u/NeighborhoodOld6737

I keep noticing that a lot of “clean” or natural beauty products get massive praise online, but when I actually try them they either do nothing or make my skin worse. A few months ago I bought a super expensive botanical face oil because people swore it gave them this healthy glow, and it just sat on my skin and broke me out. It made me realize how much social media aesthetics can influence what we think is working versus what actually works for our own skin and hair.

Now I’m curious what products everyone else regrets buying after hearing endless recommendations. Was it a homemade remedy, a trendy natural brand, or one ingredient people treat like a miracle cure? And what natural products actually earned a permanent spot in your routine after all the hype?

So I have been on this natural beauty journey for a while now, and I keep running into the same frustrating cycle where something works amazingly well but tracing back exactly why is like detective work. A friend recently gave me a homemade face balm with ingredients she kind of eyeballed together, and my skin has honestly never looked this calm and balanced. Now she has moved away and I cannot replicate it because neither of us thought to write anything down. It got me thinking about how much of natural skincare knowledge lives in informal spaces, passed between people, never properly documented. Do you have a story where you discovered a natural ingredient or DIY formula that genuinely changed your skin, and what process did you use to figure out what was doing the heavy lifting? I am especially curious whether anyone has reverse engineered something by feel, scent, or texture when you did not have a full ingredient list to work from. Would love to hear what community wisdom actually looks like in practice versus what gets marketed to us

I keep noticing how many clean/natural beauty brands talk about transparency, sustainability, and “non-toxic” ingredients, but when you dig a little deeper the information can feel vague or more like good branding than actual accountability. As someone who cares about creativity and sustainability, I want to support brands that are genuinely doing the work, not just packaging the right aesthetic. What are your personal green flags and red flags when deciding whether a natural skincare or makeup brand deserves your money, and have you ever changed your mind about a brand after learning more about how they operate?

My skin gets super dry after showers, especially on my legs and elbows, and I feel like I keep bouncing between products that are either too light or way too oily. I tried plain coconut oil for a while because everyone swore by it, but it just sat on top of my skin and made me feel sticky. Shea butter helped more but it can feel heavy during warmer weather and takes forever to rub in.

I’m trying to stick to simpler ingredients and avoid buying endless plastic bottles of lotion that are mostly water and fragrance. I’ve looked into things like whipped tallow balm, cocoa butter, jojoba oil blends, even aloe mixed with oils, but it’s hard to tell what people actually use long term versus what just sounds good online.

Curious what your go-to body moisturizer is if you lean natural but still want your skin to stay soft through the whole day. Do you apply right after the shower while your skin is damp? Or layer different things depending on the season? Open to homemade recipes or low waste store bought options if they genuinely work.

I have combination skin that gets shiny on my forehead and nose by midday, but my cheeks are normal to dry. I used to use a store bought witch hazel toner that felt great at first, but over time my skin started feeling tight and a little irritated. I stopped using it a few weeks ago and my skin seems calmer, but now I miss that fresh clean feeling after washing my face. I have tried plain rose water and it smells nice but does not seem to do anything for the oily parts. I am curious what other people with similar skin issues use as a natural toner that actually helps balance things out without making dryness worse.

Do you make your own with apple cider vinegar diluted in water? I have heard good things but I am scared of the smell and worried it might be too strong even diluted. Also seen people use green tea or diluted aloe juice. Do those actually help with oil or are they more for soothing? I want something simple, maybe two ingredients max, that I can keep in a glass spray bottle and use daily. Not looking for astringent harshness, just something that takes the edge off the shine without creating new problems. Would love to hear what has worked for you long term.

I have tried so many natural deodorants from stores and they either leave white marks on everything, feel sticky all day, or stop working by early afternoon. The ones in plastic tubes also bother me because I go through them fast and hate the waste. I have seen people make their own with coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch but I am nervous about the baking soda causing a rash. My skin is not super sensitive but I have heard horror stories. I also wonder about the texture.

Does homemade deodorant actually keep you dry or just mask smell? And how do you store it without a plastic container? I have seen little glass jars or refillable push up tubes made of cardboard but I am not sure which one is less messy to apply. If you have a recipe that works for everyday use, not just light activity days, please share what you use and how you apply it. Bonus if it survives summer heat without melting into a puddle in your bag.

I've been down a rabbit hole about oil cleansing lately and I'm tempted to try it. The idea of just using one product to remove makeup and wash my face sounds so simple. But I'm also nervous because my skin is combination, oily in the t zone but dry on my cheeks, and I've broken out from coconut oil on my face before.
If you oil cleanse as your only daily cleanser, what oil or oil blend actually works for you? Do you double cleanse or just stick with one round? I've seen people use jojoba, grapeseed, or even just straight up sunflower oil from the grocery store. But I've also seen warnings about not using olive oil because it can mess with your skin barrier.
Also curious about the actual method. Do you just massage it on dry skin, wipe off with a warm cloth, and call it done? Do you need a second step with something gentle like a honey wash if your skin feels heavy? I want to cut down on packaged products and simplify my routine but I don't want to trade one problem for another.
Would love to hear from people who have stuck with oil cleansing for months, not just a week long experiment.

