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May
29
- Subscribe to SafeMama.com via RSS reader
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- Fan/Like CleanWell on Facebook
- Follow @CleanWell on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED ONCE A DAY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): #WIN a @CleanWell Hand Sanitizer from @SafeMama #giveaway ends 6/7 Three Winners! http://tinyurl.com/22ur25k
- Better Life
- Simply Neutral
- Seventh Generation
- EcoStore USA
- Baby Ganics
- Sun and Earth
- Ecover
- Method Home
- Martha Stewart Clean
- biokleen
- Earth Friendly Products (Ecos)
- Eco-me
- 1001 Uses for White Vinegar
- 27 Ways to Clean with Baking Soda
- Creative Uses for Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Subscribe to SafeMama.com via RSS reader
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- Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED DAILY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): #WIN a Wee-Organics Wood Teething Rattle from @safemama #giveaway ends 5/18 Two Winners!
- Subscribe to SafeMama.com via RSS reader
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- Fan/Like Sonny & Reed on Facebook
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- Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED DAILY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): #WIN a Sonny & Reed Teething Necklace from @safemama #giveaway ends 5/17 http://tinyurl.com/3x3owtl
- Subscribe to SafeMama.com via RSS reader
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- Fan/Like Episencial on Facebook
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- Follow @BabySkinCare on Twitter
- Tweet this giveaway (CAN BE RETWEETED DAILY – Just leave the link to the tweet itself each day in the comments): #WIN a Episencial Sun Care Gift Pack from @safemama #giveaway ends 5/17 http://tinyurl.com/2bfsfub
- Eliminate standing water from outdoor areas where you hang out and play.
- Keep potted rosemary or eucalyptus plants around your patio areas. Marigold’s are supposed to ward off bugs too.
- Eat food rich in B Vitamins like bananas or eat garlicky food – mosquitoes don’t like it apparently. (Note: Some argue bananas are a bad idea due to potassium.. jury is still out on this one I guess!)
- If it’s not too hot, wearing longer pants, shirts and socks can prevent bugs from getting to you.
We’ve talked about hand sanitizers before and whether you are anti or pro on-the-go hand sanitizers there is one thing we all can agree on is safety in ingredients for our little ones. I cringe at the sight of kids getting slathered with blobs of alcohol based gels at school and indoor playgrounds. But I also understand the paranoia a parent feels at the thought of their kids catching some icky virus. We have published a Hand Sanitizer Cheat Sheet in the past and one of the products that made our list is the hand sanitizers by CleanWell.
CleanWell uses a Thyme Oil Blend to offer it’s antiseptic quality. Many hand sanitizers use Triclosan, which in case you haven’t heard has some really negative effects on marine life and is an endocrine disruptor. It has been linked to hormone disruption in animal studies and may possibly make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Needless to say, we SafeMama’s try to avoid it when possible and that includes in hand sanitizers. They also make hand soaps!
Get It: You can pick up CleanWell products in many locations including Target, Whole Foods, Amazon and some grocery store chains.
WIN IT!
CleanWell is giving THREE of our readers a 4oz. bottle of CleanWell All Natural Hand Sanitizer!
To Enter the Giveaway (Required):
Visit CleanWell and check out their selection of other products… they have hand wipes and hand soaps too. Leave a comment here letting me know which other item you’d love to check out and where you’d use it!
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):
Three winners will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until June 7, 2010 at midnight PST. Good Luck 
Congratulations to commenters #51 Elizabeth, #9 Margaret Ruby, and #24 Cathy!
May
28
New FDA Research Says Vitamin A Additive in Sunscreens May Speed Skin Tumors
Filed Under Articles, Skin Care | 13 Comments
Scary headline, huh? Some of you may have already read about this and I wish I had been able to post about it sooner but my kids are off from school and I’ve barely even had time to sit down let alone type. Anyway, recent research came to the surface from an FDA study that indicates that a semi common additive in sunscreens, Vitamin A or retinyl palmitate, may actually speed the growth of skin tumors and lesions when exposed to sunlight.
