ISWTE: Product recs?

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

I just downloaded the book and need a lazy girl's product guide. I'm thinking deodorant, shampoo, cleaners...what have you discovered that you like? TIA!

IfMamaAintHappy · November 2014

Here's a good thread on ISWTE...there are some very knowledgeable ladies on this thread on products, etc.

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/85418147#Comment_85418147

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

Thanks @IfMamaAintHappy‌ . I did see that, but I didn't see many product recs...does that mean slim pickings? Also, I just read that my brand new BPA plastics might be crap, too. And they've already been in the dishwasher. :-( ETA: BPA-free plastics, that is.

Carol77B · November 2014

I've switched to Seventh Generation cleaning products and Say Yes to...(Carrots, Coconut, etc.) and Alba for facial cleansers, face lotions, body lotions, chapstick, etc, and Tom's toothpaste. I kept my same deodorant since I really need the extra strength stuff and I'm paranoid about being stinky. All of those brands you can find at Target and some even at Wal-Mart. I'm now using Alterna hair products and trying to phase in Tarte makeup, both of which you can get at Sephora or Ulta, or on-line.

I tried the GUD (I think that's Alba?) shampoos and conditioners, but they were too moisturizing for my hair, so the Alterna, though more expensive, seems to clean mine better, since the DHEA was making it really oily. If you don't have that problem, I recommend the GUD that has pomegranate, it is lovely smelling.

Carol77B · November 2014

ronniesgirl1981 said:

Thanks @IfMamaAintHappy‌ . I did see that, but I didn't see many product recs...does that mean slim pickings? Also, I just read that my brand new BPA plastics might be crap, too. And they've already been in the dishwasher. :-(

Ugh, I'm sorry about the plastic- you meant BPA-free, right? Based on another article that said even BPA-Free can have similar chemical leaking, I try not to use any plastic, just glass, plastic baggies, tin foil or wax paper. I got a cute glass water bottle from Target and Walmart has some cheaper glass storage container sets.

IfMamaAintHappy · November 2014

@ronniesgirl1981‌ Carol77B is your lady for products and I see she already responded. I haven't seen anything on BPA free plastic being worthless...do share! Yikes.

Justone13 · November 2014

@carol77B is the serious consultant on this stuff! She totally puts me to shame! lol!! Okay so I love the Method stuff, cleaner, laundry detergent, fabric softener stuff and hand soaps. Burt Bee's stuff is awesome too and Tom's Toothpaste. I just can't give up my Bare Minerals makeup.. I just can't. lol Glass containers is where its at... they clean up so much nicer and plus you aren't poisoning yourself with them

emmuffy · November 2014

Avoid plastics in kitchen due to bpa as well as other endocrine disrupters. The book recommends avoiding all plastics to the extent possible (it's very difficult to completely avoid them, so at least try to switch food storage containers that you heat up or put in the dishwasher). It's easy to find stainless steel and glass alternatives. Coffee can be very challenging - it took me awhile to find a French press with no plastic parts. As for products, most large stores and grocery stores have a natural products aisle where you will find home products without fragrances and other substances, as well as personal care products. I've been using fragrance free neutrogena, aveeno, kiss my face, Burt's bees, tom's, etc. I'm not really following the dietary recommendations, although I try to eat healthy. I'm taking all the supplements except CoQ10, since one of my REs said not to take it with DHEA. I'm trying to mostly follow the advanced plan. That being said, I'm not convinced anything I'm doing is making a difference. My AFC is the same. Who knows, hopefully my quality will improve. I feel like these changes won't do any harm, and to the extent they help, great because I need all the help I can get.

Justone13 · November 2014

@lemonliz‌ I just downloaded that app!! How freaking helpful is that!

tumbleweed123 · November 2014

Tonight I forced my husband to roll up our very comfy memory foam bed topper and put it in the closet, because I'm worried that it has phthalates in it. Crazy?

I use Dr. Hauschka face wash and moisturizer. I also like Weleda. I use Aubrey haircare products.

BootsOrHearts · November 2014

Cleaning and personal care products: Honest Co. You can get them and BB&B or Target but it's way cheaper to order online with their monthly bundle.

