I have been trying and testing the most cost-effective non-toxic, biodegradable personal care products.
I started with a more DIY approach, but in time I found ready-made products I liked more and were easier than making things myself.
Here is what I use and recommend now.
This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
SOAP
Pure Castile or glycerine soap for hands and body are the simplest options. I don’t always feel like glycerin soap gets the cleanest clean though, so I use Tom’s Unscented Soap.
And for removing toxins from the skin I love this charcoal soap.
FACEWASH
I wash my face using the oil cleansing method (for acne-prone skin) or the soaps above.
For cleaning up between showers you could wipe your face with a Microfiber Face Cloth.
MOISTURISER
For my face and body, I use Sweet Almond Oil or Argan oil (pricier than almond oil). Both almond oil and argan oil have a natural very light scent.
I recently tried Rose Hip Oil which is supposed to be very good for preventing acne. I really liked how it made my skin look.
It was the most luxurious of the three oils and I was really happy with that brand.
SHAMPOO
I have used Desert Essence – Fragrance-Free shampoo for years.
Some people prefer how Jason brand fragrance-free makes their hair feel.
I also tried the “no poo” method! Which is baking soda and a rinse of apple cider vinegar.
CONDITIONER
I use Desert Essence Conditioner – Fragrance-Free.
I use this fragrance-free detangler which I was so excited to find.
For black hair, coconut oil can be added to conditioner, argan oil can be used after shampooing, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil can be used as a sealant.
BODY SCRUB & SHAVING CREAM
Mix olive oil with brown sugar to make a simple exfoliating face or body scrub.
I wash with soap after exfoliating or you can rinse the sugar off with water and then use the oil as a shaving “cream.”
If you prefer a lathering shaving cream try this all-natural recipe or just use soap.
LIP BALM
A simple, cheap and very effective lip balm can be made with two ingredients: beeswax and almond oil. Here are the instructions.
My go-to ready-made made lip balm with simple ingredients that don’t dry out your lips is Bert’s Bees with Shea Butter.
For a scent-free balm try this one.
TOOTHPASTE
Tom’s of Maine used to be the go-to natural toothpaste before it was bought by Colgate-Palmolive. Now their toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate or fluoride.
Instead, I use Jason brand All Natural Whitening.
If you do need mouthwash (and you probably don’t), use a natural one like Jason All Natural Mouthwash.
These biodegradable bamboo brushes are on my wish list.
DEODORANT
Tom’s of Maine brand deodorants work well but the really effective ones contain zinc ricinoleate or aluminum.
The point of a “natural” brand was to get away from those toxins. The Healthy Deodorant (pictured) comes highly recommended. The best natural solution I have found is this magnesium oil. I don’t know how it works but it does, and I’m smelly.
Many people have recommended just using baking soda. Wiping down with vinegar first and letting it dry, can help kill bacteria that are making
you smelly. Wiping down with baby wipes throughout the day helps too.
LAUNDRY
My favorites are Seventh Generation (unscented) Nature Clean (a Canadian brand) or ECOs brand. Eco Nuts Soap (soap nuts) might be an option if you can tolerate their natural scent. Many do well with soap nuts and some can’t tolerate the scent.
There are some non-toxic options for Fabric Softener, Dryer Sheets, and Chlorine-Free Bleach. Or try these cool chemical-free, reusable Dryer Balls to reduce energy bills and soften fabric.
Or try these cool chemical-free, reusable Dryer Balls to reduce energy bills and soften fabric.
NATURAL SUNSCREEN
I really like Badger Sunscreen which comes recommended by many people who are super sensitive.
It has simple ingredients, is fragrance-free and uses non-nano zinc oxide.
STYLING PRODUCTS
Non-toxic, scent-free styling products are only just starting to become available when I first wrote this article. I use this to help my hair hold curls.
For black hair, try Honey Fig shop. For various hair types, Moroccan Method uses simple, pure ingredients and offers free shipping across Canada.
For homemade recipes try this natural orange juice hairspray; this grapeseed/jojoba, essential oil & vit E hair serum.
A simple solution – glycerin alone de-frizzes, and is my go-to hair product.
MAKEUP
For chemical-free makeup try The Honest Company.
Marcelle Brand can be found on Amazon and at most drugstores – it is scent-free and hypoallergenic but not necessarily non-toxic (it is the main brand I use).
