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What are some good personal care products and brands?

Such as:

  1. Shampoos
  2. Conditioners
  3. Dandruff shampoo
  4. Body moisturizers (I love coconut oil)
  5. sun tan/block lotion,
  6. shaving cream
  7. lube (sex is paleo, right?)
  8. deodorant and antiperspirant
  9. Toothpaste
  10. Mouth wash
  11. hand soap. (I use Dr. Bonners)

These are all modern convinicences, so closer to natural suggestions are also appreciated.

Has anyone tried warm olive or coconut oil as a shaving cream?

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14 Answers

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African Black Soap is awesome. You can use it as shampoo, no conditioner needed. Also good as body soap & shaving foam. The good stuff is made in Ghana from coconut oil, palm oil, shea butter, agow tree bark and plantain ash. About as natural and an all in one cleanser can get. (Can hand wash cloths with it when travelling too).

http://www.plantessentials.com.au/store/african-black-soap-anago-soap-alato-soap-each.html

Pure shea butter makes a great lip balm, heal balm, hot oil treatment for your hair. Pure jojoba oil or Rosehip oil makes great face & body moisturiser. Plant Essentials makes a great range of moisturisers etc with very simply natural ingredients, made instore by store staff (no factories).

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I think sunscreen is the hardest item to find if you want to minimize your exposure to harmful substances. I used to never use sunscreen, but now I have to (rosacea). I did a lot of research and I eventually ended up buying Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer (SPF 30). It is paraben-free. The ingredients are: zinc oxide, aloe vera gel, purified water, capric triglyercides (from coconut oil), hyaluronic acid, glyceryl stearate, stearic acid, lechithin phospholipid, vitamin E, allantoin, and grapeseed extract. I know it's not strictly paleo but I think these ingredients are pretty harmless. The sun triggers an immune response from my skin so it's either wear sunscreen or only go outside at night.

I don't use shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash or shaving cream. I like shea butter as a body moisturizer.

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There are multiple kinds of vitamin E and our skin absorbs everything on it. Having too much of one type could be harmful, no? – ThinnerStrength May 22 2012 at 0:18
I'm sure it could be harmful, but I'm trying to weigh potential harms as carefully as I can. The sun is definitely harmful for me (triggers ugly rosacea flares on my face, which leads to anxiety and depression). For now I will risk the vitamin E so I can still go on a walk and live a relatively normal life. – Violet9 May 22 2012 at 3:04
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I use baking soda and apple cider vinegar as shampoo and conditioner. I have been doing this for probably a couple of months now and am down to having to wash my hair maybe twice a week, though I can do once a week. I try to brush my hair for a while every day with a bristle brush to help clean it out and spread natural oils around.

I use olive oil to wash my face. My skin looks WAY better since doing this (about 3 months now). You can also use other oils to wash your face (like coconut oil) but I read somewhere that olive is a good choice for not clogging pores and stuff.

I like coconut oil as a moisturizer. I put it on my face once or twice a week before I go to bed and also use it all over when feel like it.

I have used aloe vera for shaving, olive oil and stuff like that works too but would probably get expensive. I still use natural soap and usually just use that for shaving because it is cheaper and lasts longer. I find that the aloe vera rinses really quickly and I end up using a lot of it to shave areas that take more (like my legs).

I use Tom's fluoride free variety of toothpastes. I tried just baking soda and it grosses me out way too much and I also read somewhere that baking soda alone can cause some problems (can't remember what or where I read it, might be able to google it) but it's pretty darn gross anyway.

I am interested in some natural sunblock options so would love to see some suggestions for that. As far as actual store bought brands, I know that certain supermarkets in my area carry a lot of brands with natural ingredients, etc. (usually big amongst the vegan crowd, I bought lots of stuff in this section when I was a vegan). I buy my natural soap in that section as well as lip balms but there are also deoderants, shampoos, toothpastes, lotions, etc. in that section.

I think that using items that you would put IN your body (stuff you would eat or cook with) is the best way to go for items that you would put ON your body. It all ends up IN your body anyway.

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Great idea with the aloe shaving cream! Thanks. – ThinnerStrength May 20 2012 at 17:03
The olive oil makes sense because castille soap is made from olive oil. – tdgor May 20 2012 at 20:50
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I like to use avocado, bananas and coconut oil as a hair conditioner, occasionally. The rest of the time, I use apple cider vinegar and water.

