Stuart Williams
Yes – there are lots of beautiful, high quality, expertly formulated, natural and organic skincare products out there and I definitely have my fair share of most of them.
But there are also some really basic beauty items that every health-conscious individual should keep in their bathroom cupboard, and they’re just as effective as some of the most expensive formulas.
It’s good to have a mix of your favorite, more luxurious body products to treat yourself as well as some very simple essentials that you can use day-to-day. This will save you money and minimize the number of ingredients that you are putting onto your skin.
Whether you’re thinking of making the switch to all-natural beauty products or you’re already well on your way to becoming a green goddess, here are 8 cost-effective bathroom items that you need to have on hand at all times:
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Apple Cider Vinegar
I drink a spoonful of apple cider vinegar in warm water each morning, and I also apply it to my skin! If you can get past the fact that it’s uber smelly then it is an excellent toner – just dip a cotton ball in ACV and wipe over the face after cleansing and before moisturizing.
For an antibacterial pimple, solution dip a cotton bud in ACV and dab it onto your pimples. If you want a detoxifying bath then drop a few spoonfuls into the warm bath water and let your body soak it up (I would have a quick rinse in the shower afterward).
You can also naturally remove warts by soaking a cotton tip in ACV, applying it to the wart, then wrapping a band-aid around it and sleeping with it on overnight.
Tea Tree Oil
This is a natural antiseptic that’s great for cuts, burns, or infections. If I’ve had an acne outbreak I put a few drops in my face moisturizer and I find it reduces the redness of the pimples and gets rid of bacteria in the pores of the skin.
A warm bath with some tea tree oil can be really soothing and effective if you have cystitis. You can also apply tea tree oil to a tissue and breathe it in to help clear your sinuses if they’re clogged up.
Rose Hip Oil
If you haven’t heard of rosehip already, it’s a really effective natural way to reduce wrinkles, scars, and stretch marks. You can use the oil all over your face and body as a moisturizer but I use it especially under my eyes and around my neck and thighs.
If you have acne scarring then rosehip oil can really help. A lot of women also use it after surgery to help the healing process or during pregnancy to hydrate and nourish the skin to prevent stretch marks.
Coconut oil
It might seem a little weird cooking with coconut oil and then rubbing it all over yourself but I promise you it is one of the best body moisturizers, especially in winter, and can also be used on the face to help with acne.
I use it as a hair treatment once a month (or if my hair is feeling dry then once a week) and I also apply it as a nail and cuticle oil. Coconut oil is anti-fungal and can also help with candida (thrush) when applied topically and taken internally.
Baking soda
Apart from being a really effective natural cleaner, I occasionally use baking soda to whiten my teeth. I mix a teaspoon of coconut oil with some baking soda and put it into a teeth tray (don’t leave it on for too long, only a couple of minutes) or you can add some to your toothbrush when you’re brushing your teeth.
I’ve also been using it as a deodorant in the morning. It won’t stop you from sweating but it kills bacteria that causes the sweat to smell so you’ll be a little less stinky.
Dry Body Brush
This is the best tool to have around and to use each morning (or as often as you can) before you shower. Dry body brushing has so many health benefits but is particularly good for stimulating blood flow, improving circulation (which is especially important if you’re sitting at a desk all day), assisting lymphatic drainage, and reducing the appearance of cellulite. I know, amazing.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This sounds really scary for some reason but it’s actually completely natural and safe. I keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in the house to use as a mouth and throat gargle, or on cuts, wounds and infected areas. It pretty much clears up any infection immediately.
I’ve also heard it being used to remove blackheads, as natural hair bleach, and in DIY household cleaning and laundry products. **make sure you get the 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide solution.
Lemon
Lemons are so versatile that you can use them for just about anything. I never go a week without having a bag of lemons handy for everything from skincare to cleaning.
You can slice a lemon in half, add a teaspoon of honey and rub it over your face to tone and remove blackheads. You can also use it to lighten hair, to jazz up your water throughout the day or in DIY skincare recipes.
What are some of your favorite natural beauty solutions and bathroom staples?