Vitacost also carries natural makeup lines.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS & BIRTH CONTROL
While many companies will be willing to sell you pesticide-free and chlorine-free Tampons and Pads, those items are so wasteful and expensive compared to menstrual cups. Menstrual Cups are convenient and save you tonnes of money.
Hormonal birth control can be harmful to our bodies and harmful to the fish in the rivers.
Safer options include latex-free and spermicide-free polyurethane condoms (scent-free).
HAND SANITIZER
I use this X3 non-toxic, scent-free hand sanitizer. It has a very faint smell which I don’t feel is problematic at all. It works as well as the standard alcohol-based ones (kills 99.9% of germs).
If you don’t tolerate that one I like Essante Sanitizer as well. The thing that I really liked about it was that it cured all my skin fungal infections, including athlete’s foot, and it barely has a smell. (This is an MLM but I am not a member and do not make a commission).
HAIR DYE
To lighten my hair I use hydrogen peroxide. Just the kind you get from the drugstore. It does create a chemical reaction with the hair that has a bit of a strange smell, but it doesn’t last. Then I use henna to dye my hair.
Henna has a very earthy smell which comes from the plants that are used to make it. You should test it first to see if you tolerate it. I have used this brand that is a very good price but doesn’t come in different colors, and this brand which comes in a variety of colors. Both worked very well, and they do cover grey! I use them to dye my eyelashes too.
I have looked deeply into the salon brand hair dyes here. None of the permanent ones are totally non-toxic.
I would first suggest trying pure henna or other henna or plant-based dyes like Hairprint or Palette by Nature before the semi-permanent salon brands and then the permanent.
NAIL POLISH
I use Zoya which claims to be non-toxic. It has a strongish chemical smell when wet (but not as bad as the typical brands) but once it’s dry (about 20 minutes) I find it to totally benign.
My new favorite is Sophi which I find to be almost odorless when wet, much better than zoya.
Other non-toxic brands to try are Suncoat and SpaRitual.
SELF TANNER
I have looked into a lot of the natural self-tanners out there.
Almost all of them contain DHA. It may be naturally derived, but this ingredient may not be safe.
This one by Haut Cosmetics is truly safe and natural. It’s expensive though!
ACNE CREAMS
I use this cream (pictured). The first ingredient is controversial and likely toxic. I have tolerated it well. It has a slight natural scent. It is the only thing that helps my acne.
Some people have reported amazing results with rose hip oil and charcoal soap. I like those products a lot but they didn’t help my acne until I fixed my hormone levels.
Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 6 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.
Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!
Shelley Petit says
Thanks for this….
A couple suggestions…for soap, contact Canary Whiskers. This is a small home business in the US developed by a fellow canary who struggled to find truly safe soaps for extremely sensitive canaries ( I’m one such person, and would not be able to tolerate many of your recommendations). They will even send you trials bars to see which you prefer. This company is also starting an education on mcs program with soap purchase ( I have no association with this company, except to have chatted on FB with owner a few times).
Also, would you review and consider removing 7th generation from reccomended products- they were bought out by Unilever several years ago and since changed their formula and is no longer safe for canaries. ( even those who can tolerate it are adding to their toxic load)
Susan Vavak says
I love the Innersense haircare line. It has no bad stuff in it, and it makes my hair shiny and healthy. You can purchase it on Amazon or through their website.
Cade says
No way on the first hand sanitizer that contains "Benzalkonium chloride" as its active ingredient. You should use something like "Aquavert Multi-Purpose Sanitizer" which uses Hypochlorous Acid(HOCL) made from salt water and electricity. It's 100 times stronger than bleach, too.
Ellen Kitchin says
Myself and my two daughters have had good results using the all natural deodorant Lavanilla . It does have a pretty scent from essential oils and they have a few to choose from .
I just came across your site and I'm so excited because my daughter has started having anaphylaxis attacks to we think formaldehyde . She can't have any contact with perfumes and she's had reactions going to look at flooring with me . I'm now searching for flooring for our home that is safe for her . Thank you for everything you do to help people like us .
Corinne says
I'm glad the site is of help to you and your daughter.
Jessica Verghese says
Good read! I came to know about different natural solution for skin care from your blog post. I too use coconut oil as a natural conditioner, forskin care I always use herbal products from Cosmic Nutracos. They are 100% natural and cause no side effects on skin.
