Paraben-Free Products to Manage Stress & Anxiety

*This post contains some affiliate links. More explanation about that a bit later…

At the beginning of April, I shared my personal exercise routine to manage stress, anxiety, grief, endometriosis, and menopause. Originally, I planned to continue the Managing Menopause, Endometriosis, Grief, Stress, Anxiety series by discussing how organic, low-card foods help manage my endometriosis and menopause. Because May is in full swing—one of the most triggering months for we childless not by choice women—I decided to share about food later. Instead, I want to talk about vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free products to manage stress, anxiety, and grief. Because I think we childless warriors might need some of these products as we try to regain our balance after “M” Day…

Before we begin chatting about vegan, cruelty-free, and/or paraben-free products to manage stress and anxiety, let’s get the legalize out of the way…

The All-Important Disclaimer…

I’m just a gal who suffers from endo, has gone through menopause, and is struggling through the stress & grief of losing my Nana, my Grammy, my best friend… I don’t hold a medical or counseling degree nor am I a specialist. I am simply speaking my truth–sharing vegan, cruelty-free, and/or paraben-free products to manage stress & anxiety–with the goal of educating and advocating. In other words…

Not So Mommy…™ is designed to provide information and motivation to readers. This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice. The information contained in the blogs, emails, and social media posts is the sole expression and opinion of its author(s). Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in the blogs, emails, and/or social media posts, you are taking full responsibility for your choices, actions, and results. (If you’d like to read the entire Not So Mommy…™ Disclosure Policy, click here.)

AND…

As I stated at the beginning of this post, this blog contains some affiliate links. Thus, I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, which helps me maintain this site and continue to fulfill the Not So Mommy… Purpose.

*A complete list of products mentioned with links to purchase will be at the end of each section of this blog.

Vegan, Cruelty-Free, and/or Paraben-Free Products to Manage Stress & Anxiety…

Okay, now we can talk about the good stuff…

First, let me say that I have been using vegan, cruelty-free, and/or paraben-free products for a few years. After beginning to eat more organic foods, I felt so much better. So, I decided that I should not only pay attention to what I was putting inside my body, but also what I was putting on my body. And that led me to consider the household products I use to clean, as well.

Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free Facial Products

Face Wash & Make-up Remover

The first beauty care products I changed were my face cleansers and lotions. I start my day washing my face with Pacifica Cosmic Hemp Balancing Face Wash. And I end my day with Pacifica Makeup Remover Wipes. I also use Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleansing Face Wash, as I am prone to breakouts.

Cream Cleanser

In my Pup Mom Crate, I received Earth Harbor’s Ahoy Love Nourishing Cream Cleanser. I love this soft pink cleanser made with hibiscus, seaweed extract, and aloe juice. Using it once or twice a week, I rub it on my face and décolletage. Honestly, this is simply an extra moment of pampering that I allow myself. A moment to de-stress. A moment where I feel I’m making myself just a bit prettier…

Oil-Free Moisturizer

Finally, after using all my cleansers, I rub some Alba Botanica oil-free moisturizer on my face and décolletage. This light and silky face lotion glides onto my skin. I don’t buy a separate eye cream. I simply use a bit of my moisturizer underneath my eyes—dabbing a small amount with my ring finger.

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Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free Shower Products

Body Wash & Body Buffer

Part of my self-care routine is allowing myself a nice, hot shower before bed. Most of the time, I use Shea Moisture Hydrating Body Wash because I suffer from dry skin. Shea Moisture also offers a Relaxing Body Wash. In December, my cousin-in-love gave me a Spongology Body Wash Infused Body Buffer in Tuberose. Initially, I was a bit hesitant to use it, as the sponge seemed a bit rough. But after a couple of uses, it softened and I absolutely adore this product! Like my Ahoy Love Nourishing Cream Cleanser, I use my Spongology Body Buffer a few times a week, allowing myself extra moments to pamper and de-stress.

