This page features some of my favourite body care products and brands that I have personally used and recommend. I will occasionally add or remove products depending on the season or if I’ve found something even better or more relevant to share with you and the Spoonie community. I have tried all of these products myself, so if you have more questions about a product or brand, let me know!
Heading into spring and summer, here’s what I have lined up for you!
Hair and scalp products
- Oneka’s Cedar & Sage shampoo. Occasionally my scalp surprises me with some dandruff or psoriasis, and I love this shampoo to help balance the pH, clean the scalp, reduce irritation and redness, and strengthen hair follicles. Its cedar and sage essential oils not only have a refreshing scent but also help to minimize bacterial and fungal imbalances. I don’t use the adjoining conditioner anymore because I found it too dry for my curly hair (better for oily hair), but I love the shampoo. They also have unscented options for those sensitive to essential oils or scents.
- Bounce Curl Turmeric Hair Detox Mask. A recent discovery, I am delighted to share this scalp and hair detox mask with you. It has helped to calm the irritation, dandruff and the psoriasis on my scalp that I’ve experienced over the past year (as a result of stress and vaccination reactions). It leaves my hair feeling healthy and soft, and my scalp feels soothed. It contains plenty of natural and nourishing ingredients and is so easy to apply.
- Lure Soft as Cashmere Cleansing Cream. I love cleansing creams. They are a sort of 2 in 1 hair product, having the texture and consistency of a conditioner, with the cleansing abilities of a shampoo (minus the foamy bubbles). I used this particular product for a long time to save on having to buy both shampoo and conditioner, and now I use it between more thorough washes or when I am in a hurry or feeling fatigued (eg. after a workout, at the gym, or while traveling). Plus, it smells amazing, leaves my hair soft and supple, and has simple and natural ingredients.
Whole body products
- Routine natural deodorant. One of my favourite deodorant brands, a friend introduced me to it when I complained that I had tried every natural deodorant under the sun and nothing seemed to work, let alone last the day. Now I am in love with this brand: each deodorant smells amazing, they don’t leave greasy smears, they don’t dry out or leave clumps. Routine also has a couple of deodorants without baking soda (eg. The Curator – as shown in the image above), in case anyone is sensitive to this ingredient (especially after shaving). Don’t be fooled by it’s small size – this deodorant will last around 4-6 months (I’ve averaged this out over the years, from my own experience). They now have their deodorant in stick form, too.
- Nezza Naturals Healing Hemp Lotion. For anyone with sensitive, irritated or inflamed skin, this lotion is for you. I’m talking eczema, psoriasis, burn or sunburn, and even if you have a new tattoo. I know of a few tattoo shops that would recommend this product to assist with healing and reducing irritation and redness of a new tattoo. It has a lovely scent, a soothing feel and also hydrates the skin without being oily or too thick. If you’re dealing with these issues specific to your face, I highly recommend the healing hemp face cream with its beautiful blue chamomile oil.
- Eco Tan Winter Skin lotion. I tried this for the first time last Spring, when the weather started to warm and I started wearing shorts and t-shirts. I have very pale skin and spider veins which I feel a little self-conscious about at the start of the summer. I was happy to discover that this product has much safer, more natural ingredients compared to other self-tanners. The tint looks natural (not a weird orange shade, not overly golden), it spreads on evenly, isn’t sticky or greasy, doesn’t have a strong, unnatural fragrance, and can be applied gradually. Please keep in mind this doesn’t replace sunscreen and won’t protect you from the sun. Also, I recommend that you exfoliate and moisturize beforehand to ensure a smooth and even look on the skin. They have a darker tint option here.
Facial products and makeup
- AnneMarie Borlind ZZ Sensitive Cleansing Emulsion. This cleanser has been a saving grace for me during the pandemic, because wearing masks sometimes had me break out around my mouth a few times, and even caused me what’s called angular cheilitis (cracks at the corners of the mouth, not to be confused with cold sores). This cleanser is very gentle, non-drying and is unscented (Amazon incorrectly states the scent as being “orchid,” in fact golden orchid is used to soothe and balance the pH of the skin). My favourite part: it contains both prebiotics and probiotics to balance your skin’s natural microbiome. I have also recommended this product to anyone who has irritation, redness, psoriasis, acne or eczema, because it is so gentle and will assist with rebalancing the skin’s microbiome.
- Nezza Naturals Carrot Seed & Rose Eye Cream. As a result of living with chronic illness, I know that some Spoonie Sisters may deal with tired, dry, inflamed eyes, or dark circles under the eyes. This particular eye cream is beautifully made for improving all of the above, naturally. It is stock-full of antioxidants, soothing, hydrating, mildly astringent (think: wrinkles, puffiness) and brightening. Spoil yourself with a little bit of rosy TLC for the eyes.
- AnneMarie Borlind BB Cream. The perfect tinted moisturizer for either a night out or those days when you might feel a little haggard and want to brighten up your look. I am not normally a fan of BB creams (stands for beauty balm) or tinted makeup, because I don’t like feeling like I have a mask on, and I don’t like how they wear over the day (smears, smudges, cracks, flakiness, etc). But I discovered this particular BB cream and love it. It applies perfectly after either a serum or face cream application (or even without either, if you don’t have very dry or aged skin). Dries quickly, lasts all day without mishaps, feels thin and silky on the face (even on a hot summer day), and makeup can be layered over it no problem. It comes in Light, Medium and Dark tones, the Medium being the most versatile.
Want to see some of my all-time favourite products? Check out my Spoonie favourites page, updated seasonally. Feel free to share with us any recommendations to your own favourite products! Leave a comment below. Thank you!
