No soap or shampoo?

[Ancient-Crone]

Back in the mists of the 1970s / '80s, Esther Rantzen drew attention to washing hair without the use of soap or shampoo, on ‘That’s Life’. The young lady in question had been sitting in the audience with a towel wrapped around her head. Eventually, she was asked to remove it and reveal her hair, unwashed for more than two months. Down tumbled a glorious mass of long red curling hair, in beautiful condition! Absolutely gorgeous! And with no sad or bad after effects. In fact, the young lady said her hair had never been better. She was so pleased with the results that she was going to continue with the soap-less routine.

More recently Andrew Marr, broadcaster, hit the headlines because he announced he had stopped washing his hair with soap or shampoo. I’ve managed to track down a few articles from the Web, which may be of interest, as follows:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -hair.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/artic ... ampoo.html

However, hair is not the only area of the body that benefits from having little or no contact with soap. Bubble baths are notorious for causing urinary infections in women and girls, and should be avoided. The 'nether regions' should only be bathed in plain warm water, without the use of soap.

As a deciding factor, you may be interested to read about some of the cancer causing substances we drench our bodies in, in the name of hygiene and beauty:

http://www.health-report.co.uk/cancer_c ... icals.html

Hope you find this useful, Elizabeth

[Teileag]

Hi everybody,

I came over this thread over a week and was totally amazed, most of all about myself who never realised that life without shampoo is possible . It is true, though, that I have had to change shampoo every few months because my scalp itches when I use the same brand for too long and I did sometimes wonder what the problem really was. So after reading this I thought I might give it a go and stopped using shampoo for a good week now. It's early days yet but I am surprised and pleased to say that the itching has stopped completely and my hair doesn't smell bad at all. I followed Katie's advise and brush several times a day with a soft brush and my hair doesn't look greasy.
Now I just read the links Ancient Crone posted and they made me laugh. I have never been so obsessed as the ladies who claim that they look horrid but it is true that advertising, peer pressure and "this is what you do"-behaviour have conditionned me... Thanks for raising the question, Plaidcat, and thanks everybody who contributed here so far!

Just one other question: I stopped using deodorants a while ago and use alum instead. Does anybody have long-term experience with it?

Blessings

[Ancient-Crone]

Hi, Heike!
The only personal experience I have of alum is as a preservative for salt dough (or ‘play dough’), to prevent it from becoming mouldy or ‘going off’, and as an acid ‘pickle’ for removing oxidation and fire scale, and cleaning away flux (usually borax), from silver jewellery. It is safer to use at home than sulphuric acid, etc., which is both toxic and dangerous.

In small quantities, it is used by industry as a constituent in cooking and baking products, such baking powder, and for keeping crispness in vegetables, and other areas. It is also toxic in large quantities! I’m not sure, therefore, what the consequence might be of use over a prolonged period of time. I do know it has a marvelous descaling effect on silver and turns it white! What this might say for armpits may, therefore, be a moot point.

I do have experience of Weleda products, however, which come from the Rudolph Steiner tradition of Anthroposophical remedies. Steiner, along with Dr. Ita Wegman and a team of scientists and doctors, determined how they might use Anthroposophical philosophy to take care of their patients’ health needs, using natural ingredients that work holistically with the body’s own healing tendencies. In 1921, Weleda pioneered the use of biodynamic and organic ingredients in the personal care industry. Over the years, Weleda has adhered to their original quality standards, and still includes biodynamically and organically grown ingredients in their products, which are basically herbal and homeopathic, and never tested on animals.

I used to use their 'Citrus Deodorant', which is very fresh and pleasant… and non-toxic. They used to do a 'Rosemary Deodorant', but I thought it made me smell of the stew pot, so I stuck to the lemon! Now the 'Rosemary' seems to have disappeared and a 'Sage Deodorant' introduced. They also do a 'Wild Rose Deodorant'. I don’t know what these last two are like because I no longer have need of deodorants, and simply bathe instead. You might like to investigate this avenue yourself, perhaps trying the following strings:

http://www.weleda.com/

http://www.weleda.co.uk/page/deod

As I don’t know your location, the first string will provide international links. The second is for the UK, and shows the Weleda range of products. They do a very good salt toothpaste and I like their calendula ointment. I hope this will be helpful!

