Nature has long proven to hold the answers to a lot of today’s problems. Some natural ingredients have been used in medicine, skincare and cleaning products for centuries.
Today, most of the products we use in our homes contain a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients. Unfortunately, some of the artificial ingredients used in common household and cosmetic products have been shown to disrupt hormones, aggravate allergies and even cause long-term lung damage when breathed in daily.
These types of ingredients are found pretty much everywhere we go. While it’s impossible to live in a bubble, completely separated from them, it is possible to make healthier shopping choices, and to switch to clean, natural products around the home.
Here’s how to incorporate the very best of nature into your daily routine – and reap the benefits thereof.
Cleaning products
Have you ever considered how harsh some of the ingredients in commercial cleaning products are? From bleach to ammonia, some cleaning products are harmful to breathe in. Now imagine how dangerous they are for children and pets – not to mention their impact on the ocean once they’re washed down the drain! Changing over to a natural cleaning brand is super simple and no less effective. Earthsap has long been trusted for its natural formulas that work hard to clean dishes, surfaces, bathrooms, laundry and more.
Instead of harmful synthetic ingredients, Earthsap uses proven natural ingredients like lemon, bicarb, tea tree oil, vinegar, and salt. Not only are these safe, but they’re also much gentler on your hands. A few fan favourites include Earthsap Dishwashing Liquid (which is so gentle on your hands that you don’t even need kitchen gloves), Earthsap Bathroom Cleaner (a multi-purpose cleaner that can be used on counters, sinks, tiles, bathtubs and more) and Earthsap Toilet Bowl Cleaner (which does not harm aquatic life or affect marine plant growth).
Home fragrance
Candles and diffusers are a great way to keep your home smelling fresh, but did you know that some mass-produced home scents are toxic when inhaled? This is particularly common when paraffin candles are dyed or scented. Instead of burning through scented candles, we recommend investing in an ultrasonic fragrance diffuser, which can be used over and over again. The SOiL Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser uses water and ultrasonic vibrations to disperse essential oil molecules into the air, gently fragrancing the room and allowing you to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. All of SOiL’s essential oils are certified organic, and their variety of blends makes it easy to find the combination of oils best suited to your needs. From Sleep, to Focus to De-Stress, there is a blend for everyone.
Skincare and haircare products
The clean beauty movement is gaining momentum, and natural and organic beauty products are more in demand than ever before. When you consider that your skin is porous and that the products you put on it end up in your bloodstream, it makes sense to be more selective about potentially harmful ingredients.
While more studies are being conducted to fully understand their impact on our health, commonly used ingredients such as parabens, silicones, and phthalates can potentially cause harm and are best avoided. Luckily, there are many wonderful, healthy alternatives that don’t skimp on performance.
SOiL is known for their essential oils, but they recently introduced their debut line of skincare, which consists of the most beautiful facial mists and serums for skin and hair. Powered by natural ingredients like rose water, lavender, jojoba oil, argan oil and more, these products offer the very best of nature without the addition of harsh or potentially harmful ingredients.
If you’re serious about anti-ageing, then you’ll love the SKNLOGIC skincare range. Filled with powerful active ingredients, this cosmeceutical range is free from artificial colourants and fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, parabens, sulphates and S.D alcohol. Vitamin C enthusiasts will love the SKNLOGIC C15 Booster (which contains 15% pure vitamin C), while vitamin A converts will love the SKNLOGIC Retinol 0.5 Booster (a fast-absorbing encapsulated retinol formula that dramatically reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation).
Much like the skin, our hair is also a sponge for cosmetic ingredients, and benefits most when we apply gentle, moisturising products filled with the goodness of nature. Jozi Curls offers an excellent selection of haircare products formulated with natural African extracts such as aloe vera, shea butter, marula and baobab. The Jozi Curls Moisturizing Conditioner is a must-have for softer, smoother and shinier hair, while the Jozi Curls Hair & Scalp Oil works wonders in stimulating health hair growth and nourishing a dry scalp.
Baby products
When it comes to a baby’s soft and delicate skin, only the gentlest of ingredients will do. Sanosan is known and trusted for their specialised baby products that contain natural ingredients. Some of the most popular products include Sanosan Baby Bath & Shampoo (a “tears free” formula enriched with natural milk protein) and Sanosan Baby Sun Cream SPF50 (which provides exceptional broad-spectrum sun protection for baby’s delicate skin).
The sounds of nature
Nature has an undeniable calming effect. By now, you’re likely to have heard about the mental health benefits of indoor plants. What you might not know is that studies indicate that even artificial indoor plants offer mental health benefits. Knowing that the plant isn’t real doesn’t make it any less effective in uplifting one’s mood. The same goes for sound. You might live in the middle of a city, but hearing the sounds of nature has a profound impact on one’s ability to relax and manage stress. Relaxound lets you bring nature indoors with its diverse range of sound boxes. Triggered by a motion sensor, Relaxound Sound Boxes play calming sounds of nature that have a beneficial impact on moods and emotions, and ultimately on your health. Choose between variants like Tropic, Waves, Forest Lake and Alpine Meadow.
A naturally healthier gut
Sometimes referred to as the “second brain”, our gut plays an integral part in our overall health. Without a healthy gut, your body cannot absorb all the wonderful natural nutrients found in fresh foods. Unfortunately, some of our unhealthy lifestyle habits can lead to an imbalanced gut, which compromises our immunity and nutrient absorption.
One way to restore and protect your gut health is to take a probiotic daily. Velobiotics offers a range of probiotic products developed with patented technology that helps safeguard probiotics from reduced storage viability and preserve them as they pass through the harsh, acidic stomach environment. Designed for women, Velobiotics Her-Biotics is a foundational daily supplement expertly formulated to optimise gut health, boost immunity, balance energy levels, and support overall well-being. By providing a powerful blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and their patented, highly effective probiotics, it works to optimise your body’s core functions.
The Velobiotics GutSlim range was designed with weight management in mind. The GutSlim Probiotics Fat Burner helps unlock your body’s natural fat-burning power, starting with your digestive wellness. With ingredients to ignite your metabolism, help control cravings, increase energy and support gut health, this daily supplement enables you to achieve sustainable results without potentially harmful additives.
