There are simple tricks to detox your shower and rid yourself from exposure to unneeded chemicals, estrogens and other potentially toxic substances.
SHAMPOO
Referred to as No-Poo, you don’t have to pay a fortune for the benefits of non-lathering shampoo alternatives.
What you need:
Empty, clean container that holds approximately 2 cups (I recommend an old parmesan cheese container or similar)
Container of Baking Soda for your bathroom for easy access
Directions:
Add 2 Tbsp baking soda to the empty container.
When ready to “shampoo,” fill the container with approximately 2 cups of water and swirl to mix.
Wet hair, then pour the baking soda/water mixture over the hair while working it through the hair and down to the scalp like you would regular shampoo. IT WILL NOT LATHER. (Lathering agents are generally damaging to hair and skin.)
Rinse both the hair and container thoroughly.
HAIR CONDITIONER
What you need:
Empty, clean container that holds approximately 2 cups (I recommend an old parmesan cheese container or similar)
You can use the same container you did for the baking soda above, just rinse it between steps.
A bottle filled with Apple Cider Vinegar for your bathroom for easy access
Directions:
Add 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar to the rinsed, empty container.
Add approximately 2 cups of water and swirl to mix.
Pour the vinegar/water mixture evenly over the hair to coat.
Rinse hair immediately.
Rinse the container to have it ready for your next use.
Added benefits: Diluted apple cider vinegar has also been shown to fight Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger and is rumored to be helpful in treating eczema. (Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis.)
Viola, you have just cleansed and conditioned your hair with no harmful chemicals.
SKIN EXFOLIATION
By now, you should fully understand the dangers of sugar in your diet, but don’t go throwing it out. Easy and inexpensive, sugar is your secret to radiant and baby-soft skin. Simply take a bowl of sugar with you to the shower, careful not to wet it until you are ready to scrub down. Once your skin is wet, step out from under the water and grab a handful of sugar and exfoliate away. Start with mild pressure in circular patterns. As the sugar begins to dissolve, you can apply more pressure. Dead skin cells are sloughed away and the progressively smaller and smaller granules will polish your skin to a silky smooth texture. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid a sticky post-shower situation.
TONER
Witch Hazel is a gentle and refreshing astringent / toner that can be applied with cotton balls or pads to quickly remove dirt, oil, and makeup from skin, reduce inflammation and appearance of bags around the eyes, and tighten and tone pores which can assist with acne, irritation after waxing and razor burn.
SKIN MOISTURIZER
Lotions are another product that reading the ingredient list can make your eyes cross. These products are packed with chemicals that we cover ourselves in from head to toe. Our bodies absorb all these chemicals. Also, a majority of lotions that claim to hydrate your skin tend to perpetuate the condition of dry skin through pulling moisture from lower layers to hydrate upper layers, thus dehydrating the lower layers.
The key to hydrating skin (from the outside) is to trap moisture in the skin immediately following your shower. After a quick towel-pat-down, grab your virgin, cold pressed Coconut Oil and slather it on.
Be careful to avoid contact with your hair. Though extremely small amounts of Coconut Oil can be used as “product” for hair to add shine and reduce frizz, it doesn’t take much to make hair heavy and greasy.
If you have dry, rough feet, scrub them good while in the shower, coat them with Coconut Oil immediately after, then apply cotton socks and wear them overnight. The next morning when you hop into the shower, all that dead, course skin can be scratched right off. Hard calluses may take multiple treatments, but you will be amazed at the results. Coat and cover your feet nightly to keep them soft and prevent over-drying. Also, the antibacterial and anitfungal properties of Coconut Oil can help eliminate foot odor and assist in combating infections.