Have you ever struggled to get used to a sustainable product? After using, say, solid shampoo, have you thrown in the towel and gone back to packaged products? Does the idea of using a wooden toothbrush seem strange to you?
These questions, and many more, arise when you want to take the step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. The truth is that some products require some getting used to. Sometimes, the difference in use, texture, or smell, for example, of a conventional product is far from that of an eco-friendly product or one made with natural raw materials, and it can take some getting used to.
With this post, we want to help you, on the one hand, shorten those timeframes . We'll give you some key points to keep in mind to help you get used to certain sustainable products faster. On the other hand, we'll encourage you to be patient . In some cases, you have to give your body a chance to adjust to the product. In these cases, we'll give you timeframes so you know if it's still worth waiting or if it's time to try something else because, truly, that product isn't for you.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
We know that switching to non-toxic cleaning products can be a challenge. We found two key reasons:
1. They are usually less foamy
They tricked us! 20th-century household product marketing convinced us that the more foam, the better the clean. And that's not true at all. You just need some time to adapt, and you'll see that what we say is true. In my specific case, I can tell you that it took me a while to get the courage to try bar soap for dishes, and now I don't want to use anything else. We have two options at Alma Eko: Marseille soap and Zorro d'Avi soap. I couldn't say which one I like more. They don't foam as much as conventional liquid soaps, but, honestly, they clean better and have incredible degreasing power. They really surprised me. Still, if foaming is something you have a hard time getting used to, we suggest using Marseille soap, which creates the most foam. It's also very cheap and long-lasting.
2. The smell may be less attractive
Natural cleaning products generally have no scent. If you're used to conventional products, which contain many added perfumes, it's a big change. Personally, I don't mind this. I even appreciate it, because I don't tolerate strong odors very well. But if you want your cleaning products to have a scent, essential oils are your greatest allies . Plus, some have cleansing, bactericidal, antifungal, and other properties , which will help even more with household chores. Oils also have the advantage that you can choose the scent you like best .
When it comes to scouring pads and, especially, scrubbing brushes , they're handled differently. They're generally stiffer. It'll take some time to get used to them, but once you do, there's no going back because they're super effective. Plus, our online store has many different, and very affordable, options, so you can try the one you think will work best for you right away and try other options over time if you like.
One last very important aspect: take good care of your products . Soap, scrubbers, and brushes should all be air-dried . Keep in mind that they're made with high-quality raw materials, without preservatives or treatments. Proper drying is essential to increase their durability. A soap dish with drainage is essential.
TOOTHPASTE AND TOOTHBRUSHES
Regarding natural and non-toxic toothpastes, there are two things that make the biggest difference:
1. The flavor
Natural toothpastes are generally not as sweet as conventional ones. Many contain baking soda, which makes them even salty. It can be a big change, we know. It's just a matter of getting used to it. So, we suggest two solutions:
- Start with Ben&Anna's White Natural Mint and Sage Toothpaste, which we stock at Alma Eko, which has a very mild flavor. You can also try Hydrophil's sage toothpaste tablets with fluoride , which also have a mild and sweet flavor.
- Don't combine it with conventional toothpastes . Make a radical switch to the sustainable option. If you combine them, the adaptation process will be longer.
2. They generate less foam
And this isn't a problem at all. They don't clean less because of it . In general, this is one of the biggest difficulties in adapting to sustainable products because they tend to be less foamy.
In the specific case of natural toothpastes, they don't contain sulfates, an ingredient that can be harmful to our health . So, it's really important to give yourself the opportunity to make this change.
To make the adaptation process more bearable, we suggest the solid stick options for Alma Eko toothpastes, as they foam the most and do not contain sulfates.
Regarding toothbrushes , after many years of using plastic ones, it can feel very strange to use wooden ones. Some people tell us that at first it really stuttered. We're going to recommend the same thing we did with toothpaste: make the switch to wooden toothbrushes completely . Don't combine them with plastic ones. This way, the adaptation process will take less time, and one day, before you know it, using them won't feel strange at all.
Organic cosmetics
Much of organic cosmetics are based on oils, rather than water , as is often the case with conventional products. This makes the texture very different, as well as the application method.
These are less fluid products that require a little more effort when applying them. This, contrary to what it might seem, has two major advantages .
- Organic cosmetics last longer . They require much less than conventional creams and lotions.
- They activate skin circulation . Since they require a little extra care when applying them, we gently massage the skin to boost circulation, with all the benefits that entails.
