As I touched on in this post, I’ve been trying to buy only cruelty-free products since the beginning of 2017 (I say ‘trying’ because it’s such a minefield of a topic, but I’m pretty sure I haven’t slipped up yet).
There are loads of articles, blog posts and directories on the world wide web about the products that are and aren’t tested on animals, which is great, but it can also be very complicated and frustrating. I don’t know how many times now I’ve found a brand I like the look of, only to find it’s not available in the UK, or it’s something obscure that is super difficult to get hold of.
Even when a cruelty-free product is readily available, it can sometimes be on the pricey side. Now, if you’re into this that’s fine but I’m not the type to spend a pretty penny on shower gel, for instance. I would much rather save my pretty pennies for holidays and shoes and seeing how much cake I can eat and hopefully one day buying some sunglasses that aren’t from Primark.
However, through much searching and a couple of unexpected discoveries, I’ve found some lovely things that are completely certified cruelty-free, so I thought I would share my favourite easy and affordable shower swaps. They’re all great, they’re all bunny-friendly and none of them are going to break the bank, leaving more funds for whatever else your heart desires. Like shoes.
1) Swap the Radox for Sainsburys own-brand shower gel
That’s right – Sainsburys. Guys, it’s shower gel. As long as it stops you smelling and doesn’t cause any sort of nasty skin irritation does it even matter? Nope (not to me, anyway). At the moment I’m using the Nourish Shower Creme (with Shea Butter and Jojoba) and the Soften Shower Creme (with coconut and silk protein. Who knows what silk protein is, but it sounds good doesn’t it). All of the Sainsburys own brand products are cruelty free which is GREAT – you go Glen Coco – and there are some delicious-smelling fruity body washes, but the bizarre UK weather has left me scaly like a lizard at the moment so I’m currently using these more moisturising options. According to the product page on the website they produce a ‘rich and creamy lather’, and do you know what, they’re bang on with that. These are 90p. Ninety pence. Add to that the fact that you can just pop them in your trolley with your weekly food shop and you can’t go wrong, can you really?
2) Swap Herbal Essences for Avalon Organics
Okay okay, I’m a cop out, I’m banging on about Avalon Organics again, except it’s totally different this time… because today I’m talking about the Rosemary shampoo and conditioner rather than the Lemon ones. I’ve already gone into detail about how much I like their haircare in this post, so have a little look at that if you’d like, but in summary; these are cruelty-free, vegan, contain loads of the good stuff and no harsh chemicals, and come in at £5.99 each from Holland and Barrett.
I finally used up my Clarifying Lemon shampoo and conditioner after about 3 months – which is pretty good going for a greaseball who has to wash their hair as much as I do. Granted I did take them in and out of the shower with me so that no one else would use them, but that’s just sensible. I’ve now got the Volumizing Rosemary Shampoo and Conditioner and, dare I say it, I think I like it even more. I thought rosemary would be a really weird smell for a hair product but it actually isn’t at all when you’re using it. It definitely gives my hair more volume and makes it super soft.
3) Swap FemFresh for Superdrug Feminine Wash
That’s right guys, we’re going to talk about intimate wash (even though the word intimate makes me cringe slightly) because let’s face it, it’s great to be clean and a normal soap just wont do in that area. I was a loyal purchaser of FemFresh products and I know lots of people who are, so I was really disappointed to learn that they aren’t cruelty-free.
Story time – one of my friends once received lots of FemFresh products for Christmas from her mother, they were all wrapped up in Christmas paper and she had to open them in front of her fairly new boyfriend. I love that.
Anyway, no need to panic, she can still get foo foo wash for Christmas, because Superdrug’s own brand products are cruelty-free and they do a Feminine wash that is literally the same. It’s also cheaper, at £1.99 instead of £2.99 for the same size bottle.
4) Swap your exfoliator for Lush Rub Rub Rub or M&S Nature’s Ingredients Shower Scrub
I have cheated here, I know, by including two. It’s just that I use them both and also I guess this is my blog so I can make up the rules. First up – Lush’s Rub Rub Rub. It’s a fantastic blue colour, smells divine, and is super buffing. You can pop it on in the shower or go to town by scrubbing dry skin beforehand and then hopping in to rinse it off. Goodbye lizard legs! It’s £8.95 for a 330g tub, which isn’t unreasonable, and the pot lasts a fair amount of time, so it’s an affordable option.
