Should You Ditch Your Shampoo?

Many people have started swapping out their bottles of shampoo and conditioner for all-natural ingredients that can be found right in their kitchen.

This no ‘poo movement is inspiring people to ditch their store bought hair products and go shampoo free. But for many of us, it’s not an easy switch. Joining this movement requires some research and quite a bit of patience—you can’t expect to have quickly growing, frizz-free, shiny, healthy hair overnight!

Before you throw away all of your hair products here are a few things you should know about going shampoo free so that you can decide if no ‘poo is right for you.

 

The Benefits of Going Shampoo Free

Many shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products are full sulfates, sulfites and other questionable ingredients. These chemicals not only strip the natural oils from your hair causing it to become dry and brittle, but they can also be absorbed into your scalp. 

All-natural natural ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and coconut oil are highly effective at cleaning and conditioning your hair. These ingredients can help also help heal and restore your scalp and hair without stripping away its natural oils.

How to Start A No ‘Poo Lifestyle

There is no one size fits all method of “shampooing” your hair with all-natural ingredients. It requires some experimentation to find out which mixture of ingredients works best for your hair. Here is a popular method with apple cider vinegar and baking soda that can be used and tweaked to fit your hair needs.

• Add about a tablespoon of baking soda into the palm of your hand, add a touch of water to and then massage it thoroughly into your roots. Let sit and rinse.

• Mix two teaspoons apple cider apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and pour this on the ends/tips to condition hair.

In the beginning you may have to “shampoo” a few times a week, but eventually you’ll have to cleanse less and less.

Although the apple cider vinegar works great as a conditioner, most of us might need a little bit more conditioning, especially in the beginning.

If you find that to be the case for you, then try deep conditioning with coconut oil by mixing about 1/3 cup of warm water with ½ teaspoon of melted coconut oil. Add coconut oil mixture to hair and focus on the ends. Leave on for 2-5 min or longer for thirsty hair. Rise with cool water.

What You Can Expect

• Less chemicals touching your scalp and skin, and a decreased impact on the environment

• Lots of experimentation. It will take a few weeks after you transition to figure the right ingredients and routine for your hair

• Increasingly better hair days after you ditch the shampoo (you’ll want to give it at least 3 weeks to see results)

• Healthier, stronger, shiner hair!

Going shampoo free is a big change so it’s natural to have a ton of questions in the beginning and throughout the process.  Here is a helpful resource that discusses using the ‘no poo method in more detail.

The Five Commandments to Building a Healthy Body Image

Summer is upon us, and it’s time to shed the cozy layers of winter outerwear and enjoy warmer weather. For many people, baring more skin also exposes their deep-seated insecurities about their bodies. Don’t like the way your legs look in a pair of shorts? Wish your arms were more toned? Dread your family beach trip because you know it means wearing a bathing suit? It’s all too easy to beat yourself up over your physical appearance and let it overshadow the fun and festivities of summer.

This year, take action to beat those negative niggles and learn how to have a healthy body image all summer long. Here are five positive body image commandments to boost your self-esteem and foster self-love:

1. Thou shalt cultivate positive thoughts.

If you’re consumed by feelings of worthlessness, rewire your brain. Tap into a bank of positivity and try to find at least five positive thoughts for every negative thought that creeps into your mind. If you’re feeling bad about one part of your body, acknowledge features you like about yourself—your hair, your lips, even your eyebrows. Or better yet, take the focus off your physical appearance entirely and concentrate on the qualities of your personality you know are beautiful. By forcing yourself to alter your focus, you’ll be able to banish your “fat thoughts” into oblivion.

2. Thou shalt filter out body-bashing friends.

The company you keep can have a huge impact on how you feel about your body. Spend time with friends who have a healthy approach to eating and exercise rather than people who are obsessed with counting calories and the number on the scale. Not only will these friends encourage you to focus on positive thoughts, but they’re also generally more fun to hang out with!

3. Thou shalt accept compliments.

If someone pays you a compliment, allow yourself to hear it and show gratitude. A simple “thank you” will prevent you from blurting out any self-deprecating comments or insults that automatically pop into your head. Remind yourself of the compliment throughout the day and give yourself permission to believe it and feel good about it.

