Yes, it really is that time of year again when the school bell rings and class is back in session, (whether we like it or not!) Summer is coming to a close and with it, the last lustre of vacation days is coming to an end as the days grow shorter.
Whether you’re hitting the books or helping your kids get to school on time, looking and feeling your best is as important now as ever. And so is keeping your home dirt and bacteria-free!
There are so many products out there to help cleanse and soothe, but let’s face it, most of the items available on store shelves can often do just as much harm to your skin and the environment as they do good. From chemicals that pollute the air and oceans, to unsustainable packaging and even products that are still tested on animals. There are just so many regular, big brand name products that aren’t planning for the long road ahead. But that doesn’t mean you can’t!
While you can’t change the world in one day, every bit of effort counts. As Margaret Meade famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”
By putting in a conscious effort, these products are slowly, but surely, starting a shift in the beauty industry, towards a more greener (and cleaner) planet. Check out the best non-toxic back-to-school soaps, salves, and soothing solutions for the deepest clean, both inside and out.
It’s That Time of Year
Gaia Bare Care: Gritty Goddess Exfoliant Bar — $12 USD
Getting back to the books can be exciting but, let’s face it, it can also be stressful! When all those due dates start adding, keeping your skin healthy and glowing can take a bit of extra love and care. The Gritty Goddess Exfoliant Bar by Gaia Bare Care gets at the root of dry, itchy skin with its specially curated essential oil blend. Handcrafted from 100% natural ingredients, this non-irritating soap will leave your skin feeling refreshed and revitalized. Use it regularly to keep skin soft and supple, and ingrown hairs at bay!
Crystal Hill Organics: Crystal Dreams Bath Salts — $30 USD
Sometimes you just need to take a moment, (or 2 or 5), for yourself. While you do, indulge in these calmingly delicious bath salts by Crystal Hill Organics. Made with crushed amethyst crystals, sea salt, lavender, chamomile, rose petals, and select organic essential oils, why not let this beautiful concoction lull you to a deeper sleep before bedtime? This mixture is specially formulated to induce relaxation and inner calm.
Force of Nature: Force of Nature Extra Value Bundle — $94 USD
It’s always a great idea to buy in bulk and save! The same is true with this Force of Nature value bundle. This powerful all-purpose cleaner can be used throughout your home to clean up kitchen spills, bathroom grime, and more. Proven effective at killing up to 99.9% of germs, this kit comes with a reusable spray bottle, 25 Activator Capsules full of Force of Nature’s lab-tested EPA registered disinfectant and sanitizer, a power cord, and an electrolyzer appliance. You’re now ready to clean and freshen your home naturally and without unneeded toxins. It’s really that simple.
Eyetitude: Refresh my EyeZ MaZk Kit — $24.99 USD
This amazing eye care kit comes with 5 eye masks to help reduce dry skin, the appearance of fine lines, and poor circulation. Revitalize after a long day and rejuvenate your skin exactly where you need to. This kit includes collagen masks with the following active ingredients: 24k gold, Vitamins A, C, and E, green tea, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Make dark circles a thing of the past while reducing tension and inflammation.
Class is Back in Session
Branch Basics: Premium Starter Kit — $75 USD
Keep your family healthy and your home clean with non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning supplies. Branch Basic’s products are fragrance-free, safe for pets, and environmentally friendly! This ultimate eco-friendly cleaning solution kit comes with reusable plastic bottles, a concentrated all-purpose cleaning solution, and Oxygen Boost, a product that pairs with the concentrate to tackle laundry stains and hard-to-clean grout. This kit is an ideal way to approach greening-and cleaning- your home, one step at a time.
Gaia Bare Care: Epilixir Ingrown Oil — $28 USD
Are in-grown hairs causing you painful bumps and razor burn? Just as you think there’s nothing you can do, Gaia Bare Care has the solution for you! This specially formulated oil can help you remove unwanted dead skin for smooth post-shaving results. Nourish your skin with vanilla-infused almond oil, all while reducing inflammation. Perfect for both men and women, you can now prevent dryness and the development of ingrown hairs, with the added skin soothing benefits. This product is ideal for both beard conditioning and post-laser treatment.
Codex Beauty: Shaant Balancing Foaming Cleanser — $25 USD
Keep your skin clean and fresh with this oil-free foaming wash that reduces the oil on your skin without stripping it completely. This product is both non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic, meaning it won’t block your pores and isn’t likely to cause any acne. Get that clean feeling without all the fuss.
Mad Hippie: Sheer Tint Sun Serum — $22.99 USD
Tired of the same old sunscreen? Are you looking for something with more natural ingredients you can trust? This sun serum is made with zinc and has an effective SPF of 29. The ultimate plus is, it doesn’t contain UV absorbers which are proven endocrine disruptors that harm the environment. Mad Hippie’s sunscreen contains no parabens, dyes, fragrances, benzene, SLS, silicone, petrochemicals, or phthalates. Yes, you only get the good stuff. You can protect your skin and your health, along with the environment with this unrivalled product.