£8.95 isn’t properly cheap though is it, and that’s where the M&S one comes in. This little baby is £3 and smells fab. It’s quite runny hence the tube rather than tub, but it’s really packed with beads which I find quite unusual for an own brand scrub as they are usually pretty useless if they aren’t very thick – and that ensures that this product really works. I tend to use Rub Rub Rub once a week (treat myself to the pricey one, you know) and the M&S shower scrub in between.
So there we have it – my current cruelty-free shower routine. Has anyone else used any of these products? Do you have any cruelty-free recommendations for me?
I’m 100% going to try Avalon Organics next time my shampoo and conditioner run out – you persuaded me of that in your other post about them anyway! I’m so glad that Sainsburys is cruelty free and I’ll definitely pop some of their shower gels in my trolley next time I’m doing my food shop!
Amy xx
http://www.callmeamy.co.uk
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Yay, hope you like them as I am still a massive fan! It’s great that they are isn’t it and can’t believe I didn’t realise sooner, good old Sainsburys xxx
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Oh I’ve also wanted to make the change but like you said, most products are on the pricey side! Thank you for sharing! I’ll be on the lookout 🙂
http://tropicalcolours.blogspot.com.au/
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No problem – they really can be expensive but I’m starting to get better at finding the affordable options! Thanks for reading 🙂 x
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Oh I love the Lush Scrub so much! I want to switch more of my products… But step by step 😉
Have a great Sunday
Michaela
Michaelablog
Bloglovin
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Yep, that’s what I’m doing – switching things as I run out of them rather than throwing everything in the bin! Thanks for reading Michaela 🙂 x
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Lush products are just my absolute favourite, I’d be lost without them! Especially the bath bombs!
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They are so lovely aren’t they, perfect for treating yourself! Feel like buying myself a bath bomb now…
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Loveee the Lush Rub Rub Rub! You’ve got some awesome suggestions here 😀
xx Sofia | SOFIAADOT
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Thanks Sofia, it’s lovely isn’t it! xxx
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This is such an important post – I had no idea that sainsburys own brand shower gel was cruelty free?! I’ll have to get it next time x
http://www.diaryofanexpatgirl.com
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I know, I didn’t realise for ages! Go Sainsburys! Thanks for reading gal xxx
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Rub Rub Rub by Lush sounds amazing, and especially as i’m looking for a really, really good scrub/exfoliator now that the warmer weather is (pretty much) here. Thanks for the recommendation!
aglassofice.com
x
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It is so nice, and apparently you can use it on your hair too (no idea how this works, obviously you don’t exfoliate your hair…something like use it as a shampoo and the salt will give you great volume) but I haven’t tried that so can’t confirm! x
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I love moisturising shower cremes but it’s never occurred to me to look at a supermarket own brand one before. 90p is pretty impressive – and cruelty free too! Fantastic! x
Kate Louise Blogs
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No idea how I have only just seen this – but me too, I would never have thought to look at own brand stuff for this kind of thing before looking into it so was very happy to make the discovery (as was my purse) 🙂 xxx
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Love this! Thanks for the recommendations.
xx. Aubrey – The Coastal Confidence
http://the-coastalconfidence.com/
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Thanks for reading lovely! xxx
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I always love finding bloggers who are cruelty-free (it feels me with some tingly little happiness inside), and I’m glad you put yourself out there. I also love the way you describe products such as the Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub and the Feminine Wash. It made me laugh. I think it’s interesting that you’re blogging your transformation and not just cruelty-free products. I applaud you for being awesome.
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This was such a lovely comment, thank you so much! Since I’m not an established cruelty-free-er I thought it would be interesting to blog about the journey as well as the products themselves so I’m glad you agree 🙂 Thanks for reading you absolute gem xxx
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Haha! Definitely switching my “foo foo wash”.
Sarah xx
http://www.morethangreens.com
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