Blessings.

[Nobby]

Ah if such a thing were possible for me. Two things prevent me from going this lifestyle

1. I'm a bit of an Obsessive Compulsive about washing, I will wash (if given the chance) at least twice a day, and by wash I mean shower. I HATE feeling dirty, or greasy, or smelly and you will know if I'm really unwell because if I don't take a shower IMMEDIATELY on waking up.

2. If I don't wash my hair daily (and yes I do mean DAILY) it gets incredibly greasy and very very cowlicky, this means I have greasy hair pointing in all directions from my head and I look like...well I look like what the cat dragged in.

However, while I do wear make up, I wear it rarely and I tend not to use much foundation and I never have...1. It has to do with the feeling unclean, most foundation makes my skin feel greasy and then I just want it of of me. 2. I feel it's a ridiculously stupid idea that a woman SHOULD wear makeup and men don't. If men are okay looking butt ugly going to work then so should I. I'm married, I don't give a crap. Saying that I do choose to wear makeup from time to time like eye makeup and lipstick but then it makes me feel so girly to do so....

Why yes I am a hypocrite your point?


No seriously I applaud anyone for trying this but it's not a lifestyle I could live without going complely crazy in about a day.

[Corwen]

Ah if such a thing were possible for me. Two things prevent me from going this lifestyle

1. I'm a bit of an Obsessive Compulsive about washing, I will wash (if given the chance) at least twice a day, and by wash I mean shower. I HATE feeling dirty, or greasy, or smelly and you will know if I'm really unwell because if I don't take a shower IMMEDIATELY on waking up.

2. If I don't wash my hair daily (and yes I do mean DAILY) it gets incredibly greasy and very very cowlicky, this means I have greasy hair pointing in all directions from my head and I look like...well I look like what the cat dragged in.

No-one is suggesting that people be dirty or smelly, just to think about what you put on your body. Anything you put on your body gets absorbed, you may as well have eaten it, and you wouldn't eat shampoo would you? Certainly wouldn't eat conditioner! A bit of unperfumed olive oil soap on the other hand probably won't do anyone any harm.

Your hair gets greasy fast because you wash it so often. Your scalp knows it has been stripped of grease and so makes more. Its a vicious circle.

I do have experience of Weleda products, however, <snip
I used to use their 'Citrus Deodorant', which is very fresh and pleasant… and non-toxic. They used to do a 'Rosemary Deodorant', but I thought it made me smell of the stew pot, so I stuck to the lemon! Now the 'Rosemary' seems to have disappeared and a 'Sage Deodorant' introduced. They also do a 'Wild Rose Deodorant'. I don’t know what these last two are like because I no longer have need of deodorants, and simply bathe instead. You might like to investigate this avenue your

Some Weleda products are great, I use the salt toothpaste for example and its brilliant. However some things they make they do use conventional ingredients in- like talc (stone powder) in some of the other toothpastes- which I don't use because of a history of bowel cancer, crohns disease etc in my family and talc consumption being linked to that. Some of their other products use sodium laureth sulphate, the foaming agent a lot of people avoid, so not everything they make is perfect and you have to read the ingredients.

AC, you don't have the ingredients of those deoderants to hand do you? It would be interesting to know whats in them.

Most deodorants/antiperspirants use aluminium salts to stop you sweating by literally blocking up your pores and these are quite a toxic chemical so personally I'd avoid them, not to mention the perfumes, propellants and preservatives they contain. Generally speaking its a bit like the hair grease scenario- the more products you use the more you have to use. In the case of deodorants you kill the friendly bacteria (often with alcohol) and since the stinky ones are the fast growers you have basically made space for them, they come back quick and you start to smell.

Alum at least (although an aluminium compound) is a naturally occurring mineral regarded as of low toxicity and as AC says is used in food etc so a low dose probably won't do you any harm, though I think its good to have a rest from all these things when you can and not use the same things month in month out. Alum works by controlling the bacteria rather than stopping you sweating. At least those alum stones are a single chemical not a combination of dozens, though personally I'd rather just use soap .

