Healthy Skincare and Hair – My “Better-Aging” Journey- (Part 9)

Did you know that skin is your largest organ? What you put on our skin can impact your health in profound ways. Let’s explore healthy skincare and hair care and learn about the pervasive presence of “forever chemicals” like PFAS, found in everyday products. From the surprising sources of natural sun protection to the truth about store-bought deodorants, we’ll deep-dive into all aspects of skincare with a focus on well-being.

But the journey doesn’t stop there – we’ll also unlock the secrets of maintaining luscious locks, exploring natural alternatives, organic shampoos, and the rejuvenating and surprising power of Castor oil.

Are you ready to embrace a holistic approach to aging well?

Forever Chemicals Do Not Promote Healthy Skincare and Hair

We should remember that any products we put on our skin get absorbed quickly and can affect us significantly. If you’ve never heard the term “forever chemicals,” you should research it immediately. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a widely used class of chemicals; the larger term is PFCS (perfluorochemicals). Since first being introduced and used in the 1940’s, today, over-the-counter products are chock full of these “forever chemicals.” There are over 12,000 forms in existence now. They’re used across practically every industry and in almost all commercial products.

Their problem is twofold. One, they basically last forever, hence the nickname “forever chemicals.” Their strong chemical bonds can take thousands of years to break down. Two, these chemicals have been so heavily used in the world’s industries that they are everywhere, so it’s impossible to get away from them. We’re breathing, eating, drinking, wearing, cleaning, and even purposefully using them on our bodies. It seems unbelievable, but now research has even found these harmful chemicals in babies in utero! And since they degrade so slowly, they are essentially accumulating permanently in the human body, which only has a lifetime expectancy of 70-100 years. “Forever chemicals” are wreaking havoc on our hormones and organs and are no doubt the “unknown” cause of many ill effects on our health.

This is one reason I began making some of my own products. I am limiting my use of these forever chemicals. As you know, I’m on a “better-aging” journey, and although I’m no pro, I’m learning and sharing with you, little by little as I go.

Unlocking the Secrets of Healthy Skincare

Use Sunscreen for Healthy Skincare

I discussed the need to get outdoors in a previous article about supplements. Sunlight is beneficial for many reasons, from increasing our energy and mood to lowering blood pressure and inflammation and preventing cancer. It is crucial, specifically at three main times of the day. Early morning sunlight (directly into the naked eye) and late evening sunlight (sunset) are essential for setting our circadian rhythms. Direct noonday skin exposure is best to help our bodies make more Vitamin D.

You must uncover your eyes to receive the maximum health benefits, and you don’t need to worry about getting burned in the early mornings and evenings. Remove your glasses or sunglasses and walk in the sunlight at that time every day, or eat breakfast/dinner outside- facing the sun. It’s that simple. Although we need short exposures to the noonday sun, prolonged, direct-skin exposure at that time can burn our skin and cause damage. So, even then, I use sunscreen for shielding small, sensitive areas of my face. It’s not helpful that many sunscreens only provide UVB protection, leaving off important UVA protection. This omission leaves us completely unaware of the damage done by prolonged UVA exposure. If you buy sunscreen, look for “broad spectrum” protection, meaning- protection from both UVA and UVB.

Have you ever tried to read the ingredients on a sunscreen bottle? If you have, you’ve seen exactly every chemical-laden ingredient we must avoid to stay healthy longer.

Make Your Own Healthy Sunscreen

Using a healthier, less toxic sunscreen is so much of a concern. I recently made a sunscreen bar using Dr Berg’s recipe. There are only a few ingredients, which I found online. I modified it by adding ½ Tbsp Vitamin E Oil and 2 Tbsp Red Raspberry Seed Oil. It was simply a matter of melting some ingredients, stirring in the powdered ones, and pouring the liquid into molds. The recipe made several bars, which easily popped out of the form when cooled (I used a plastic mold I already had).

In September, we headed to the beach for vacation, and I grabbed one of those bars, excited to see if it would actually work! I was worried it might melt in the extreme heat inside a baggie, so I kept it in a small insulated container in my beach bag. It didn’t melt at all! And it worked great! To use it, I just rubbed the bar across my skin, and it glided right on. Next time, I think I’ll pour it into those roll-up containers, like the ones used for deodorant.

