How to Find Personal Care Products for Non-Toxic Living

Non-toxic living requires a major investment in replacing harmful household products with ones made of natural ingredients. People committed to living a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle need to replace virtually everything, down to their usual lip balm. These non-toxic products prevent the exacerbation of skin ailments and allergic reactions to certain dyes. Follow these steps to find them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Checklist of personal care products you use on a regular basis
• Computer with Internet capability

Locate Personal Care Products Providers

1. Network with your friends and family to find new avenues to natural products. Your green-living best friend or sister may be able to recommend natural personal care products.
2. Attend nearby farmers markets or bazaars to find new products. Farmers' markets often feature booths for all-natural products, including soaps and toothpastes. Bazaars highlight new or unique vendors, including organic product makers. If the market or bazaar you're attending doesn't offer these products, look for an organic food booth, and talk to the proprietor. Chances are, an organic farmer will be able recommend specific stores or products.
3. Delve into online resources that teach you how to make your own personal care products. There are many guides available through organic information Web sites on how to use natural oils and materials to make your everyday products. Learn more at the "Organic Consumers Association" Web site (see Resources below).
4. Stop into your local health food store to find non toxic personal products. Health food stores have personal care sections, just like regular grocers. Consult with your health food grocer on the different virtues of individual products.
5. Consult your local farm cooperative to learn about natural personal care products. Natural oils and other ingredients are often purchased by organic producers from local farmers.
6. Research online organic and natural product shops. There are a long list of small producers in Australia and Europe where natural products are in high demand. For a long list of organic product retailers, visit EcoMall.com (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Realize that natural personal products cost a little more than their traditional rivals. The difference between all-natural and traditional toothpastes, deodorants and lip balms is small per item; but these costs add up.
• Carefully check the label of any personal care products that claim to be organic. Most products mix in organic or natural elements with synthetic ingredients to make their "organic" label legitimate. Find out more about labeling at the "Organic Consumers Association" Web site (see Resources below).
• Non toxic personal care products can lead to skin irritation and swelling if overused or eaten. See your doctor immediately.