Cosmetics: Zuzu - from Whole Foods or BeautyCounter. I have a friend who does the BeautyCounter stuff. Their products are not cheap but they are really good. You can also get Alba brand from Target, they are pretty good and some Burt's Bees things are paraben free but not all so you have to check the label.

The only thing I haven't been able to give up is my conditioner. The 'all natural' conditioners destroyed my hair and I tried lots of different brands.

Carol77B · November 2014

I found a few of the articles I had read discussing similar issues with estrogen disruptors in BPA-Free plastics:

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/03/tritan-certichem-eastman-bpa-free-plastic-safe

https://www.sfgate.com/health/article/BPA-free-plastics-may-be-less-safe-than-those-5302319.php

https://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/bpa-free-plastic-safe

The buyers for Targets must really vary, regionally, because we don't have many Method products in my local one, and the only Honest Company products I've seen are in the baby section.

Also, the GUD shampoo/conditioner I mentioned previously is by Burt's Bees and the really amazing "flavor" is Pearanormal (pear and acai berry).

@BootsOrHearts you may want to check out Alterna products for really great conditioners that are chemical free.

tptbabe · November 2014

I use Nature Clean laundry detergent, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent. I think they're a Canadian company though, so you might not be able to get them where you are? (They're available in pretty much every store here.) I like Live Clean for personal care (hair, soap, bodywash), and I use Tom's deoderant. I do need to apply it twice a day in the summer though. I still use my Pronamel toothpaste, but am looking for something new when that runs out? For household cleaning, I'm a vinegar and baking soda kinda gal. I used to use Melaleuca (mail-order) products, but I didn't buy enough each month to make it worth ordering just the stuff I liked.

Alot of you mentioned glass water bottles. I use a metal one. I thought those were OK?

BootsOrHearts · November 2014

tptbabe said:

I use Nature Clean laundry detergent, dish soap, and dishwasher detergent. I think they're a Canadian company though, so you might not be able to get them where you are? (They're available in pretty much every store here.) I like Live Clean for personal care (hair, soap, bodywash), and I use Tom's deoderant. I do need to apply it twice a day in the summer though. I still use my Pronamel toothpaste, but am looking for something new when that runs out? For household cleaning, I'm a vinegar and baking soda kinda gal. I used to use Melaleuca (mail-order) products, but I didn't buy enough each month to make it worth ordering just the stuff I liked.
Alot of you mentioned glass water bottles. I use a metal one. I thought those were OK?

Stainless steel is generally ok but aluminum bottles often have a BPA (or similar chemical) liner to protect the aluminum from oxidation. Even if it says 'BPA free' it will likely have a substance that is almost chemically identical to BPA. That's true of most plastics labelled 'BPA free' so they are best avoided in general.

KM721 · November 2014

Wow, thanks for this thread! Helpful!

I will second the thoughts on Clinique. All of their products are fragrance-free (hence no phthalates), and also feeling unable to give up makeup, I have settled on that.

I have actually been using Arm and Hammer baking soda deodorant for a year, since we started TTC. It is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant, so it is an adjustment, but it works! I tried a Tom's of Maine deodorant and didn't like that.

Even before ISWTE, I was a big fan of method cleaning products, especially the all purpose cleaner. We use that on EVERYTHING. I also picked up a polyester shower curtain, ordered a bundle off of Honest co website (35% off coupon for your first bundle on retailmenot). Honest co laundry detergent seems to be doing the job though I have heard good things about 7th generation as well. I haven't gotten my bundle from Honest yet, so I can't say how well those products are working, but I also like their hand sani spray I picked up at Target.

As for water bottles, I am still currently using a Soda Stream bottle (even though I don't actually do the soda in it). It is BPA free and has never been in the dishwasher. Always hand wash, cold water.

Hope this helps!

tptbabe · November 2014

Thanks @BootsOrHearts! Makes sense. Mine is stainless, so nothing to worry about I guess? I've had this thing forever (and take it with me everywhere) so it would feel like I was missing an arm or something if I had to get rid of it! Plus, even though the glass ones usually have a protector thing on them, I am a huge klutz and would most likely shatter it on the very first day... I'm surprised I've managed to keep my Pyrex lunch containers in one piece!