In the live broadcast with Matarrania, available on Instagram , we emphasized this aspect a lot. We encourage you to watch it because it was very interesting.
SOLID SHAMPOOS
You have to be a little patient with shampoos . They're probably the product that takes the longest to adapt to, for two main reasons:
1. When we've been using conventional shampoos for years, our hair needs time to adapt . Sustainable solid shampoos generally don't contain sulfates or silicones . Silicones coat the hair fiber to give it shine, but at the same time, they prevent the penetration of nutrients that hair needs to look healthy. Only sulfates can remove this silicone layer, but they're considered a potential toxin, an endocrine disruptor, that also saps hair's vitality.
When we switch to sustainable shampoos, free of sulfates and silicones, we need to give them time to remove silicone residue with much gentler surfactants. At least three washes are necessary to remove silicone residue, and a month is needed for the hair to adapt to the new product and absorb all its nutrients. During this period, your hair may feel very strange, less bouncy and difficult to manage, but it's only temporary.
2. It's not easy to find your ideal shampoo the first time. We're not saying it's impossible; we know it's happened, but many people have had to try three or four different brands until they found their ideal shampoo.
At Alma Eko, we have three brands that generally perform very well. We'll list them in order of likelihood of success:
SUN PROTECTION
Are you having trouble adjusting to physical filter sunscreens ? We know it's a considerable change from conventional chemical filters, but we strongly recommend using them. For two reasons:
- They are better for your health
- They do not pollute the waters or damage coral reefs.
Where is the biggest difficulty in adapting? They are generally less fluid creams . The truth is that they are thicker and require a little more time to apply, but they also last longer . With a small amount, you cover more skin than with conventional creams.
At Alma Eko, we have three brands: Sol de Ibiza , Fuka Eri , and Nuura . The latter has the smoothest texture, so we recommend starting there.
For the other ones, the ones that come in a can, we're going to give you a neat trick a customer told us. It turns out that if you tap the cream with your fingers before applying it, while it's still in the can, it spreads better. We don't know the exact science behind it, but we've tried it, and it works! We suspect that the cream warms up, which is why it spreads better. You should get little peaks on the cream by tapping quickly with your finger.
SUSTAINABLE MENSTRUATION
If there's one powerful change on the path to sustainability, it's switching to eco-friendly menstrual care tools.
This change may be the most radical if you've been using conventional products for years. It requires a complete change , not only in changing products, but also in how you use them, care for them, and, above all, in the process of self-knowledge of your lifecycle that they will entail.
In this regard, we can only recommend patience and an open mind as you explore the best solution or solutions for you. Switching from conventional pads to cloth pads, for example, is a huge change. Handling a cup is also very different from using tampons. Additionally, you can consider non-medical options for managing menstrual cycle discomfort and pain . The range is very broad, and the change is considerable.
We also recommend you get your information right. You can start by reading our blog post or watching the interview we did with Berta from Siembra de Luna on Instagram.
REUSABLE WRAPPERS
In reality, in everyday use, there are virtually no changes . They're used the same way as plastic wrap or aluminum foil. What does change is the care they require, since they're generally reusable .
You'll just have to spend some time cleaning them . Sometimes you'll just need to wipe them with a damp cloth, other times they can go straight into the washing machine, and other times you'll have to wash them by hand, depending on which sustainable option you choose.
The planet deserves a chance for these reusable wraps .
Deodorants
At Alma Eko, we have many options because each one works differently for each person. To make it easier for you, you can consult this guide , which we created with a series of guidelines to help you find your ideal deodorant the first time .
Of course, pleasing the scent is important , but so is choosing one based on your level of perspiration and whether or not you have sensitive skin . In addition to these factors, keep in mind that if you've been using conventional deodorants with aluminum salts , it will take your body some time to adapt to those made with natural ingredients, which don't block perspiration, but rather are breathable and absorbent. This transition period can last between two and four weeks. During that time, your body will be expelling the antiperspirants that have blocked your pores , preventing toxins from being expelled. Alma Eko deodorants do breathe ; they allow toxins to escape but prevent the growth of bacteria, which is what causes bad odor.
You see, switching to natural deodorants is not only a question of sustainability, but also of health .
We hope this review of the hardest-to-adapt products and the tips we've given you will help you move forward in building a more sustainable lifestyle . If you have any questions or a trick that's helped you, we'd love for you to share it with us.
We'll be bringing you another post soon about products that are easy to get used to. What do you think of this idea?