Healthy Sunscreens You Can Buy

If you are concerned too but don’t want to make your own sunscreen, you can find some safe options to buy. The “Environmental Working Group” at EWG.org is an informative website to frequent; you might even join their email list like I did to get news and articles. When I subscribed to their email list, they emailed me a free label guide called “How to Decode a Sunscreen Label.” There is much more to learn, but that label guide breaks it down easily; you should definitely read it.

Also, their EWG Sunscreen Guide has a search engine for commercial brands. It also shows EWG-approved brands and even where you can purchase those brands. The “EWG Verified” label confirms that the product has been evaluated, is healthy, effective, and provides protection from UVA and UVB. Their rating system is outstanding and will teach you a good bit of information.

Another helpful site is Skinsafe Products, and is especially geared for people with sensitive skin who want to know exactly what ingredients are in their products. Built in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic, you can use your SFM (Safe for ME) code (from your physician) to help you search, or if you don’t have a number, just answer a few questions about your skin type and issues, if any. All categories of skin products are listed for perusal. Their rating system is excellent and very useful. The higher the number is to 100, the better the product is for sensitive skin. It also includes research on specific ingredients, age appropriateness, skin condition specifics, etc.

Use Familiar Oils for a Natural Healthy Sunscreen

Did you know that many familiar oils can give you natural sun protection? Me either!

“Even like Olive oil that I cook with?” you ask. Yes!

Many oils serve as natural sunscreens. Red Raspberry Seed oil has the highest broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sun protection factor (SPF) of 28-50! I had just learned about this when I started looking into all the chemicals in regular sunscreens and recipes to make my own. Other common oils with protection are Avocado (SPF 4-15) and Olive or Coconut oil (SPF 2-8). By the way, the SPF of Carrot Seed oil is debatable. Some argue its effectiveness is in the 38-40 range, while others say it does NOT have any proven SPF.

I am considering making a DIY All Natural Sunscreen Recipe – Our Oily House for the next batch. Laura has a lot of information on the topic, along with do’s and don’ts. Her version is water-resistant because she makes it with beeswax. It has a mineral SPF of 20. If you don’t use plastic but a glass jar instead, you can add essential oils to make it smell nice. However, as a word of caution, don’t use “citrus” essential oils since that can make you burn worse in the sun.

Lotions for Healthy Skincare

The last body lotion I purchased was by Avalon Organics- Nourishing Lavender, Hand & Body Lotion. I love this lotion! Made with organic ingredients, it is non-GMO; it’s also free from parabens and sulfates, preservatives, coloring, fragrance, and phthalates. But there are still some chemicals mixed in there, too. When I run out, I may try this: All Natural Moisturizer that Sophie Uliano demonstrated (on The Home & Family Show). Sophie is an author and certified nutritionist; her YouTube channel is Gorgeously Green. She presented several natural recipes on that TV segment. Besides her versions, there are many other DIY lotion recipes, too.

Deodorant, Perfume, and Body Spray

Deodorants, perfumes, and body sprays are also laden with chemicals. Always read the ingredients list and check for the broad term “fragrance.” Avoid added Fragrance because of its use of any number of undisclosed ingredients. Not only do they pose a risk of allergic reactions, but more significant is the possibility of the use of hormone-disrupting phthalates.

In another TV segment on The Home & Family Show, Sophie gave two recipes for deodorants and one for a natural body spray. Try all 3 of the recipes from that show. Remember to purchase high-quality and organic versions of each ingredient whenever possible. The effort takes more time, but the search effort is worth it. After all, you’re making your own products solely to be more naturally healthy and use fewer chemicals… so stay diligent in the search process.

Deodorant for Healthy Skincare

In July 2022 and again in September, I made my own version of deodorant, modified from Our Oily House. I have to tell you – it works great! I made mine free of baking soda because I kept hearing how baking soda can cause underarm skin irritation. I feel so much better knowing I’m not putting aluminum and other forever chemicals near my breasts and lymph nodes day after day anymore. I can experiment at any time to get the perfect recipe for my skin.

Be aware of the “smelly” transition when switching to aluminum-free deodorant! I’m not kidding. Your armpits will have to adjust, and as they do, you will start to smell the odor your body actually emits! At first, I was shocked. I had always thought that I hardly ever sweated and had no armpit odor whenever I did. What a joke!

What was happening was that the aluminum & other chemicals in my deodorant had been blocking my body’s natural ability to detox. However, our bodies NEED to perspire; God made each system to detox and work in tandem to keep us healthy. He is so perfect, and everything He created was made to work perfectly. By using chemical deodorants, I had been blocking my own body from detoxing itself – from doing what God made it to do. I had no idea. Did you? Once I learned how completely unnatural and unhealthy store-bought deodorant was (especially those with aluminum), I decided to make the switch. And I’m so glad I did it! Now, it’s time for my third batch.

