During the early stages of my cancer treatment, I went natural.

I'm talking full frontal bohemian, where-is-my-teepee, crunchy-granola, hippy-in-hemp-shoes type of natural. I overhauled all the toxic chemicals in my cabinets and kitchen and swapped their contents to all natural soaps, creams, cleaners, detergents, and more.

The reason was that chemo had filled me to the brim with all things unnatural. Every time I left the infusion center at my NYC-based hospital, I had felt like I had just chugged a gallon of nail polish remover and then swam in a pool of bleach. So, I went the other way, in a hard, ninety-degree-left-turn-through-oncoming-traffic into all things pure, natural, and chemical free.

I started with the beauty products.

Anything that touched my skin was scrutinized for sulfates, phthalates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, synthetic colors, DEA (cocamide diethanolamine which is used as a foaming agent), and any of that garbage. Shockingly, hidden under chemical name mumbo jumbo on the labels, I found proven and studied carcinogens in what I was using... Coal tar, formaldehyde, heavy metals, cadmium, arsenic?! Jesus. Fact: "The EU law bans 1,328 chemicals from cosmetics that are known or suspected to cause cancer, genetic mutation, reproductive harm or birth defects. In comparison, the U.S. FDA has only banned or restricted 11 chemicals from cosmetics." (International Laws & Regulations, safecosmetics.org) Just food for thought, as knowing this made me more aware, and more thoughtful, of what exactly I was slathering on my skin, the largest organ of the body.

But here’s the kicker. I found better products in the natural market.

I know. I didn’t believe it either. But take it from me, as someone who loved nothing more than slathering high end, chemical-rich, highly-concentrated, agent-saturated creams from head to toe. When I went natural, the quality of my skin changed. For the better. During chemotherapy. How is that even possible? Well, if you know where to look, and who to go to, your life will be transformed, like mine was.

Here are a few of my all-time favorite all natural beauty brands and products that made me pretty through chemo, saved my skin from all the rashes, blotches, and bumps brought on by my treatment, and made my short hair cool. I am still addicted to these babies.

Click the images to go directly to the sites for more info.

Tammy Fender | Cleansing Milk & Roman Chamomile Tonic

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Tammy Fender | Spontaneous Recovery Crème

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Tammy Fender | Quintessential Serum

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RMS Beauty | "Un" Cover-up

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RMS Beauty | Living Luminizer

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Ecco Bella | FlowerColor Natural Mascara in Black

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Nature by Canus | Moisturizing Lotion with Fresh Goats Milk

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Phylia de M. | Clean and Condition Shampoo and Conditioner

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Dr. Bronner's | Pure Castile Soap

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One Love Organics | Vitamin C Body Oil

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Juice Beauty | Green Apple Peel Sensitive

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Claudalie | Moisturizing Mask

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Weleda | Skin Food

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Supergoop | Vail Bluebird Days Sunscreen Set SPF 50

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L'Occitane | Certified Organic Shea Butter Lip Balm

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Thena | Intense Healing Cream

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Interested in hearing more? Want the full story? Check out my book, So That Happened, A Memoir which offers an honest, candid reflection on the year that cancer happened. Available to purchase here onsite, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and anywhere that sells books.

Know someone that might like to read this? Share with love, my friend.