What is Project Natural Glow?
Project Natural Glow is similar to Project Glow except that I am challenging myself and all willing participants to try using natural cosmetic products. My goal is to use products that are safe for the environment, animal friendly, vegan, organic, and/or free of chemicals. Of course, not every new product I buy will fit this perfect bill of health, but I am going to try my best to read product labels and read reviews of new products before buying them. Things such as shampoo, conditioner, face wash, body lotion, and make-up often include many harsh and sometimes dangerous chemicals. This is a challenge to start to become more aware of what you are putting on your body, not just what you are putting in your body.
How does it work?
All you have to do is commit to try out new natural products to replace some of your current stand bys. For example, I replaced my stand-by body lotion (Nivea) with coconut oil. I also replaced my toner with Tea Tree Oil and I am starting to use all natural body wash and soap. I will be posting product reviews as well as where I got the product and how much it cost. One of my biggest challenges is going to be finding good products that don’t cost more than what I am currently buying. You won’t see me dropping a ton of cash on natural products. I will be researching and looking all around for cost efficient products that will not break the bank!
Over the next while, I will be posting information that I come across during my research. I will be posting everything I am learning as I educate myself about natural, organic, vegan, animal and environment friendly products!
What is the purpose?
I am asking myself a few questions:
- Whether I will notice a difference in my skin by using all natural products
- Whether I can find affordable products
- Whether I can find products that actually work as well as my old ones!
Leave a comment below if you are interested in trying out some natural products too!
My next product review:
I got this at Loblaws yesterday on sale for $5.99 CAD in the natural food section.
The one thing I admit that I know nothing about are the ingredient names. So confusing! I have to do a lot of research before I feel confident with what the ingredients really are. I am sure many companies claim they are all natural when in fact they are not.
Baby steps, though…
Click to enlarge:
I tried out this shower gel today after a 5.25 mile run. I was pleasantly surprised that this body wash did lather up fairly well. It didn’t lather as much as my Nivea body wash, but to be honest, it wasn’t a big deal at all. The scent was pleasant, but light and not over-powering. It left my skin quite soft and I didn’t even put any oil on after my shower just to see how it would leave my skin. I really don’t have any complaints with this product, only that I probably wouldn’t buy it if it wasn’t on sale. $5.99 for a body wash is pretty much my upper limit, if not more than I want to spend.
Have you tried Alba products? I have heard a lot of great things about them from all of your comments!
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I’m off to finish packaging the 14 batches of Glo Bars I made today! Holy moly, I am really zonked.
Eric has also been using his holiday wisely- he is currently painting over our pink walls (with primer) in the entrance way! It looks SO much better. He will be blogging all about it at some point.
We will be having a late dinner by the looks of things. ;) I think we might dine outside tonight since it is so lovely out.
Back to it…
I’ve tried the alba products but I didn’t care for them- the conditioner got really sticky after a while. I have tried the Kiss My Face organic line and I love them!
I really like the Jason C (vitamin C) lotions and products. I order all of my skincare from www.vitacost.com since they are so much cheaper there. I don’t know if they ship to Canada, but it’s worth a try. I’ve been using all natural products for a while now. It takes just a few more minutes at the store…but how much time do we spend making healthy food choices….We are worth it!! Good luck :) I have done lots of natural product reviews on my blog if you want to check them out:
http://www.veganissexy.com/2009/04/overdue-beauty-review.html
http://www.veganissexy.com/2009/05/cracked-out-beauty-review.html
Great project! I love Alba’s coconut cream lip balm. It moisturizes my lips wonderfully during the harsh Wisconsin wintertime, yet doesn’t wear off quickly so I don’t have to apply as often. It tastes great, too!
I *LOVE* Alba products. Their cocounut cream lip gloss is one of my favorites, and their Sea Moss moisturizer is another favorite. I have a few websites where I buy them discounted, but love it when I find them on sale at the store. I’ve found quite a few Alba products on the clearance rack at Target, which is exciting.
Looking forward to more Project Natural Glow!
I have slowly started to replace products with more natural products as I run out of the current products I am using. I just started using the Avocate Skincare line and it is all natural any my problem skin is starting to look better. I am in the for the challenge!
I love the Alba Pineapple Enzyme Face Wash as well as the toner. Can’t wait to try more Alba products!
I think project natural glow is such a fantastic idea! I agree about needing to find natural products that don’t break the bank. I’m in school so I have a pretty tight budget right now. I’ve started switching a few products, but I would like to do more so I’m definately going to be paying attention and taking notes :-) I’m also interested in products that I can make myself. Thanks for putting together PNG!!
I just switched to deodorant without aluminum, it is a Tom’s of Maine product, so it’s only a deodorant (not antiperspirant), but I didn’t sweat at all the last few days!
Ange – have you tried the safe cosmetics database? http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
I have become very aware of this in the past year and have replaced most of the things I have been using for the past 10 years, including my Neutrogena daily face cream, Nivea firming cream, body wash, other body lotion, face bronzer and eye liner, mascara, lip gloss and sunscreen etc. with natural alternatives. The do cost a bit more but I think it is worth it. I haven’t tried Alba yet.
That database is a pretty good source of information, but some of it I tend to take with a grain of salt as even some of the products I use occasionally get higher than they recommend ratings. I think being EU compliant is very important as they have higher standards than anywhere else in the world. This is a great project you’re promoting!
I LOVE Alba’s Cocoa Butter Hand Lotion. I use it for my body and it leaves my skin silky smooth!
Lizzie- Yes I have checked out the cosmetics database and it was one of the reasons why I decided to do this challenge. It was downright disturbing the amount of chemicals I pour onto my skin each day. I totally agree about taking some of the information with a grain of salt though. I think that is wise advice when looking at any type of research out there. I haven’t had the time to really look into the website yet, but the premise definitely excites me and I think it is long overdue. Cosmetics are not regulated enough, and that needs to change.~A
i’m totally interested in this! I think it’s a great challenge, and I’ve been looking into finding more natural products that don’t cost much more than what we buy now. i can’t wait to see other people’s suggestions and reviews.
I love Alba. I have used their lotion, moisturizer, toner, and facial cleanser. I get it at our health food store when it’s on sale.
I love the idea of project natural glow! And i LOVE Alba products; I use their shaving cream and many of their body butters. They always smell so good!
I love this idea! Out of interest, here’s a list of chemicals that you should be SURE to avoid, for your own health and the environment!
I am SO joining Project Glow! I have sort of started this already by myself! I already bought an apple cider vinegar based facial/scalp wash! I love it…it works so well and makes your skin feel so clean! I bought it at a craft-show type thing…the owner of the company was a nutritionist and really knowledgable about things…chemicals, GMO etc…
Thanks again Ange for inspiring us all to do this! You truly are so inspirational…your blog helps to make so many people’s lives better each and everyday! :)
Alba is NOT clean- check out skin deep… :( Its too bad because they DO smell good- but its chemical smell.
I love their face lotion and I was using their face wash for a while but after looking online I found out that they are not the best products to be using. So lately when I run out I have been buying new products. I’m glad you like it though :)
Angela,
I fell in love with your blog SO long ago, but now I have one of my own. I, too, have an online bakery (through etsy) and totally relate to you and your baking dreams! I love your blog, and you seem so incredibly sweet and genuine. Just wanted to say thanks!
Love,
J
I think that this is a grea idea! I still have lots of product to finish off before I can start buying natural ones, but I am definitely on board!
My parents bought natural products when I was younger, and I can remember scoffing at them because I wanted the cool products everyone else used. Oh how things have changed….;)
Once again, your blog rocks!