For the month of June, I shifted my interested more onto natural personal care products and for sure, Healthy Options is the best one-stop store in the Philippines for all these wonderful finds. Market research studies say that the global demand for organic personal care products is growing every year. And while clearly a portion of those sales occur online (hello, Internet generation), there’s still something to be said about the process of discovery—perusing the shelves, feeling the heft of the bottles, admiring the packaging design and also carefully reading the labels. With knowledgeable staff members to help customers, shopping at Healthy Options is always enjoyable. This time, I got these goodies from the Eastwood branch.
Healthy Options Shopping Haul (June 2016)
Personal Care
I was very excited to get my hands on these products after reading positive reviews and recommendations on them over the web. These are free from harsh chemicals, cruelty-free and eco-friendly! 🙂
Avalon Organics, Intense Defense with Vitamin C, Cleansing Milk, 8.5 fl has a refreshing milky texture and it leaves my skin hydrated. This facial wash does not contain GMOs, parabens, harsh sulfates or preservatives, synthetic colors or fragrances, phthalates or animal testing. It’s also vegan and biodegradable. I’ve been using it both morning and night for a week now. It cleans very well and goes on smooth. I love the soft citrus smell of this gentle cleanser. It removes makeup and oil buildup during the day but it does not get my waterproof mascara off. It does not claim to do so anyway.
Made with olive oil and argan oil, A La Maison de Provence Liquid Soap, Lavender Aloe is great for hand and body. The scent of lavender is divine; it’s soothing and comforting. Without synthetic ingredients, A La Maison de Provence Liquid Soap rinses quickly, leaving my hands clean, fresh, and soft. This is what I use to wash my hands (when putting on and taking off my contact lenses, most especially).
After reading the Healthy Options News Digest article about treating body odor, we have learned that “natural deodorants are a much better and safer option.” Many antiperspirants are made with aluminum in order to halt the perspiration of sweat glands, and this aluminum is suspected of accumulating in the nervous system and ultimately contributing to nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
I had my eyes on Lafe’s Roll-On Deodorant at first but got the Crystal Body Deodorant Crystal Essence Chamomile & Green Tea Body Spray (4 oz) instead because I love chamomile tea and green tea. 😛 The scent is light and feminine, without being all up in your face. I am very satisfied with how well this product works! I’m proud to report that I have stopped wearing traditional antiperspirants which may cause cancer.
Other reasons why you should switch to natural deodorants, too: It does not have aluminum chlorohydrate, it is paraben-free, it’s safe for the environment. 🙂 Crystal Body Deodorant Crystal Essence Chamomile & Green Tea Body Spray combines the stress reduction of chamomile with the powerful anti-oxidants of green tea in a versatile spray which may be used anywhere on the body to control odor including feet chest and inner thighs.
Nature’s Gate Body Wash Velvet Moisture (Papaya) is said to brighten dull skin. As mentioned in my previous hauls, I’m a fan of the Nature’s Gate brand. Papaya and pineapple extracts in this body wash are rich in enzymes and they help exfoliate to reveal soft, radiant skin. A little amount pumped on my sponge goes a long way. It foams well and has a creamy texture. Smell of papaya though isn’t too evident and doesn’t last long.
In the past six months, I had mouth sores three times. It was like getting a new one every after two weeks when the other one has just been healed. Upon research, I found out that many toothpastes contain an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a strong detergent that has demonstrated in several studies to increase canker sore outbreaks and pain. SLS is what gives you that bubbly, foamy feeling when you’re brushing to make you feel like your mouth is cleaner. I bet we’re all familiar with it.
Another possible cause of mouth sore is fluoride in toothpaste. Per the September 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, Karen McCaffery, a US dentist, recommend patients to “discontinue use of toothpastes with pyrophosphates and/or fluorides, citing that these are the most frequent causes.” I knew I had to start switching to a natural toothpaste to prevent canker sores attacks.
Nature’s Gate Crème de Peppermint is fluoride-free, soy-free, vegan, carrageenan-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free and it’s a responsible choice for oral health. Flavored with exhilarating peppermint oil, this toothpaste leaves my mouth feeling fresh and minty without the burning sensation. It’s a good staple to keep in the washroom.
Supplements
Aside from the causes of mouth sores cited above, other compelling reasons why people have mouth sores are stress and the lack of vitamin B-12. Taking vitamin capsules or applying the contents of vitamin B-12 capsules directly to areas where sores have developed can offer quick and painless results. I got Healthy Options B-12 500mg for myself, Melatonin 3mg for Louie, Nature’s Plus AgeLoss® Kidney Support for my grandfather, and Nature’s Way Activated Charcoal for my mom.
My mom suffers from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and is sensitive to food. Her doctor/herbalist recommended taking activated charcoal to ease stomachache and bloating after every meal. This can be enhanced with improving diet and changing lifestyle as well. The charcoal pills keep gas and discomfort issues at bay.
Grocery
Glutino Chocolate Coated Wafers taste like ordinary chocolate coated wafers. Only big difference is that it’s wheat-free and gluten-free. It’s a good way to get a chocolate fix without too many calories. Be warned however that if put in high temperature, you’re likely to be disappointed when you open the box because the chocolate melts. Also, if the opening is not secured tightly with a rubber band, staple wire, adhesive tape, or the like, the texture of the wafers will be unpleasantly chewy, tough, and leathery. People who like chocolate wafers so much would end up finishing the pack in one go. 😛
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