[Nobby]

Ah if such a thing were possible for me. Two things prevent me from going this lifestyle

1. I'm a bit of an Obsessive Compulsive about washing, I will wash (if given the chance) at least twice a day, and by wash I mean shower. I HATE feeling dirty, or greasy, or smelly and you will know if I'm really unwell because if I don't take a shower IMMEDIATELY on waking up.

2. If I don't wash my hair daily (and yes I do mean DAILY) it gets incredibly greasy and very very cowlicky, this means I have greasy hair pointing in all directions from my head and I look like...well I look like what the cat dragged in.

No-one is suggesting that people be dirty or smelly, just to think about what you put on your body. Anything you put on your body gets absorbed, you may as well have eaten it, and you wouldn't eat shampoo would you? Certainly wouldn't eat conditioner! A bit of unperfumed olive oil soap on the other hand probably won't do anyone any harm.

Your hair gets greasy fast because you wash it so often. Your scalp knows it has been stripped of grease and so makes more. Its a vicious circle.

I do have experience of Weleda products, however, <snip
I used to use their 'Citrus Deodorant', which is very fresh and pleasant… and non-toxic. They used to do a 'Rosemary Deodorant', but I thought it made me smell of the stew pot, so I stuck to the lemon! Now the 'Rosemary' seems to have disappeared and a 'Sage Deodorant' introduced. They also do a 'Wild Rose Deodorant'. I don’t know what these last two are like because I no longer have need of deodorants, and simply bathe instead. You might like to investigate this avenue your

Some Weleda products are great, I use the salt toothpaste for example and its brilliant. However some things they make they do use conventional ingredients in- like talc (stone powder) in some of the other toothpastes- which I don't use because of a history of bowel cancer, crohns disease etc in my family and talc consumption being linked to that. Some of their other products use sodium laureth sulphate, the foaming agent a lot of people avoid, so not everything they make is perfect and you have to read the ingredients.

AC, you don't have the ingredients of those deoderants to hand do you? It would be interesting to know whats in them.

Most deodorants/antiperspirants use aluminium salts to stop you sweating by literally blocking up your pores and these are quite a toxic chemical so personally I'd avoid them, not to mention the perfumes, propellants and preservatives they contain. Generally speaking its a bit like the hair grease scenario- the more products you use the more you have to use. In the case of deodorants you kill the friendly bacteria (often with alcohol) and since the stinky ones are the fast growers you have basically made space for them, they come back quick and you start to smell.

Alum at least (although an aluminium compound) is a naturally occurring mineral regarded as of low toxicity and as AC says is used in food etc so a low dose probably won't do you any harm, though I think its good to have a rest from all these things when you can and not use the same things month in month out. Alum works by controlling the bacteria rather than stopping you sweating. At least those alum stones are a single chemical not a combination of dozens, though personally I'd rather just use soap .

Note that I said I'm Obsessive Complusive about it I admittedly probably wash too much but when people say I look fine and I don't smell I can do still feel icky and have to showr it's not sensible but how I am...However I do use the Sage Deoderant and it's wonderful, I also use an aloe one and neither have aluminium salts in them, they are all natural.


Other then that I mostly use Simply Products

[Oran_ap_Beith]

This is the ingredients of the citrus weleda deoderant: Alcohol, Water (Aqua), Fragrance (Parfum)*, Citrus Medica Limonium (Lemon) Peel Oil, Limonene*, Linalool*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Farnesol*. *from natural essential oils


A fair amount of toxins and pollutants...they say that they are from essential oils, but a toxin is a toxin no matter its source . It is extremely misleading and dishonest in my opinion.
Another company that uses this kind of jargon is Ecover...take a look at the ingredients in their so called green products and you will see there is very little difference from the other non green products, except the deceptive jargon...

for example this is the ingredients of their lavender and aloe vera hand soap:Aqua, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Coco Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Lauryl Glucoside, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, [b]Parfum,[/b] Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Limonene, Citronellol, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol

I have bolded and underlined the ones i know to be best avoided, there are probably a few ive missed as well.

This is an interesting article from the Independant
http://www.independent.co.uk/environmen ... 12285.html


I use african black soap to wash with, it is made from shea butter, coconut ash, palm oil , all natural ingredients. The shea butter is fantastic for skin.

