I'd like to know more abou the natural, fluoride free toothpaste. We brush our 3 1/2 year old's teeth once a day with "real" kid's toothpaste (i.e. fluoridated), but we try to use baby toothpaste the rest of the time with her. Our 2 year old only gets baby toothpaste.

The most effective thing for my acne is Acne Free (it is like a generic ProActive). My friend picks it up at Costco for me for $25. That is a three month supply - but I can stretch it for longer. It is the cheapest thing I have found that actually works - I can go without makeup now! (I've also seen it at Target. 2 month supply for $18.)

Simplify. Do you *need* hair conditioner? A face wash separate from your body soap? Lotion? Makeup? We use generic Head and Shoulders shampoo from Wal-Mart, Weleda Calendula Baby Soap (calendula is healing for acne-prone skin) from face to feet, and I use hand lotion (Alba brand--health food store or Target) if I need it, but usually only in the winter (like right now, when my hands are broken out in a rash because they're dry). My 'makeup' is nothing but Chapstick--I like the new natural Chapstick, which isn't petroleum-based but is still cheap. I keep a tube in my purse and one next to my bed.

Hubby and I spend a little more on my deodorant than his--I use a natural deodorant (Alba again) and his is from Wal-Mart. I won't use a deodorant crystal because they contain the same aluminum as commercial antiperspirants (according to Dr. Weil).

We do use commercial toothpaste (Crest Pro-Health), and hubby uses their mouthwash as well, because he has a bridge that makes it difficult to floss. I've used virtually every natural toothpaste on the market, and I agree that fluoride is not at all meant to be ingested, but I've had some problems with my teeth that seem to respond best to a fluoride toothpaste.

Some expenses just suck, like contact solution--I have to use the no-preservatives kind that is, of course, the most expensive and, of course, doesn't come in generic. :p So we try to minimize expenses in other areas. Scott Extra Soft is a great compromise for cheap toilet paper that actually works.

Sorry for writing a book!

Just wondering, but is there a certain reason why you never wear makeup? Religious or just your preference?

I've been wearing makeup since I went to a mother-daughter Mary Kay party at age 14. I'm rarely without make up- I prefer how I look with it. Without makeup, I find I look tired or sick. That being said, I don't wear a lot - too much makeup just ages you.

I'm not someone who won't leave the house without it though. I'm fine to go the gym, grocery store, etc. with a bare face. It would take a lot for me to go to work without makeup though.

In Europe, fluoridation of water has been banned. My son has white spots "fluoridosis" all over his front teeth... irreversible and indicates he has had too much fluoride. We drink tap water that has been filtered and regular toothpaste. It's too late for ust to reverse any fluoridosis on his teeth as they are all mature and waiting to come in, but maybe someone reading this will take note and change.

As far as soaps and lotions... I swear by this combination, and everyone I know who has tried it has had long-term success. Dove Nutrium and a hot washcloth at night followed by Cetaphil lotion (no parabens, mineral oil or petroleum products). The next morning, let the warm water wash your face in the shower, and after the shower, immediately put a little Cetaphil lotion on your face. Period. That's it!

HTH

I did not read all the other commnets, so please forgive me if I repeat something was said. Something that works great for acne is, cider vinegar, plain and simple. I have a friend whose son had terrilbe acne and he started the cider vinegar treatment and his acne is almost gone!! I was really surprised by how well it worked. :0) HTH someone.

Thanks to all who answered my question about wearing make-up. I meant to sign my name at the bottom of the post and forgot. I was just wondering why you didn't wear it, because some women don't wear it for various reasons. :-)
Thanks again,
Melinda

Tammy, I thought of you today. I was in an inservice for wound care items (I am a home health nurse) and one of the products that the rep was pushing for us to use on our patients with fragile skin is a product that has olive oil, amino acids and vitamins that is scented with essential oils (vanilla mostly). It is supposed to be gentle as well as healing to the skin. So you are not so far off the mark in using olive oil. I suppose that if the scent is not appealing to you, you can add some essential oils as you please.

About the makeup issue. I never used to wear makeup and I never needed to. I always had peaches and cream complexion, rarely a pimple. Then in my mid 30s I developed rosacea. At the beginning it was pretty severe and my skin was starting to change in texture as well as being very red and blotchy. After treatment, my skin is now soft, but I have very red, blotchy spots that I am very self conscious about. So I wear Bare Minerals makeup, just the foundation powder. One jar lasts me about 4 months and it covers the red well, so I consider it worth it. I'll be 46 this year, I do not have any wrinkles but I do have a few silver streaks in my hair. I've always said that I'll color my hair when/if the gray ever bothers me. It doesn't bother me. My natural hair is dark brown and I rather like the silver streaks that are showing. So the bulk of my beauty items regiment is the Bare Minerals foundation. I buy Suave or store brand shampoo and lotion soap (again for my sensitive skin, I have to be careful to the type of soap I use). My teen and young adult daughters think they have to have the expensive beauty items, but I won't buy it for them, they have to spend their own money on it. They won't spend that much money (they are frugal like their mama when it comes to their own money) so they use the same items I do.

Hi Tammy! I just found your blog, and I really enjoy it! I am single and have no children, but everyone can use a little more frugality in their lives!

About shampoo and conditioner - I have very wavy (not quite curly hair), and every stylist I've been to has told me it is NOT necessary to shampoo every day, and if you have wavy hair, you can shampoo once a week and be fine. Stylists have also told me that when I do wash my hair, I should only use about a teaspoon of shampoo. (I have medium-length hair.)

For those with VERY curly/kinky hair, it is not necessary to use shampoo at all, EVER - your hair gets plenty clean just using water and a small amount of conditioner.

The reason for this is that wavy and curly hair is much more fibrous than straight hair, and the drying agents in shampoo can actually damage wavy and curly hair over time.

Personally, I wash my hair once or twice a week, depending on the weather and what I've been doing. On the days I don't shampoo, I just rinse my hair thoroughy in warm water, scrub my scalp a bit with my finger tips, and apply a small amount of conditioner to the ends of my hair. Regular-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner last me 4-6 months at least. Furthermore, all my friends assure me that my hair passes the "sniff test!"

Thanks for the great tips, and keep up the good work!