I have been asked a few times now what products I use in our household that are safe for Mr.T so here goes. Obviously I know that we haven't combated Mr.T's outbreaks entirely but we now have a little boy who has skin on his body and just outbreaks on his face and hands whereas this time last year the only part not covered in sores was his bum.
Conditioner:
Here's a list of products I use and how, and also any useful links with them. I'll update this regularly whenever I change products or know more. Please note that we live in Ireland. I found a lot of suitable products listed online but a lot of US sites don't ship to Ireland, and if they do it's for extortionate prices so I've had to test a lot of products more locally or from Ireland at the risk of not knowing if they are safe. Please use your own common sense as every baby is different and has different allergies/intolerances. Mr.T can't tolerate argan oil, almond oil or shea butter which is in a lot of products, so we are a little more limited.
Also, please bear in mind I am not endorsing any products, this is simply a blog post of my own opinions and experiences. Although I am sharing the post of various social networking sites I am merely doing so to get the word out to help others. I am not being paid to promote any product or method. Common sense is needed in all cases. I am not a doctor, nor have I any medical qualifications so I cannot give any medical advice. This is just what works for us, and it might provide some ideas for you. :)
Also, please bear in mind I am not endorsing any products, this is simply a blog post of my own opinions and experiences. Although I am sharing the post of various social networking sites I am merely doing so to get the word out to help others. I am not being paid to promote any product or method. Common sense is needed in all cases. I am not a doctor, nor have I any medical qualifications so I cannot give any medical advice. This is just what works for us, and it might provide some ideas for you. :)
Shampoo:
- Dr. Bronners mild baby castille soap diluted with chamomile tea (for blond hair), but I found it quiet drying so stopped using that.
- Aldi & Lidl pure soap. NOT any other soap they have. I decided to try their bog standard pure soap as it's mainly tallow which is supposed to be more moisturising, but it seems to be too moisturising, and leaves residue behind making hair heavy and difficult to brush.
- Aphrodite Olive oil soap. I used to use this on my hair a lot, and still would if my current shampoo ran out. It seems to do a really good job. Takes a little getting used to to not have a massive lather when washing your hair, but it's worth not having all the chemicals and sulphates. I get it from the local health food shop.
- Sodium bicarbonate (Bread soda). I used this to wash my hair every once in a while just like described in this beautifully written article. The only problem was that again, it was quiet drying.
- At the moment I am trying Morrocco method shampoo, although it's expensive, I have finally found something that is gentle and great for my hair, and also safe for Mr. T. It's worth it if it means he's OK, and if I finally have hair that is easy to manage and not brittle or dandruffy. I'll keep this post updated as to how I get on :)
- Dr. Bronners mild baby castille soap diluted with chamomile tea (for blond hair), but I found it quiet drying so stopped using that.
- Aldi & Lidl pure soap. NOT any other soap they have. I decided to try their bog standard pure soap as it's mainly tallow which is supposed to be more moisturising, but it seems to be too moisturising, and leaves residue behind making hair heavy and difficult to brush.
- Aphrodite Olive oil soap. I used to use this on my hair a lot, and still would if my current shampoo ran out. It seems to do a really good job. Takes a little getting used to to not have a massive lather when washing your hair, but it's worth not having all the chemicals and sulphates. I get it from the local health food shop.
- Sodium bicarbonate (Bread soda). I used this to wash my hair every once in a while just like described in this beautifully written article. The only problem was that again, it was quiet drying.
- At the moment I am trying Morrocco method shampoo, although it's expensive, I have finally found something that is gentle and great for my hair, and also safe for Mr. T. It's worth it if it means he's OK, and if I finally have hair that is easy to manage and not brittle or dandruffy. I'll keep this post updated as to how I get on :)
Conditioner:
- Diluted organic apple cider vinegar, Braggs is what I used. I've stopped using this though as I realised it wouldn't be good for my mission of trying to lighten my hair naturally. Just spray it on after washing out the soap, and then rinse. Once it's dry it doesn't smell like vinegar, and makes hair nice and soft.
- Diluted distilled white vinegar, use this once every two weeks or so to condition light/blond hair. Use same as the apple cider vinegar above.
- Diluted distilled white vinegar, use this once every two weeks or so to condition light/blond hair. Use same as the apple cider vinegar above.
