Feeling dirty? You’re in luck, because today I’m talking about my shower routine and my favorite clean bath products. I post a lot of product reviews but the questions I get asked the most are always “What do you use?”, “What’s actually in your bathroom cabinet?”, or “What’s in your shower?”. I think beyond our innate curiosity about other people’s habits, people just want to know which natural products are so good that I’m actually using them daily.
I will start from the head down- which is how I actually shower, anyways :). I usually start with washing my face and I love One Love Organics Easy Does It cleanser. I just ran out and have been testing some new products and samples I have, but I’m really missing it, so it looks like I will be repurchasing soon. I also like to exfoliate several times a week and the shower is a good place to use a good scrubby, scrub like Acure Organics Brightening Scrub.
One Love Organics Easy Does It $29.00
Acure Organics Brightening Scrub $7.99 for a limited time- normally $14.99
Next up is my hair. Here is where I need to confess 2 things. First, I only wash my hair every other day. I have very long, thick hair and I also have two tiny, little time thieves, so sacrifices must be made. Second, as of late, I shower and wash my hair at night. I hate it. I would really love to wake up with a hot shower like a normal person, but see above comment about the two tiny time thieves- specifically the youngest, as I always seemed to be able to sneak a morning shower with my oldest, but Annabelle is up to such mischief that it’s just impossible. The upside is that I really love my hair’s texture after letting it air dry overnight. For shampoo, I’ve recently switched to John Master’s zinc and sage shampoo. Fall has not been kind to my scalp and it’s turned itchy and dry. This helps substantially and smells delicious. Kind of like vanilla creme brûlée. I use John Masters Avocado and Lavender Intensive Conditioner mostly (despite the name, it’s more of an everyday, average moisture conditioner) but once a week or so I use Acure Organics moroccan argan oil + argan stem cell conditioner which is a little more intense than the John Master’s.
John Masters zinc and sage shampoo $20.00
John Masters Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner $22.00
Acure Organics moroccan argan oil + argan stem cell conditioner $9.99
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m a recent bar soap convert. It seems silly, but I have been a hardcore body wash devotee for years. I’ve just discovered that bar soaps have such artistry. The different shapes, scents and packaging are amazing. Two brands I’ve been loving lately are Meow Meow Tweet and Acure Organics. I also still use Acure Organics body wash from time to time (total cheater, I know).
Meow Meow Tweet $10.00
Acure Organics soap $5.99
Acure Organics body wash $9.99
Shaving is a chore, but something I do on the regular to keep the husband from running away screaming when he brushes up against me in bed. I rotate between BeautyCounter Shaving Cream and Honest Co. Shaving Oil. The shaving cream is good for everyday use but I will warn you that it contains Phenoxyethanol, which I usually try to avoid. It’s a preservative some natural companies use in place of parabens but the problem is there is some debate about how safe it is. It’s the last ingredient (and therefore the ingredient used in the least amount) and since I’m rinsing it off immediately I’m giving it a pass. The shaving oil is good to use from time to time on my fickle, razor rash prone skin. The tea tree oil and other soothing ingredients keep my skin in check.
BeautyCounter Shaving Cream $16.00
Honest Co. Shaving Oil $15.95 (cheaper if you bundle)
Throw in a body brush and I’m ready to suds up! What are your favorite natural bath products?
xoxo Molly
Hi Molly, I had seen you post about trying to avoid Phenoxyethanol before. I know per the skin deep database that in general it can cause skin irritation and has a moderate concern for non-reproductive organ toxicity. Beautycounter has done a lot of work in trying to find a preservative that is the safest and when water is used as an ingredient it has to have a preservative. The amount that is used is at the lowest concentration (0.8%) to achieve the desired effect and not any more. Also, the Phenoxyethanol that is used in the products is free of any contaminants which may be the case with other products. I understand that some people do not want any ingredient like this at all in their product and that is perfectly ok. I’ve known several people that have chosen the more natural route not be aware of the lack of preservative in their product and the short shelf life, which has led to eye infections and skin issues. So, if someone asks me about a more natural product I make sure they are aware of this. I just wanted to share my 2 cents. Thanks! 🙂
Tara,
Thanks so much for commenting- you bring up a very valid point that a lot of people aren’t fully aware of. Any time there’s water in a product, some type of preservative must be used to prevent growth of yucky stuff like mold, bacteria and fungus. Lot’s of natural companies, including bigger brands like Beautycounter and Honest Co. use Phenoxyethanol. I would take Phenoxyethanol over Parabens any day! However, it does make my daughter’s eczema flare up every single time I use a product on her containing Phenoxyethanol, so since discovering it’s a mild skin irritant to some people, I’ve been more careful about using it myself. That being said, I appreciate that it’s used in the lowest concentration and do totally love the Shave Cream. 🙂 Luckily it’s not something my daughter uses.. yet!
Thanks again!
Molly