Natural ingredients may seem more gentle on skin than their synthetic equivalents; however, be wary as there may be some that pose risks to your complexion – read ingredients labels carefully!
Food manufacturers are not required to reveal the original sources or chemical mixtures of their “natural flavors,” leading many people to misunderstand what this phrase entails (4).
All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner
An all-purpose cleaner will make light work of everyday messes by cutting through grease, grime and residue without harsh scrubbing, leaving behind a fresh citrusy fragrance that lasts. Look for products designed specifically for countertops, painted walls, floors and appliances as your go-to all-purpose cleaners.
Most all-purpose cleaners contain surfactants to loosen dirt from surfaces, while deodorizing ingredients such as baking soda or essential oils help eliminate any unpleasant odors that remain. Some may even contain disinfectants such as bleach, pine oil or phenols to kill germs and reduce allergens.
When searching for an all-purpose cleaner to kill germs, look for one with either the green seal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or one which meets their Safer Choice standards. Also ensure any surface to be cleaned has already been properly treated before applying this cleaner and stays wet for as long as is recommended on its label.
Laundry Detergent
At its core, laundry detergent requires saponin as a chemically-derived ingredient to ensure waterway pollution-free stain-fighting power that’s both gentle on skin and safe for the environment.
Laundry detergents are more than simple soap; they contain a carefully blended combination of ingredients designed to find, surround and dissolve dirt, oils, and odors from fabrics. Surfactants play an important role here by spreading out water more widely for easy soaking into fabrics.
Next are chelators, which help protect clothes from metals like iron and copper that cause colors to fade; enzymes are nature’s natural cleaners which target specific stains like blood, grass or grease to break them down into smaller pieces easier for water washing to wash away; fabric softeners provide added softness during drying cycles.
Upholstery Freshener
Rejuvenate any room’s atmosphere with natural upholstery freshener sprays and sachets made of organic ingredients. Available with various appealing fragrances, these natural deodorizers help remove unpleasant odors while revitalizing fabrics that have become saturated with household dust and dirt.
Homemade fabric fresheners made of all natural ingredients can be safely used by children and adults with sensitive skin or noses, and contain minimal to no potentially hazardous chemicals like phthalates or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may lead to respiratory irritations or long-term health concerns.
Make your own natural fabric freshener using half cup of baking soda mixed with a few teaspoons of water in order to form a paste and apply to areas causing unpleasant odors, leaving it for several minutes before vacuuming up to reveal revitalized spaces smelling pleasant again.
Skin Care
Many people mistakenly use natural ingredients in skin care because they believe these are more benign for the skin than synthetic products, however this belief can often prove wrong.
Dr. Corey Hartman warns, however, that even natural ingredients may still pose risks to skin. Just because an ingredient is considered natural or organic doesn’t guarantee it’s harmless for use on our bodies.”
Coconut oil is an outstanding natural remedy for skin health, providing essential hydration while strengthening the protective barriers of the skin barrier. It’s often included as part of zero-waste lip balm formulas and as the foundation of natural sunscreen products.
Tea tree oil possesses anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which make it effective at reducing scars. It’s often included in homemade soaps or other natural skin care products as an ingredient to soften and moisturize skin while decreasing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) for a supple complexion. Rosemary extract also acts as a natural preservative and may help reduce oxidative damage while softening and moisturizing to promote an even complexion.
