Naked Toilet Paper
This is a great option for those wishing to reduce their plastic waste. We received 48 extra-long rolls (each 300 sheets, two-ply quality) in a large box with no other packaging. The toilet paper is sustainably produced, made primarily from recycled sugar cane and fast-renewable bamboo. It’s free from plastics, inks, perfumes, GMOs and BPA, and is septic-tank safe and fast biodegradable. If you are used to thick, luxurious toilet paper you will notice a difference, but having used recycled toilet paper for a long time I found this to be an excellent product and was very happy with it. SF
£25.20 per box (48 rolls)
Handmade Cotton Scrubbies with Washbag
These are lovely crochet face scrubbies, handmade from 100% cotton yarn in a range of colours. You can use them with water or a touch of soap to remove make-up or clean your skin, and keep reusing them time after time. I found them soft enough to feel gentle on my face, but thick enough that I felt my skin being exfoliated as well as cleansed. They come with a natural-coloured cotton washbag that you can machine-wash them in. Each pad is approximately 8cm across – as they are entirely handmade, they will differ ever so slightly. SF
£4.95 for 3
Natural Deodorant Stick – Grapefruit & Lemon
This natural deodorant is totally plastic-free. It includes sodium bicarbonate to prevent the smell that is caused by bacteria that thrive in your underarm; coconut oil and shea butter to help soothe and moisturise your skin; and arrowroot to help keep you dry. I have been using this deodorant for a while and I find it effective. The shea butter makes it solid, and you don’t need much. The packaging is 100% cardboard and can be composted when finished. I just push a little up at a time, so it has lasted well. It’s suitable for men, women and teens. SF
£8 for 60g
WUKA Period Pants
These pants are made from soft and stretchy Lenzing MicroModal fabric with a super-absorbent hi-tech fabric layer and a moisture barrier. We found them to be soft, well-fitting and comfortable and were surprised at how absorbent they are without feeling bulky – you don’t notice you’re wearing special underwear! The website states that they can be worn for up to 8 hours on light days, 4–6 hours on heavy days, or all night, and they worked for us overnight without leaks. We like having them as part of the range of reusable menstrual items we use – sometimes a pad can feel bulky with certain items of clothing, so it was great to be able to wear WUKA pants then. The pad is in the gusset and extends slightly up the back of the pants, but it is thin, so the absorbency and shape are spread across the garment and there’s not the bulk at the end that you sometimes get with a pad. The pants are easy to wash, but they need time to line-dry thoroughly. If you’d like to try a pair, WUKA offers a refund or exchange for a different size for free for up to 40 days after purchase. SF and JH
£29.99
English Rose Shampoo Bar
This is an excellent product. It comes wrapped in brown paper, and what I noticed first was the wonderful rose scent, which lingered on my hair. It lathers really well – I rubbed it straight onto my hair – so that I felt that my hair was having a thorough clean. The bars are free from SLS and preservatives and are designed to last for up to 100 washes. I found this shampoo bar just as good as liquid shampoo, and I took it with me when I went on holiday, which helped to save space in my luggage. SF
£6 for a 65g bar
Aloe Vera & Peppermint Oil Conditioner Bar
Having found a good shampoo bar, I was excited to find a conditioner bar to go with it. If you are used to liquid conditioner, it does take a while to adjust to your hair not being as silky, but this product left my hair feeling conditioned and easy to comb through. It is plastic- and waste-free, as well as being easy to store and travel with. The bars are made with natural products and come wrapped in recycled wax paper. There are different bars to suit different hair types. Suitable for vegans. SF
£4.50 for a 35g bar
Grapefruit & Ylang Ylang Hand & Body Lotion
This is a luxurious body lotion with a wonderful scent. The pump-action top makes it very easy to use. It’s thin enough to absorb easily, but I found it rich enough to leave my skin feeling deeply moisturised. The citrus scent is light and uplifting. The lotion is certified organic with the Soil Association and is suitable for vegans. It comes in a beautiful box printed with vegetable inks, so it would make a wonderful gift. SF
£28 for 200ml
www.earthmothersoulsister.co.uk
Jasmine & Geranium Soap-filled Bath Mitt
I have really enjoyed using this mitt. It’s a clever design, with gorgeous-smelling jasmine soap inside a natural, ethically sourced bath mitt. This gives the benefit of a soapy lather alongside exfoliation. There’s a strap to tuck your hand under and a loop for hanging – I have hung mine in the shower to drip dry, but I plan to put it outside in the sunshine on some days to ensure that it dries thoroughly. I will be interested to see how the mitt lasts, as I’d love to be able to snip a hole and add more soap once the contents have finished – I think it would be a great way to use all the ends of soap bars I have around the house. SF
£12 for 120g of soap inside a bath mitt
www.willowbeautyproducts.co.uk
Gentle Cleansing Foam
This is an excellent cleanser for normal and combination skin. It’s in a pump-action container and you only need to use a little. You can put it straight onto your fingertips or onto a damp cloth (or a scrubbie!). My skin felt clean and smooth after using it, and not dried out. The foam has a very pleasant light, zesty smell, which I found invigorating in the morning. It is formulated with organic witch hazel extract, together with essential oils including limonene and citronellol, and is suitable for vegans. SF
£15.95 for 150ml
First published in Issue 57 (Autumn 2018) of JUNO:
Make your own waxed cotton food wraps