As someone with Celiac Disease who also has eczema, rosacea and a host of allergies, I have to be very careful about what I use on my skin. The more I looked into the ingredients in personal hygiene products, the more concerned I became about what we are being sold in most stores. Many of the ingredients that are legal to use in products in the United States have been banned elsewhere, and for good reason.

With that in mind, I have put together a list of my favorite personal hygiene-related items that work well for anyone with sensitive skin and/or who would like to keep things as clean and natural as possible.

Body Oil/Makeup Remover:

For the life of me I could not find a body oil that was completely allergen free (for me) and perfume free. After doing some research, I started using jojoba oil as a makeup remover. It’s very effective, moisturizing and doesn’t cause break outs. Although its called an “oil” it’s actually a wax that is the closest thing in the plant world to the sebum our skin produces. I have used safflower oil as a body oil (It can be found in the baking aisle in the grocery store), but learned I am allergic to it. For those who aren’t, safflower oil is known to be good for those who deal with eczema. I will add that if you use it, you need to be sure the safflower oil is absorbed before you get dressed or else you might leave an oil mark on your clothing. If you want a lighter, more quickly absorbing body moisturizer, jojoba oil works great as a body oil as well and can also help with skin issues.

Deodorant:

I have tried many different natural deodorants, but for me none of them tops Schmidt’s Deodorant Stick. It goes on smoothly, does not stain my clothes, lasts all day and each of the scents offered smell great! As a fragrance fiend, I love to change it up depending on the season. I use Fresh Cucumber for the summer, Fresh Rain and Birch during fall/spring and Rose & Vanilla during the winter. You can find this on Amazon, but look for sales at Whole Foods too.

The company boasts that it says no to aluminum salts, artificial fragrance propylene glycol, phthalates and parabens. All of the products are certified cruelty-free and vegan. Note: This product does list oatmeal as an ingredient. Unless it is certified gluten free, oatmeal can be cross-contaminated. That being said, as a celiac patient I have not had any issue using this product. 

Face Soap/Moisturizer:

As a middle aged woman, I need something that will clean my face without stripping any natural oils away. I also need a moisturizer that isn’t too heavy, as I don’t want to aggravate my rosacea. After doing a lot of research, I found my holy grail: Luxe Beauty. I use their Face, Neck and Hand Moisturizer and their 4-in-1 Cleanser, Makeup Remover, Detox and Exfoliator. The cleanser leaves your skin feeling clean, moisturized and soft, but I do remove my eye makeup with jojoba oil before applying this product (it’s not that great at taking off mascara). A little goes a long way with the moisturizer and my skin never feels greasy. You can buy both directly though Luxe Beauty and if you spend more than $61, you qualify for free shipping.

Feminine Hygiene Products:

Since my jr. high school years, I just accepted that on top of dealing with bloating, cramping, PMS and headaches once a month, my skin would be itchy and irritated due to the use of the feminine hygiene products I bought. It wasn’t until my thirties that I learned I could buy organic, cotton products that were healthy for me and the planet and would not irritate my very sensitive skin. I highly recommend Rael feminine hygiene products, which are organic. Rael offers liners, regular and overnight pads as well as tampons. Yes, they are more expensive, but in my opinion, they are worth every penny! If you subscribe for this product line via Amazon, you qualify for a discount.

Hair Products:

I have baby fine hair and not much of it. It also happens to be straight, wavy and curly at the same time (so in short, nightmare hair!). I try to be careful with it by not applying too much heat and have even ditched the hair dye (get ready for a post on going gray!). I came across Jessicurl this year and fell in love with it. The products are intended for curly hair, are natural and gluten free and they work really well. I particularly like their daily and deep conditioners. You can buy them scented or unscented.

When I do blowout my hair, I use Innersense Serenity Smoothing Cream. A little goes a long way and it does not weigh my hair down or make it feel gritty. The product is gluten and silicone free, vegan and contains organic ingredients. Love it!

Both products can be bought directly through the company or on Amazon.

Laundry Detergent:

As any reader of this blog might know by now, I love fragrance, but with allergies and sensitive skin, I need to keep it natural. My go to for laundry is Zum Laundry Soap by Indigo Wild. The scents are amazing! I use the Sea Salt scent during the summer months and the Amber scent the rest of the year. For towels and sheets, I use the Lavender scent. The product smells great and it cleans effectively. Tips: Use less than you think you need for each wash. A little goes a long way, and it could leave a film on your washer drum if you use too much. If that happens, I just clean out the drum with a washcloth. Also, if you buy through the Indigo Wild site and opt for a subscription, you get a discount.

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Take care of yourself, and go forth smelling great and living clean!