Hair lightening spray: (for blonds)
Apparently diluted distilled white vinegar, chamomile tea, rhubarb tea, and mullein tea all make your hair lighter if sprayed on after washing and not rinsed out. If you sit in the sun after it helps the process along faster. I wouldn't try the lemon juice that I've read online on some posts as it seems too corrosive for my own personal liking.
Apparently diluted distilled white vinegar, chamomile tea, rhubarb tea, and mullein tea all make your hair lighter if sprayed on after washing and not rinsed out. If you sit in the sun after it helps the process along faster. I wouldn't try the lemon juice that I've read online on some posts as it seems too corrosive for my own personal liking.
Hair darkening spray: (for darks)
Apparently rosemary essential oil in your shampoo darkens your hair, as does rosemary tea, and apple cider vinegar. I don't want to darken mine so I'm staying away from these.
Apparently rosemary essential oil in your shampoo darkens your hair, as does rosemary tea, and apple cider vinegar. I don't want to darken mine so I'm staying away from these.
Hair treatment:
Coconut oil. Every month I lather my hair in organic coconut oil and leave it in overnight. Takes a bit of effort to wash out with natural soap, but worth it.
Coconut oil. Every month I lather my hair in organic coconut oil and leave it in overnight. Takes a bit of effort to wash out with natural soap, but worth it.
Hair residue remover:
Sodium Bicarbonate (Bread soda). When my hair feels like it has residue build up, or just too heavy I wash it with this, a good few handfuls of bread soda rubbed into hair and then rinsed out. Works good :)
Sodium Bicarbonate (Bread soda). When my hair feels like it has residue build up, or just too heavy I wash it with this, a good few handfuls of bread soda rubbed into hair and then rinsed out. Works good :)
Body wash:
I use the Aldi or Lidl pure soap bar.
I use the Aldi or Lidl pure soap bar.
Body moisturiser:
Organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, or organic sunflower oil.
Organic olive oil, organic coconut oil, or organic sunflower oil.
Facial cleanser:
Beeswax cream I still have this left over from when I bought it for Mr. T and it works a treat. If I don't have that I would just use coconut oil. Just rub either into your face gently, in upward motions, and then rinse with warm water. I've heard people saying this is too oily for acne prone skin, but for my combination skin it seems fine.
Beeswax cream I still have this left over from when I bought it for Mr. T and it works a treat. If I don't have that I would just use coconut oil. Just rub either into your face gently, in upward motions, and then rinse with warm water. I've heard people saying this is too oily for acne prone skin, but for my combination skin it seems fine.
Facial toner:
I use chamomile tea or rose water. Gently rub all over face with cotton wipes in upward motions after cleansing. Voila!
I use chamomile tea or rose water. Gently rub all over face with cotton wipes in upward motions after cleansing. Voila!
Facial moisturiser:
I generally use rose hip oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. I have yet to find something non greasy for my face that Mr. T is ok with. Hence my fringe (bangs) always get greasy from my face, but oh well :) Please note, while I'm sure Lush is a natural alternative for some people, they still have sodium lauryl sulfates (detergent) in most of their products so I have deemed them unsafe in our household.
I generally use rose hip oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. I have yet to find something non greasy for my face that Mr. T is ok with. Hence my fringe (bangs) always get greasy from my face, but oh well :) Please note, while I'm sure Lush is a natural alternative for some people, they still have sodium lauryl sulfates (detergent) in most of their products so I have deemed them unsafe in our household.
Make up:
I've heard Dr. Hauschka products can sometimes be safe, but I always look at ingredients on my makeup, and if I don't recognise something now I won't get it. I have some make up products that I got in a sale from Samina Pure makeup, but I don't wear it very often, so I don't have much. I am looking into making my own, and recently bought activated charcoal to make my own mascara and eyeliner. I've also seen some recipes to make my own eyeshadow and blusher....looking forward to experimenting :)
I've heard Dr. Hauschka products can sometimes be safe, but I always look at ingredients on my makeup, and if I don't recognise something now I won't get it. I have some make up products that I got in a sale from Samina Pure makeup, but I don't wear it very often, so I don't have much. I am looking into making my own, and recently bought activated charcoal to make my own mascara and eyeliner. I've also seen some recipes to make my own eyeshadow and blusher....looking forward to experimenting :)
Nail varnish:
There's no such thing as natural nail varnish, but a girls gotta be girly sometimes so after lots of looking online I now get this one: Suncoat and I guess its as close as I can get to being non toxic. I generally only wear nail varnish when going out or having a confidence crisis :) I've heard of dying my nails with henna, but I don't want to do that as I don't want the 'stained' look, I want the glossy look. So far that's the best I've come up with.
