I Tried It: Best Clean Body Lotion and Clean Deodorant That Works

Explore our honest reviews on the best clean body lotions and deodorants without aluminum and parabens, perfect for women seeking natural beauty solutions in their 40s and beyond.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Entering my 40s was a wake-up call to reassess not just my life priorities but also my skincare routine. With a myriad of products claiming "age-defying" miracles, I ventured into the world of clean beauty to find truly effective body lotions and deodorants that cater to my maturing skin without loading it with chemicals. This blog post is my journey through the highs and lows of finding those perfect products.

Rediscovering My Roots in Natural Skincare

Long before I became a mom, natural skincare was my jam. I dabbled in making my own lotions and deodorants from coconut oil and baking soda—a noble but ultimately unsuccessful experiment. Now, in my 40s, I'm reconnecting with that early passion for clean, luxurious self-care. It’s not just about being eco-conscious—it’s about pampering myself with products that feel good and are good for me.

Understanding Your Skin's Needs After 40

As we age, our skin undergoes significant changes—it becomes drier, less elastic, and more sensitive. This shift made me realize the importance of choosing products tailored to mature skin, emphasizing hydration and gentle ingredients. Turning to non-toxic body lotions and clean deodorants wasn't just a preference but a necessity.

My Quest for the Perfect Non-Toxic Body Lotion

I began my search at Target, renowned for its expanding clean beauty aisle. The Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Moisturizing Body Lotion caught my eye. After trying several other natural brands that failed to moisturize adequately, and I found that I often just skipped lotion all together. However, Naturium was a revelation. Its rich formula didn't just sit on my skin; it deeply nourished and restored it, leaving my skin supple and rejuvenated. Now, I don’t ever skip and I love how soft and glowy my skin is.

The Ritual of Osea Body Oils and Polish

Incorporating OSEA Undaria Algae™ Body Oil and Undaria Body Polish into my routine transformed it from a chore to a cherished ritual. I use the body oil alone or mix it with Naturium Bio-Lipid lotion for an extra hydrating boost. The cleansing body polish exfoliates and preps my skin, allowing the oil and lotion to penetrate more effectively. The result? Skin that's not just soft, but glowing, making me look forward to this self-care routine daily.

Trial and Error with Clean Deodorants

Switching to clean deodorant was fraught with challenges. I initially embraced Primally Pure Charcoal Deodorant and used it faithfully for over a decade due to its effectiveness and natural ingredients. Recently, I experimented with LUME, but it simply didn’t meet my expectations. This experience reaffirmed my preference for Primally Pure, which remains my top recommendation and go-to product. Its reliability and clean formulation continue to make it an essential part of my daily routine.

Empowerment Through Clean Beauty

This journey through clean body lotions and deodorants has been more than just about skincare. It's about making informed, health-conscious decisions that empower me to take control of both my beauty and well-being. These products are not just good for my skin—they're a testament to my commitment to living a healthier, more aware lifestyle as I navigate midlife.

Finding the right beauty products in your 40s and beyond is a blend of science and personal trial. It's about understanding what your maturing skin needs and finding products that meet these requirements without compromise. For me, embracing clean beauty products like Naturium and OSEA has not only improved my skin but also my daily well-being. They say life begins at 40, and with the right products, so does your best skin.

Do you have any favorite clean or non-toxic products? Share in the comments - I love testing out new products and I’m looking to continue making the switch to clean up all my skin care and beauty products.

Fashion Fun: Thrifting with my Teen Daughter

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Setting the Scene: My Teen Daughter Asked me to Take her Thrifting

I was more than eager when my daughter asked me to take her thrifting. I loved thrifting and antiquing with my mom when I was her age and I was excited to continue the tradition with her.

Thrift store shopping isn't just about cheap clothes—it's an adventure of exploring and finding cool stuff. I always prefer to shop for home decor and furniture than clothes, but she had her heart set on finding fun vintage clothes. I wasn’t exactly sure how she would react when we stepped into Goodwill, but she made a beeline for the clothes and started her search.

Bonding Through Fashion: Why Thrifting with my Teen Daughter Matters

Thrifting creates a special bond amidst eclectic garments and vintage accessories. It’s a chance to connect with my teen daughter on a deeper level, and watch her explore and evaluate original pieces. I enjoyed seeing what she was drawn too and learned very quickly that anything I suggested was an immediate no.

As we navigated the aisles together, I focused on showing her pieces that might be good for me - and let her lead on what she found interesting for herself.

At the end of the day, she was left more disappointed than feeling like she scored anything unique. She was determined to find some vintage t-shirts and sweatshirts and came up empty handed. We left with a nice pair of low rise, flare jeans that probably could’ve come from my closet circa 1999.

We spent time talking about how I usually approach thrifting with an open mind to what I might be inspired by at the shops versus on a mission to find a specific item.

Below are my tips for how to approach thrifting as a fun and bonding adventure with your teen.

Getting Started

Setting Expectations: Discussing Goals and Budgets

Communication is key as we discuss our thrifting goals and establish a budget for our shopping spree. By setting realistic expectations and agreeing on spending limits, we ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience for both of us. This also fosters financial responsibility and teaches valuable lessons in budgeting and prioritizing purchases.

It’s easy to get carried away at a thrift store by all the great finds and deals, but setting a budget makes sure that you don’t get carried away in the moment.

