Our diet isn’t just about what we put into our mouth. We also eat with our eyes, referring to the idea that in the things we surround ourselves with heavily influence you. Anything that touches our skin goes into our blood stream within 30 seconds. We also “eat” with our noses, what we inhale can also have effects on us depending on the chemical that are added to things such as perfume to keep them smelling sweet. Research shows that our (ethnic women) beauty products are the dirtiest on the market. Stemming from just using what we had available to us, Caribbeans have looked to the earth for everything they need for many years, including beauty products.
According to the Environmental Work Group (EWG), many of the mainstream products that target Black women contain toxic and harmful ingredients. Health hazards linked to ingredients in those products include cancer, hormone disruption, and developmental and reproductive damage. For example, one study in the EWG report found that Black Americans had higher urinary concentrations of parabens, the hormone-disrupting chemicals commonly used as preservatives in personal care products, pharmaceuticals and foods.
With that being said, we have gathered a list of natural beauty product you can start using so your beauty regime can become less toxic for your body.
A form of carbon that absorbs other substances on the surface it’s applied to, making it great for face masks and scrubs.
Great in skin and hair care as it’s easily absorbent and leaves the skin and hair feeling soft.
Super versatile, used in face and beard balms, hair waxes, candles, soap and more.
Technically Bentonite Clay is aged volcanic ash, and when mixed with water (for a stronger clean, use Apple Cider Vinegar) it becomes ‘charged’ which allows it to absorb toxins. Whilst food grade Bentonite Clay can be bought for detoxifying toxins, chemicals, heavy metals and other impurities from the body, we use it for the same purposes but on the skin in a face mask.
Although Cocoa Butter is solid at room temperature, it melts when in contact with the skin making it the perfect candidate for lotions, creams, balms and soap.
- Castor Oil– Another oil rich in fatty acid, particularly Omega 5, perfect for keeping the skin moisturized. Also great in soap and massage oils
- Coconut Oil– Rich in in fatty acids and with excellent healing properties, Coconut Oil has a multitude of uses including make-up removal, hair treatment, massage oil, moisturizer and soap.
- Manuka Extract– Manuka oil has proven to be a protector against harmful microbes, which is great in any skincare products including soap.
- Olive Oil (Organic) – Olive Oil is great for moisturizing and restoring skin and hair
The natural sugars and antioxidants in honey help to increase lather when used in soap and works well when mixed with oil.
Shea Butter comes from a tree called Karite which is found in several African countries; the butter is pressed from the seeds of the tree for use in soaps, creams and cosmetics. The vitamins and fatty acids found in Shea Butter make it a natural moisturizer and protector of the skin’s natural oils.
If you know of any other natural remedies to add to a beauty regime, let us know. We’d love to hear how turning back to the earth benefited you.
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