My bathroom cabinet detox

Over the last 2 and a half years, I've gradually cleaned my bathroom cabinet - i.e. I've stopped using a number of industrial products and I've replaced them with organic/natural ones commercialised by small companies with a conscience.

My motivation is to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals I use on my skin everyday. Why? Because many cosmetics and personal care products can contain chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), "which can cause adverse health effects, and some are potentially linked to breast cancer".

To be frank, I'm yet to apply the same rule to make-up... Although I don't wear make-up every day, I do wear foundation, powder and eyeshadow on a very regular basis. I haven't transitioned to organic cosmetic products yet. But, rather than focusing on what I still need to tackle, I thought I would share with you some practical information about all the positive changes I've made since 2015.

I hope it can be helpful. If you want to find out more about the chemicals that may be linked to breast cancer, I recommend you have a look to Breast Cancer UK #DitchtheJunk information sheet.

This post is NOT sponsored by any brands.



Everyday products

-The first product I stopped using in the bathroom was roll-on deodorant. Since January 2016, I've been using a paste made of coconut oil, clay, arrowroot and other natural ingredients. I buy it from the Natural Deodorant Co. At the moment, I'm using the Gentle Deodorant Cream (coconut and shea). The first deodorant I've bought from this company last me 4 months. The one I'm currently using has a more compact texture. I've bought it 6 months ago, if I remember correctly. I'm very happy with it!

- I've ditched shower gel quite a long time ago now - to reduce both waste and harmful chemicals. Now I only use soap bars.
I've tried The Soap Co. (ethical and made in the UK) and Dr. Bronner's - which is organic and fair trade. I bought the Dr. Bronner's bars from Whole Foods Market in Piccadilly Circus. My husband used them both for showering and washing his hair.
I am now using All Natural Soap as I try to support companies that manufacture their products in the UK or Europe as much as possible. It contains no parabens, no palm oil and no sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). I've also bought a shampoo bar from the same company. I haven't tried it yet - I've some shampoo and conditioner that need finishing first.

- I don't use industrial toothpaste anymore to avoid triclosan, among others. I've replaced it with a paste made of organic coconut oil, bicarbonate of soda, clay and essential oils. The brand is called Georganics that I've found in Whole Foods Market Piccadilly Circus. Their products are manufactured in the UK.
It took me some time to get used to it. The texture is very different from a conventional toothpaste. It doesn't foam. I gave pure bicarbonate of soda a try - as recommended by lots of zero waste bloggers - but it made my teeth too sensitive.
Update (April 2018): I'm now using Georganics toothsoap stick. It's zero waste!

-My face moisturiser is a big jar of organic coconut oil. It contains no nasty chemicals, it does the job and it's super cheap! I think the last one I bought cost me less than £15. I've barely used a fourth of the jar over the last 7 months. Prior to that, I was buying expensive Dr. Kiel's moisturiser. I can't see any difference!

-As for face wash, I normally use Dr. Bronner's soap bar.

-I made a really nice toner with roses from my garden last spring. I'll make some more this year. I've found a recipe online. It took almost no time to prepare and it's very pleasant to use!


Make-up and other beauty products

-My mascara is from Dr. Hauschka. I don't wear it every day - especially in the summer. But I've been using the same one for at least a year and a half, if not longer.

-I've never been a big fan of lipstick but I've stopped wearing it all together. I use Burt's Bees lip balm.

-My body moisturiser is also from Burt's Bees.

-I made some grapefruit cellulite scrub last summer. I found the recipe on Hello Glow, a website where you can find lots of DIY beauty recipe. I haven't scientifically assessed how much of an impact me scrubbing my upper legs with this homemade scrub made but I love the smell of it and had the impression that it did made a difference.


Products I don't use anymore

-Perfume: unnecessary and can contain endocrine disruptors.

-Nail varnish: if there's one product packed full of horrible chemicals, this is it! The chemicals contained in nail varnish are quickly absorbed by your body. It's especially dangerous if you are pregnant or nursing. Children shouldn't be exposed to those toxins either. Yes, you can find some brands that contain none of the 5 main culprits normally used in nail varnish. Personally, I only used nail varnish occasionally so I can't be bothered to go and search for so-called "5-free" nail varnish. I've never been into nail varnish, to be honest.

-Cotton buds and cotton pads: unnecessary and polluting