Conventional soap is full of nasty crap that you don’t want on your skin—trust me. I’m just gonna break it on down…

1. Conventional soaps contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (foaming agent) = evil ingredient/suspected carcinogen
2. They are basically detergent bars made with petroleum (aka crude oil) products—yuck!
3. Those strong unnatural fragrances (read: chemicals) they add are inTOXICating…
4. Who wants to bathe with animal fat anyway? (think: Fight Club) I much prefer plant oils (like olive and coconut), thank you.
5. Why support companies that test on animals when you can go the cruelty-free route?

Seriously, doesn’t your skin deserve better?

Here are a few vegan, cruelty-free soap companies that I highly recommend:

Strawberry Hedgehog – Check out the Candy Corn and Pumpkin Spice soaps, people!

Dr. Bronner’s Soaps – LOVE their peppermint liquid soap; I use it every day! It’s the ultimate tingly, minty fresh maker!

Herbaria – The French Lavender bar is amah-zing.

Maui Soap Company – Try the Lime Litsea soap. This one is great for the kitchen sink.

Maui Tropical Soaps – My fave is Coconut Mango; it’s a fruity tropical delight.

Hawaiian Bath & Body Soaps – Try the Mango-Papaya soap… smells insanely delicious (I dare you not to eat it)!

Kalliste Soaps -The only place I know that has wine-scented soaps.

Mountain Girl Soap – Highly recommend the Rosemary Mint Bar – earthy & divine!

Nothing beats natural soap that’s 100% handcrafted, made in small batches, fresh, chemical-free, cruelty-free and vegan.

What are some of your favorite vegan bars of soap?

Cucumber Wasabi Hand Wash ($12): Whaaaa? Did that say wasabi? Hells yeah. It turns out, wasabi has mad antiseptic properties and has a high concentration of potassium, calcium, Vitamin C and phytochemicals. That, combined with cucumber’s cooling properties = a non-drying, mild cleanser that is bound to make your bathroom guests feel special. I love the scent of anything cucumber. It smells so fresh and clean – it clears my head. I’m a huge fan of this hand wash. If you’re nuts over wasabi, you might want to try their Lemongrass Wasabi hand wash as well. I’ve yet to try it but I’m sure it’s equally fabu.

Bamboo Lemongrass Body Creme ($22): This super emollient and rich body cream is non-greasy and quickly absorbs into the skin. It perfectly complements Lather’s Bamboo Lemongrass Foaming Body Scrub (which we’re giving away on VBR – don’t forget to enter for your chance to win it). It contains bamboo extract, aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, shea butter, jojoba and sweet almond oils, Vitamins A. C & E and precious essential oils. This body creme is the perfect remedy for thirsty skin. This will leave your skin ultra soft and delicate smelling.

Swiss Apple Wrinkle Remedy ($62): You’ve heard an apple a day keeps the doctor away but did you know it can keep the plastic surgeon away too? This unique wrinkle remedy is formulated with stem cells from the rare Swiss apple Uttwiler Spatlauber which is rich in phyto-nutrients, proteins and long-living cells. This formula incorporates niacinamide which stimulates microcirculaion and ups the production of ceramides (basically the glue that holds cells together). This combined with hyaluronic acid and phospholipids (which replenish the moisture barrier and plump fine lines) will help knock off some years so you can stay 21 forever. Although wrinkle treatments aren’t magical, you will notice your skin’s tone and texture improving and those fine lines will get a little finer. Every bit helps.

For more info: Lather

So, now that your conventional, toxic shampoo has made it’s way to the trash, be happy to know that your hair is going to come back to life (after detoxing via healthier, more nourishing hair washing routines).  A good place to start is with Obligé’s Stimulant Shampoo ($14.95) with spearmint, peppermint and wintergreen. It’s smells so fresh and rejuvenating and it has a slight tingle factor (if you’re into that, which I undoubtedly am). It’s a mint lover’s dream. This shampoo is intentionally a low lather formula and works best on normal hair. If you desire a heartier lather, shampoo twice. Their shampoo varieties include: Pur (unscented, for all hair types), Détente (calming, for normal, dry & damaged hair), Exotique (sensual, for normal and fine, delicate hair), Réveil (awakening, for normal to oily hair) and Stimulant (energizing, for normal hair).

If your hair is dry, frizzy, fried and needs some serious love, I recommend their Nourishing Conditioner ($18.95) which is packed with mineral rich herbs and emollient oils. This rich conditioner smells so calming and beautiful. It contains essential oils of  Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Palmarosa, Petitgrain and Lemongrass.  All of these hair products are safe on color treated hair – hallelujah! (’cause my natural hair color hasn’t surfaced since high school). These conditioners are available in Pur, Nourishing and Volumizing formulas.

Moving on to body care… I’ve always been a fan of minty body washes. In fact, Dr. Bronners Peppermint Soap is one of my all time favorite vegan skin care products on the market. I have to say though, Obligé by Nature kicks some major ass in the minty, tingly body wash department. I’ve been rockin’ their Stimulant Body Wash and it’s out of this world. It smells amazing and makes my skin feel happy.  It’s pH balanced and contains Rose Hip Seed Oil which repairs damaged skin and helps leave it super smooth. Love it, Love it! I hope I get around to trying all of Obligé’ by Nature’s products. ( I will of course keep y’all posted)

For more info: Obligé by Nature