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- Review: Aloe Cadabra Lubricant (& Giveaway)
- Badger Balm: Vanilla Coconut Every Day Moisturizer
- Review: Yes to Carrots (and other vegetables too)!
- Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Body Care
- Kiss My Face Sudz C-Weed Organic Shower Gel
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Archive for the ‘Bath & Body’ Category
Since a huge majority of you are snowed in, I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite every day products. It’s no secret that I love the Badger Balm company and I love supporting them. They are such a conscious company and all their products are natural and many, certified organic. I love knowing that when I use a balm or soap, I am using the safest ingredients and that they don’t bother with making products that require emulsifiers or chemical involvement.
My latest love affair is with their new Vanilla Coconut Every Day Moisturizer. They sent me a sample a little while ago and it;s almost empty. It earned a spot on my night stand and I use it nightly on my hands, cuticles and feet. The scent is perfect. I usually really love coconut scented anything since it makes me feel like I’m indulging on a tropical island or reminds me of summer time and beaches. That’s a good feeling to have when its chilly out and you need some extra moisturizing.
It comes in a large tin and the scent is a warm but subtle coconut … but toned down with the vanilla to make a really wonderful scent. As always, Badger Balm uses a natural formula and only the best ingredients… like coconut oil, vanilla and rosemary. This balm is also Certified Organic and Fair Trade.
Get It: Seriously, you need this. And you need their lip balms which are hands down one of my absolute favorites. My particular fave is the Lavender Orange. It’s the one I brought with me to the hospital when I had my son. Only the best! Pick up a Vanilla Coconut Every Day Moisturizer on their website BadgerBalm.com
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Badger Balm, Body Balm
By popular demand you requested our input on the Whole Foods store brand of body care 365 Everyday Value. On a recent pilgrimage to Whole Foods I decided to check it out because hey, I am all for cheaper, yet safe, skin care. That natural stuff can really add up! I checked out the 365 body lotion and the body wash to evaluate the ingredients.
I WANT to tell you that this is the answer to our organic prayers but alas. It is not. I will not say it’s totally awful because it has some very redeemable qualities. These products are free of parabens, phthalates, SLS, and petrochemicals… and the price point is unmatched. A huge bottle of lotion for less than $3 bucks? Yes please! The products also carry the Whole Foods Premium Body Care seal of approval.
The bad news is these products contain a bevy of ingredients that aren’t “natural” by our standards. For example cetyl alcohol which is the emulsifier that makes lotion more watery and smooth. This ingredient (and others like it) is not by any means natural and is commonly contaminated with 1,4 dioxane. (See this great article about body lotion on Bubble& Bee) … so if you are wanting something truly safe, stick with the really natural stuff. If you’re more concerned with price while avoiding the big risk ingredients like parabens and phthalates than this brand will cover that for you.
For the sake of reporting I tried both of these products on myself. The lotion (I opted for a citrus scent) smooths on well and does have an effective moisturizing effect. Even my husband liked it. Similarly, the body wash foams up miraculously and the lavender scent I tried is subtle (but not as lavendery as other products).
Bottom Line: These are free of the big “avoid” ingredients but aren’t chemical free. For the price you definitely get what you pay for. Effective products that are safer than most mainstream brands. If you want truly natural skin care, opt for something else but expect to pay more than $3.
Where to Buy: You can find these at your local Whole Foods market or online.
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: 365 Everyday Value, Body Lotion, Body Wash
I haven’t really found too many shower gels that I like lately. They’re either full of chemicals, or they’re organic and watery, or they just suck overall. I reluctantly picked up a tube of Kiss My Face’s Sudz Organic Shower Gel at Target this month since it was the first time something new was in the natural beauty aisle. Typically, I want to like Kiss My Face’s products because I grew up using them. But some of their products contain parabens and they aren’t totally natural all the time so I opt for other stuff. But I saw it and on an impulse (after reading the label) decided to give it a whirl.
I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. I’m not going to pass out from euphoria over it but it meets most of my criteria for shower gel. It must be almost all natural, it must be in a nice scent and it must lather. The problem with most organic shower stuff is the lack of foam. Not so much the case here. I absolutely love citrus scents so the Sweet Orange & Lime scent was right up my alley. Its bubbles up nice, smells great and I feel quite refreshed after using it. I also used it in conjunction with some Kiss My Face Sudz bar soap and I step out of the steam feeling fresh and clean. I’ll probably pick this up again in other scents since it has a great price point. The Grapefruit & Lemongrass sounds divine. Overall, thumbs up!
Get It: Found mine at Target but I just saw it on Amazon and on VitaCost.com for less than $5.
