Be My Green Valentine! Eco Fresh Products for the Women in your Life.
Ok, so Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow again this year, meaning six more weeks of winter to go. But this does not mean that we can’t start thinking about spring products for the face and body. Any of these products would make a thoughtful gift for Valentine’s Day for someone special in your life and will show her that you care about her health as well as the planet’s. Many people do not realize that when they apply lotion, make-up, even lip balm, that they may be exposing their skin and bodies to a virtual chemical soup. With the triple P’s to watch out for (phthalates, parabens and petroleum products), it is hard to know which products are safe for us to put on our faces, lips, bodies… Here are a few great, green products to get you in the mood (for spring, that is…)
For the body…
J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary Shea Butter Body Cream www.JRWatkins.com
This thick and creamy body cream is 99.10% natural and is free of parabens, dyes and phthalates. The sample I tried, Lemon Cream, smelled as good as a slice of lemon meringue pie and won’t add a single calorie to your day. It is made from shea and cocoa butters and is blended with other natural oils. Great for hands, feet and dry, rough patches left over from winter. Probably gentle enough for kids, too. Priced under $10.00, this cream is one of my absolute favorites!
Femme by Olivier Shower Gel and Body Scrub www.oliviernewyork.com
Femme is the all-natural skin care line from Olivier, New York. Femme bath products are made from oils found in nature, such as olive, rosemary, and coconut. According to their website, their products for women promote healthy, younger-looking skin. The shower gel has a light, clean smell and lathers up nicely. The scrub smells like coconut and is great for sloughing off dead skin cells.
Bath and Body Naturals Roll-On Perfume www.bathandbodynaturals.com
Not to be confused with the similar-sounding Bath and Body Works, whose products are full of artificial fragrances galore, this roll-on perfume is 100% natural and made from pure, essential oils, such as jojoba, sandalwood and orange. Because the fragrances are made from all-natural ingredients, the scents are not as long-lasting as with traditional perfume sprays, but it’s worth it. Applying these great-smelling perfumes to my wrists 3 or 4 times per day is a better pick-me-up than a cup of coffee (and I smell better, too). I sampled “Comfort” (meant to be warm and welcoming) and “Passion” (meant to be rich and complex). I like Comfort for daytime and Passion for nights out.
For the Face…
Ecotools Bamboo Five Piece Brush Set www.eco-tools.com
This five-piece brush set, another of my new favorites, is made from natural and recycled materials. The handles are made of bamboo, a renewable resource. The bristles are soooo soft, are made from synthetic taklon (not animal hair) and therefore, are cruelty-free. These brushes are meant to work well with mineral make-up styles and come with a natural cotton and hemp linen bag to impress your friends.
For the Lips…
Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss www.burtsbees.com
This shiny, moisturizing lip gloss comes in four shades and is everything an eco lip gloss should be: all-natural and free of any animal testing, paraben/phthalates and petrochemicals. According to their website, the featured ingredient is sweet almond oil, which absorbs quickly and is very emollient. Other ingredients include sunflower and citrus oils. The gloss I tried, Sweet Pink, smelled (and tasted) like oranges- yum!
Jane Iredale PureMoist Lip Color SPF 18 www.janeiredale.com
The Jane Iredale line of PureMoist lipsticks are meant to taste and smell like mint and vanilla. Made with fewer chemicals than traditional brands, this lipstick offers an SPF of 18 using edible zinc oxide and also contains antioxidants. As most of us lick our lips throughout the day, this lipstick should be safer to ingest than most traditional alternatives. Who knew?
Buddha Nose Organic Lemongrass Ginger Lime Lip Balm www.buddhanose.com
In addition to being made with certified organic ingredients, this lip balm is extremely emollient and leaves a nice shine on your lips. Ingredients include jojoba oil, organic beeswax and hemp seed oil. If you are not partial to the strong aroma and taste of ginger (the root kind, not the ale kind), then this lip balm is not for you. I also noticed a tingling feeling after applying it, that can also be attributed to the power of the ginger root.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Comments
I use Burt’s Bees Lip Gloss and i love it. It’s great at keeping my lips moist during the dry months
My wife is a big fan of Burt’s Bees infant products.
Great post Sarah, I love Ecotools too. Nice recommendations.
I love Ecotools brushes! It’s when makeup products are cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and do the job wonderfully. And these brushes are soft like no other!
Great recommendations!