Shampoo & Conditioner

As for my hair… I use Odele Smoothing Shampoo and Smoothing Conditioner. Odele is not available on Amazon, and I do not have an affiliate link with this company. I love their shampoo, conditioner, and Air Dry Styler, however. So, I want to share their website, which offers hair and body products. You can shop Odele here.

Scalp Scrub

Once a week, I use Pacifica Rosemary Detox Scalp Scrub before I shampoo my hair. It is another vegan, cruetly-free, paraben-free product to manage stress & anxiety, allowing me an extra moment to pamper myself.

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*I do not have an affiliate link with Spongology.

Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free Beauty & Self-Care Products

Deodorant

The first natural “beauty” product I used was Schmidt’s Deodorant. I wanted to start using an aluminum-free deodorant. Though I realize no scientific studies have confirmed that using antiperspirants containing aluminum increases your risk of breast cancer, some studies have shown that higher levels of aluminum are related to dementia risk. As someone who lost her Daddy to cancer, her best friend to cancer, and her Grandad to Alzheimer’s, I prefer to err on the side of caution. So, I changed to Schmidt’s Sensitive Natural Deodorant.

Toothpaste

The most recent natural “beauty” product I’ve begun using is Tom’s Fluoride-Free Natural Toothpaste. I decided to use not only natural toothpaste, but fluoride-free as well, because studies have shown a correlation between higher levels of fluoride and dementia risk.

Hand Soap

Because I am an incessant handwasher… (Even before Covid. When I taught, co-workers actually commented about how much I washed my hands…) Anyway, since I wash my hands a lot, I decided that it was important to use a paraben-free hand wash. I love Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Hand Soap. My favorite scents are Peony and Rose, while Dane prefers Lavender.

Lotion

Since I wash my hands so much, I also use hand lotion often. Honestly, I suffer from dry skin over my entire body. Initially, I used Raw Sugar Lotion. Though I love it, Raw Sugar Lotion has become difficult to find and/or is quite expensive. So, I switched to EOS Lotion, which is less expensive and more easily found.

Lip Balm

Not only do I use lotion often, but I also apply lip balm numerous times a day. In fact, I have realized that lip balm is a comfort to me, a way to reduce my anxiety. Before meeting new people, before trying new things, when I just need a moment… I catch myself applying lip balm. Because of this, I have lip balm in my make-up drawer, desk drawer, purse, a drawer in our snug, the glovebox of my car… So, I started using EOS gluten-free, paraben-free lip balm made of natural butters, oils, and waxes. Though all EOS lip balm is 100% natural, I prefer flavors that are organic, such as strawberry sorbet.

Body Spray

Finally, I spritz Beloved Body Mist as “perfume.” I use different scents, depending on the season. During the Spring, I like to use Eucalyptus Body Mist. Studies have shown that inhaling eucalyptus scent can decrease symptoms of stress and anxiety.

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Plant-Based, Cruelty-Free, Biodegradable Laundry Products

After switching to vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free facial, shower, beauty, and self-care products, I decided to start using natural household products, as well. Not only are these products healthier for me, my husband, and our fur baby, but they are also healthier for the environment. Knowing that I am caring for our Earth and its creatures helps me feel calmer.

Detergents & Fabric Softener

I use Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener. Made with plant-based materials, Seventh Generation laundry formulas are 100% biodegradable. For our dark clothes, I use The Laundress – Darks Detergent, also made with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients.

Dryer Balls

Recently, I started using The Purple Lamb Wool Dryer Balls. Though Seventh Generation does have dryer sheets, I decided to use dryer balls in an effort to reduce the amount of trash I create. Chemical and bleach free, The Purple Lamb Dryer Balls are handmade in Nepal through fair-trade processes, providing job opportunities for women.

I also use a homemade laundry sanitizer made from essential oils. You can read more about that here.

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Plant-Based, Cruelty-Free, Biodegradable Dishwashing Products

Dishwasher Pods & Dish Soap

After changing to plant-based laundry products, I decided it made sense to wash our dishes with plant-based products, too. I mean, we do eat off them, after all! So, I started using Seventh Generation Dishwasher Pods. A 78% bio-based product, these single-use packets are free of fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and chlorine bleach. For the pots and pans, which I hand wash, I use Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap.