The Environmental Working Group released their Sunscreen Guide for this year and I know I have questioned their recommendations in the past. I believe I was right in my skepticism in years past. But this time they have done a stellar job checking out basically every sunscreen known on the market, and I agree with just about all of their top choices. Included in their new guide is a detailed run down of the new research findings from the FDA study, so if you are so inclined to read the whole shebang, by all means, do check it out.
Why Is It Used? Retinyl palmitate is added to sunscreens because of its anti aging effects as an antioxidant. About 41% of all sunscreens contain it (according to EWG). It’s also used in cosmetics and other skin care items but based on the information released by the FDA they are “concerned” about the safety of its use in topical applications.
This means a slight need for a revision to SafeMama’s Sunscreen Cheat Sheet for this year because I strive to select the safest of the safest while also trying to provide choices. But I feel this is enough to warrant a revision to the list. I will post an update once I have thoroughly reviewed the items we have listed.
My question to our readers is would you rather us remove any sunscreens containing Vitamin A or retinyl palmitate – or would you rather we apply a notation to the products listing making readers aware of its presence? My knee jerk reaction was to remove any offenders completely but sometimes that generates a lot of questions so I am open to my lovely readers feedback on this one. So far it seems that Mexitan is the only brand containing retinyl palmitate. What say you?
May
25
Cheat Sheet: Safer Cleaning Supplies
Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, cleaning products, Eco-Mama, Healthy Home | 8 Comments
One of the first things that went in my house when we started to green (during the whole BPA boom of ’07) was conventional cleaning products. Since then, we’ve tried many green cleaning products. And of course, what do we SafeMama girls do best? That’s right, my friends, cheat sheets. We’d be remiss if we didn’t put together a cheat sheet of safer cleaning products for your home, too.
Of course, there’s also no better product than making your own. I swear by vinegar and baking soda.
Do It Yourself
Multi Purpose Spray:
Take two parts warm water, to one part vinegar. Put in a spray bottle and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and viola! You’ve got a multi purpose cleaning spray. It’s even streak free on windows and mirrors.
To clean your tub and shower:
Put half to one cup of baking soda into a bowl. Slowly add vinegar in small increments until you have a semi-crumbly paste. Use on a scrubby sponge to clean. It works wonders.
To clean your toilets:
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into your toilet tank once a week. Make sure NO ONE uses that toilet for at least 30 minutes. I then add approx. 1/4 cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl and let that sit for a few minutes too. If need you can use a toilet brush to remove tough stains. Then flush! You have naturally disinfected the toilet and refreshed it too! Kills odors!
Toilet Stain Cleaner: 1 cup borax, 1/4 cup lemon or vinegar juice
Mix, then pour into the toilet bowl. Let sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub the stains away.
(toilet cleaning recipes courtesy of dot com women)
Great DIY Ideas and Recipes:
Have any recipes of your own? Do share!
May
18
Government Bans DHA/ARA Additives in Organic Baby Formula
Filed Under Articles, Food Safety | 23 Comments
I have to thank Janelle from Healthy Child for reminding me to post about this. I read about it a few days ago and have been meaning to share it here. Since we published our Formula Analysis, it became evident that just about all organic baby formula uses the DHA/ARA additive using a controversial extraction method that uses a potential neurotoxin called hexane. With the exception of Nature’s One, which uses an aqueous process to extract the additive (although they do not add it to their formula – it is provided as a separate product you can add yourself) all organic formulas use the DHA/ARA extracted with hexane. Almost all the companies I spoke to said much of the same thing. That there is no detectable hexane levels in the formulas and that this hexane extraction method (most commonly coming from a company called Martex Corporation) is the “only FDA approved method of DHA extraction”, which I think isn’t the case but that’s another article.
The Department of Agriculture had said three years ago that this DHA additive “violated federal standards and should be banned from products carrying the federal organic label“. That was of course overruled by a USDA manager who was being heavily lobbied by formula makers.