4. Thou shalt deal with underlying issues.

It’s common to use your body hang-ups as a means of distracting yourself from life’s other problems. Maybe you’re unhappy in a relationship or hate your job; it’s easy to avoid these trickier issues and instead assume your life will improve if you have a flatter stomach or more toned thighs. When you feel bad about your body, take a look at your life and confront any problems head-on. As your happiness increases, watch as your self-esteem miraculously improves over time, too.

5. Thou shalt find an enjoyable form of exercise.

Research shows that engaging in any kind of physical activity can boost your body confidence, even if you don’t lose weight. Find a form of exercise you love! Whether you choose to work up a sweat in the dance studio, relax in a yoga class, or take a jog in the park, working out will increase your serotonin levels, helping you to boot negative thoughts out of your brain.

7 Foods to Have on Hand for Natural Beauty Treatments

Treating yourself to a nourishing spa treatment doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals and unnatural ingredients! Some of the most effective and natural treatments for skin problems such as dry skin or acne can be created at home with just a few ingredients from your kitchen.  I’m constantly mashing up foods and carting them from kitchen to bathroom so I can slather them on my skin! The best part is, the foods that are the most beneficial for your skin aren’t expensive or hard to find. They are all very common ingredients that you most likely already have on hand.

Next time you make a trip to the grocery store, add these 7 foods to your shopping list for some at home pampering!

1. Coconut oil: This is my go-to DIY beauty supply! Not only is it great on its own as an intensive night time moisturizer for your body and face, it’s also an incredible hair mask to liven up dull, dry locks and is the perfect smoothing body scrub when mixed with a bit of sugar. I also keep a jar in my shower to use as shaving cream!
2. Avocado: Not only is everyone’s favorite savory fruit the perfect addition to just about any meal, it’s also a powerhouse when it comes to natural beauty. It’s rich in essential oils that moisturize dry skin as well as vitamin A that can remove dead skin cells.  Mash up an avocado and rub it into your hair as a conditioning mask before you shower, or apply it to your face as an acne and wrinkle-fighting facemask!
3. Cinnamon: This spice has very strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties, so it’s one of my main natural defenses against acne. If you have acne prone skin, mix cinnamon with honey to create a detoxifying facemask. You can use it as a stronger spot treatment by mixing more cinnamon and less honey to create a thick paste. Apply it to the affected area and leave it overnight. 
4. Raw, Local Honey: The base of all of my favorite natural facemask recipes is raw, local honey. Honey is another great remedy for troublesome skin and it provides the right texture and viscosity needed to make a face mask. I love using raw, local honey because it’s 100% pure honey and it provides a slight defense against local allergies.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar: Looking for a nighttime toner? Look no further than your kitchen pantry! Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water in a small spray bottle and use it to spritz your face after you wash it. This toner can help clear out your pores, but it does have a strong smell, so I recommend only doing this treatment at night. ACV also has manysummertime beauty benefits!
6. Oranges: Citrus fruit is a great all-natural cure for dry, flaky skin. The acidity in the fruit removes dead skin cells. I like to cut an orange in half and rub half into each elbow to keep them soft, although this technique will work on any body part where you have dry skin. You could also add freshly squeezed orange juice to your sugar and coconut oil scrub!
7. Bananas: Bananas are incredibly moisturizing and hydrating. If your face is dry, add a small amount of mashed banana to your raw honey facemask. This mask will liven up your complexion and leave you with very soft skin! If you’re suffering from dry, cracked skin on your feet, try adding one part honey to three parts banana and rubbing it into your cracked heels. Remember to cover your feet with plastic wrap to avoid making a mess while you relax during the treatment!

12 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Your Skin

The skin you're in is amazing. It's the ultimate multitasker, simultaneously protecting your organs, shedding cells, and keeping you cool or warm. But how much do you really know about your skin, aside from the fact that you should protect it from the sun's UV rays? We rounded up some fascinating facts about your body's largest organ:

You have A LOT of skin.

Your skin is your body's largest organ, with a surface area of approximately 22 square feet. (The second-largest organ in the body is the liver.)