I am lucky enough to be within travelling distance of a Ghanian shop where i can buy the pure unscented unrefined soap for about half the price it is sold online. It isnt very expensive though even online as not many people know about it.

[Teileag]

Thank you, everybody, for all the help and information! I am well into my second shampooless week and convinced now that this is the way to go Found a huge lump of soap based on olive oil and decided to stick to my alum thingy for the time being.
It makes me angry, though, to think that there are so many so-called ecological/ biological products on the market that don't deserve the name . Guess, I just have to learn to read the smallprint more attentively... Oran-ap-Beith, thank you for the article, that just confirms my suspicions.
Plaidcat, how are you getting on?

[katie bridgewater]

HOORAY FOR YOU HEIKE! I'm so glad you have had a positive experience as a result of this thread! It's been really refreshing to be able to share with others on this topic - I so rarely ever even mention it normally.


Hi Oan ap Beith. It's true, a lot of products use the 'nature / greenwash' approach to lull customers into thinking that the ingredients are all both necessary and safe. For example, one of my itching skin triggers is foaming agents (sodium laureth sulphides etc) and I was initially surprised to discover that only 2 of Weleda's range of toothpastes do not contain them. Likewise, the Simple range of body products are as full of unnecessary and potentially harmful substances, but because they use no colours of scents and cleverly designed packaging and marketing, they present as 'better' than other products. And yet, it was the fumes from the other substances in unperfumed Simple shampoo wafting about in a hot shower that made me feel so ill the day I gave up shampoo, and my hair has never smelt that unpleasant since!

I am convinced that a lot of the worry about giving up these products lies in the fear that we will smell unpleasant to others, but I have found the opposite to be true. It is they who smell unpleasant to me now, and no-one has ever commented or reacted to me as if I smell unpleasant. I have been teaching in schools for many years now, and I made the transition in the middle of term with absolutely no sign that a single child or teenager noticed the change, and as a music teacher, I often get very close to my pupils when I am showing them how to play and hold instruments, working in small groups etc. And children are the most outspoken and unsubtle of critics, even behind their teachers' backs!

I have a Rok (mineral) deodorant stick which works ok, but I only use it on work days. I'd prefer to use nothing at all, but modern synthetic clothes and horribly indoor based culture make the issue of BO far more intrusive than it ever would have been for our ancestors. I noticed an interesting physical change when Corwen and I walked two thousand km over 4 months. We were outside for almost the entire time, walking (obviously!) and drinking massive amounts of water to keep hydrated in the Mediterranean sun. On the journey, we used only tiny amounts of olive oil soap to wash ourselves and our clothing, salt toothpaste, and I carried a small piece of mineral deodorant which I barely bothered with. I wash my pits with olive oil soap, and my bits with warm water and continued to do this whenever we camped somewhere with water. Over the months, I began to notice that my body began to smell much nicer than ever, more scented, sweeter, and kind of spicy and perfumed but in such a subtle way. And it can’t have been the food we ate, cos we lived off sardines in olive oil and instant mashed potatoes for maximum calorie:weight ratio! I think it was a combination of full on detox through sweating, exercise, reduced stress, minimum exposure to solvents and artificial chemicals, improved sense of smell, and just being outdoors continually in all weathers.

It made me realise how unhealthy even the most apparently healthy lifestyle in our culture can be, and I continue to feel sad even now, that we have overwhelmed our sense of smell and created such an artificial cleanliness that is just a pale imitation of our true natural, beautiful odour.

[Mafalda]

I have been following this topic since the beggining and it is really interesting what it is been shared here.
I use to take a shower every day and by that also wash my hair. After some reading on this topic I started to ask myself why really? The shampoo that I use is from New Directions http://www.newdirectionsuk.com where they use natural and organic products. I use some of their other products, like shea butter for my face and sometimes body, aloe vera gel, that I mix with some essential oils if I need too and use to whatever burn, wound or others that I can have. I also use deodorant with alum (mineral christal) talked here before.
I like the idea of not washing my hair if it makes it more healthy, that I believe it will, there is just one thing that is confusing me. I think is not hard not wash my hair with shampoo, but you really stop washing it at all? without any water for many months? I am asking this because sometimes I am with horses, or doing more sweaty work and the idea of not wash my hair just with water is strange, the hair will smell like horse and it will have the normal dirt of that kind of work.

