I’m ditching products that are riddled with chemicals and processed ingredients. For the sake of my health, I want to live as organically and cleanly as possible. Ever since I began this journey into minimalism, I’ve grown greatly interested in gaining the most results I want in the simplest and cleanest way possible. This is why I’m focusing on ways to reduce chemical products at home.
Flip over a normal shampoo or skincare product, and you’ll be surprised by the number of ingredients in it that you’ve probably never heard of.
I’m done with crappy cleaning products, skincare products, and pesticide-ridden food.
So, I’ve been looking at ways to replace traditional products and items in my home with natural alternatives.
Related article: Why I’m choosing to become a minimalist
How To Reduce Chemical Products At Home
1. Castillo soap and vegan shampoo
I’ve had psoriasis for over 10 years now, and although it’s an immune system condition, soaps and other products can have an effect on it.
I was recommended by my doctor to reduce the use of soaps with fragrances and other chemicals to prevent the aggravation of my condition.
Since it’s a skin condition, I chose to purchase castile soap that is generally devoid of many ingredients.
I also switched to a vegan shampoo that barely has more than a handful of ingredients.
Honestly, I’ve had no issues with this change. I’ve maintained my hair and managed my skin with these basic cleansing products.
Before I forget, I should also mention that I did some research and found tea tree oil to contain many antifungal and antibacterial properties.
So no matter which soap or shampoo I use, if it has tea tree oil in it, I feel confident that it can clean and protect my skin.
I hope to make my own soap and shampoo in the near future, but I don’t want to spend too much time on this.
2. All natural skin care products
Around 21 or 22, I developed severe adult acne that took a long time to resolve. Then, I had a second bout of it that eventually healed but damaged my skin.
It affected my self-esteem, and I really wanted to regain clear skin.
As much as some of the products on the market are effective and helpful, I’m just not comfortable with them.
My skin is super sensitive, and I’m looking for a long-term gentle solution.
That’s why I ditched most skincare products in exchange for all natural skin care.
Every good skincare plan consists of cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and protecting. To do this, I’ve searched for a list of natural products that can help me with each of these objectives, and the following works best for me:
Cleansing: Apple cider vinegar with water, bentonite clay, or cool green tea.
Exfoliating: Fresh lemon juice or powdered oats with coffee granules.
Moisturizing: Honey, aloe vera, shea butter, or rosehip seed oil.
Protecting: Organic coconut oil or a simple SPF sunscreen
It seems like a lot of stuff, but I honestly use whatever is available in my home at any given time.
I started making these changes about 6 months ago, and now I’m really starting to see some great results.
After speaking to a few people, I learned that natural skincare products tend to be effective over a long period of time.
Since my main objective is to adopt a more natural and minimalist approach to life, I didn’t expect immediate results from them, and that was a good thing because it taught me to be consistent and to have low expectations.
I like taking care of myself without accumulating side effects or toxins from all sorts of weird chemicals.
Even if the best results take a longer time to achieve, it’s okay because the pros outweigh the cons for me.
3. Buying wholefoods from local farmers
I’m not a doctor, so I can’t speak on the effects of processed foods, GMOs, pesticide-treated crops, and unnatural ingredients.
But I do live in my own body, and I know what makes me feel good and what makes me feel bad.
I’ve been diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, and my body hates to eat foods that aren’t clean and simple.
Going into the rest of my thirties, my objective is to replace what I used to eat with healthier and natural alternatives.
I used to be addicted to all sorts of milk chocolate, but now I’m switching to dark chocolate that is sweetened with coconut sugar or honey.
Similarly, I used to love sweet milk cheese, but now I’m switching to paneer, kefir, or coconut milk derivatives.
Rather than having soda, I drink a sweetened kombucha or water kefir packed with probiotics.
There’s a local farmer just 5 minutes away from my home. They’re not certified organic because it’s too costly for them to pay for the certification, but the owner vouches for his non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
They’re much cheaper and tastier than the vegetables and fruits I used to purchase.
4. Essential oils for perfume and air freshening
Let me tell you something, essential oils are pungent!
I got into them for relaxation purposes but my first use was a nightmare.
I used too many drops in my diffuser and it almost destroyed my nostrils (I’m being melodramatic).
But with the right amount, essential oils can be an effective and chemical free deodorant or air freshener.
My personal favorites are mint, lemon balm, vanilla, and lavender.
If you’re using it as a deodorant or perfume, use sparingly or mix it with a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond.
As an air freshener, drop 3–5 drops into a diffuser, or as much as needed.
Related article: How I make my bedroom smell good
5. Cleansing with green juices
Our bodies are able to cleanse themselves regularly, but that doesn’t mean there’s no benefit to freshly prepared green juices.
Green juices are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that fight oxidative stress and free radicals.
If you want to look and feel younger, you may benefit from the inclusion of green juices.
Here’s my favorite minimal green juice recipe:
- Celery
- Kale or spinach
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Apples or pineapples
You’ll need an apple or pineapple for sweetness. I don’t follow an exact amount for each ingredient.
To keep it simple, I use what I have on hand, but on average, 2 apples hit the sweet spot for me.
As a side note, I just want to touch on why I prefer juices over smoothies. I don’t need the added fiber because most of my meals contain fresh vegetables and fermented vegetables. Juicing greens tends to be softer and gentler on my digestive system.
6. Activated charcoal and bentonite clay for oral care
Apparently, both activated charcoal (made from burnt coconut) and bentonite clay have the ability to pull waste and toxins out of the body.
They also have a good amount of minerals that can be beneficial for teeth.
I’ve read anecdotal evidence about these products helping with cavities and discoloration of teeth.
Rather than constantly using fluoride on my teeth, I’m going to use these two products interchangeably throughout the week.
There are some fluoride-free toothpastes with these ingredients on the market. I may just try those since it would be convenient.
While I’m at it, I’m considering swapping out mouthwash for oil pulling.
That wraps up this article on ways to reduce chemical products at home. It does require a significant amount of effort to implement all these changes, but I’m invested in my wellness and lifestyle. Taking care of myself feels loving and rewarding to me, so I’m sure I’ll find joy in this process. I hope that I can inspire you to make some healthy changes as well.