I don’t use Botox or toothpaste—here’s what I do instead + the secret fountain of youth peptide

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m nearly 30. Which means it’s been over a decade since I started using natural products in my morning routine.

My path to whole body health started at a pretty young age because of all my digestive issues, which meant my skin and oral health changed along with everything else. There are a few rituals I do to this day over 10 years later plus some products I absolutely love and have been using for at least a year.

If you find what I share valuable, please make sure you’re subscribed and consider becoming a paid subscriber ♥ or you can click here to buy me a coffee and support my mission to help women heal and thrive by making real food, learn new whole body rituals, and make from scratch living simple, joyful and beautiful. ☕

1. Oil pulling

I started oil pulling when I was 19 after finding this book on amazon linked here . Oil pulling helps reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth, supporting fresher breath, healthier gums, and fewer cavities by lowering plaque buildup. It may also reduce oral inflammation and indirectly support overall health by decreasing the body’s total bacterial load. Since I started oil pulling I have not had bad breath and it’s been 8 years since I’ve had a cavity. This is the coconut oil I use linked here <3.

2. Brushing with baking soda

My mom had me using baking soda to brush my teeth long before I could remember honestly. But I didn’t fully get off toothpaste until college. I will admit I used Sensodyne occasionally when I thought I needed fluoride to keep my enamel and teeth healthy. And after my last allergic reaction to whitening toothpaste I decided to fully go baking soda. Brushing with baking soda helps keep your teeth white by gently polishing away stains while also protecting enamel not by rebuilding it but by creating a more alkaline environment that prevents acid erosion. It has a higher pH that neutralizes your mouth acids and makes it harder for harmful microbes to thrive which supports healthier gums, fresher breath, and acts like a natural remineralization of weakened enamel. Remember when I said I haven’t had a cavity in eight years? I also just can’t achieve that same cleanliness feeling with toothpaste that I can with baking soda. You honestly couldn’t pay me to go back to toothpaste (even natural ones). This is the aluminum free baking soda I use linked here <3.

3. Oil cleansing my face + body

The crunchy community has become so normalized if you saw someone walk into their kitchen, grab a bottle of olive oil, pour a tablespoon into their hand and wash their face with it you might not bat an eye. But 10 years ago… you might have thought I was crazy. Pretty certain my college housemates did. Anyways, it was the same oil I dressed my salads with that I used for the first time to wash my face. I don’t remember how or why I started doing this but I remember feeling my skin after wiping the oil away with a hot wash cloth thinking “wow I like this”. Oil cleansing is basically just taking some high quality oil, washing your face with it like you would with a regular face cleanser then wiping it away with a hot wash cloth! I was immediately hooked. And you’ll understand why once you try it.

Oil cleansing works by using oils to dissolve excess sebum, sunscreen, and impurities, which are oil-based themselves, making it an effective yet gentle way to deeply clean the skin. Unlike harsh foaming cleansers, it preserves and strengthens the skin’s natural lipid barrier, preventing dryness and irritation. Many oils also deliver antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids, which can calm inflammation, support skin repair, and promote a soft, radiant complexion. Now, there’s a lot better oils and combinations of oils to use for oil cleansing than olive oil. And I do not recommend doing this with coconut oil as it can clog your pores. I’ve been using Trektones Cleasning Oil for over a year now and am obsessed. They worked really hard and did their research to find the right formula. You can use my code “NORTHWOODS15” for 15% off Linked here <3.

4. Castor Oil instead of Botox

This one is a bit more recent. I feel like your late 20s are when everyone starts getting preventative Botox— and for good reason. You do want to be preventative because the fine lines and wrinkles are comingggg! And it’s scary. So instead of Botox I was determined to find something a bit less toxic. Turns out, organic castor oil does the trick! And you will immediately start seeing the benefits. I did and I’m hooked for life.

Castor oil is often seen as a natural alternative to Botox because its high content of ricinoleic acid deeply hydrates and stimulates circulation, which means it can plump the skin and soften the look of fine lines. By improving blood flow and encouraging collagen and elastin production, it helps maintain skin’s firmness and elasticity over time. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties further protect you against damage and promote a smoother, more youthful appearance without injections. You can also use it on your eye lashes, brows and roots of your hair to promote hair growth.

This is the one I recommend! Linked here <3.

5. Tallow instead of lotion

My goodness please for the love of god tell me you’re not using bath and body works or something of the same pedigree for your lotion. Let me to PUT YOU ON to your new fave lotions. Because most store-bought lotions are filled with hormone disrupting synthetic fragrances, parabens, and petroleum-based fillers that can irritate the skin and disrupt hormones. Instead of truly nourishing, they sit on the surface like plastic wrap, giving the illusion of moisture while blocking the skin’s natural detox pathways. Tallow, by contrast, is rich in bioavailable vitamins and fatty acids that actually feed and repair the skin, making it a far safer and more effective moisturizer. Before tallow I used straight coconut oil but that can get greasy and I would not recommend it for your face. I found the BEST tallow based face formula that uses a lot of plant based oils as well (in my experimentation seems better for our face skin). The founder of this company Sonnet Skin is studying herbalism and shares a passion for herbs just as much as I do and takes her formulas very seriously. I’ve tried most of her face creams and they’re all amazing but my favorite for my face moisturizer is the Sonnet Pearl Cream. I’ve tried using regular tallow balm on my face and I just can’t. It made me breakout. But THIS… its sooo hydrating. Seriously—they nailed the formula. You can use my code NORTHWOODS10 for 10% off. Linked here <3.

For my body, I need a BIG jar and not necessarily all the plant based oils and herbs that I want for my face skin. My favorite formula is Bliss and Tallow from blissandtallow.com formulated by a naturopathic doctor. She nailed the ratios here with the beeswax. (btw this is also the best natural lubricant) ;) You can use NORTHWOODS10 for 10% off. Linked here <3.

6. Blush you could eat

When I tell you I don’t go a single day without blush I mean it. Most days I’m not wearing makeup but I do wear blush everyday without fail and this tallow blush from Wild Heart Essentials is my go-to. I’ve been using it for over a year and love it so much because it’s tallow based. Which means I know it’s not only giving me that blushing bride look I’m going for but it’s also nourishing my skin. And I’ll take that over something from Sephora for daily use every time. The founder of this brand is a mom who is the most darling woman and clearly loves her kids. She started this business becuase her daughter was having allergic reactions to store bought lotions and products. She makes tallow balms as well and all are amazing but my favorite product of hers is her tallow blush—I’m obsessed. My two favorite shades are Blaze and Espresso. You can use my code NORTHWOODSGIRL for 10% off! Linked here <3.

If you find what I share valuable, please make sure you’re subscribed and consider becoming a paid subscriber ♥ or you can click here to buy me a coffee and support my mission to help women heal and thrive by making real food, learn new whole body rituals, and make from scratch living simple, joyful and beautiful. ☕

6. Fountain of youth peptide serum and no its not from a celebrity brand

I call this serum my fountain of youth for good reason. A med spa gave me a sample a few years ago when I was in college and but it wasn’t until I got my first salaried job that I bought it. MY GOSH is this little bottle worth the money. It’s expensive for good reason.