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Body Wash, Kiss My Face
It’s been quiet here… I’ve been on a maternity leave. But in my absence I had time to fall in love with a new product. With all the talk of flu season and H1N1 this fall I’ve opted to start washing my hands neurotically. I have a kid in preschool and a 3 month old at home so needless to say, I’m trying to avoid it. All that hand washing is drying my hands out something fierce. I had a sample of Jurlique’s Rose Hand Cream and gave it a go on my chapped mitts. Oh. Em. Gee.
I immediately ordered a full size tube because this is one of the most luxurious hand creams I have ever experienced. Even in comparison to some of the chemical versions I used to be loyal to. If it were a dessert, it would be a creme brulee at the Four Seasons. Some feel that rose scents are old lady-ish and I can see how that can happen. But for me, this light floral rose scent is sexy and feminine without overpowering you. Most importantly, the softness. This hand cream makes your hands feel so incredibly soft and smooth. I keep it next to me on my nightstand where my most elite products live. There is no stickiness and it absorbs well without leaving a greasy feeling. I just applied it and am happily typing away on my laptop without slipping off the keys. DId I mention soft? My hands are soooooo soft.
Jurlique grows 95% of their pure plant-based ingredients on their certified organic and biodynamic farms in Southern Australia. Not every single product is 100% natural but the Rose Hand Cream passes our test. A handful of their products that pass our test are available on SaffronRouge.com who’s goal is to provide the purest most natural products possible. We trust their screening process more than we trust our own.
Get It: Jurlique’s products aren’t cheap. The Rose Hand Cream runs about $25 for a 1.4 oz tube. But its an indulgence worth the splurge. FInd the Jurlique Rose Hand Cream and other Jurlique products on SaffronRouge.com.
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Hand Cream, Jurlique
As you all know we just loooooooooooove Bubble & Bee products. We’re their #1 fan. Stephanie of Bubble & Bee is so increditbly knowledgeable about chemicals and ingredients that we go right to her first if we ever need an ingredient scrutinized. Her products, as a result of her knowledge, are so pure and safe I hate using anything else.
Years ago before I learned about skin care and the hazards of all the chemicals I was dumping into my body every day I was a Bath & Body Works Junkie. I admit it. You walk in there and everything looks so tempting and relaxing. I owned almost the entire True Blue line and always stocked up on my favorite scent: Coconut Lime Verbena. When I learned more about the ingredients, I sadly tossed all my BBW products and searched for safer ones. I never did find a good replacement to my beloved Coconut Lime Verbena… until NOW.
Thanks to Stephanie’s constant product development, she has added a lovely Organic Coconut Lime Soap to her collection as well as a Coconut Lime LIP BALM. Its as if she read my mind. I loved her Coconut Lime lotion stick already and wished there were more. And now there is. Her soap smells devine and lathers wonderfully. I feel so tropical after a shower. And I can keep the feeling all day with her delictable Coconut Lime lip balm… which if you have ever tried her lip balms, they rock. This one is no exception. It’s my new favorite lip balm flavor (and you know how much I adore my lip balms) and I want to hug it and squeeze it call it George. Ok no but I do carry it everywhere. It even tastes sweet!
Get Some! Thanks Stephanie for all your great products and new scents! Shop for Bubble & Bee products on her website BubbleandBee.com! Don’t forget to visit her Chemical of the Day Blog where she answers reader questions about ingredients.
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Bar Soap, Bubble and Bee, Lip Balm
I was gifted a very generous gift certificate to SaffronRouge.com for my birthday this year. So I went on a spree and got a bunch of products I havent tried before. One of those was Weleda’s Birch Body Scrub. With descriptive words like “exfoliation” and “regeneration” I decided to give it a go on my dry legs. Let me just say that I am big on scrubs, which is weird for someone with such sensitive skin. I love a good scrub, and usually prefer sugar scrubs to salt. That said, I don’t mind them being a bit coarse so I feel like I’m doing something productive.
Weleda’s Birch Body Scrub falls a little short in that area. It’s super gentle and very moisturizing, while having a really nice fresh scent. I like the product as a body wash, not a scrub. There isn’t enough “scrub” in there to make me feel like I’m getting anywhere so I was a little disappointed in that. But, as a moisturizing wash this product does great. I love the smell and I LOVE that it’s in a squeeze tube rather than a tub that you have to scoop out of. In general I am a big Weleda fan since they use natural ingredients and are free of all the nasty junk we typically avoid. If you have really sensitive skin this might be a great scrub for you.
Get It: You can pick it up anywhere Weleda products are sold or grab it online at SaffronRouge.com
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Body Scrub, Weleda
Every once in a while I spend a little time browsing Etsy, as many of us do. Etsy is such a great place to find safer bath goodies and we’ve reviewed some before. My newest find is a store full of handmade soap and spa goods made by Catherine Filippeli. Her store is chock full of bar and guest soaps that look good enough to eat. With scents like Oatmeal Lavender, Ginger Mint Fig Coconut Milk, and Pomegranite Sage you are sure to find something that suits you.
