SFIC Soap

Once upon a time I attempted to create a fragrance-free skin care business. Due to a number of factors I was never able to get that business off the ground. One of the products I sold was SFIC soap and it is the bar soap I use today. I try many varieties of fragrance free soaps. Dr. Bronners is my favorite liquid, and this is my favorite bar. SFIC is the soap of choice for crafters who use melt and pour bases to make their own creations. They take very well to colors and scents, but I obviously prefer the bar in it’s natural fragrance-free state. There are no synthetic ingredients in these soaps. The are 100% pure soap and they come in a variety of kinds: Aloe Vera, Clear, White, Olive Oil, Castile, Goats Milk, Oatmeal, Shea Butter, Hemp Seed Oil and Cocoa Butter just to name a few.

The clear soap formula ingredients are Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Safflower Oil, Glycerine (kosher, of vegetable origin), Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide (saponifying agent), Sorbitol (moisturizer), Sorbitan oleate (emulsifier), Soybean protein (conditioner).

The complete list of formulas can be found here:

The one problem with SFIC is their minimums are high for the average customer. They specialize in bulk sales, private labeling and custom soap blending. I placed an order and my minimum was 250 lbs. I figured out that I will have enough soap for 20 years, but according to the company their soap has an indefinite shelf life, so I am good with this.
If you would like smaller quantities, go to wisterialane.com. They sell SFIC soap in with no minimum quantity.

I highly recommend SFIC soap. It is soft, luxurious, and lathers very well.

SFICSoap.com
Photo credits: SFICSoap.com

Andalou Shampoos

I’ve been trying to incorporate more natural, organic scents back into my life.  I’ve become so accustomed to everything in my life being fragrance-free, I now have to make an effort to incorporate real scents back into the products that I use.

I found Andalou shampoos at Whole Foods.  These products are

“made naturally without GMO’s, gluten, paraben preservatives, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes and fragrances. Verified Gluten-Free 100% Eco-friendly, Vegetarian & Cruelty-Free.”  The fragrances they use are organic essential oils and I tolerate them very well. The scents smell very pure and not over powering at all.  Unfortunately, they do not make a fragrance-free version, so if you have reactions to essential oils, even organic essential oils, do not use these products.  I use the Argan & Sweet Orange, and the Sunflower & Citrus.  I haven’t tried the conditioners yet because I’m really happy with the conditioner I currently use.

Andalou products are available through Vitacost, where you can buy them for a better price than Whole Foods.

Avocado and Olive Oil Hair Treatment

 

Here is a natural recipe for your hair.  Avocados are rich in healthy fats as well as Vitamin E and C.  Olive oil also provides generous amounts of healthy fats and Vitamin E.

 

Blend or mash one avocado with ½ cup of olive oil.  Add egg yolk, honey or aloe vera gel for added moisturizing benefits.

 

Apply to dry hair, cover with a shower cap and towel over top of that.  Leave the mixture on for 20 minutes, rinse and then shampoo.  Condition if you would like.

Cure Care Conditioner

Cure Care is my go to hair conditioner and I will be very, very sad if they ever discontinue this product one day.

When I was a child, my family used to use Unicure.  My mother thought the product was discontinued because our local stores stopped carrying it.  I have since learned that they are still in business and you can order Unicure here

Now I use Cure Care.  I found Cure Care at Sally’s Beauty Supply several years ago and it is my favorite conditioner of all time.  It contains no fragrance or dyes.  It is a rich, creamy silky feeling conditioner that is so moisturizing.  It is sold in 20 oz bottles and gallon jugs, which is the one I buy because the price is fantastic.  The 20 oz bottle costs 2.99 (with a Sally’s beauty club discount card) and the gallon jug costs 7.79 after the discount.  I buy several gallons at a time.

Cure Care does contain parabens, which I’m not thrilled about, but we all have to pick and choose how non-toxic we want to go.  If you are not comfortable with using parabens, I think this is still a good conditioner to recommend to family and friends who are willing to explore being scent-free.

You can also use Cure Care as a skin cleanser.  I even use it in place of shaving cream.

Available at Sally’s Beauty Supply.  Gallon jugs are only available in stores.

Everyday Shea Unscented Shampoo and Conditioner

I love love love love love love LOVE this shampoo and conditioner. Did I say how much I love these products? Cuz I do. I came across them at Whole Foods and gave them a try since I love shea butter.

These products are great for my dry hair. They’re very moisturizing. Everyday Shea also makes a body wash, lotion, and hand soap, which I just saw the other day at Whole Foods. I haven’t tried the body wash, lotion or hand soap yet but I will be soon.