This decision by the Obama administration to ban the additives from organic food is a good step in the direction we all want things to go. Better regulations on organic food and more confidence from consumers that the USDA seal actually means something and isn’t governed by deals and lobbyists. Of course, the executives who have a monetary interest in seeing these additives remain in organic food will lobby against this decision. But in the meantime the USDA will craft guidelines in phasing out the additives.
Update: I want to make it clear that this ban was limited to organic baby formula and baby food. I also think personally that the addition of DHA to baby formula is a positive thing and by no means should anyone stop using products containing DHA, including Milk or supplements. I’m merely interested in the processing methods and what that means for organic baby products.
May
10
SafeMama Loves Wee-Organics Natural Wood Toys (Giveaway)
Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Toy Safety | 99 Comments
I’ve said it before, there is one thing I love to do and that is supporting businesses run by families. Not that there aren’t awesome “big” companies out there but when you hear a heart warming story like the one about how Wee-Organics was started, I feel better about where I spend my money because I know it’s going to people who care about our kids ad love what they do. Wee-Organics was started by “Grammie & Grampie”, also known as Ed and Sharen Bogosian. Their daughter Kim became frustrated with trying to find safe toys and teethers for her sons, so Grammie and Grampie started Wee-Organics to fill the void of natural toys made in the USA.
They run their family owned business in Vermont where they try hard to operate as sustainably as possible. Buying wood from mills that harvest in sustainable Vermont forests and have reforestation programs. They also give their saw dust to local farmers for mulch – how cool!
All their toys are made with natural local Vermont wood and when they are painted or finished, they use non-toxic water based paints and finishes. They have a range of items appropriate for babies 6 months and up as well as toys for older kids (I think I love Colton’s Tractor – how cute!) They create cars, trucks and puzzles and even take requests on their Safe Toys USA Blog.
Get Safe Toys: I really love the whole concept behind Wee-Organics! Check out their great selection of teethers, rattles and more on their website Wee-Organics.com.
WIN SAFE TOYS
Ed and Sharen have offered to give away TWO Wee Rattles to two of our readers here on SafeMama.com. I am very excited to introduce this company to you and to do this giveaway with them. Thanks Wee Organics!
To Enter the Giveaway (Required):
Visit Wee-Organics and check out their toys. Leave a comment here letting me know which toy you love!
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):
One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until May 18, 2010 at midnight PST. Good Luck
Commenter #20 and #34 are our lucky winners! Congratulations Patty and Tracy!
May
8
Sonny & Reed Teething Necklaces for Mom (Giveaway)
Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, product finds, Product Reviews | 106 Comments
I really love dual purpose products when it comes to parenting – it just tickles me when something meant for one thing has a totally separate use. I also try my best to be somewhat stylish on a day to day basis. I know it’s hard – believe me there are days when I am appalled that I dropped my son off at school having not showered in two days (I’m admitting that because I know I’m not the only one!). But now that my second child is no longer an infant requiring round the clock feeding, I can actually put myself together and look somewhat cute. Which is why I adore this new teething necklace from Sonny & Reed.
They contacted me and I was all for checking out their product because it’s jewelry and you all know how much I loved that teething bling necklace I reviewed earlier this year. So I was super psyched to check it out. This is a really great piece. It’s made with an FDA approved acrylic (though they aren’t spilling on what exactly it is) and have assured me is its BPA, PVC, Phthalate and Lead free. The beads are large and do not pass through the “choke tube” so no worries on that front. They are really quite stylish while being simple and make a fabulous statement. They are solid beads and have tiny “nibs” on one side to soothe baby’s gums while they chew. So useful! Anyone who’s ever had a teething baby on their hip will tell you that always having something around for them to chew on is a life saver. Better it be a stylish necklace than your finger.
Here’s the part where it pains me to say that the sample I received is GREAT, but my son is kind of past that whole phase where it would be useful. He’d much rather be crawling on the floor than chewing on my necklace (that makes me so sad!). So, I am going to offer up the sample I got for a giveaway to one of you. 