There's no such thing as natural nail varnish, but a girls gotta be girly sometimes so after lots of looking online I now get this one: Suncoat and I guess its as close as I can get to being non toxic. I generally only wear nail varnish when going out or having a confidence crisis :) I've heard of dying my nails with henna, but I don't want to do that as I don't want the 'stained' look, I want the glossy look. So far that's the best I've come up with.
Laundry detergent:
Soap nuts. I order them in bulk from www.soapnuts.co.uk, and one bulk buy I bought in April last year is still only 50% used. Our washing machine is on for roughly 3 - 4 washes a day! Please note however, soap nuts make your clothes darker so for whites/lights I use Dr. Bronners liquid soap. Please note, Ecover claims to be natural. For starters the word 'natural' has no legal meaning, so anyone trying to promote a slightly less chemical product can call it natural. Ecover may not have as many chemicals in them as your average laundry or household detergent, but they still contain the main hazard for Mr.T's skin. Sodium lauryl sulfate - SLS, so this is also a non runner in our household. When I messaged them to say their products were sending the wrong message to customers they said SLS was tested,and results show it as harmless. I told them to come see Mr. T and see for themselves. He is one of many.
Soap nuts. I order them in bulk from www.soapnuts.co.uk, and one bulk buy I bought in April last year is still only 50% used. Our washing machine is on for roughly 3 - 4 washes a day! Please note however, soap nuts make your clothes darker so for whites/lights I use Dr. Bronners liquid soap. Please note, Ecover claims to be natural. For starters the word 'natural' has no legal meaning, so anyone trying to promote a slightly less chemical product can call it natural. Ecover may not have as many chemicals in them as your average laundry or household detergent, but they still contain the main hazard for Mr.T's skin. Sodium lauryl sulfate - SLS, so this is also a non runner in our household. When I messaged them to say their products were sending the wrong message to customers they said SLS was tested,and results show it as harmless. I told them to come see Mr. T and see for themselves. He is one of many.
Fabric softener:
Clear distilled vinegar. Pour about one cup full into the fabric softener dispenser, and voila. Soft clothes, but ones that don't smell of vinegar. Great for towels.
Clear distilled vinegar. Pour about one cup full into the fabric softener dispenser, and voila. Soft clothes, but ones that don't smell of vinegar. Great for towels.
Surface cleaner:
For this I use diluted Dr. Bronners baby mild soap in a spray bottle, or simply diluted clear vinegar.
For this I use diluted Dr. Bronners baby mild soap in a spray bottle, or simply diluted clear vinegar.
Window cleaner:
Vinegar, and instead of cleaning with cloths, clean with newspaper.
Vinegar, and instead of cleaning with cloths, clean with newspaper.
Washing up liquid:
This is what I miss most from the chemical world! I have yet to find a washing up liquid that works. At the moment its just a bar of Lidl/Aldi pure soap, and I rub the sponge in it every few minutes, clean the dish, and rinse with water.
This is what I miss most from the chemical world! I have yet to find a washing up liquid that works. At the moment its just a bar of Lidl/Aldi pure soap, and I rub the sponge in it every few minutes, clean the dish, and rinse with water.
Nappies:
I used reusable bamboo cotton cloth nappies for Miss J as a baby, but of course I washed them in detergent so I couldn't use them again for Mr. T, and buying another set would be too expensive, never mind the added work when there's already too much so I go for disposable nappies. At the start I got them from the The Organic Cotton Shop but the biggest size in this brand then got too small for Mr. T so I moved onto Beaming Baby nappies; but these then started squishing his thighs after a few months too so now I get theseNaty Babycare eco nappies in the biggest size.