I'm trying to do the baking soda and water hair rinse, but I need to get a hairband, for the initial oiliness. I've also heard people use castille soap, to wash their hair, instead of shampoo, but I have yet to try this. For now I am simply trying to use less shampoo, less often.

For my face, I use a combination of raw, unfiltered, local honey and lemon juice. Sometimes I add baking soda, or asprin, to exfoliate. I have oily and dry skin, and it helps immensely, and makes my skin soft. Sometimes I use 10% greek yogurt on my face, too.

I also use honey, baking soda, and sugar as a body wash, sometimes with avocado or blueberries and coconut oil thrown in.

I use baking soda on my teeth (but after reading Sabretoothandclaw's comment I might reconsider that), and do coconut oil pulls.

I'm thinking of trying baking soda and coconut oil for deodorant, but I haven't done this yet.

And I don't use lube, or sunscreen, or anything to shave with. But I have read, from people here, that coconut oil can be used for lube and sunscreen, though if you're using it as a lubricant you should check to be sure whatever condom you're using works with an oil-based lube.

I second Sabretoothandclaw's ending statement, that if you wouldn't put something in your body, you shouldn't put it on your body. So I do need to work on my shampoo and deodorant usage, and reconsider my teeth-cleaning choice.

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1 
I apply a layer of coconut oil undermyarms and then use Lush's coconut deodorant powder, made with baking soda, tapioca powder and some ground coconut. It works better than any other natural brand I've tried and smells like heaven. My coworkers constantly ask what smells so good when the sit next to me in meetings, I say my armpits.... It's become a bit of a joke! :) – Jen May 20 2012 at 18:09
Thank you so much for that info! I adore the scent of coconut, so I think I would really love that :) – itcutsbothways May 20 2012 at 18:54
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Here are some personal care items I've liked - I don't like all their products from these companies but you have to test.

Gluten-free Savonnerie products founded by a celiac are FREE FROM fragrances, casein, gluten, corn, soy, dyes, and peanuts. They use ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. They have bar soaps, liquid soap, shaving foam, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, massage oil, lip balm, and deodorant body powder.

http://www.gfsoap.com/

Tropical Traditions has ingredients from coconut, palm oil, essential oils, and other pure ingredients - liquid pump soap, bar soap, massage oil, teeth cleaner, lip balm, liquid soap, moisturizers, hair oil, shampoo bar, insect repellent, and roll on deodorant.

http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/organic_skin_care_products.htm

Tom's of Maine has some fluoride-free toothpaste, mouthwash, and natural deodorants. Some of their products have more controversial or sketchy ingredients so you have to read carefully. http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products

Mercola has some personal care products that might of interest. I'm not sure how makes gluten-free wheat bran in some products?!! but the labels say so. I get annoyed with all the marketing but some products are good. http://products.mercola.com/

Wilderness Family Naturals uses coconut oil, palm oil, and essential oils in their products such as in: herbal salve, bar soap, bath salt, body butter, deodorant, and lip balm. http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/category/body-and-skin-care.php

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Thank you Lady Arwen! – ThinnerStrength May 23 2012 at 5:28
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I use coconut oil instead of sunscreen. It keeps my skin soft and protects it. I just started using Primal Life Organics skin care. It is amazing!!!! They also make a deodorant that is the best natural one I have tried. I use Tropical Traditions tooth cleaner and lotion.

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There are a few more answers here: http://paleohacks.com/questions/106491/beyond-using-soap#axzz1vRcpltrY and here are my responses to your list:

  • Shampoos and Conditioners and Dandruff-shampoo - Massage my hair in the shower every day, clean with mixture of baking soda and water about once a week
  • Body moisturizers (I love coconut oil) - agree
  • sun tan/block lotion - coconut oil - don't need sunscreen if you build up your tan carefully and don't abuse your time in the sun
  • shaving cream - coconut-oil-based soaps
  • lube (sex is paleo,right?) - coconut oil
  • deodorant - burt's bees sage oil deodorant (not antiperspirant)
  • Toothpaste - soap chips
  • Mouth wash - salt mixture
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1 
haha, I may have laughed out loud thinking about coconut oil as lube...keeping a jar on the nightstand. I'm so immature. :) – jlharmon May 20 2012 at 23:56
Thank you mary! Very helpful. :) – ThinnerStrength May 22 2012 at 0:24
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Check out this site and products - all very, very, clean and crafted by hand, in individual batches with loving care by an ancestral living woman.