(I can assure you I haven’t worn it, other than to try it out for length and style – and for the photo. I have also not let me drooly kid chew on it.) I packed it back up and make the painful decision to give it away to someone with a teething baby who needs some style. Is that you??
Get It: If you can’t stand waiting to see if you won a giveaway then I urge you to go to Sonny & Reed’s website and pick one up for yourself. They would make an excellent gift too. They come in three colors: The clear (which is what I am giving away), a pretty blue and black (I think the black is my favorite).
WIN IT!
You can have my Sonny & Reed Teething Necklace sample! I promise I don’t have cooties and that no one has ever chewed on it. It’s made with the clear beads so you can coordinate it with anything!
To Enter (Required):
Leave a comment on this entry telling me what your favorite mommy “Must Have” is… I’d love to know what YOU all love.
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):
One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until May 17, 2010 at midnight PST. Good Luck
Congratulations Elizabeth, commenter #82!
May
7
Summer Giveaway: Episencial Sun Care Gift Pack!
Filed Under Giveaways Coupons, Product Reviews, Skin Care | 155 Comments
Down here in Florida, even though it’s still technically Spring – it feels very much like Summer! It’s hot!!! Hot days, beach time, pool swimming, sand boxes… we’re outside all the time. So I figure to welcome Summer into our lives properly, and to highlight one of the products gracing our 2010 Sunscreen Cheat Sheet, I’d talk to you about the new line of skin care for babies and kids by Episencial. Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen in SPF 35 is a new member of our cheat sheet this year and I think it’s a great addition to the list for a few reasons.
You get a lot of the benefits of a more natural and organic based product without breaking your wallet in half to get it. One of my other favorites costs me upwards of $26 – $30 retail and I love the product but holy cow that’s a lot of money for a sunscreen. What their products don’t have is parabens, phenoxyethanol, phthalates, SLS, or Fragrances (No Gluten or Nut Oils either). What they DO have is organic ingredients and natural sunscreens that are non-nano in nature, providing an SPF of 35 for their Sunny Sunscreen. 
What they also don’t have is a huge price tag. $15 bucks for a sunscreen is much better than $30. I’ll be forthcoming and say the Episencial line isn’t 100% chemical free but they use good practices and their creator Kim Walls has answered a TON of my annoying questions about their ingredients. And instead of getting defensive or annoyed, she explained everything to me at great length and sent me a handful of products – a Sunny Sunscreen to try out myself and a Gift Pack of products for me to give away to one of YOU!
First I want to tell you about my experience with Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen. My baby has pretty sensitive skin – moreso than my older son who hasn’t ever had a skin reaction to anything aside from mosquitoes. The baby however gets eczema and is generally rashy. So when it came time to try sunscreens I knew I was in for a trial. I started with what I already had on hand (Badger – which I love for my other son because its really water resistant) but what I noticed is that the stuff I tried would make his skin turn pink, so I worried it would be irritated. I tried out Episencials Sunny Sunscreen and really loved it. It goes on like a lotion (not sticky like some other natural brands), has basically no smell to it and protected just as well as the others. What bugs me about some natural sunscreens is the smell. All those essential oils and butters can get stinky! Not with this… no smell, no sticky, no weird whiteness and great protection. And I love that I don’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford it.
Get It: I heard through the grapevine that Episencial’s skin care line is starting to become available at Target, though I haven’t seen it here in Florida just yet. In the meantime you can order it from their website Episencial.com
WIN IT!
Episencial sent me a great Gift Pack of products to give to one of you. One winner will take home a full size tube of Sunny Sunscreen SPF35, a tube of Protective Face Balm (with SPF 6), and their Soothing Cream for eczema and bothered skin.
To Enter (Required):
Visit Episencial.com and let me know which product you think you would love to try out!
For Extra Entries:(You must leave a comment for each extra entry for them to count):
One winner will be selected at random using Random.org. Giveaway open to US residents. Entries will be accepted until May 17, 2010 at midnight PST. Good Luck
Congratulations Elizabeth, commenter #57! Thanks to everyone who entered and to Episencial for providing a great prize!