New Class, Fresh Faces
Juice Beauty: Blemish Clearing Cleanser — $28 USD
Clear your skin and detoxify with this rich blemish cleanser from Juice Beauty. This product is made with enticingly organic aloe, cherry, and lemon juices. Certified Organic and complete with sustainable packaging made from recycled North American plastics and plant-based ink, this product is an eco-friendly treasure.
Massage this cleanser into your skin twice a day, morning and night. For a true, deep clean, place a hot washcloth over your face to open your pores and then apply the cleanser.
Zatik Naturals: Solar Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 — $24 USD
Are you searching for a better sunscreen that’s chemical-free? This mineral-based skin protection is made with USDA Certified Organic Ingredients and is ideal for all skin types and ages. This reef-safe zinc sunscreen provides users with SPF 30 skin protection, infused with soothing organic botanicals. This product covers all needed bases: it’s hypoallergenic, unscented, water resistant, biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals. Treat your skin and the environment at the same time!
Eyetitude: RevitaleyeZ 4in1 Facial Wipes — $15.99 USD
These 4-in-1 wipes are gentle enough to be used on very sensitive skin such as that around your eye area but strong enough to actually get the job done. It’s the best pairing possible. This means you can use this product to clean make-up in just seconds with excellent results. Beautifully scented with natural lavender, this product will moisturize and protect while cleansing.
EVOLVh: Better Roots System — $145 USD
Is your hair lacking lustre and losing its vitality? You can help prevent further damage by getting at the “root” of the issue. Extend the longevity of your hair and retain youthful-looking hair with this holistic preventive system from EVOLVh. This kit consists of two topical serums to strengthen and improve shine, as well as a supplement to support healthy hair growth. This is a super treatment if you’re experiencing damage and breakage from over-styling or colouring your hair. Revitalize, prevent inflammation, and nourish your hair cycle while promoting a healthy scalp.
Shine On
Gaia Bare Care: Grit Rid of It Exfoliant Bar — $12 USD
Exfoliate and find a new you with this handcrafted exfoliator bar from Gaia Bare Care. Non-irritating and effective, this 100% natural soap can help remove and prevent dry skin as well as deal with those pesky painful bumps caused by ingrown hairs. Let your goddess glow! Entirely “Made in the USA,” when you buy from Gaia Bare Care, you’re not only supporting your own good health but the homegrown small business economy. Not available in big-chain drug stores, this soap contains no harsh chemicals and moisturizes without feeling greasy.
Juice Beauty: Blemish Clearing Serum — — $32 USD
Who knew natural ingredients could be so powerful? This skin soother can help you reduce your breakouts and unclog your pores with willow bark, salicylic acid, vitamin C, CoQ10, and delectable organic fruit acids. Complete with Certified Organic ingredients and sustainable packaging, this product shines. Small but mighty, this serum packs a punch. Apply to problem areas, your entire face, as well as any blemish spots on your body that need attention.
100% PURE: Tomato Lycopene SPF 20 Moisturizer — $38 USD
Moisturize your skin while protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays at the same time. This product contains lycopene, an effective antioxidant derived from tomatoes. It’s also full of coconut and sunflower oils, as well as olive squalane, with a unique and original formulation. Designed to comfort your skin while protecting it from the damage caused by environmental toxins like sun, smog, and pollution, this serum should be reapplied every 80 minutes if you’re swimming or sweating up a storm.
The Golden Secrets: Instant Glow Facial Mask — $60 USD
Facial masks are an excellent way to reset your skin and improve its overall look and tone. Add cucumbers for the ultimate results! When used 2 to 3 times weekly this product reap great results! The overall goal is softer skin with a more even tone and improved elasticity and this one delivers. As a facial mask that helps smooth wrinkles and brightens when used over time, this is the ultimate solution. This mask can even help target hyperpigmentation and dark age spots with key ingredients like raw cocoa, MSM, vegan DMAE/OptiMSM, sea clay, vitamin C, rose clay, and aloe vera.
Bio-First: Self Heal’ Salve — $25 USD
This salve is your go-to multi-purpose healing solution to help your skin get over minor mishaps. Winner of the 2022 LUXlife Health, Beauty, and Wellness awards as the Most Innovative Non-Toxic Skincare Brand NSW, Bio-first is a leading provider of natural skin care solutions. Apply liberally to small burns, bites, stings, and itches. This isn’t to be used as a substitution for medical care but it can help soothe and calm your skin, helping it repair itself. This product is full of natural ingredients such as frankincense, coconut oil, milk thistle seed oil, aloe vera, menthol, and more.
Greet the new school year with zest and keep your home, skin, and hair looking its best!
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Your Back-to-School Guide to Non-Toxic Must-Haves for Skin, Hair, and Home was originally published in Think Dirty on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.