this book.
Here are some essential oils that I sometimes add to the homemade face and body wash:
I have also started purchasing from a company that sells pure essential oils and carrier oils at a great price and variety of sizes. You can visit their shop here.
Minimalist and Healthy Makeup
For makeup: I have a very simple, minimalist routine now. It continues to evolve, but I currently use a clay-based face powder from the same company I buy the face cream from. It also comes in sample sizes so you can test the colors to find a match (the cream is also available in sample sizes). Additionally, the company makes beautiful blush and eyeshadow colors all made from clay and plants. As another plus, it is also a plastic-free company. The owner is amazing and has created many wonderful items. Link to her Etsy shop here.
This powder is called Gaia’s Kiss. It has a beautiful finish for the skin and a little bit of sparkle. I use it for special occasions, as it’s a more expensive product made from roses, pearls, silk, and a few other ingredients. It lasts a long time; a little goes a long way. You can click here or on the photo to see it on Etsy. The seller has other wonderful items in her shop as well.
Here is the link to my blog post about my homemade shampoo; conditioner and hair care:
www.starlightsarah.com/blog/easy-homemade-soapnut-shampoo
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I put together an easy homemade shampoo that works for my hair made from soapnut powder (also known as soapberries and reetha/ritha) and a marshmallow root conditioner. I just mix them up before my shower. Hair and scalp types vary widely, so you will probably have to experiment with this to get it correct for your type. (Additionally, I use a shampoo bar occasionally when I’m in a hurry. A shampoo bar is also handy for travel.) If you have been using store bought shampoo there will most likely be an adjustment period for your scalp and hair. In addition, I have never colored my hair, so I don’t know if this works for color treated hair. I’m just sharing a recipe that works for me; try it at your own risk!
As part of the Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate programs, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the links on my site. I appreciate your support. FYI: I was already buying and using these brands/products before joining the affiliate programs. Also, when mixing the dry powders, before adding water, be careful as they can be airy. Shikakai makes me sneeze if the powder floats up to my nose. And, like any shampoo or soap, shikakai and soapnut will irritate your eyes, so keep away from your eyes. —I have updated my routine to simply mixing all the powders together and adding water to make a paste, so that is an option if you want to try that as well. Instructions are below to make the paste and after that are my original instructions. All the products I mention and link here are mostly plastic-free or totally plastic-free (at the time of this writing). Also, most of them are organic and from small businesses.
I have linked all the ingredients below (you can just click on each ingredient) in a kind of shopping list format if you don’t want to read all the way through with the details.
Ingredients Shopping List
Some additional products that are helpful:
TIP: I do not comb or brush my hair when it’s wet. I wait until it’s dry to comb/brush it. I’ve found this to help reduce breakage, which is what helps hair grow longer. This is the comb and brush I use. I use the Neem comb after combing and brushing with the other two.
Directions
Below are my original instructions--
Shampoo/Hair Wash Mix
Here are the ingredients to make the hair wash, “shampoo” mix:
The above three ingredients are also available as a set of three in a smaller quantity:
These are the glass jars with bamboo lids I store the powders in:
Add the soapnut, shikakai, and amla powders one scoop at a time. Depending on your hair length and thickness, you will have to experiment with the amount. I use 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons soapnut, 1/2 teaspoon shikakai, and 1/2 teaspoon amla.
I also add two drops of tea tree oil, but you can put other essential oils in: rosemary, peppermint, etc.
You can add other powders too such as fenugreek powder. I tried that as well, but it wasn’t for my hair.
This is a liquid shampoo. I squirt it directly on my scalp with one hand and massage it around my scalp at the same time with my other hand. I also use this scalp massager to help work it around my scalp. (I like that one because it’s solid silicone in one piece, so it’s easy to keep clean: no spaces for water or mold to get in.) Since this type of shampoo barely makes suds, the key is working it into your scalp. It does clean the scalp and hair; you just have to get used to not having a sudsy shampoo.
Conditioner
Organic Marshmallow Root Powder
from: Starwest Botanicals Inc.
Oils
There are many types of oils to choose from. Below are some of my favorites. Additionally, Jojoba Oil is an ever popular one.
Again, there are different hair types, so you will have to experiment with what works for you. These are just the products I personally use and have found the companies to be quality and reputable. The babassu oil is like a light coconut oil. I switched to using it instead of coconut oil, because it is lighter but similar in quality. Coconut oil would make my skin break out when the oil got on my skin from my hair. Babassu oil even looks like coconut oil when it’s cold. At warmer room temperatures (upper 70s) it is totally liquid.
The argan oil is a heavier oil than babassu in my opinion, so I use a smaller amount of it. The marula oil is very nourishing and my favorite one to put on the lower portion of my hair, braid it and then it gives me smooth braid waves. The moringa oil I mentioned at the beginning in the shampoo mix is one I also use for getting great braid waves. I rotate all four of these oils on my hair. They last a long time, so it’s economical using them. These are the combs I use for my hair. They are made of sandalwood.
I hope this helps you have healthy hair as well. I’ve also found it saves money making my own shampoo. I don’t have to use other products on my hair besides the above mentioned oils. It cuts down on plastic bottles too! In addition, the ingredients are so basic, whereas store bought shampoos have so many ingredients that aren’t actually healthy. Regular shampoo tends to strip your hair and is usually the wrong pH for scalp and hair. Soapnuts and shikakai have a pH of between 4 and 6, which is ideal for hair and scalp. I’ve found my hair keeps improving the longer I use them. Again, there is an adjustment period while adapting and also while you find the correct ratios and customization for yourself.
Here are my YouTube videos on this topic; I’ve included my original one and the latest update one. The Natural Haircare Homemade Hair Wash and Conditioner is the latest one.
And, here is another video I made about using a sandalwood comb and boar hair brush. Also, here is the link to the boar hair brush I bought. I like it. The bristles are 100% boar hair and the handle is bamboo. There is a rubber base where the bristles attach that smells like rubber, but I washed it and let it air out for a few days until the smell went away.
I have also started using this other boar hair brush, which has no rubber: it is just boar hair and bamboo, and has metal screws. No plastic at all. It is the Bass brand one shown below.
I also wrote a blog post about my minimalist skincare routine and natural makeup. Here is the link if you’d like to read it: www.starlightsarah.com/blog/minimalist-skincare-routine-2-step-routine-and-simple-makeup-organic-basic-and-inexpensive-skincare
Here is another blog post from a hair care professional who has some excellent natural remedies for hair health, in addition to a wealth of hair knowledge and tips:
The banner below links to an herbal supply company where I get my marshmallow root powder. They have lots of other great items as well!
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