May
4
It’s probably not a shock that products containing DEET, are not on our recommended list. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a widely used active ingredient in insect repellents. Biting insects are attracted to the scent of carbon dioxide gas to find food… in this case, your blood. Skin and breath naturally give off carbon dioxide. DEET masks the scent of carbon dioxide therefore keeping buggies away.
DEET can act as an irritant, and has been reported to be the cause of seizures, insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function. The American Academy of Pediatrics still stands by its safety on children over 2 months old. A brief encounter with DEET might not cause any harm, but long term exposure may. DEET is certainly effective but if DEET gives you the heebs then there are natural alternatives that work just as well to mask carbon dioxide and keep those pests away.
The main ingredients in natural bug repellents rely on oils, most notably citronella, soybean oil, geraniol (oil of geranium), eucalyptus, cedar, rosemary, eucalyptus and sometimes lemon oil. I’ve scoured the stores and the Internet for some better choices and here is what I came up with.
SafeMama Criteria: Products had to be free of DEET, parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, Sulfates, Dioxanes, Propylene Glycols, and synthetic fragrances. I tried to select all natural products when possible. I have tested a handful of these products and they do work for general kid and adult use. (Note: I went ahead and included any Skin Deep ratings that were available. However, some haven’t been reviewed for accuracy since 2006.)
Last Updated: August 4, 2010
Bug Repellent Sprays
Bubble & Bee 100% Organic Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: Organic soybean oil, organic lemongrass essential oil, organic peppermint essential oil, organic rosemary essential oil, organic cloves essential oil, organic geranium essential oil
Kathy Says: I have not tried this for effectiveness but it contains all of the oils that naturally repel bugs, which I have seen work with other products. I trust Bubble & Bee immensely and their passion for safe ingredients trumps all others. I strongly recommend giving this one a try.
Skin Deep Rating: 0
All Terrain Kids Herbal Armor Spray
Main Ingredients: Oil of Citronella (10.0%), Oil of Soybean (5.6%), Oil of Peppermint (2.0%), Oil of Cedar (1.50%), Oil of Lemongrass (1.00%), Oil of Geranium (0.05%)
Kathy Says: I’ve been holding out on you. This is one of my hands down favorites. Living in South Florida, mosquitoes are AWFUL. I use this on me and the kids all the time. Effective, stinky.. but effective. I always have this on hand daily. Its a spray lotion too so you can see where you have covered and can rub in to hit spots you missed. Helpful.
Skin Deep Rating: 3
Purple Prairie Bug Stuff
Main Ingredients: Geranium, Lemongrass, Catnip, Rosemary, Eucalyptus
Kathy Says: Have never tried this, and Skin Deep rates it a zero… they carry sunscreen and hand sanitizer too.
Skin Deep Rating: 0
All Things Jill Bug Joose Outdoor Spray
Main Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Essential oils of cedarwood, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, pine, lemongrass & citronella (all organic)
Kathy Says: I haven’t tried this but I love the All Things Jill company and they use all organic ingredients when possible.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Miessence Buzz Free Zone Personal Spray
Main Ingredients: Proprietary blend of essential oils, Catnip Oil
Kathy Says: I haven’t tried this but I know that Miessence uses all natural ingredients and organic ones when available. I’ve had great experiences with the Miessence products I have tried before. I wouldn’t let the “proprietary” scare you on this brand. They are pretty responsible when it comes to ingredients.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A (couldn’t find it)
Brittanie’s Thyme Organic Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedar Oil
Fig + Sage Says: “I’ve been using this for the past three weeks at all hours of the day (and night) and I’m happy to report that I’ve had absolutely NO BITES!!! You see, for me this is a huge feat as I so look forward to months of sunshine and warmth, yet despise the little blood-suckers that want to feast upon me.” Read Fig + Sage’s Review – Thanks for the find!
