Soapless - Week 2

Quick update: 

Hair: my hair no longer feels dirty or greasy. It keeps volume. Interestingly, it also keeps it's "shape" a bit - like I used hairspray or mousse. My scalp has felt a bit dry, but that could also be the dry air (everyone in these parts seems to have dry, cracked skin). Also, my hair is definitely frizzier/more staticky.

Body: Still don't notice a difference. Still a bum about making the deodorant :(

Face: I've still been terrible about making the cleanse a twice a day routine. So, yes there are still the occasional zits. But, my face is definitely softer and not so dry. And it feels cleaner. (Example, I'm one of those people that by the end of the day my nose felt so grimy I could fry food on it, but not anymore!)

Soapless - Week 1

It has been a week! My hair is definitely not oily after a day anymore. However, I've noticed more static, so we will see how the rest of the weeks go.

Papa Bear informed me that I don't smell, so I guess no soap is working. I do have to admit that I used a Norwex body washcloth a few times! I love the olive/coconut oil face "cleanser." My face feels soft and clean at the same time. I have a few bumps that have popped up, but I'm attributing that to being lazy and not cleaning my face for a few days.

And the pits - I admit I have yet to make the deodorant. In my defense, I already had a jar of coconut oil mixed with tea tree oil, so I've been using that.

Overall, so far I don't notice much difference between using and not using soaps and shampoos. BUT I think that's defense enough to not use them. After all, if they don't make a difference, I might as well choose the cheaper, non-toxic option!

Soapless

It's no secret (or for some maybe it is) that soaps, hair products, lotions, and deodorants are all full of chemicals. Even the "organic" ones seem to have ingredients I can't pronounce. I know we absorb these chemicals through our skin. Yet, I can't seem to give up these products.  

But today, as I looked at my grimy hair ( that was washed YESTERDAY) and felt my flaky, cracked skin, I decided that's it - time to take the plunge. So, for the next MONTH I will be following a no shampoo regime, will not use soap in the shower, and will only use homemade deodorant. Here's my method:

Hair:

3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) I will do a baking soda and apple cider vinegar wash. I will use coconut oil to condition as needed.

Method: combine 1 TB baking soda with 1 cup water. Massage into scalp, paying particular attention to the crown and part line, for 60 seconds. Rinse out. Then combine 2 TB apple cider vinegar and 1-2 cups water. Put on the ends of hair for 60 seconds. Rinse out.

Face:

Each morning and night, I will do an oil cleanse. Once a week I will do a salt and oil exfoliation.

Method: combine equal parts olive oil and coconut oil. Massage into face for 60 seconds or more (don't skimp on time or the dirt can't dissolve!). Run a wash cloth under hot water and drape over face for 60 seconds (this opens the pores). Rub/wash off. Splash face with cold water. For salt exfoliation: same process as  the cleanse, but combine sea salt with the oil mixture.

Body:

During showers, I will use a wash cloth and/or loofa to scrub my body. No soap, just water. Once a week I will do a salt and oil exfoliation. 

Deodorant:

I will only use homemade coconut oil deodorant.

Method: combine 1/3 cup coconut oil, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup cornstarch and a few drops of essential oil (I'm using tea tree and lavender). You can store in a jar or melt the mixture and pour into an old deodorant applicator and pop in fridge/freezer until it firms back up.

I've been told it can take 2+ weeks for your body to rid itself of toxins and get back to its natural balance. Luckily, I have hair binders and hats! 

Have you ever done no shampoo? No soap? Homemade deodorant? What were your experiences?