Not all the skin on your body is of the same thickness.

The eyelids, for instance, have the thinnest skin—at 0.05 millimeters—while the palms and soles of the feet have the thickest skin, at 1.5 millimeters.

Your skin is heavy.

About 16 percent of your overall body weight is from your skin alone.

Your skin isn't made up of just one layer.

There are three layers of the skin: The epidermis, the dermis and the subcutis. The subcutis is the innermost layer and is made up of fat and collagen cells. The dermis is the middle layer and is responsible for 90 percent of skin's thickness. The epidermis is the outermost layer and serves as a protective barrier between the body and the environment.

You shed a shocking amount of skin cells every minute.

You lose 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells a minute!

Your skin helps your body maintain temperature control.

When you are over-heated blood vessels widen so that heat can be released easily through the skin. When your body is cold, the blood vessels in the skin constrict.

Your skin was a different color when you were born.

Healthy newborn baby skin is actually a deep red or purplish color and hands and feet are a blueish hue.

Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S., affecting 40 to 50 million Americans.

More than 85 percent of people will experience it at least once in their lives.

And acne even affects babies (well, kind of).

The acne is not a result of raging baby hormones. Instead, this acne is caused by the mother’s hormones that are still in the baby's blood.

Scars are caused by damage to the second layer of skin, the dermis.

Scar collagen is different from collagen in normal skin. As such, even when skin cells die and are replaced, scar collagen is not shed. Scar tissue does not grow hair.

The way you sleep can affect your skin.

Sleeping with your face buried in your pillow can lead to wrinkles.

Babies' skin is covered with a waxy substance called vernix.

Vernix is a film that protects the fetus's skin in the womb. It usually washes off with the baby's first bath.

Natural Skin Treatments for Summer Weather Woes

Summer’s gorgeous sunshine, soft breezes, and blooming flowers can make you want to linger outside for hours, but all the time outdoors can also make summer a bummer for your skin. Remedies for bug bites, sunburn, heat rashes, and other common summertime ailments are a dime at dozen at the pharmacy, but most are laced with chemicals and preservatives. Remember, your skin is your largest organ and it absorbs whatever you put on it. Most holistic experts agree – don’t rub into your skin what you wouldn’t be willing to eat! The good news is there are plenty of holistic ingredients that can effectively treat common summer skin ailments. 

Aloe Vera Gel

What it treats: Sunburn

The gel of an aloe vera plant is soothing and cool, making it a natural burn remedy. To treat a sunburn, simply slit a leaf of the plant the long way and gently apply the leaf’s juice directly to your burned skin. Repeat the application several times a day until your sunburn is less painful and stops peeling. 

Crushed Basil

What it treats: Bug bites

Basil is a natural source of both camphor and thymol, compounds that help relieve itching and irritation. Buy a bundle of basil leaves at the farmers market and then use a mortar and pestle (or your food processor!) to crush them into a fine paste and then rub directly onto itchy bites. No fresh leaves available? Basil essential oil will also work. 

Baking Soda Paste

What it treats: Poison ivy

Baking soda is a natural soother for the itchy, inflamed skin that comes with a poison ivy rash. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two teaspoons of water and stir until you get a thick paste. Spread the paste directly on your rash, wait a few moments, then rinse it off with cool water. Mix up a new paste and apply it two or three times daily until the rash improves. 

Oatmeal Bath

What it treats: Heat rash

Heat rashes are rarely serious, but they can be seriously uncomfortable. Your mother may have told you not to play with your food, but using oatmeal at bath time can quickly clear up a nasty heat rash. First, soak a cup or two of quick or rolled oats in cool water for an hour or two. Then run a shallow bath with lukewarm water. Add the soaked oats, massage gently onto your rash, and rinse off completely. 

Honey

What it treats: Bee stings

Bee stings are a pain – literally. A stung area can swell up, turn red, and remain uncomfortable for several days if left untreated, so remove the stinger and clean the area as soon as possible. Then go back to the source by applying a small amount of honey directly over the sting. Bees may have some irritating compounds in their stingers, but the honey they produce is a great natural treatment due to its antibacterial properties.