Image via Etsy.com

Despite not spending too much thought on the topic, soap plays a very big part in our day to day lives. Whether it be while in the shower, after using the bathroom or after getting your hands a bit dirty, we are always using it. But has it ever occurred to you how important it is to choose something that will not only disinfect your hands but that is safe for the whole family and yourself?

I’m sure you’re all sick of hearing about the negative effects of using mass produced shampoos and conditioners due to the added chemicals found in them but it is important. It’s the same with liquid soaps (as is the most common kind of soap used in today’s household). Like shampoo and conditioner, mass produced soap contain SLS, parabens and synthetic fragrance that has not only been proven to cause ailments in the body but also dry out the skin. Mass produced soap companies also usually remove glycerin from their recipes, meaning their soaps are extremely harsh and drying on your skin.

So, what should you instead?

Instead, use handmade soap made from all natural ingredients like natural oils, essential oils and flowers. You will find them in a variety of scents and varieties that will suit your specific skin type and needs. Plus, as an added benefit, most of them are vegan, cruelty-free and organic and they look good enough to eat (not recommended)!

To prevent icky things building on the bar, make sure you purchase smaller bars or cut your bar in half and store the other half for later or use it in another room in the house.

Let us know what you think and if you have any favourite handmade soap recipes to share!

Converting to a more natural and organic lifestyle can be quite a hard task especially in this economic climate amidst our busy lives. In response, I’d like to welcome you to this new series called Greenify Your Life. Over the next few weeks, I will present to you some simple steps that you can make in specific parts of your life to make the ‘Green’ conversion a little bit easier on you.

Image via wiseshe.com

In this first post, I present to you Greenify Your: Shampoo.

Firstly, you may ask what’s wrong with the common* shampoos?

Well, if you see in the ingredients list something called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and/or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) then your hair is in trouble. SLS is a very cheap frothing agent and is the reason that your shampoo and body soap foams at the touch. But don’t be fooled into thinking these bubbles are good for your hair. The SLS/SLES strips the hair shaft of all oil and grease including the natural good oils that your body produces. In turn, this causes more split ends, fading of color and tangling. To compensate for this damage, we end up forking out more money on conditioners, relaxers, frizz serums and the endless other amounts of products that fill our shelves.

Along with the excess and unnecessary damage being caused, these ingredients are also highly toxic and should not be swallowed which makes you wonder why we allow it into our bodies through our skin

So, how do you Greenify?

Phase 1.) Read the ingredients label of your shampoo. If it contains SLS/SLES then throw it away.

Phase 2.) Find a shampoo without SLS/SLES. It does not have to be an organic or natural brand, just make sure it is sulfate free. Use until the bottle is empty.

Your hair may freak out for a little bit when you stop using products with SLS as the scalp will over-compensate with oil production but it will stabilize after a few weeks. Patience with this process is key and will mean better health and vitality in your hair in the future.

Phase 3.) Do some research on organic hair product brands and find one that you think will suit your hair type. If your whole family uses the same bottle, opt for a bottle for a normal hair type.

And that’s all there is to it. Pretty simple, no?

*By common we mean the more common store bought and, generally, cheaper brands of shampoo that contain SLS/SLES.