It's a treat to lather up with these all-natural cleansers. Made with good-for-you ingredients, these kind-and-gentle choices contain no harsh chemicals. Plus, they nourish as they cleanse.
Saving Face
Soap is a dirty word to Boomer-age skin like mine. It's already starved for moisture so why aggravate the problem? That's why I like these more natural alternatives. They clean without drying and leave my face feeling soft. Designed for all skin types, they remove dirt, oil and makeup in one easy step.
On the Shelf: $42 (8 ounces) at Nextderm.com and dermatologists nationwide
On the Shelf: $8 (6 ounces) at Neutrogena.com and food, drug and discount stores
Scrub a Dub, Dub ... All-Over
Delightful shower- or bath-time companions, these all-natural, coconut-based scrubs clean and pamper your skin.
Real Simple says it's a "stellar bath product" and we have to agree! Lavanila Body Wash 2-in-1 comes in five vanilla-inspired scents, including Boomer Brief fave Vanilla Grapefruit with just a touch of lime.
On the Shelf: $14 (8 ounces) at Lavanilla.com and Sephora
On the Shelf: $10 (8 ounces) at PacificaPerfume.com
After losing my locks to chemotherapy, it's taken two, LOOOONG years to even approach my former length. So a mild shampoo that works to keep my hair healthy and happy is a must. I like babying it with plant-based formulas like these. Besides brimming over with organic and natural ingredients, they're made without animal testing.
On the Shelf: $10.95 (16 ounces) at BeautyWithoutCruelty.com and natural foods retailers
On the Shelf: $10.99 (10.15 ounces) at select Ulta, Walmart and Walgreens stores
Give 'Em a Hand (or Two!)
Although Bob and I are keen on antibacterial hand soaps and sanitizers, we never thought much about how they kill all those germs. Most do the job with harsh chemicals like Triclosan, whose safety has been questioned according to a recent New York Times article.
That's why we wanted to try CleanWell All-Natural Antibacterial Hand Soap. Instead of waging chemical warfare, CleanWell gets rid of germs with a patented natural thyme oil formula infused with white tea and aloe. That means it's kinder to your skin; great news for Bob, in particular. He's constantly fighting to keep his hands from drying out and cracking (ouch!).
We've both enjoyed using the skin-friendly, foaming formula because it keeps our hands clean and soft. Although we like the lightly citrus smell of Orange Vanilla CleanWell, it also comes in Ginger Bergamot, Lavender and Spearmint Lime scents.
On the Shelf: $4.59 - $6.49 (9.5 ounces) at CleanWellToday.com and Whole Foods Market, select Target stores, The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC
We'd like to shout out a big "Thank You" to all the brands named in this post; they provided free samples for review and testing.