BB
Mafalda

[katie bridgewater]

Hi Malfalda

It's fine to wash hair with water. I sometimes rinse my hair in the shower when it's full of dust or woodsmoke. Brushing also helps with the cleaning process, so I brush my hair thoroughly before getting in the shower to loosen the dust. However, washing hair with just water does affect the natural oil production and can still stimulate your follicles to generate grease, so earlier in the thread I recommended avoiding getting your hair wet too often at the beginning of the process of giving up shampoo, until it settles down into a natural cycle. Once you know your hair well, you can tell when it will benefit from a shower and when to just leave it and brush instead. I probably only rinse my hair every week or 2, depending on what I am up to - when I've been getting dusty or sweaty, or sitting round the camp fire, I rinse, but otherwise I just do what feels right. The main thing is, once you are free from the harsh toxins, you will find the combination of water and brushing that works best for your hair. Good luck!

You know what, I have had to think more about what I do with my hair in the last week for this thread than I have in all the last decade!

[Mafalda]

You know what, I have had to think more about what I do with my hair in the last week for this thread than I have in all the last decade!

And as you can see it has been helpful to many of us!

I will give it a go, and will try to say something on the results!
Thank you
BB
Mafalda

[Oran_ap_Beith]

I found this list recently, it is by no means exhaustive but s a good guide....


The groups below are separated into Direct Carcinogens, Hidden Carcinogens or Contaminants,
Formaldehyde Releasers and Hormonal Disruptors.

Direct Carcinogens

DEA & TEA
Diethanolamine & Triethanolamine
DEA and TEA can result in the formation of carcinogens in products containing nitrite preservatives. Chemical reactions between nitrites and DEA/ TEA occur during the manufacturing process and while products are stored in their containers forming carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Talc
Talc has been linked with ovaraian cancer particularly when used in the genitalia and inhaled.
Crystalline Silica
Coal Tar Dyes
Used in cosmetics, lipsticks etc.
Blue1
Green3
Para-Phenylendiamine (PPD) (used for temporary tattoos).
Research indicates:
• Linked to cancer in workers and users
• Suspected mutagen
• Associated with allergic reactions
• Can penetrate the skin
• Skin irritant.
Used in hair dyes particularlt dark colours and especially black.
Methylisothiazolinone & Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Preservatives used instead of parabens

Hidden Carcinogens or Contaminants

Contaminants
Organocholrine pesticides in, lanolin
(Lanolin itself is perfectly safe. But cosmetic-grade lanolin can be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin, and lindane, in addition to other neurotoxic pesticides).
Arsenic, lead in blue1, green 3: in, Coal tar dyes
Dioxane: in, PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, ethoxylated alcohols
A wide range of personal care products including shampoos, hair conditioners, cleansers, lotions, and creams, besides household products such as soaps and cleaning products, contain surfactants or detergents such as ethoxylated alcohols, polysorbates, and laureths. These ingredients are generally contaminated with high concentrations of the highly volatile 1,4 – dioxane, which is both readily inhaled and absorbed through the skin. The carcinogenicity of dioxane in rodents was first reported in 1965 and subsequently confirmed in other studies including by the National Cancer Institute in 1978; the predominant sites of cancer were nasal passages in rats and liver in mice. Epidemiological studies on dioxane-exposed furniture makers have reported suggestive evidence of excess nasal passage cancers. On the basis of such evidence, the Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded that "the presence of 1,4 – dioxane, even as a trace contaminant, is a cause of concern." These avoidable risks of cancer in numerous personal care, besides other consumer, products is inexcusable, particularly as the dioxane is readily removed from surfactants during their manufacture by a process known as "vacuum stripping."

Nitrosamine Precursors
DEA
TEA
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
Padmitate O

Formaldehyde Releasers
2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
•may break down in products into formaldehyde and also cause the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines under certain conditions.
Quaternium 15
Diazolidinyl Urea
Imidazolidinyl Urea
DMDM Hyadrantoin

Artificial Colors
Some artificial colors, such as Blue 1 and Green 3, are carcinogenic. Impurities found in commercial batches of other cosmetic colors such as D&C Red 33, FD&C Yellow 5, and FD&C yellow 6 have been shown to cause cancer not only when ingested, but also when applied to the skin. Some artificial coal tar colors contain heavy metal impurities, including arsenic and lead, which are carcinogenic.