 I go through lip balm constantly and I hate how many little plastic tubes I've thrown away over the years. I've tried the cardboard tube kind but they get soggy and fall apart in my pocket. I've also tried just using coconut oil from a jar but it melts everywhere in warm weather and then hardens into a solid chunk when it gets cold.

I'm curious what other people here use for daily lip care that comes in minimal or reusable packaging. Do you make your own balm and put it in a small tin? If so what's your simple recipe that actually stays solid at room temp but still glides on nicely? I've seen people use beeswax with oils but I'm not sure about ratios or if it gets grainy.

Also open to weird solutions like using a drop of facial oil or just plain shea butter. I don't need fancy flavors or SPF. Just something that keeps my lips from cracking in dry weather without generating more plastic waste. Would love to hear what has actually worked for you long term not just a one time experiment that got abandoned.

I have fine wavy hair that gets greasy at the roots but dry at the ends. I've been trying to replace my regular shampoo with natural alternatives a couple times a week. I tried an apple cider vinegar rinse diluted with water and my hair felt clean but also straw like and tangled. Same thing happened with a weak baking soda paste. I followed both with a light oil on the ends but it still felt rough.

I've seen people rave about herbal rinses using rosemary or sage tea. Does that actually cleanse at all or is it more of a scalp treatment? Also curious about soap nuts or shikakai powder. Are those gentler than ACV and baking soda? I'm not trying to go fully no poo overnight but I'd like to cut back on bottled shampoo without destroying my wave pattern.

If you have a rinse routine that actually leaves your hair soft and manageable, please share what you use and how often. Bonus if it doesn't require a ton of straining or leaving things to ferment for weeks. I'm also open to simple oil pre wash treatments if that helps with the dryness problem. Thanks.

Ive been in a skincare rut lately. My routine is pretty minimal already, just water wash and a light oil, but my skin has started looking dull and tired. I dont want to buy another bottle of something premade. I'd rather mix up a quick mask from stuff I already have in my kitchen. Im curious what other people here reach for when their skin just needs a little boost. Ive tried mashed avocado before but it was so messy and honestly I didnt notice much difference. Honey on its own left my face sticky for hours. Ive heard about yogurt masks for brightness but im worried about breaking out since my skin is a little sensitive. Also seen people mix oatmeal with milk or use plain green tea powder.

Does any of that actually work or is it more about the ritual feeling nice?

I dont need miracles, just something that makes my skin look a little more awake and even toned for a few hours. If you have a go to simple combo that you actually see results from, please share. Bonus if it doesnt require blending or a bunch of cleanup. Id rather not use anything with citrus or essential oils since those can irritate me.

I've been trying to cut down on plastic waste and avoid random fragrances in store bought scrubs. I started mixing brown sugar with coconut oil and a few drops of vanilla extract and honestly my skin has never felt smoother. But coconut oil is heavy and sometimes it makes my shower floor slippery. I've heard people use coffee grounds, sea salt, or even fine oatmeal.

How do you keep it from being too harsh or too greasy? Do you add anything else like honey or mashed banana? Also how long does your homemade scrub usually last in the shower? I've been making small batches so it doesn't go bad, but I'm curious if anyone stores theirs for weeks at a time. I'm open to trying different bases like almond oil or jojoba if they rinse off cleaner. Would love to hear what simple recipes have actually become part of your routine. Bonus if you've figured out a way to make it less messy without plastic packaging.

I've tried so many natural deodorants over the past year. Crystal, baking soda based, you name it. Either I smell by midday or my armpits break out in a rash. I'm back to using conventional antiperspirant for now but I hate the idea of aluminum and all the other stuff. Has anyone here actually made the switch successfully? What brand or DIY recipe finally worked for you? I'm not super sweaty, but I do move around a lot at work. Also curious if anyone used things like magnesium hydroxide or just plain coconut oil with tea tree.

Did you have a purging period where you smelled worse before it got better? I'm willing to try one more time if there's a real recommendation from someone who stuck with it long term. Bonus if it's something I can make at home or buy at a regular grocery store. Thanks in advance.

We just pulled up three layers of linoleum and sheet vinyl in our 1910 kitchen. Underneath all of it we found the original heart pine floors. They are stained and have some minor water damage near the old sink location, but they are solid and the color is incredible. No rot, no major gaps. We were fully prepared to find subfloor or something completely destroyed but instead we got a surprise that saved us thousands.

It got me thinking about all the things previous owners covered up that ended up being treasures instead of headaches. The original mantel behind drywall. The stained glass window hidden behind plywood. The clawfoot tub underneath a cheap shower surround.

What is the best thing you have uncovered in your century home? Also curious about the opposite end of the spectrum. What did you find that made you immediately regret looking? I need some balance before I start tearing into every wall in my house.

