Is your shampoo packing on the pounds?
The Problem:
Listed below are just a few of the dangerous ingredients in most hair and body care products. It is important to not put anything on your skin that is not safe to eat because the it goes right into our blood stream. It is possible to absorb more toxins through the skin than if you eat something because these products bypass the liver. There is little government oversight over these chemicals so it is up to us to protect and educate ourselves.
Phalates: Are toxic endocrine disruptor’s that suppress our own fat regulating hormones.
BPA: Can mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen which signals the body to store fat.
Parabens: Can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male breast growth.
Gluten: If you are gluten sensitive you could be having an inflammatory reaction to these chemicals which can cause you to bloat up (others develop rashes, acne or have headaches).
The Solution: Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Even non-toxic and organic personal care products can be full of questionable compounds so when I heard that you could wash your hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar I was intrigued. This also peaked my interest because I am a thrifty bargain shopper. My friends in college even used to call me cost-cutter Caitlin.
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| Miracle ACV!!! |
My initial concern/questions about this method:
Concern: I love suds and I can not imagine washing my hair without copious suds.
Answer: No there are no suds but maybe all those suds are washing out natural oils that your body makes to keep your skin looking good. Maybe our hair has what it needs in it already and does not need a million chemicals to look clean and shiny.
Concern: Does baking soda actually clean hair?
Answer: It really does get grease out and has a nice exfoliating feeling.
Concern: Does Apple Cider Vinegar stink?
Answer: Yes, it does smell slightly but you only have to use a little and it washes out easily. It does not smell once you dry it.
Concern: How can apple cider vinegar condition my hair?
Answer: I have no idea but it does. It must seal the hair in some way. I also read that ACV balances the Ph of your hair.
Concern: Do I need a leave in conditioner?
Answer: I am someone who needs conditioner and a leave in conditioner or I can not even get a brush through my mop. When I use the apple cider vinegar I can run a brush through it right away with no effort. It really surprised me how manageable my long and thick hair was after this routine.
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| Me After a Toxin Free Hair Washing Session |
How to Wash your Hair with ACV and Baking Soda:
If you are like me you dive in and figure out the details later. Maybe you can find a different way but this is what worked well for me.
2. Add about two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to your wet hair, while avoiding the roots. They will get greasy (believe it or not) if you get ACV close to the scalp. Thoroughly rinse out to get rid of the smell. You can also dilute it into a spray bottle for ease of use and avoiding using too much.
3. You will be amazed that you can easily brush your hair right out of the shower. No need for leave in conditioner, but I still like it.
4. Style as usual. I found that there were less frizzy fly-aways and my hair stayed cleaner longer in between washing.
If this is a little too hippie dippie for you there are a few products I like that are chemical free/ Gluten free. You can wash your hair with them without joining a commune.
Get some good toxin free products here:
Dr Bonner’s Hair/body shampoo
Dr Bonner’s Orange conditioner
Dr Bonner’s Leave In
By the way I do not use deodorant or lotion anymore either. I am saving a ton of money! I just use the best coconut oil . I will write more on this topic and ways to avoid heavy metals in deodorants in the future.
Sources:
mercola.com
CavegirlEats.com
This is very interesting information. I have been doing some experimenting and researching myself with the products I use on my hair and skin. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, a couple of thoughts. First, even Arm & Hammer baking soda is aluminum free (the worry is with baking POWDER). So that's not much of a hurdle for people who are considering cost & convenience. Second, as someone who couldn't quite handle a baking soda wash (too drying on my scalp, I tried and tried) I have another recommendation – superfatted shampoo bars. That's right, soap! I really like the ones I've bought from HennaSooq.com – lovely, handmade soaps designed for hair. I always follow up with an acidic rinse (usually ACV) and my hair looks fabulous, and no more dry scalp. There are no sulfates, parabens — any of that. It's a really nice alternative.
I'm glad I tried this and will definitely continue to wash my hair this way. Baking soda and ACV did a great job cleaning my hair, and it was so easy to comb after I washed it. Thanks for sharing!
Like Ann said: baking sodas don't have aluminum, never have. It's baking powder. Bob's is banking on the rumor by putting "aluminum free" on his box of baking soda.
I put about a quarter cup of baking soda in a plastic container that I keep in the bathroom, then add shower water and mix that, then pour on my head and rub, rub, rub. You have to rub until your hair feels smooth, until the baking soda is completely dissolved, otherwise it leaves my hair feeling stiff. Clean but stiff. Then rinse completely.
I also use coconut oil for deodorant, then pat a bit of baking soda on as well. I have to pat away any excess b.s. with my towel or else it will bleach out my clothes.