At about this same time, I started lymph massages to help my body detox. I wrote previously about this if you want to hear a little about it.

If homemade deodorant seems too expensive, remember it really lasts. My batches last about 2 ½ months, so you won’t need to make the recipe often. Plus, when you need more, you’ll already have the ingredients to whip up a new batch quickly.

If you want to buy a healthier deodorant version, try The People’s Pharmacy, MoM Roll-on Deodorant. The MoM part stands for Milk of Magnesia! It worked great once I had detoxed from using regular deodorant and antiperspirants (about a 2-week process). If I’m out of my homemade deodorant, with no time to make any, I fall back on this version. I can rest easy knowing no aluminum or other harsh chemicals are in it.

Perfume and Body Spray for Healthy Skincare

I’ve tried a few recipes, but nothing that I like. So lately, I have just been skipping perfume altogether, and that’s what I’ll do until I find a good solution. Another one to try is Homemade Perfume Recipe with Essential Oils – Bumblebee Apothecary. Making your own would save a lot of money and help you go chemical-free, to boot, so I hope you might decide to give it a try.

If not, look into these fragrances rated at Safeskin Products.

Bathtime Routines for Healthy Skincare

I love taking Epsom salt baths to relax and help remove toxins. Scents from Bergamot or Sweet Orange essential oils are my absolute favorite; they’re such an uplifting aroma that they immediately improve my mood. Lavender is a super close second and is great for a long, relaxing moment before bedtime. Be careful; too much will burn your skin; with essential oils, you only need a little. For a cost-effective bath, try Walmart’s plain, unscented Equate Epsom Salt brand in the 8 lb bag for less than $7 (at the time of this writing). There are no extra ingredients in this version. Equate Epsom Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, 128oz (8lb), Scent Free – Walmart.com.

Other Skin Care Routines

Have you ever tried a hand and body salt scrub or sugar scrub? The sugar and oils leave you feeling oh-so-pampered. Besides salt or sugar scrubs, there are plenty of other kinds of scrubs. When writing this article, I found coffee, oatmeal, yogurt, manuka honey, and even turmeric scrubs- plus many more. I do not know how well all of those types work, but I love a good salt or sugar scrub. Exfoliating dead skin cells and then replenishing them with oils leaves your skin looking more youthful. As I did, you can usually find homemade versions of these at specialty shops everywhere or save money and make your own with quality ingredients. There are lots of recipes available; Stylecraze.com has several. Just be careful to buy quality organic or non-GMO ingredients. Hand and body scrubs make thoughtful gifts, too.

Use the Right Laundry Detergent for Healthy Skincare

I have enjoyed making powdered laundry detergent to cut back on chemicals. With the laundry-boosting power in this recipe, you should notice that, over time, the wax buildup on your towels and clothes will go away. My last batch lasted five months; I even gave some to my daughter. The recipe below fits in my laundry detergent container with some leftovers, which I keep in a small, separate container. You could make larger batches and store them in 5-gallon buckets if you wanted to. This recipe is very affordable, and because it takes so little, it lasts a long time.

This detergent is low suds, too. Here is my recipe, but you can tweak it as you want. Have fun making your first batch!

A Healthy Laundry Detergent Recipe

In a large plastic box, mix equal parts:

20 Mule Team Borax, 4 lb
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, 4 lb
Foca Laundry Detergent, 4 lb (or about half of a 10 lb bag bag)

Also, add in:

16 oz containers of Oxiclean Laundry Booster, 2-3 (Dollar Tree sells a great version)

There is a perfect-sized scoop that I use (about 2 tablespoons)

in every container of Dollar Tree’s version of the Oxiclean.

Optional Add-in:

10 oz containers *Fragrance Booster, 1-4 (Dollar Tree sells these too)

Blend well and store in containers.

Directions for use:

Small loads: 1 scoop (2 tablespoons or ⅛ cup)

Regular or Large loads: 2 scoops (4 tablespoons or ¼ cup)

Extra large (or especially greasier loads): 3-4 scoops (6-8 tablespoons or ⅓ -¼ cup)

FYI- I have also found adding a cup of white vinegar to the washing machine for super greasy clothes (like my son’s Chick-fil-A cook’s uniform) helps, too, so- why not?