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Plant-Based, Cruelty-Free, Biodegradable Cleaning Products

Disinfecting Wipes

When Covid hit March 2020, my anxiety went through the roof. A “neat-freak,” my cleaning went into overdrive. I was wiping down doorknobs, faucets, remotes, cellphones, countertops… I was wiping down everything every day. Even now, over two years later, I still use disinfecting wipes daily. Because of this, I decided to start using Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes. I needed more than a cleaning wipe, as I wanted to make sure bacteria and viruses were being killed. But I was also concerned about bringing unwanted toxins into our home. Seventh Generation wipes are a botanical disinfectant made from essential oils. Though I didn’t love the smell at first, the fact that they are eco-friendly and free of harsh chemicals won over scent.

All Purpose Cleaner

Not only do I clean with Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes, but I also use Method All Purpose Cleaner. Made with plant-based materials, French Lavender is our favorite scent. I love that I can use this cleaner on countertops, sinks, and floors without leaving a sticky residue.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

To clean toilets, I use Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Non-toxic and biodegradable, the bottle is made from 75% recycled plastic. I like knowing that I am making a difference–even if a small one–in helping maintain the health of our planet.

Natural Cleaners

Finally, I often use baking soda and/or distilled white vinegar to clean. Not only does this keep unwanted chemicals and toxins out of our home, but they are cheaper and less harsh on finishes, such as sinks, tubs, and tile.

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So, why are we talking about these products?

Before we conclude, I’d like to take just a moment to explain a bit more about why we are talking about these vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, plant-based, and/or biodegradable products…

It probably wasn’t much of a surprise that I discussed facial, shower, beauty, and self-care products to manage stress and anxiety. After all, pampering yourself with a spa day–whether at home or a salon–is one way to relax and de-stress. You might, however, have been surprised that I also shared laundry, dishwashing, and cleaning products as a way to manage stress and anxiety.

As stated previously, I am a self-proclaimed “neat freak.” An organized, clean space is calming to me. Because of this, I take time every day to make the bed, unload & load the dishwasher, do a couple loads of laundry, take out the trash…

I also disinfect and clean daily. Though I’ve always kept a tidy house, this has become even more important to me since the pandemic. In fact, the only way I kept my anxiety under control at the beginning was disinfecting everything every day–wiping down cellphones, keys, wallets, cleaning countertops, sweeping, laundry, dishes… I had to feel like my space was safe. And the only way I could do that was by cleaning.

I say all this to encourage you to try to figure out the cause of your anxiety and stress. Once you discover the root issue, then you can develop strategies to help you better manage stress and anxiety. At least, that was my experience with the pandemic and cleaning…

One More Thought…

Though I have shared 25+ vegan, cruelty-free, and/or paraben-free products to manage stress and anxiety, I do not use all vegan, paraben-free products. A friend of mine who is a nurse told me that if you’ll eat at least 80% organic, then your body can keep up and flush out the toxins. So, I figure this equates with beauty and household products, as well. If I use about 80% vegan, paraben-free products, then my body can flush out the toxins from the other 20% of stuff.

I say this because I think sometimes people question how much difference one thing can make. In my humble opinion, even switching to one vegan, paraben-free product makes a positive impact on your health. So, even though I shared 25+ vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, plant-based, and/or biodegradable products to manage stress and anxiety, I’m not saying that you must use all of them. Find one or two products that appeal to you and give them a try. That’s how I started. And that one change led to another, which led to another…

When you buy…

Fabulous one, if you decide to buy one of the products I mentioned, I’d be so grateful if you’d purchase it using my affiliate link from this blog post. I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases, which helps me maintain this site and continue to fulfill the Not So Mommy… Purpose.

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Fabulous one, do you use vegan, cruelty-free, and/or paraben-free products to manage stress & anxiety? If you feel comfortable, please tell us about it in the comments…

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Featured Photo: Taken by me; Edited using Canva

Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free Products to Manage Stress & Anxiety…