You make choices that support sustainability and green earth initiatives for the benefit of the planet. Want some good news? What’s good for the environment is also good for your beard!
Much of the soap available for purchase in retail stores isn’t really soap. It’s actually detergent. Detergents are a petroleum-based product, like gas and kerosene. Commercial soaps are well-known for leaving your skin feeling dry and tight. The most common irritant is alkali, but others components in mass-marketed soaps include chemical hardeners, foaming agents, and synthetic fragrances. Many of these have been established as toxic to our bodies. So why is their use allowed? It’s important to be aware that unlike the word “organic” that is regulated by the USDA, use of the word “natural” in branding or marketing is not regulated or subject to quality standards relative to that term.
Switching to Organic
From an environmental standpoint, there is a large amount of toxic chemicals infiltrating the water that feeds our rivers, lakes, and oceans. There are studies documenting birth defects and liver damage in animals as a result of chemical contamination. If this continues unabated, these compounds have the potential to significantly damage the environment and the many species that call this planet home.
The following options are in bar form to avoid the plastic packaging of commercial washes. Unfortunately, there are few liquid or crème conditioning options that are available in plastic-free packaging – although there are some products that come in packages created from recycled plastic. While not ideal, it’s an improvement. Another bonus of using bar soap: according to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, when washing their hands, people use seven times as much liquid soap as bar soap. It stands to reason that this could also apply to washing or conditioning your beard.
Goat Milk Soap
Due to its fat molecule content and natural emollients, goat milk has anti-inflammatory properties which help soothe irritated skin. Even those with sensitive skin should be able to use an organic goat milk soap with no razor bumps or irritation issues. Goat milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which have a mildly exfoliating effect. Because of this exfoliating characteristic, products with AHAs help smooth and brighten skin and are often used to address skin conditions like age spots, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.
Organic goat soaps are high in several types of fatty acids. These include palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid. These fatty acids are required in our diets in order for our skin to address inflammation, repair itself, and sustain its moisture. It is possible that applying them topically could benefit the skin as well, if these essential fatty acids are absorbed and taken into the bloodstream. While additional studies are needed to prove this theory, it has been determined that washing away excess oil and dirt while preserving the skin’s natural emollients protects it and keeps skin healthier.
Beard Oils and Balms
Organic beard oil softens facial hair and nourishes the skin beneath the beard to support healthy beard growth. Beard oil is particularly helpful during the first six weeks of growing a beard, as itching can often be a problem. The oil moisturizes the pores and can be used as a deep conditioning treatment overnight. Organic beard oil typically includes hydrating oils such as jojoba, sunflower, or babassu oils in addition to organic essential oils for fragrance.
Beard balm is more pomade-like. While it is thicker than beard oil, it is not as thick as beard wax. made mainly for beards. After your beard has reached a desirable length, beard balm works as a daily leave-in conditioner. It not only moisturizes, but also tames wild hairs. Like organic beard oil, organic beard balm often includes natural oils for hydration and fragrance, as well as organic beeswax to seal in moisture and provide suitable maintain.
Organic beard conditioning options preserve the integrity of the ingredients used. As a result, the resulting products maintain their skin-nourishing qualities. It’s possible to nourish the planet with sustainable options when grooming your beard.
