Today I’m veering slightly off topic to answer a reader question.   Remember, if you have a question about health, wellness, cooking or green living please contact me.

Rebekah asked:

Q: Where can I find corn-free, soy-free, GMO-free soaps, shampoos and personal care products?

A: Frankly, I do not use many personal care products at all; however, I was able to dig up some recommendations for you.

Soaps: I have ultra-sensitive skin so don’t often use soap and when we do, we use locally made soaps or castile soaps which are made from olive oil and lye and sometimes scented with essential oil.   If you have a good farmers market in your area, you can probably find some hand-crafted soap.   These handcrafted soaps are usually corn-, soy- and petrochemical-free.   Alternatively, check out Lush which offers a huge array of natural, organic soaps and personal care products.

Shampoos: I have a secret to share: I haven’t shampooed my hair since June of 2006.   I’m going on three years!   Don’t worry, it’s not as funky as it sounds.   You can even check out a picture of me on the About Jenny page. Since ditching the shampoo, my hair has been stronger, healthier and its natural highlights have returned plus I’m not sending funky chemicals down the drain and into the water supply.

My basic routine is simple: warm water, followed by a dilute lemon rinse and another shot of cold water.   A few times a week, I’ll use Burts Bees Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar, regular natural soap or a paste of baking soda and water followed with another dilute lemon juice rinse or, occasionally, a dilute apple cider vinegar rinse. Every 4-6 months or so, I condition my hair with olive oil and egg yolk but I find that the need is pretty low.

Moisturizers: Mostly, I find that a cold rinse in the shower keeps my skin from becoming dry.   I do, however, use Burt’s Bees Moisturizing Night Cream when I don’t have time to make my own moisturizers out of beeswax, filtered water and natural carrier oils like sweet almond oil or olive oil.   I’m considering starting a new blog about natural skin care so stay tuned for that!   I use olive oil and coconut oil as body moisturizers as well.

A Note on Sunscreen: While you didn’t specifically ask about sunscreen, it seems to fit the topic.   We no longer use sunscreen in our home for a variety of reasons.   Instead we eat a healthy diet and use coconut oil or sesame oil both of which have a natural SPF of about 5.     I prefer coconut oil because it smells nicer. Check out these posts on ditching the sunscreen: To Screen or Nourish at Local Nourishment and Natural Sunscreen Protection with Real Food.

Remember, if you have a question about real food, green living or anything else please contact me and I’ll do my best to help you out.   I love hearing from Nourished Kitchen readers.

GMO-free personal care is cross-posted at the No GMO Challenge.

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