Tips:

*Be sure the container you use for mixing doesn’t have seams (in other words, cardboard boxes don’t work great for this task). The powder will get into every crack and could seep in mixing. You can use a strong bag if the ingredients are loose and fresh (without clumps). I bought a plastic storage bin to set aside just for this purpose.

*Unless you’re blending it in a bag, you’ll want something strong and stiff to mix it- perhaps a metal spatula or something similar.

*If the ingredients have gotten hard in their boxes, the clumps WILL pose a big problem because we need loose powder- especially for our tiny scoops- so you must break up the clumps. The trick is to break up the powder- BEFORE you open the box. I literally stood on mine, one little section at a time, letting gravity and the weight of my body do the hard work. Do as much of this as possible without accidentally tearing open the cardboard box. This helped so much with one of my hardened boxes. Just remember NOT to open them first, or you’ll have missed your chance to do it the easy way and will have to do it the hard way… clump by clump, which can take a lot of time. Believe me, it is a REAL headache to find and then crumble tons of hard chunks in a box full of soft powder. Ugh.

*Buy a small, sturdy plastic or glass container for the batch you keep in the laundry room. Something functional but attractive if possible. I love my plastic one because you just push the lid, and it pops off; no prying off plastic lids or lining up seals and metal hooks on glass jars, etc. And the little scoop sits right on top of the powder, never getting lost or in the way. You can store the extra detergent in a bag or a box unless you make the larger batches; in that case, five-gallon buckets work great.

The Secrets of Natural, Healthy Hair Care

Unfortunately, I’ve never had thick, luscious hair, so as I started aging, I decided I’d better ensure I didn’t start losing what I have! I used Shapiro specialty hair growth drops, shampoo, and conditioner for a year or so. Eventually, I decided to switch to healthier, natural products, and now I use an organic shampoo and conditioner made with herbs that are particularly helpful for fuller, thicker hair. My hair is longer than it’s been since elementary school, so it’s working! The brand is Pura D’or shampoo and conditioner, and it has tons of natural plant ingredients (one day, I’ll be brave enough to try a DIY natural version). If a few chemicals don’t bother you, give it a try.

Castor Oil for Healthy Hair?

My eyebrows are definitely thinning, so I discovered Castor oil in my search for natural remedies and recently made the switch. Castor oil has gotten great reviews for eyebrows, eyelashes, hair, and many more uses. As I did, you might remember your grandparents’ talk of using Castor oil frequently, but all the uses and the “why’s” seem to have slipped past my generation. To re-educate us on the many benefits of Castor oil, watch this Dr Janine Browring video or even this second video, where the presenter used it for 30 days and had amazing results. Even if all the ideas don’t work for you, if you get just one benefit from trying it, you’ll be glad you gave it a shot. I also suggest reading the comments for more ideas, testimonies, and honest reviews. I especially gained a lot of insight from that second video’s Comments section.

The castor oil brand I bought at first is Cliganic. I bought it before I saw the videos above. It has a helpful kit that comes with the oil, a little funnel, and two tubes- one with a mascara-type wand and one with a thin brush wand. In a few months, I’ll let you know how it works for me; so far, I like it. There is an organic Rosemary oil for hair growth version to try, too. I bought it for my husband, Dennis, for his thinning hair. One of the castor oil brands recommended in the second video is The Goodbye Company. Another strongly recommended by one of her followers is Rejuva Naturals; that customer even uses it in her eyes.

Lastly, for an extra hair growth boost, you could even add in some essential oils to your castor oil- like lavender, tea tree, rosemary, peppermint, cedarwood, or frankincense- these oil suggestions are from an Our Oily House recipe.

To learn more options for essential oils to regrow hair, read this article from Healthline: 9 Essential Oils for Hair Growth & Health.

A Radiant Future for Your Healthy Skincare and Hair

In this step of the journey towards better aging, we have examined the truths of healthy skincare and haircare. We discovered the hidden dangers of “forever chemicals” and embraced natural alternatives, such as making your own sunscreen, laundry detergent and deodorant.

We also discussed the transformative properties of Castor oil and organic solutions for natural, healthy hair care. This journey is a testament to the power of informed choices, DIY practices, and conscious product selections. Let’s continue on our journey to better aging where radiant skin and luscious hair are not just aspirations but realities as we invest in ourselves.

Healthy Skincare and Hair – My “Better-Aging” Journey- (Part 9)

Forever Chemicals Do Not Promote Healthy Skincare and Hair