I keep seeing more people in this sub talking about simplifying their routines down to just a few raw ingredients. Makes me curious how many have fully ditched commercial products for stuff they mix themselves. Ive been experimenting with just jojoba oil and aloe vera gel for the past month and my skin actually seems calmer than when I was using a 10 step routine full of extracts I couldnt pronounce. Theres something nice about knowing exactly whats going on your face. For those who made the switch completely, what are your staple ingredients? Do you miss anything from the store like proper preservatives or specific textures? Also how do you handle things like SPF since thats the one category I havent figured out a DIY option that feels reliable. Im not trying to start a fight between the oil only crowd and the multi ingredient people. Just genuinely interested in real experiences from people who simplified hard. Did your skin freak out at first before adjusting? And do you still buy any single bottled product or are you all in on homemade?

i dont get it i really dont. on paper i know what im supposed to do. small size, wait for setup, dont revenge trade,daily loss limit- all of it.then i get into the eval and something just breaks in my brain.last week i was up 4k on a 150k eval. feeling good. then i took one loss. nothing crazy. but instead of walking away i added size. took another loss. added more. by the end of the day i was down 6k and had to reset.ok fine tilt happens. next day i tell myself new day new rules. first trade good second trade good, third trade i add size cause im hot right now- loss. then revenge and reset again.this happened three times in one week. three resets. almost 600 bucks blown on eval fees alone.the dumb part is i know my strategy works. it worked on demo for two months before i even bought the eval. i was patient followed rules and made steady gains.soon as real money and a payout goal got involved my brain turned into a monkey smashing buttons.
question for people whopassed. how did you stop sabotaging yourself when you got close to the target? cause for me the closer i get the dumber i trade.also do you have a hard rule like two losses and im done for the day that you stick to?Thanks you

I used to have a 10-step routine with vitamin C, niacinamide, AHA, BHA, the whole lineup. My skin was constantly red, flaky, or breaking out. A few months ago I ran out of everything on a trip and just grabbed a bottle of jojoba oil and some raw honey. That’s it. Morning splash of water, honey wash at night, jojoba to seal. My skin has never looked calmer.

No more stinging, no more guessing which product caused a reaction. I’m wondering if I was just wrecking my barrier the whole time. Has anyone else here stripped down to almost nothing? What natural basics actually work for you? I’ve heard good things about rosehip seed oil and aloe gel, but I’m scared to add anything back. Would love to hear what other low-ingredient routines look like. Also curious if anyone reintroduced one active later, like a gentle retinol from a natural source, and had it go okay. Trying to keep things simple but not miss out completely.

Father's Day is coming up and I'm completely stuck. My dad doesn't need anything - he buys himself whatever he wants, and the usual stuff (ties, tools, gift cards) feels lazy at this point. I've been looking into personalized gifts since those seem harder to dismiss, and a friend recommended The Steel Shop for engraved jewelry. Has anyone tried that route? I'm thinking maybe a dog tag or an ID bracelet with something meaningful engraved on it. Open to any other creative ideas too - just trying to get ahead of it this year instead of panic-buying a week before.

Now that the weather is changing my usual routine just isn't cutting it anymore. I normally use jojoba oil and shea butter but my face still feels tight and flaky by mid afternoon. I've been looking into squalane from olives and rosehip seed oil but I'm not sure which one actually works better for deep moisture without breaking me out.

I'd love to avoid anything with coconut oil because it clogs my pores. Also trying to stay away from products that have hidden preservatives or fragrance labeled as natural when it's really not.

What oils or butters do you reach for when the air gets dry? Do you layer them under a moisturizer or just use them alone? I've heard about slugging with something like castor oil or shea butter but that seems heavy for daytime.

Would also take any recs for a simple DIY face mask that actually hydrates instead of just sitting on top of my skin. Honey and avocado maybe?

Not interested in buying expensive ready made natural products right now. Just want simple single ingredient stuff I can find at a grocery store or order online without a huge markup.

So here is where I am at. built a small online store for custom fitness plans. i know the product works because the few people who bought it left solid reviews and some even came back for a second month. but getting those first customers in the door feels impossible right now.i think the problem is deeper than just ads or SEO. when someone finds my Instagram or my website, the first thing they see is low numbers.maybe 50 followers on social media and 4 reviews on the site. even if the content is good, it just looks like nobody trusts me yet.I have been reading about social proof lately and how it affects conversion rates. seems like people are wired to follow the crowd. If a landing page looks empty, they assume the product is risky or low quality. makes total sense but its also frustrating because how do you build trust when you need trust to get sales in the first place.i tried a few things already. ran a small giveaway to collect emails. got some signups but no sales. Reached out to micro influencers for shoutouts. most didnt reply or wanted more money than I can spend right now. Also thought about just grinding organic content for another 6 months but time is money and I need to see some traction sooner than that. now I am wondering if giving my social accounts a small credibility boost could help break the ice. not talking about buying thousands of fake followers just maybe getting the number up to a few hundred so the profile doesnt look completely dead. I saw someone mention a site called Pimp My Acc for that but I have zero experience with buying followers for a business page. feels slightly sketchy but also kinda logical from a psychological standpoint.has anyone here tried a small follower boost just to improve first impressions? Did it help with conversions or just inflate a useless metric? Also how do you get those first few customer reviews without looking like you are faking them?Thanks