Gretchen’s Wellness Picks: 17 Buys I’m Loving Right Now

It can be hard to find shampoos and conditioners that make your hair look great and are made with only clean ingredients. This set by True Botanicals has both going for it, along with the most incredible bright citrus and floral scents. Some natural shampoos have left my hair feeling not quite clean with lots of build-up, or completely dried out, but this one is perfectly nourishing. And the bottles last for months!

I love everything about the Dr. Bronner’s brand. I use the liquid soap and toothpaste regularly, and I’ve recently gotten hooked on the lip balm, too. The unscented one is really nice and simple, and I know the ingredients are all safe and sourced ethically.

I’m a huge fan of this Gua Sha tool by Hayo’u. Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique that uses a small flat tool usually made of quartz. When moved across skin in an upward and outward motion it can help to lift facial muscles, open blockages, and stimulate lymphatic drainage. With regular use it’s helped to de-puff my skin and enhance circulation for a brighter, better-looking complexion.

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Sun Potion is one of the companies I trust most for herbs and supplements—it uses high-quality organic and wildcrafted ingredients in their purest forms. In the past I’ve written about the amazing Ashwagandha powder, and my current favorite is the Shea Butter. I use it as a moisturizer after a shower during the dry winter months, and it works so well as a natural way to keep skin soft and hydrated. 

Moving your body is one of the most important parts of well-being. To motivate myself to get started, I like picking out fun workout-wear—I just can’t deal with clothing that is uncomfortable while trying to exercise. The Topanga bra from Girlfriend Collective is the best I’ve come across for yoga classes. I appreciate the high neck and all of the color options, and the brand’s sustainability efforts are visible throughout the whole production process.

Another favorite of mine for activewear is prAna. The rave reviews of the Momento leggings don’t lie—they’re one of the lightest and most comfortable pairs I’ve tried, yet still hold everything in in all the right places. I also have to call out prAna for its impressive sustainability initiatives, including fair-trade–certified partnerships, organic and recycled materials, and Bluesign-managed manufacturing processes.

Deiji Studios makes the most beautiful linen loungewear and bedding in a variety of lovely colors. I’ve been wearing the 03 loungewear set nonstop—it’s my absolute favorite thing right now. It’s so comfortable and such a chic upgrade from my usual sweats and old t-shirt combo. I have the ochre shade, but all of the colors are gorgeous. The cyan or taupe pillowslips are next on my list.

I have to admit that I don’t love cold weather and tend to spend too much time indoors when temps drop. A warm layer like Patagonia’s pile fleece has been a helpful addition for getting me outside, even if it’s just for a walk around the neighborhood.

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Sleep is so crucial for well-being that I’ll do whatever I can to create a restful nighttime environment. For me, a comfortable space is quiet, cool, and completely dark. This silk sleep mask and pillowcase set is a bit of an investment, but completely worth it—the pair makes all the difference in the quality of my sleep.

I’ve had great results from acupuncture for pain relief, and ever since I’ve been curious about the benefits of the related process of acupressure—specifically acupressure mats. This mat by Ajna uses over 5,000 ergonomically engineered spikes to unblock stagnant energy pathways, activating the body’s innate healing response. At first, I was skeptical, but after 10 minutes on this mat relieved my back pain from a full day of travel, I became hooked.

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I’m in the market for a new juicer, and I have my eye on the Omega NC900 HDC Juicer Extractor. I currently use my Vitamix almost daily and I love it, but it doesn’t do so well with fibrous vegetables like carrots, celery, or fennel. This omega juicer is a masticating, or cold press juicer, so it doesn’t heat up like the centrifugal versions, ultimately preserving more vitamins and enzymes and preventing oxidation.

I always try to be conscious about waste, and lately I’ve been putting in extra effort to get away from single-use items like plastic bags. These silicone bags by Stasher have been so essential in this process. They’re made from 100% pure non-toxic silicone, and they’re self-sealing just like Ziploc bags, but so much better for the environment. I was even more impressed when I found out they are dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and can be used in the freezer, in boiling water, and in the oven up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

I try to eat a good amount of fruits and vegetables each week, but I feel guilty every time I reach for a plastic produce bag at the grocery store or farmers market. These Simple Ecology Reusable produce bags are a perfect replacement for those single-use plastic ones. The breathable organic fabric keeps food fresher, and since they’re reusable they’re both economical and sustainable.

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My sister introduced these washable beeswax wraps to me, and they quickly became my favorite alternative to single-use plastic wrap. They can be used to cover food over and over again, and they easily seal to any dish using just the heat from your hands. These are also one of my favorite items to share with others—I’m always adding them into holiday or housewarming gifts.

I’m sure we’ve all heard by now that our microbiome plays an important role in our health. I generally try to promote a healthy gut by eating a diverse, plant- and fiber-rich diet, but I also like to supplement with a probiotic to further assist in digestion and skin health. Recently I began taking the Seed daily synbiotic, a prebiotic and probiotic that was created with oversight from an advisory board of leading scientists and doctors. With so much research and science behind it I feel really confident in Seed over many of the other probiotics out there.

I absolutely love Mary Ruth’s products. I use her liquid Morning Multi-vitamin and Nighttime Multi-mineral regularly; her liquid probiotic is a favorite of mine, too. This winter I’m adding the Immunity Gummies to my routine. They’re full of powerful immune-boosting ingredients like Echinacea, Elderberry, Vitamins C, D, and Zinc, so I feel extra prepared as we enter cold and flu season.

I’ve always been a little dubious about collagen supplements, but with the harsh winter months completely drying out my skin, I figured it was worth a try. Moon Juice’s Collagen Protect is a vegan alternative to collagen, containing three powerful ingredients: Silver Ear Mushroom, Tocos, and Hyaluronic Acid. It’s a creamy addition to a daily smoothie or coffee, and since I began using it I’ve noticed my skin has felt more hydrated, plump, and all around healthier.