Navigating the Thrift Store Together

Exploring Different Sections: Clothing, Accessories, and Beyond

When it comes to thrifting we are usually looking for classic and timeless pieces, a cute outfit for a dress up or spirit day at school (our Taylor Swift outfits all came from a thrift shop).

Patience and endurance are key when you see the racks of clothes. It's easy to rush through, but oftentimes the best items are the ones that are stuffed behind other items. It’s also great to keep you focus on closet staples vs. the novelty of all the different items.

Unearthing Vintage Gems: Timeless Pieces with a Story to Tell

Amidst the racks of clothing, it’s all about finding pieces that transcend time. A classic blazer, a neutrally patterned button-down blouse, classic sweaters. It’s easy to get pulled into adding another activewear piece or fashion top, but it’s always so much fun when you stumble across a classic silhouette from a quality clothing brand you can give new life.

Identifying Current Trends: From TikTok to Runway Inspirations

Thrifting offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the fashion curve by spotting emerging trends at a fraction of the cost. From TikTok-inspired looks to runway-worthy styles, we keep our eyes peeled for pieces that capture the essence of current fashion trends. Whether it’s a wide leg jeans or a pair of chunky boots, thrifting allows us to stay fashion-forward without breaking the bank.

I absolutely love picking up the latest trends at a thrift shop to see if it’s a style that will become a staple for me or just something I don’t ever really wear.

Embracing Creativity: Remixing and Styling Unique Pieces

Thrifting isn’t just about finding pre-loved garments—it’s about embracing creativity and reimagining them in new and unexpected ways. Armed with a vision and a touch of ingenuity, we experiment with mixing and matching pieces to create one-of-a-kind ensembles that reflect our individual personalities. Whether it’s pairing a vintage blouse with modern denim or layering accessories for added flair, the possibilities are endless.

Fostering Individual Style

Encouraging Self-Expression: Letting Your Teen’s Personality Shine

Thrifting empowers my teen daughter to embrace her unique sense of style and express herself authentically. As she sifts through racks of clothing, she discovers pieces that resonate with her personality and reflect her individual tastes. From quirky patterns to bold colors, thrifting encourages her to celebrate her individuality and express herself confidently through fashion. And I love witnessing her carving out her own unique style.

Finding Fits That Flatter: Body Positivity and Confidence Boosts

In the inclusive space of thrift stores, my teen daughter learns to embrace her body and celebrate her curves. As she tries on garments of all shapes and sizes, she discovers the beauty of finding fits that flatter her figure and boost her confidence. Thrifting fosters a sense of body positivity and self-acceptance, empowering her to feel comfortable and confident in her own skin. It also quickly shows her how different sizing is between brands and gives less power to the size on the tag and more emphasis on the fit of the clothes.

Making Sustainable Choices

The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion: Why Thrifting Matters

Amidst growing concerns about the environmental impact of fast fashion, thrifting emerges as a sustainable alternative that reduces waste and promotes conscious consumption. By giving pre-loved garments a second chance, we actively participate in the circular economy and reduce our carbon footprint. Thrifting isn’t just a fashion choice—it’s a statement of our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living.

I absolutely love taking her thrifting over buying her cart full of clothes from fast fashion retailers. Especially when I know some fashions she will only embrace for a few months.

Teaching Sustainable Shopping Habits: Valuing Quality Over Quantity

Thrifting instills valuable lessons in sustainable shopping habits, teaching my teen daughter to prioritize quality over quantity and invest in pieces that stand the test of time. As we carefully select garments with craftsmanship and durability in mind, we prioritize longevity over fleeting trends and cultivate a wardrobe of timeless essentials. Thrifting encourages us to adopt a mindful approach to fashion consumption and make choices that align with our values.

Budget-Friendly Fashion

Maximizing Your Spending Power: Stretching Your Dollars at Thrift Stores

Thrifting allows us to stretch our dollars further and maximize our spending power without sacrificing style or quality. With affordable price tags and frequent sales, thrift stores offer unbeatable value for budget-conscious shoppers. By scoring designer finds and high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost, we indulge in guilt-free shopping sprees that leave our wallets—and wardrobes—happy.

And I can’t encourage you enough to try thrifting for costumes, theme parties, spirit days. We absolutely love creating looks from a thrift store for Halloween this past year and the Taylor Swift movie.

Celebrating Bargain Finds: The Joy of Scoring Deals Together

There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with scoring a bargain find at a thrift store—a feeling of triumph and delight that transcends the mere act of shopping. As we celebrate our thrifting victories together, we bond over our shared love for fashion and appreciation for a good deal. Whether it’s a designer handbag or a vintage coat, each bargain find becomes a cherished addition to our wardrobe and a fond memory of our thrifting adventures.

In our most recent trip we scored big time with jeans. We calculated that we purchased four pairs of designer jeans that would’ve retailed for over $700 combined for only $100. What a steal!

Documenting Your Thrifting Adventures

Capturing Memories: Photography Tips for Your Shopping Spree

As we embark on our thrifting adventures, we document our journey with photographs that capture the essence of our shared experience. Armed with a camera or smartphone, we snap candid shots of our favorite finds, quirky displays, and memorable moments. From striking poses in the fitting room to candid shots of us browsing the aisles, our photographs serve as visual mementos that immortalize our thrifting escapades.

Sharing Your Haul: Inspiring Others with Your Finds on Social Media

And of course, you know my daughter loves creating her haul videos for her friends. Our thrifting haul isn’t just for our eyes—it’s meant to be shared with all her friends too!