Do you feel that being natural has brought out the hippy in you?

I feel like I have become more aware of the "dangers" in commercial products and how deceiving they are. 

Sulphates

Where: Shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, household cleaning products.

Most common form: Sodium Lauryl Sulphates 

Why: It is a type of synthetic detergent + surfactant (cleaning properties) used as a foaming agent.

Problem: Skin irritant, dermatitis, strip hair of natural oils, drying

Similar chemicals to avoid:  Ammonium Lauryl Sulphates

Alternatives: Dudu Osun (Black soap), Baking soda (natural pH 8.2), Apple cider vinegar (diluted with water to clarify after product build up). SLS-free shampoos + shampoos with a balanced pH or just co-wash.

Mineral Oil

Where: Cosmetics, lotions, make-up remover, most black hair grease

Most common form: aka white oil, liquid paraffin, liquid petroleum

Why: Byproduct from distillation of petroleum, inexpensive + odourless

Problem: blocks pores, coats hair shafts, can't be absorbed by skin

Similar chemicals to avoid: paraffin liquidums + petrolatum's

Alternatives: Natural veg oil, fruit + nut oils. Coconut, jojoba, Castor,  tea-tree, olive and almond oil are the most popular choices. Understand the difference between carrier oils (eg. olive oil) and essential oils (eg. orange) and learn how to use them to your advantage.

Just a quick note: essential oils are the ones with scents (lemons, oranges, rose etc.) and should never be put on the skin/hair by itself as they are volatile.  They don't mix with water, so oils know as carrier oils are used to dilute them. Carrier oils don't have a distinct aroma with the exception a few like olive oil. They are used to "carry" essentials to the skin/hair + made via cold-pressing and maceration. I will go further into this topic in another post.

Petroleum Jelly

Where: Vaseline, wax, plasticine, lubricant, Afro hair conditions

Most common form: soft paraffin, petrolatum

Why: Inexpensive hydrocarbon, meltin point 37.5

Problem: hydrophobic so acts as a barrier, block pores, makes hair dry + brittle.

Similar chemicals/products to avoid: DAX

Alternatives: Shea butter, you can make a natural jelly with beeswax, vitamin E + almond oil. Recipe here

These are my 3 products to avoid, would love to know what yours are.