http://www.greatmarshskincare.com/Home.html

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I was just going to post this same link- lovely lady and lovely products! – Jules K May 22 2012 at 14:07
^^^^ Agreed, Jules! – Atkins-witha-loincloth May 22 2012 at 17:53
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For almost thirty years, I have used baking soda and cornstarch as deodorant. I used to make a paste, but now I just dab some baking soda, and then some cornstarch. (the paste was sort of harsh on the tender skin) I have two small round tupperware containers (orange for baking soda, yellow for cornstarch). I think I replaced the containers once. It's cheap, it's easy, it's biodegradable, and edible. It does tend to collect in the corners of the floor though. :) Sometimes I step back into the tub to put it on, so the excess falls into the tub.

I am tempted now, by the Lush powder and coconut oil. :)

And I use Kiss My Face olive oil soap, for body soap.

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0

For a natural brand of skin care, dr Alkaitis is amazing. All ingredients are wildcrafted organic and the products are edible because nothing synthetic goes in.

It's expensive, but you can get the travel pack to try it for $50 and it lasts me almost 2 months, contains day and night moisturizers, cleanser, toner, face/body oil, eye cream, soothing gel and a mask. I've been using this line for 8 months now and my skin is amazing- always moisturized and clear.

You can find this and other 'better choice' closer to natural products at saffronrouge.com - my go-to for body products and cosmetics. They research their products and have great return policis and fast, reasonable shipping too.

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There is some great information available here: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ as well. Not paleo-oriented, necessarily, but 'we need safer products' oriented.

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Buy locally handmade soaps & personal products. With Farmers Markets starting up, you'll very likely find booths there from local people selling their products.

Failing that, Etsy.com can also be your friend! Handmade soap can be made from saponified olive oil, coconut oil, palm oils, etc. so be sure if you do purchase online you look at ingredients lists. Also, I wouldn't advocate purchasing soap that is called "glycerin" soap. It's OK and all that but to be able to make it meltable and pourable, alcohol is mixed into the soap, so it can still be very drying on the skin even if it says it has nice butters & oils.

(I don't personally like coconut oil based soaps. They dry my skin out, and can also cause acne and otherwise clog pores in other people).

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Hey Veriria, If a coconut soap clogs the pores or dries out the skin, it probably means it's made on cheap heat extracted coconut oil. Soaps made on cold pressed unrefined coconut oil are super awesome :) – HippiPaleo May 22 2012 at 11:27
Hi there! The people I have bought from in the past claim to have made their soaps from the oil you talk about -- cold pressed, unrefined. Coconut oil is actually an oil known for actually clogging pores. I don't think this works for everyone (obviously it works for some people!) just not for me. – Veriria May 23 2012 at 0:13
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I get some personal care products from Bubble and Bee Organic http://www.bubbleandbee.com/

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1-4. Andalou Naturals and Lancome- Andalou Naturals well researched, no parababens, petrochems, synthetic fragrances, etc. The skin food masks are my favorite. Lancome products are really amazing, but I don't know what the ingredients are because it doesn't say on the products. They do work though for keeping skin looking young and healthy.

  1. I don't use sun-tan lotion, but I have heard coconut oil works well and that is certainly paleo.

  2. I use any of the above facial moisturizers to shave with and it works fine for me.

  3. Um, I don't really buy lube because wetness has never been an issue, but the kama Sutra massage products can serve multiple purposes. Just buy the "Get Away Kit"- has everything.

  4. Don't use deodorant. Do use cologne most of the times I'm going out though, and since it's hardly anything I don't think it really matters. Burberry London for Men is my go-to. For girls, Chanel number 5 smells nice but also reminds me of an old lady. Chanel 19, Mac Jacobs Daisy, and Ralph Lauren Romance are the only three I've bothered remembering.

  5. Tom's fluoride free toothpaste

  6. I use Listerine. Not paleo but innocuous enough for me.

  7. I don't remember what it's called but right now I'm using some stuff from the South of France. It's basically just a pretty classic blend of jojoba, coconut, and olive oils with some fragrance. Smells almond-ie to me. '

Hope that gives you some new ideas.

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