Monday, April 16, 2012

Shopping for Shampoo, Using the Skindeep Database

One of my favorite innkeeping duties is scouting for natural amenities. Sometimes I get ideas from the Orleans Whole Food Store, pictured above. Then I search online. For years we have offered products from Emz Blendz. Now Emz requires orders of 100 at a time, so I am shopping for a new shampoo. My first stop was the EWG’s skindeep database. The shampoo I had in mind only received a 3 to 5 rating out of 10. So, I decided to search for another, starting with those that receive a 0, ie. are not at all toxic.

Terressentials looked promising and had pretty labels, but when I read the fine print, I realized most customers have to go through a de-tox that lasts a week, so for the one-shot B&B experience, nyet.

Be Green Bath and Body Dry Shampoo sounded intriguing, but would guests really appreciate a dry shampoo? Nah!

Salon Naturals offers free shipping on one-ounce samples with the caveat: “We understand reluctance to try new products - especially when ordering them online. While we would love saying 'yes' to the dozens of requests we receive each day for free samples - it's simply cost-prohibitive for us to do so. However, we do want you to feel comfortable with your purchase and our complete hair care line is available in small sample sizes. Each sample is priced at $3.70 each and INCLUDES SHIPPING for up to ten samples on all U.S. orders.” Worth trying their Hydrating Shampoo. I ordered a sample.

Face Naturals comes in organic Citrus Squeeze or Peppermint & Tea Tree in two-ounce Try Me sizes. LIKE! Placed another samples order.

Purple Prairie Botanicals shampoo bar. Hmm. I remember Purple Prairie from researching sunscreen. The sidebar boasts, “We’re a SkinDeep champion!” But it’s a bar. Does the shampoo exist? Unfortunately, no.

Whoops! We have gone into the 1s.

I’ll report back once the shampoo samples arrive and I have had a chance to try them.

Do you have a favorite natural shampoo to recommend? Do you check the products you use on your body with the Skindeep Database before purchase?
Posted by Alexandra Grabbe at 6:30 AM
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Irene's avatar - Go to profile

Irene · 672 weeks ago

So nice to hear that you are so attentive to the environment and care so much about the little things! Hope I get to visit your place some day.
Best,
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Jennifer Margulis · 672 weeks ago

I have a funny problem with natural shampoos. Well, not funny actually. I'm allergic to it. My scalp flakes really badly when I use plant-derived (as opposed to synthetic) products. I was told it is because of the allergies I have to pollens and flowers, etc. That does not drive me to use chemical shampoos. It just keeps me from washing my hair very often (that works to clear up the dandruff.) Then, of course, my hair gets oily. Oy. I tried the baking soda route but I don't think I waited the requisite 2 weeks to let my scalp adjust. That does seem like one of the most environmentally friendly ways to shampoo one's hair (with baking soda and a vinegar rinse.) Not practical for an innkeeper though...
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chezsven 82p · 672 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing your experience. Had never heard of this allergy.
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david wright · 672 weeks ago

A good, cheap all round liquid soap (and I suppose it could be used for shampoo) is Dr. Woods. It comes in several varieties (w/ shea butter, tea tree oil ) and scents (tea tree /castile smells a bit like dog shampoo, but I've grown to like it.)
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chezsven 82p · 672 weeks ago

Thanks, David. I could not find it on the skindeep database, because it is a liquid soap, not a shampoo. Not sure my guests would like a product that smells like dog shampoo, though.
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david wright · 672 weeks ago

As I said, it is a liquid soap and comes in several scents. Dog is only one.
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Casey · 672 weeks ago

Thank you so much for turning me on to the SkinDeep website! I'm disheartened to see that my Burt's Bees shampoo (my go-to natural shampoo that doesn't contain sulfates but still gives me volume and stays in my price range, AND is readily available locally) is a 4. Time to go on the hunt again.
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Chris · 672 weeks ago

I have been enlightened by homesteading bloggers about the sustainable, cheap and eco-friendly "no-poo shampoo method". Check it out an outline of the process here:
http://www.loving-it-raw.com/no-poo.html

I have been utilizing it now for several months, except for when I still color my grey roots (working towards the Indian REAL henna not the stuff sold in stores). I currently use HerbalTint hair color (best price through Vitacost with flat $5.00 shipping charge). Except on that day, I use the "no-poo shampoo" method. In a nutshell, you use a baking soda/water to cleanse the hair and then an apple cider/water rinse as a conditioner. I use raw OG coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner and also as my facial/body moisturizer. I was a "lotions and potions OG addict". Now I have been set free and love the results. Just sayin' ...Google any of the above-alternatives and you'll find folks with lots of successes and some misses; but best of all ridding one or more toxins "off the list of exposure"
Very pleased with the results, but it is a process to endure. Very pleased with the results and would never go back ... just throwing it out there for you gals!
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Chris · 672 weeks ago

PS .. If you need some help along the way .. a tiny dime size splash of Dr. Bronner's lavender vegetable and organic castille soap (to help you along) is just lovely and can be used for many other uses. Well worth the investment. Try to catch the 4 oz. bottle (lasts a LONG time) when it's on sale or discounted through a website or natural food store.
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Living Large · 671 weeks ago

I didn't know about this database, but I'm glad to be informed. I previously had only looked at the database which told me if a product is tested on animals.
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sarah henry · 671 weeks ago

Good to know about this database, thanks for the, ah, heads up. I learned recently that many shampoos simply strip the hair of moisture -- also we don't need to wash our hair as often as we do, most of us, anyhow.
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