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

This has been so amazingly helpful! If all of your suggestions in mind, I went to Target today and read labels for a solid hour. I ended up with Method cleaners, a Burt’s Bees face wash, SheaMoisture Olive and Green Tea Body Lotion, and 2 reusable glass water bottles that have a silicone protector sleeve https://www.gocontigo.com/water-bottles/20-oz-purity-glass-water-bottle.html.

This won’t totally correct all the things I need to correct, but it’s a start. I need shampoo and conditioner. Target’s selection was really picked over. The kind I’m currently using has natural fragrance, so I’m hoping it’s not too, too bad. My husband already uses unscented deodorant so I might just use his for a bit.

I will switch out my hand soaps when the current ones run out. I did see a lot of options. And I bought cleaning gloves to use if I am handling something I know is bad for me. Laundry detergent and fabric softener will have to wait until the current ones run out…that crap is too expensive to toss.

I don’t know if I can get rid of my coffee maker….something about there just being coffee when I wake up…sigh.

@KM721 I grabbed that hand sanitizer spray today. I was worried about finding one of those!

I have three more questions:
-Is Dove unscented bar soap okay?
-What would you use to clean your countertop after handling raw meat?
-Have you found a favorite non-toxic candle? Target had one that called itself natural, but nothing on the label made me feel it was ISWTE safe.

BootsOrHearts · November 2014

I use the Honest Co. diaper wipes for kitchen cleanups. I don't know if that would be strong enough for what you're talking about though. If I prep chicken or fish I use a cutting board and then wash it with soap and hot water. Honest Co. has soy candles too I think.

I wouldn't use Dove, it very likely has parabens, pthalates, and/or SLS. You could read the ingredients to be sure though.

Carol77B · November 2014

@tptbabe I'm a huge klutz, too, and have dropped my Zulu glass water bottle from Target (several times) and it has survived unscathed!

ronniesgirl1981 with the raw chicken, especially. I saw a bleach (at Target, FTW) that claimed to be "healthier" that I was thinking about trying.

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

@Carol77B‌ I think I know what you are talking about...in the commercial the mom is spraying the bleach on a high chair with a kid in it...

tptbabe · November 2014

ronniesgirl1981 said:

I have three more questions:
-Is Dove unscented bar soap okay?
-What would you use to clean your countertop after handling raw meat?
-Have you found a favorite non-toxic candle? Target had one that called itself natural, but nothing on the label made me feel it was ISWTE safe.

1. No idea, sorry!

2. I've always used the wash cloth / dish soap combo. I never thought to use anything else?

3. I'm not a big fan of scented candles. The soy ones make my eyes, ears, and throat itchy and I sneeze like crazy, so I think I have an allergy to something in them?

Justone13 · November 2014

@ronniesgirl1981‌ I use the method spray cleaner for the kitchen clean ups and feel confident using it.

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

FYI: Birchbox has a search feature for "ingredient conscious picks." If you go to Shop, then pick a category and look to the lower left for the box to check. Also, there is a Black Friday sale right now. I just bought the Acure shampoo and conditioner and a lotion.

Justone13 · November 2014

@ronniesgirl1981‌ I just checked my deodorant and it showed as a 3 which is low. So I'm just going to keep using it.

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

@Justone13‌ Yup, mine is a 3 as well. I might try to get something a little lower...I also checked the dove unscented bar soap which is a 2. It shows organ toxicity, but non-reproductive, so...I guess that'll do for today.

jessmacdonald13 · November 2014

@justone13 and @ronniesgirl1981 Where are you getting this number from? I'm just reading ISWTE and I'm ready to make alllll the changes possible! Deoderant is the most difficult one for me

Justone13 · November 2014

@jessmacdonald13‌ it's an app you can downloaded on your phone ewg skin deep. It's awesome! They have one for food too!

ronniesgirl1981 · November 2014

@jessmacdonald13‌ You can also just go to the website. FWIW Arrid unscented--which is technically a men's deodorant--was rated a 1. My husband already uses that so I've been using his until I can get my own.

emmuffy · November 2014

Does anyone know why SLS is bad, or bad for fertility in particular? It's in some stuff I still use, particularly my fragrance free Aveeno bodywash

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