Elizabeth J. Neal says
Body Mint is a natural deodorant alternative dervied from natural chlorophyll that minimizes breath, underarm, foot & body odors. Works for both Men & Women. http://bodymint.com/products/body-mint/
Anonymous says
Corinne:
I saw your article on fb – "Woman builds herself a gorgeous, tiny, healthy, 'chemical free' house," TreeHugger, Lloyd Alter, 2014.08.12 posted by Tiny Green Cabins. One of the terms Mr. Alter used was "other auto-immune illnesses." Actually, these
are classified as diseases. However, I'm a diabetic; diabetes is an auto-immune disease. I posed a comment on fb, "Why cannot we build w/ this in mind for all to help prevent "diseases" pre-emptoriarly?
I'd love to "pick-your-brain" on the 'chemical free' house subj., If I may please? Txs. (;>} dCb
David C. Burdick
https://www.facebook.com/david.burdick.589
Kitty says
Holy cow, it's so refreshing to meet another Canary! I'm looking into building a tiny house in the future, and I love yours! I use a lot of Tropical Traditions products. I use their soap with a vinegar rinse for a shampoo/conditioner (I have a citric acid allergy so it's almost the only soap I can use). I'm so excited to have found your blog!
Horsepower says
You may also want to try Shep’s Wool Dryer Balls. They are placed in your dryer to soften clothes. Never use Chemical fabric softeners again on your laundry (and skin)!
WoolDryerBalls.com I am sure your readers would love to hear your testimonial!
Corinne says
Yes, I have heard from many people that baking soda is good for deodorant. Baking soda for washing hair is called the no-poo method. Glycerine is not environmentally friendly when being processed but the final product is non-toxic. A lot of people can't handle essential oils yeah.
The Multiple Chemical Survivor says
For deodorant, I usually use vinegar and add baking soda on it. The vinegar kills germs so you don't smell and the baking soda keeps you dry. Baking soda can be used to wash hair, too, and leaves it squeaky clean. Baking soda for teeth, too. I've read glycerin is very toxic and I can't be around essential oils. Since I've eliminated chemicals for beauty products and don't eat them, I don't get sunburns and I'm a fair-skinned red head.
Jan says
I just use Corn Starch and take a shower every day. Easy on the skin and with me having MCS so bad this works great for me an my budget. We all need to share the best things for all of our health issues….Keep everyone safe from cancers and breathing issues.
Joan Price says
I always use when I go outdoors. I don't like the idea of putting anything on my skin to absorb that I wouldn't ingest. It all goes in your system in one way or another, and I like to make sure I'm as healthy and natural as possible.
Rachael says
Toothbrush solution: have you ever tried a mishwak?
http://www.amazon.com/Miswak-Stick-Al-Falah-Hygienically-Processed/dp/B001G47L24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371776424&sr=8-1&keywords=miswak
They're used a lot in the middle east and actually have good scientific evidence behind them. You don't even need to use toothpaste, the compounds in the root are antimicrobial. I started using one a few months ago and really like it, no more plastic toothbrushes!
Also, I find that just throwing some baking soda onto my armpits works remarkably well as deodorant. I had the darndest time finding something cheap that didn't give me rashes and that's what I've settled on.
Corinne says
you're the second person to say just use baking soda as deodorant so I'll have to try it! Yes, they used those in Ghana where I was staying, not sure if it's exactly the same tree but it is essentially the same – I should have brought back lots of them when I had the chance (super cheap).
jan says
I just use Corn Starch. Feel that baking soda maybe harsh on the skin of used very often. I have used corn starch for 30 years and just make sure I take my daily shower. Some people may need to take a second shower or wash more often under their arm pits. I have been luck with my routine working for me.
Corinne says
Interesting thanks for sharing. I didn’t know cornstarch can be used as soap. Does it clog the drains?
Anaphylaxing says
Good post! I have a nut and molasses allergy…but I bet I could do that scrub with just white sugar….Great ideas here. I'm supposed to avoid beeswax since all my siblings are anaphylactic to bee stings, but still loads of ideas here. I hadn't heard of Desert Essence. I am going to look into it! Do all smells bother you or just chemical ones?
Corinne says
Hi, I think white sugar would work! I don't know if it dissolves easily. I would use the lipbalm recipe that uses cocoa butter as a base. I'm not generally bothered by essential oils so I don't avoid most of them unless it's really strong. Hope you find some good solutions!