Skin Deep Rating: 0
Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: Clove Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Geranium Oil, Peppermint Oil
Kathy Says: This works better than most I have tried. It smells great too. The only drawback is that the “spray” is not really a spray at all. It comes out in oil form and you have to rub it all over the place to get good coverage. But again, works really well at keeping away bites. Oily though.
Skin Deep Rating: 0
Bite Blocker® Herbal Spray
Bite Blocker® Herbal Lotion
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil
Kathy Says: This brand also comes in a lotion and wipes, both of which pass our SafeMama criteria. However we haven’t yet had a chance to test them out. Check out their website for effectiveness information. I will be reviewing these in the coming weeks and will update accordingly.
Skin Deep Rating: 2
Jason Quit Bugging Me – Natural Insect Repellent Spray
Main Ingredients: Soy Bean Oil, Geranium
Kathy Says: This comes in a great little spray bottle and goes on evenly. But be careful not to get in the eyes (like all of them), I just caution it here because it tends to mist when sprayed and I’ve gotten it in my own eyes trying to cover my kid. This works pretty well, not as well as others though. The smell is not my favorite either. My mother commented it smelled like wet gym socks. I do like how it sprays on and doesn’t sit on skin like an oil.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Buzz Away Extreme™ Natural Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil, Castor Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oil
Kathy Says: This stuff I do like, comes in a great spray. It sprays on a little oily. This stuff claims 8 hour protection but my son still got bit wearing it after an hour or so, so I don’t know if 8 hours is an accurate assumption. I’d still reapply every few hours to be covered. The towelettes are cool but for $8+ you only get 12. Compared to Bit Blocker Wipes, which is about the same price you get 25.
Skin Deep Rating: 0 – 1 (there are two listings)
Aubrey Organic’s Gone! Safe and Natural Outdoor Spray SPF 10 4oz*
Main Ingredients: Padimate O (PABA Ester), Natural Grain Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Soybean Oil
Kathy Says: If this wasn’t made by Aubrey Organics I might be more skeptical. I’m including this because they take great care to provide safe sun and outdoor protection. But they use PABA which some people avoid.
Skin Deep Rating: 7 (Due to the PABA content this rates pretty high.. interesting)
California Baby® Natural Bug Blend™ Bug Repellent Spray
California Baby® Citronella Summer Lotion
Main Ingredients: Citronella, lemongrass and cedar essential oils
Kathy Says: These both work well and don’t smell too strong. I prefer the spray, it’s easier than applying lotions. They are both gentle and haven’t caused any reactions. I managed to find this in the store recently and I like it, it sprays a fine mist so you end up spraying a lot and you have to be careful with the kiddies – it stings if it gets in or near their eyes.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Absolute Green Deet Free Bug Spray
Main Ingredients: Lemon grass Eucalyptus Essential Oil, Neem Seed Oil, Cedar wood Essential Oil
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Bug Repellent Balms
Graham Gardens Bug Bar
Main Ingredients: Citronella Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Catnip Oil, Neem Oil, Rosemary Oil (organic oils used)
Kathy Says: Graham Gardens BugBar works awesome. I love carrying a balm with me for trips to the playground (have I mentioned lately I live in the South where bugs are everywhere??) and this stuff covers great and stays on. Spray tend to sweat off so if there is any water play involved it washes off. Not with the BugBar. It’s water resistant (that’s my own observation). Thy have some other really great products that I’ll be reviewing soon!
Skin Deep Rating: 0
Badger Anti-Bug Push-Up – 1.5 oz – Stick
Main Ingredients: Citronella Oil (5.0%), Cedar Oil (2.0%), Lemongrass Oil (2.0%), Rosemary Oil (1.0%), & Geranium Oil (1.0%)
Kathy Says: I LOVE this bug balm. I never thought a balm would be enough coverage but I found this at my local grocery store and picked it up. The balm in the push up stick is great and the balm goes on smooth and you can easily cover exposed areas quickly. It works to boot. I really love Badger’s commitment to natural and organic ingredients. Thumbs up!!