I used reusable bamboo cotton cloth nappies for Miss J as a baby, but of course I washed them in detergent so I couldn't use them again for Mr. T, and buying another set would be too expensive, never mind the added work when there's already too much so I go for disposable nappies. At the start I got them from the The Organic Cotton Shop but the biggest size in this brand then got too small for Mr. T so I moved onto Beaming Baby nappies; but these then started squishing his thighs after a few months too so now I get theseNaty Babycare eco nappies in the biggest size.
Baby wipes:
I don't want chemicals or fragrances on Mr. T's sensitive skin so I use Waterwipes or organic cotton wool and water.
I don't want chemicals or fragrances on Mr. T's sensitive skin so I use Waterwipes or organic cotton wool and water.
Baby formula:
Since Mr. T was four months old we had to feed him Neocate formula as he was allergic to dairy, goats & soy milk. Luckily he took to eating solids well and has always been a strong big boy. Recently though, at nearly 18 months old we decided that it was time to stop giving him this formula. We have been doing so much to make his diet as organic, pure and healthy as possible but the Neocate was the only thing that was still processed and highly 'unnatural'. It was a necessity at the time, but now we felt he was old enough, and had a balanced enough diet that we could find an alternative. So now during the day Mr. T doesn't have any bottles, just solids. At night he still wakes up for 2-4 bottles, so I now make what I call 'seed' milk for him. A weak mixture of organic sunflower, pumpkin & hemp seeds, blended and strained in a nut milk bag. On top of two oz of this he gets 4oz of organic rice milk and 3oz of our well water in each bottle. Not only are the seeds full of essential amino acids, but it is a healthy alternative to Neocate if it part of a balanced diet of solids which he has throughout the day.
Since Mr. T was four months old we had to feed him Neocate formula as he was allergic to dairy, goats & soy milk. Luckily he took to eating solids well and has always been a strong big boy. Recently though, at nearly 18 months old we decided that it was time to stop giving him this formula. We have been doing so much to make his diet as organic, pure and healthy as possible but the Neocate was the only thing that was still processed and highly 'unnatural'. It was a necessity at the time, but now we felt he was old enough, and had a balanced enough diet that we could find an alternative. So now during the day Mr. T doesn't have any bottles, just solids. At night he still wakes up for 2-4 bottles, so I now make what I call 'seed' milk for him. A weak mixture of organic sunflower, pumpkin & hemp seeds, blended and strained in a nut milk bag. On top of two oz of this he gets 4oz of organic rice milk and 3oz of our well water in each bottle. Not only are the seeds full of essential amino acids, but it is a healthy alternative to Neocate if it part of a balanced diet of solids which he has throughout the day.
Mr.T's moisturisers:
We are currently seeing a qualified herbalist for Mr. T and it is really making a difference. We are using the moisturiser that is given to us by her. She has a reputation for being able to help babies with eczema, and I think she has already helped our little man a lot.
Thanks to one of my readers suggesting it, I have also found pawpaw ointment to be an excellent natural barrier cream. A great alternative to vaseline.
We are currently seeing a qualified herbalist for Mr. T and it is really making a difference. We are using the moisturiser that is given to us by her. She has a reputation for being able to help babies with eczema, and I think she has already helped our little man a lot.
Thanks to one of my readers suggesting it, I have also found pawpaw ointment to be an excellent natural barrier cream. A great alternative to vaseline.
Bath time:
If I take Mr. T to town and he gets detergent on his hands I have to wash his hands with the pure soap mentioned above but unless I am trying to actually get detergent off, I dont use anything to clean his skin. For bath time I put a handful of oatmeal and a handful of organic chamomile tea into a nut milk bag (or an odd sock with a hairband tied around it will do) and let the hot water run on top of that before any cold water goes into the tub. Once the temperature is right and he is in the bath I then gently dab the bag over his skin especially the sore areas so it has a chance to work it's magic.
Hope that helps! :)
If I take Mr. T to town and he gets detergent on his hands I have to wash his hands with the pure soap mentioned above but unless I am trying to actually get detergent off, I dont use anything to clean his skin. For bath time I put a handful of oatmeal and a handful of organic chamomile tea into a nut milk bag (or an odd sock with a hairband tied around it will do) and let the hot water run on top of that before any cold water goes into the tub. Once the temperature is right and he is in the bath I then gently dab the bag over his skin especially the sore areas so it has a chance to work it's magic.
Hope that helps! :)
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