I was attracted to her lovely Honey Lime Bee Soaps full of lime oil and honey to boost circulation and clear congested pores. Plus the unusual shape makes this great for guests or just for something new and fun. Sometimes it’s nice to depart from the usual rectangle bar. Along with lip balm, my other collection habit is bar soap – so I’ll be ordering a few to get me through the summer. Nothing like a shower with a fresh bar of soap that smells like citrus, honey or herbs.
Many of her soaps are made with only essential oils but a few do use other scents. A quick note to Catherine and she confirmed that all of her scents and oils are phthalate free. Sweet!
Get Soap: You can check out Catherine’s shop on Etsy at catherinefilippelli.etsy.com
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Bar Soap, Etsy Finds
I stumbled on Cactus & Ivy through another blog (Eco-OfficeGals.com I think?) and saw what a great looking line of products they carry. So I looked deeper to check out the ingredients and found that they have an exceptional line that’s free of parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, propylene glycols, synthetic fragrances and SLS. I ordered myself their cute little sampler kit to get acquainted with their products.
All the products I tried were really impressive. They aren’t separated like some natural brands and apply and feel great on skin. Sometimes with really natural products you feel like you’re putting food on your body. Not so with Cactus & Ivy. My favorites? The Key Lime Body Wash (I’m a sucker for citrus smells) and the Peppermint Tree Foot Balm that comes in a twist up applicator (like a deodorant!).
They have a really wide variety of products like lip balms, bar soap, and one thing I haven’t seen before, Nail Balm which looks totally intriguing! Olive oil and horsetail strengthen and nourish brittle nails and cuticles… sounds divine! One or two products do contain phenoxyethanol but if you look through carefully the vast majority of their products don’t contain it. They publish the ingredients on their website for easier shopping. I really tend to respect companies who do that more than the ones who don’t!
Get It: You can pick up a sampler set or any of their great products on their website Cactus & Ivy.
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Bath Goodies, Cactus & Ivy
I’ve long been curious about Jurlique products. There were a few that I’ve wanted to try, but I’m trying to get by with less is more. I love product, but I’m trying to be less wasteful and of course, there’s the whole second child on the way that is forcing me to spend less money. But I got some Jurliqe samples and I can’t pass up a good sample. Samples will never go to waste in this house, because what I don’t use, I stuff in my toiletries bag for travel. A great way to travel light without giving up my girly luxuries.
I have to say, I’m impressed. I really like the Jurlique lotions. I tried out both the soothing day care lotion and the balancing day care cream and they both smell great and are heavy without being overly greasy. I tend to hate most lotions because the extra water means I have to use more to achieve the same results, but this is a great cream with a pleasant rosey smell.
I will say though, that not ALL of Jurlique’s products are free of the safe ingredients we like to avoid. Most of their lotions are LovelyMama worthy, but their shampoos and cleansers tend to have more unfavorable ingredients, so this is another case of learning to decipher the labels. But both of these lotions are great for night time and I can easily see these being a staple on my night stand. Especially with summer sandal season coming along. I can feel the softness already!
Get it: You can order any of the Jurlique line off of Saffron Rouge. Or find some products in your local Whole Foods.
Posted by Statia • add a comment •
Categories: Body Lotion, Jurlique
It’s no secret I get hooked on certain products. Just ask me how many lip balms I have at any given time in my purse. (Currently 6). See? Addict. My other secret addiction is bar soap. I don’t know if it’s the traditional nature of bar soap or the rush I get when I open a brand new bar. Either way, I prefer it over body washes… especially for my face. I have sensitive skin and am prone to rosacea. So I am on a constant hunt for an alternative to Cetaphil’s bar soap that my dermatologist recommended. I just can’t bring myself to continue using it.
During my search I found Tilvee Eco Ethical Skin Care. I haven’t had the opportunity to try their products out but I was giddy over the simple facts. Their products are free of all chemicals including Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Preservatives, Petrochemicals, Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates and not to mention they don’t test on animals, are committed to green business practices and are signers of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Can you say “love”?
As a suitable replacement for that old Cetaphil Cleansing bar I think their Shea Butter Facial Cleansing Bar might be a good contender. People who suffer from rosacea tend to be sensitive as well as have dry patches so the gentle shea butter would be an ingredient to combat that. Stuff is on sale right now so I might have to pick up a lip balm too. See? Can’t ever resist.
Follow Up Review: I started using this on my face (remember…I’m sensitive with rosacea flare ups) and my skin has actually improved in the last few days of using it. My skin isn’t as dry and dare I say my rosacea is clearing as well. I think this is a great product. Bye bye Cetaphil.
Get It: Pick one up on their website Tilvee.com – go now because their having an Earth Month sale… 25% Off!
Posted by Kathy • add a comment •
Categories: Bar Soap, Face Wash, Tilvee Eco Ethical Skin Care