Skin Deep Rating: 0
For My Kids Herbal Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: organic coconut oil, organic soybean oil, candelilla wax, organic, tamanu oil, organic lemon balm, organic rosemary, organic lemongrass essential oil, geranium oil, organic catnip oil, and Vitamin E oil.
Kathy Says: I love all of For My Kids, LLC’s products honestly, and this is no exception. Great size for carrying in your purse or diaper bag. Comes in 1 and 2 ounce tins.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Wipes
Bite Blocker® Herbal Wipes
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil
Kathy Says: This brand also comes in a lotion and spray, both of which pass our SafeMama™ criteria. However we haven’t yet had a chance to test them out. Check out their website for effectiveness information. I will be reviewing these in the coming weeks and will update accordingly.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Buzz Away Insect Repellent Towelettes
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil, Castor Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oil
Kathy Says: The towelettes are nice, and work well but for $8+ you only get 12. Compared to Bit Blocker Wipes, which is about the same price you get 25.
Skin Deep Rating: 0 – 1 (there are two listings)
Non-Spray Repellents
DEET Free Bug Band
Main Ingredients: Geranium Oil, Polypropylene plastic band
Kathy Says: This wristband is great for kids and can be stored for future use. Geraniol is a great natural repellent. People with perfume allergies may have trouble with this one since its about 20% Geraniol. But if you have a perfume allergy you may have problems with any natural repellent since they rely heavily on scents. NOTE: This company makes wipes and a spray as well, but I didn’t include them due to them containing Sodium Laureth Sulfates in the ingredients.
Don’t Bite Me Patch
Main Ingredients: Vitamin B1
Kathy Says: Unlike the other repellents, this patch uses Vitamin B1 instead of fragrant oils. B1 when excreted from the skin will mask the scent of carbon dioxide (which is what the bugs are attracted to). By applying the patch to the skin directly, rather than taking a vitamin, is the faster absorption. Like lotions (which is why we are so adamant about safe skin care), things applied to the skin go directly into your bloodstream instead of having to travel the digestive system first. So this will take effect quicker. I am not a huge fan of having something stuck to my or my kids skin (seems like it would be an irritant) but the materials.
The patch itself is made of “Acrylic Pressure Sensitive Adhesive with Aloe and Thiamine Hydrochloride on Urethane film laminated to polyethylene coated kraft paper”. I can’t find any solid reason to not use this product (or the wristbands for that matter) other than the waste factor, as they may not be recyclable.
Other natural tips for deterring buggies naturally at home:
Enjoy the outdoors! Remember to also choose a safe sunscreen for sunny days! Read SafeMama’s 2010 Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet report for our top sunblock picks.
May
2
Children’s Tylenol, Motrin, Benedry Recalled by McNeil Consumer Healthcare
Filed Under Product Recalls, Product Safety | 8 Comments
Thank you to a reader (Thanks Heather!) for emailing me about this today. I was busy with my 4 year old at a Chuck E Cheese party and hadn’t even a moment to sit down today. Anyway, McNeil Consumer Healthcare announced a voluntary recall of several brands of Children’s medication including Children and Infant Tylenol, Children and Infant Motrin and a few other liquid childrens medications.
According to the recall statement on McNeil’s website the recall is a precautionary measure that has to do with an inconsistency in their quality control and have said this to be the reason:
Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles.
The company says the potential of any medical events due to taking this medication are “remote” but they are recommending consumers stop using these items immediately, anyway.
To check to see if your items have been named as part of this recall go to the McNeil Consumer Healthcare website and check to see if yours is listed. They are listing items by NDC Number and NOT by Lot#. The products NDC Number can be located above the brand name on the product label.
What Do I Do Now?
If you have some of these recalled medications, stop using them immediately. To get in touch with the company or to report any adverse reactions:
For additional information, including affected NDC numbers, consumers should call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If you are in need of any of these medications you should call your Doctor or Pediatrician and they can recommend the right supplemental products.
If you are in dire need of a replacement you can check with Target or CVS for a store brand equivalent – but please check with the pharmacist BEFORE administering any medication to make sure the dosage amounts are the same for your child’s weight/age.
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