Off the Grid DIY Homemade Beauty Products

Looking at me you wouldn't think that I don't use shampoo, soap, deodorant or toothpaste. But it's true.

I do not want to support ANY cosmetic companies. I don't have time to read every single label and then research each company until I find one that I know does not:

a. Test on animals or use dead animals in ANY of their products
b. Pollute the environment
c. Use chemicals that are suspected to be linked to cancer.

Do all shampoos and cosmetics contain chemicals that may be linked to cancer? No, not all.
Do some companies continue to use chemicals that have been linked to cancer? Yes, many do. Some studies say they are linked, but others say it hasn't been proven. Can I prove it? That these chemical ingredients cause cancer? No, I can't.
Do I think that, were it true, the companies would cover up that fact just to continue to make money? Yes, I do.
Just like Big Tobacco and Oprah, cosmetic companies are businesses. Their number one concern is profit and if a couple of people die, so be it. They do NOT care about you. Even if they say that they do. You have to research and make informed decisions. Choosing what chemical to slather on your body by which commercial you like best is not very smart.

I have to consider, do I want to take the chance? Is it necessary for me to use shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste, bar soap, make up, hair dye, lotions and a million other products that contain ingredients that may or may not cause cancer?

I do not and it is not. I can opt out.

I can do without most of the things on that list and I can make safe substitutions at home for the rest. Usually cheaper and a lot less scary.

Shampoo

I don't use the stuff. It strips the natural protective oils from your scalp. Then your scalp has to work overtime to produce enough oil to make up for that. Then your hair gets oily looking and you need to wash it again. It's a vicious circular cycle. After a couple of weeks without the stuff your scalp normalizes and doesn't look greasy. I rinse my hair with warm/hot water every other day or so.

Homemade Herbal Shampoo/Bodywash.

About 2 cups of stinging nettle leaves, simmer these in about 3 cups of water until the water is a dark greenish-brown.

Drain off 1.5 cups of the tea and mix with
1/2 cup unscented castile soap
2 tbs each witch hazel and oil such as almond, sunflower, sesame, olive or jojoba.
1 tsp salt

Optionally, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. I put 30 drops of bergamot oil.

Mix all together and put in a bottle with a cap. I used an old soda bottle. This product is thinner than commercial shampoo and it doesn't produce as much suds. The man has been using it as shampoo for a month and he says he likes it just fine. It turns a darker color with time, this is natural and will not affect the performance of the shampoo.

Conditioner

You may or may not know that I am No-Poo and have been since August of 2008. When my ends start to get dry I use jojoba oil on my long curly hair. I apply in the shower, when hair is wet, combing it thru with a wide tooth comb.

I have used apple cider vinegar (ACV) as conditioner but I didn't notice any difference in my hair. I think ACV is better for straight hair, mine is quite curly.

Sunscreen

This stuff scares the crap out of me. I am not letting it anywhere near me if I can help it.

MY sunscreen is:
Trees
Clouds
Awnings
Scarves
Parasol or umbrella
Hats
Shirts
Pants
Use your head! Plan ahead and don't stay in the sun too long! If you do get a sunburn, apply ACV. You will smell like a pickle but the pain will be greatly reduced.

Deodorant
Many people have a phobia of smelling like they naturally smell. This is mostly due to deodorant commercials. People who eat a lot of non-nutritional foods and animal products generally smell pretty bad but if you are vegan and eat whole foods, you will smell nice naturally. After you sweat a little bit your armpits get an odor. This is natural, people. Don't try to kill every germ you see.
Here are some deodorant options that haven't been linked to breast cancer:
After you cut a lemon and squeeze the juice out, pop the rind in a air tight container and keep it in the fridge. Rub that under your arms every day after your shower and in between if you need a touch up. You will smell like a Goddess. The rind will keep up to a week, use your own discretion on how long it lasts.

A pinch of baking soda lightly dusted under your arms will absorb odor quite well.
Some people are quite sensitive and break out in a rash from pure baking soda. If this happens to you, try this recipe:

Powder Deodorant

1 part baking soda
1 part or more cornstarch
Mix the two and dust under the arms with your hands or use a powder puff to keep sweet smelling. adjust the amount of cornstarch to your needs. Add a couple of drops of essential oil if desired.

Toothpaste

Baking soda. Or just plain water.

Mint Flavored Toothpowder

1/4 cup baking soda
1-2 drops spearmint oil
Put in a jar and mix well
To use: Pour powder out of the jar into your hand and then dip wet brush into palm. If you dip the wet brush in the bottle it will clump up and turn not good.

Bar Soap
Many commercial bar soaps are made with animal by products. Many of the companies that make the soap test their products on animals. I don't have time to go around reading all the labels and researching companies. Therefore, I use none of them.
My daily shower is: me and some hot water and a pumice for my heels. I love having no bottles in my shower. If I am so dirty that I need something to get the grime and grease off of my body, I will use the shampoo that I made above, or just plain castile soap.

Hair dye

Really? Are we still so oppressed and insecure that we need to make our hair a different color to be happy? I lump this in with all make up. Also anal bleaching. It's addictive, counter productive, a waste of money and potentially cancer causing and I stay as far away from it as I can. I don't have any subs for these, they are totally useless, IMO.

Lotions

I use oil. A drop of jojoba and a little bit of water goes a long way.

WIP, will be updated from time to time, check back!

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, not a professional beauty expert. The opinions expressed here are just that, opinions. The tips I have provided here may not work for you. This is just a memoir of my own experiences and should not replace the advice of a physician or beautician.