Hair Dyes
The use of permanent or semi permanent hair color products, particularly black and dark brown colors, is associated with increased incidence of human cancer including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease. There are several natural hair-coloring products which are relatively effective and safe.

Talc
Cosmetic talc is carcinogenic. Inhaling talc and using it in the genital area, where its use is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer, are the primary ways this substance poses a carcinogenic hazard.

Silica
Some silica used in cosmetics, especially amorphous hydrated silica, may be contaminated with small amounts of crystalline quartz. Crystalline Silica is carcinogenic.

Hormone Disruptors

Phthalates Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP or BzBP).
Found in products such as : hair sprays, perfume, nail polishes. Used to soften plastic, skin moisturisers and skin penetration enhancers in cosmetics.
Research indicates:
• Known to cause serious reproductive and developmental effects in lab animals
• linked to premature breast development in young girls and interference with reproductive development in male foetuses
• hormone disruptors

Parabens
A group of artificial preservatives also known as Alkyl parahydroxy benzoates – butyl/methyl/ethyl/ propyl/isobutyl paraben.
Evidence shows them to:
• mimic oestrogens in the body
• penetrate the skin and appear in the blood.
• found in breast tumours.

Sodiumhydroxymethylglycinate

Toluene
Found in: lacquers and nail polish.
• May cause spontanious abortion in women exposed to it.
• skin irritant and may cause liver damage
• narcotic in high concentrations
• attacks the central nervous system, eyes, blood, liver, kidneys and skin.

Xylene
Found in: lacquers and nail polish.
Names to watch out for: xylol or dimethylbenzene
• skin and respiratory tract irritant
• may cause liver damage
• narcotic in high concentrations


BHT
Butylated Hydroxytoluene, E321
Used as a synthetic antioxidant.
• Irritation
• Linked to possible behavioural effects and reproductive problems

Propylene Glycol
• Can cause contact dermatitis
• Linked to depression of the Central Nervous System.


Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
• Skin, eye and respiratory tract irritant
• May damage liver, lungs and immune system
• Some evidence to suggest reproductive effects.

[Aigeann]

Where did you find that list? I'm not saying it's incorrect. I'd just like more information, Oran_ap_Beith.

THANKS and blessings

[Oran_ap_Beith]

Hello Aigeann

I found the list here

http://www.theorganicpharmacy.com/about_carcinogens.php

[Aigeann]

Very cool.

[illion]

Thank you for sharing all this information with us, Oran_ap_Beith.

I have a question for you due to lack of language skills. What does cosmetic-grade lanolin mean? I use lanolin for washing ecological wool and I wonder if this is bad according to this information.

Illion

Hidden Carcinogens or Contaminants

Contaminants
Organocholrine pesticides in, lanolin
(Lanolin itself is perfectly safe. But cosmetic-grade lanolin can be contaminated with carcinogenic pesticides such as DDT, dieldrin, and lindane, in addition to other neurotoxic pesticides).

[Oran_ap_Beith]

HI Illion
I have to say I have no clue.
I had a quick look on Google though and found
this.

http://www.diycosmetics.com/products/La ... 104-8.html

It doesn't speak of the risks, but explains what products it is used in and some other technical info..

[skydove]

This thread has really opened my eyes to what I use on the outside of my body. I'm weaning myself off daily hair washing now, next week it will be every 3 days. I look at my teenage son who only showers every 3 days and think oh no maybe he was right all along then I catch a whiff of his socks and think maybe not. I have used a bit of talc instead of deoderant under the arms for years am I safe to continue, I'd never heard of the links to cancer? Can anyone recommend a safe and gentle face and body lotion for sensitive skin or should I just let the wrinkles carry on their merry way.? What about shaving gels for my husband is their anyone that could be recommended to cause the least harm. Is glycerine soap ok or does that carry dangers?

[Oakapple]

About using talc, I have now replaced it with cornflour with a few drops of lavender oil added, it works for me!
It would be also be interesting to hear about other's experiences of alternative laundry and washing up products so I will try to start a new thread on that subject.