Kicking Out Chemicals, A Lifestyle Shift

It’s funny how kids can change a person’s perspective and I’m no exception. I’ve been slowly dipping my toe into a chemical free (or a least greatly reduced) life. It all started with a batch of DIY laundry detergent as a way to save some money. But when I noticed my family’s skin clearing up on legs, arms, and backs I started paying attention.

There are chemicals in everything.

I’m not exaggerating. Unless a product is regulated through the FDA they don’t even have to tell you what’s in it. I downloaded the Think Dirty app for my phone and started scanning my household products. I didn’t make it far before I was tossing things into the trash. Brands I have trusted for years! I threw out Dove, Johnson & Johnson, Oral-B… Goodbye Maybelline. If you are skeptical check out this article featured on WebMD.

What started as a light dabble of detergent DIY has turned into a full baptism, I’m off the chemical boat and I’m going to do my best to not go back.

I threw out my deodorant, my toothpaste, my makeup, my hair care products…. If this is TMI I’m sorry but this is where the blog comes in. I’ve had a lot of people asking me about what I am using instead of the chemical products. Let me say I’ve tried a few weird things some worked and other’s didn’t. I know it’s not possible to be completely chemical free, it’s too pervasive, but when I have a choice I’m going to try.

So I’ll be making a few resource posts on what I am using, what didn’t work, and what I’ve found to be the best solution for DIY body care. Stay tuned for more to come and I will be relying on my an oil kit I purchased through Young Living for many of these recipes (Check out the kit here).

Be aware that some of the solutions I have found do not look like what you buy at the store. We have been trained to have deodorant in a stick, to have bubbles when we shampoo and to associate clean with the smell of bleach. So resetting my mind for what is normal is just as important as understanding the products.

So please feel free to laugh, comment, or question as I show you my new oily life, chemical free.

Happy Questing!