Some not-so-breaking news: Natural beauty is here to stay. And for that, we can thank all the beautiful, natural formulas that are a) super effective and b) easier than ever to find, unlike most of their predecessors. Chances are that, by now, you even know the drill when it comes to building a natural beauty routine: Check the ingredient lists, recycle those #empties, and avoid questionable additives like “fragrance,” which serves as a catch-all for potentially more toxic ingredients (including phthalates). Really, there’s no reason not to go natural in your beauty routine.
These sort of no-brainer choices don't have to stop at your beauty stash, though — and nor should they. Because even if you’re a full-on Earth goddess who only uses sustainably-sourced moisturizers and swears by her jade roller, there are plenty of other small, surprising ways you can make your life cleaner and more eco-friendly well beyond your beauty routine. (Plus, you might even rack up some good karma points while you’re at it — cha-ching!) So we’ve collaborated with SheaMoisture to bring you smart, creative ways to be a little more natural this spring. Between opting for gentle botanicals, trying natural ingredients, and testing out clever hacks, it’s never been easier. And the best perk of all? Peace of mind.
1. Scrub Up Without Harsh Cleansers
Whether you go one day or one week without washing your hair, it's important to give your scalp a through scrub periodically. But some clarifying shampoos can leave hair stripped and dry with harsh detergents. Enter SheaMoisture African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo, which deep-cleans gently (gently!) with tea tree oil and willow bark extract.
2. Clean With Castile Soap
If there was ever a household MVP, it's castile soap. It works as a laundry detergent, body wash, window cleaner, and beyond — you name it, and this stuff can probably clean it. Not only is it botanically-derived, but it's also biodegradable and therefore better for the planet than most multipurpose cleaners.
3. Catch Zs With Hypnosis
While an over-the-counter sleep aid might be your usual when you have trouble nodding off (especially if you've taken a red-eye or are experiencing jet lag), you don't exactly always wake up feeling refreshed. Instead, try sleep hypnosis, which can lull you to sleep naturally. Thanks to modern technology, you won't even need a hypnotherapist to try it: Just queue up a hypnosis video on YouTube. Sweet dreams!
4. Just Add Salt
Epsom salt, that is. A hot, soothing bath infused with Epsom bath salts may actually work as a natural pain reliever for cramps, random aches, and beyond. Think of it as a full-body heating pad. Plus, you get to enjoy softer-than-ever skin and a sense of calm despite the 500 emails waiting in your inbox.
5. Treat With A Tea Bag
Did you treat a mosquito to dinner? Is your skin just irritated and itchy? Drop your typical anti-itch lotion and swap it out for a green tea bag. Seriously. If you dampen the tea bag and pop it in the fridge for a few minutes before applying it to the offending area, the green tea compounds will calm the inflammation, and the cooling sensation will distract you from the itch. The sooner you stop scratching, the faster the area can heal — so it's a win-win for your skin.
6. Go Back to Basics
Ingredient lists can be long and indecipherable, but quality counts more than quantity, especially when it comes to your beauty products. Swap out your complicated, tricked-out whatever for a natural bar soap like SheaMoisture African Black Soap Bar Soap. It's infused with oats, aloe, and palm ash to gently treat blemishes and breakouts. You can also try a natural face mask that'll deeply clean the skin minus the harmful chemicals. SheaMoisture's African Black Soap Clarifying Mud Mask will draw out dirt without making your face feel tight or causing it to break out more.
7. Take Time For A Twist
A yoga pose or two can ease muscle and joint pain, minimize bloating, and just serve as a much-needed breather during a hectic day. Instead of decompressing with yet another TV binge, do a deep stretch to help you feel good both physically and mentally.
This post is sponsored by SheaMoisture.
