The Frugal Diva is happy to present these healthy, green, and frugal alternatives from the folks at Vitacost.

Five Go-Green Personal Care Tips

Green goods are everywhere, and thanks to popular demand, they’re more affordable now than ever before. So why not make the switch? If you’re new to eco-friendly, natural products, you may need a little help figuring out where to start. Here are five ways you can clean up your personal care routine from head to toe.

Lather up. Bubbles make bath time fun, but most conventional products contain a controversial chemical called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that’s been linked to poor health. Natural soap and body washes are typically made from plant oils, such as palm, coconut and sunflower, which are safer, gentler and still get you squeaky clean.

Battle body odor. Staying stink-free is a must for most, but over-the-counter antiperspirants are made with aluminum-based compounds (which block ducts so sweat can’t escape) that may put you at risk for certain diseases. Baking soda, corn starch and essential oils in natural deodorants help absorb moisture and blast bacteria that cause odor, without subjecting your pits to peril.

Brush safely. Home to several million bacteria, your mouth needs frequent cleaning, or bad breath, tooth decay and other issues arise. But before you squeeze any old toothpaste on that brush, look at the label. Besides SLS (the suds maker mentioned above), other chemicals, such as saccharin, fluoride and even diethylene glycol (used in antifreeze), may be on the ingredient list. Natural toothpastes feature mint oil, herbs and xylitol (a naturally occurring sweetener that benefits oral health) that keep teeth clean, breath fresh and toxins from spiraling down the drain.

Be smooth. Skin absorbs 60 percent of what’s applied to it, so slathering on lotion loaded with parabens (chemical preservatives) and phthalates (known as “endocrine disruptors” because they mimic hormones), may do more than soften that dry patch on your elbow. Keep toxins away from your precious bloodstream, and take moisturizing a step further with natural vitamin- and antioxidant-enriched lotions that soothe and protect skin.

Catch the flow. Over the course of a lifetime, a woman will use 10,000 disposable feminine hygiene products to manage her monthly flow. That’s a lot of cotton and plastic—which ends up cluttering landfills and leaching chemicals (such as dioxin, by-product of the cotton bleaching process) into the environment. And if air and water aren’t safe from the breakdown, think about how these materials affect your body. Make the switch to reusable pads or menstrual cups to protect your private parts and the world around you.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A and other vitamin and nutritional supplements. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, whole foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

By: +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com