by Karen Shaw Suriner

Created on: April 14, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Lately it seems like every week another ingredient that we've taken for granted comes under suspicion or is deemed unsafe. "Recent studies show that" many products long deemed safe by the FDAand thus, the American publicin fact have ill effects on our health, including many of the petroleum derivatives that are widely used in cosmetics and bath and body care products. Here are some affordable, effective alternatives to chemical- and petroleum-based bath and body products.

Naturally gorgeous starts with naturally clean. For chemical-free cleansing, try a vegetable-based castile soap, made with olive or other plant oils. They are less drying than traditional soap and can even replace a number of chemical cleansers in your home, including shampoo and laundry detergent! Dr. Bronner's classic liquid soap (available online and in natural food stores) is made with organic, free trade ingredients and comes in a number of formulations, including one with antibacterial tea tree oil that's ideal for acne-prone skin and an unfragranced, irritant-free version for babies and those with extra-sensitive skin.

Epsom salts relax and detoxify, and you can find them affordably priced at most drugstores and pharmacies. Add some to a hot bath or foot soak, or mix with an organic oil like olive, coconut, or jojoba for an exfoliating scrub that will invigorate and soften. If you wish, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance. (Do note that some essential oils, such as citrus oils, can be toxic even though they are naturally derived. Avoid using products containing potent essential oils on pets or babies.)

Witch hazel is a natural, gentle astringent that can be applied with a cotton ball. For a deeper clean, mix soothing chamomile and green tea into honey (another natural antibacterial and humectant), massage into face with a circular motion, wait 15 to 30 minutes, and rinse. To perk up a tired complexion, try a simple facial of mashed cucumber. For a moisturizing facial, mix a few spoonfuls of honey into a cup of warm whole milk until dissolved, soak a clean dry washcloth in the mixture, apply to face for 15-30 minutes and rinse. Moisturize with vitamin E oil or oil-free aloe vera gel.

Spot-treat acne at home with a dab of honey on a cotton swab. For toenails afflicted by fungal infection, use a cotton swab to apply vinegar daily to the nail and nail bed after showering until the affected nail grows out.

You can also find effective alternatives to chemical-based haircare right in your own kitchen. A tablespoon of cider vinegar (containing citric acid for shine) in your shampoo every other week removes styling product buildup and leaves hair squeaky clean. For all-natural deep conditioning, mix honey and olive oil, work through hair and cover with a shower cap or plastic bag for 30 minutes, rinse, then shampoo. For lightening and highlights, apply lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to small sections of hair before sun exposure. To add red tones to your hair, try henna, a plant-based dye usually found in powdered form.

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