One of my favourite hashtags is #mytriberocks 🙂 And I certainly wasn’t going to leave #mytribe out of my clean beauty adventure!
During the course of my wellness journey, I have made many changes to my lifestyle, my diet and my outlook. Along the way, my family have humoured me, observed me, asked questions, made fun of me a little sometimes, but most of all supported me. My children have asked questions about why I’m making the changes I’m making. Why a certain food is good for me and do I feel better? It was very easy for me to incorporate them into this journey with me, a little at a time.
It started with nutrition, where I made subtle changes to their diet. Slowly but surely I introduced them to the idea of eating well for their health. Whilst they responded to some things more favourably than others (kale? Yuck!), overall they have embraced the changes with an open mind. It’s great knowing that I am giving them a good foundation for their nutrition without taking away too much from what they already know and enjoy. I have learnt that what works for me won’t always work for them, but I can only try to introduce them to the things I’ve learnt and hope they will find their own balance over time.
When I then started delving into the world of natural beauty, I realised that I wanted to implement the changes in bath and body products for my children and husband as well. I wanted to pay more attention to what they were using too. I have always been mindful of the products I bought for the kids, but again never fully appreciated the list of ingredients in them and the negative effects they could have. And so, I adopted the same approach as I had done for myself – replacing things as they ran out with a natural alternative.
I’m hoping the products we all use will be close to 100% clean over time and as my children get older, I can introduce them to the world of clean beauty too. They will never have to use the toxin filled beauty products to which we have become accustomed, and this makes me so happy!
So here are a few of the products we’re using and why (in case you’d like to give them a try for your tribe too). 🙂
Deodorant
Many deodorants are unfortunately full of harmful ingredients which have been linked to cancers or are known carcinogens – parabens and aluminium compounds (both linked to breast cancer), silica (also a known carcinogen) and triclosan, talc, propylene glycol and steareth-n.
When my daughter needed to start using deodorant, I decided it had to be a clean product from the get-go as I would not buy her something which I know to contain harmful ingredients. After some research I picked Sante. Sante deodorants are made without aluminium salts and filled with certified natural ingredients such as bio-macadamia oil. They are gentle on the skin and work with your body to keep you fresh. Using a Sante roll-on is nothing like the experience of using an aerosol with that overwhelming fragrance we have become used to associating with being clean. It works with your body to eliminate natural odours so it does take some getting used to but is certainly a great starting point for a child and gentle on their skin too.
Shaving foam for men
We can’t forget the men in the family! Shaving foam is one of the few products my husband consistently uses… and it goes on his face! It was time to try and reduce the nasties going into his skin. I picked John Masters Organics 2-in-1 face wash and shave foam which is filled with 80% certified organic ingredients and uses 100% recyclable packaging. So far so good 🙂
Shampoo and conditioner for kids
Shampoos are often made using sulfates which are basically detergents that make them lather when we rub them into our scalp and hair follicles! Then come parabens, fragrance is added and a host of other ingredients which can have a negative impact on your hair and scalp. Based on many recommendations, I chose John Masters Organics Bare Shampoo and Conditioner for my girls. So far, it’s washing their hair beautifully and leaving it soft and lovely without the nasties.
Shower gel for kids
Unfortunately most are filled with a similar list of nasties which are largely found through studies to be carcinogenic or are endocrine disruptors. Sadly I hadn’t realised the extent of this but have made the change now and am using Sante Shower gel. I’m still continuing to try others because there are so many lovely non-toxic options out there!
Sunscreen for the family
These are conventionally filled with hormone disruptors and allergens. Added to this, there is no conclusive evidence that sunscreens are waterproof or that higher factors actually give you better protection. Mineral based sunscreens using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are currently deemed “safer” to use so I picked Goddess Garden Organics Natural Sunscreen as a starting point for our family after reading countless reviews. Unfortunately the texture is quite thick and it does leave a white residue after application so I’m trying to figure out what to try next. In the meantime though, I feel better (despite the stickiness!) since we’re not using a product that’s chemical filled.
Image Credit: Instagram @goddessgarden
The natural product substitutions are ongoing and the products we try aren’t always perfect – but there are plenty of clean options out there and it will just take a little patience to keep searching until I find the right products for our family. I encourage you to do the same, after all, good things come to those who wait!
All products mentioned are available from Bud Cosmetics online or at their three outlets listed below:
Orchard: #03-32 Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238897
T: +65 6733 5782
Paya Lebar: #B1-49 Paya Lebar Square, 60 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409051
T: +65 6702 1218
Novena: #01-66 Square 2, 10 Sinaran Drive, Singapore 307506
T: +65 6397 6013
All images by Sunaina Patel unless otherwise credited. Views expressed are the authors own and based on her own independent purchases, research, personal opinions and recommendations.