Naturalla Beauty

Sola Skincare is a family-run Canadian business, handcrafting skin and body care products in Vancouver, B.C.  The company's products are made with fairly minimal ingredients and are enhanced with traditional Chinese herbs.  I first discovered Sola last year and immediately fell head over heels for their Balancing Oil, which, almost a year later, is still one of my very favorite face oils.  (You may have spotted it in my 2016 Best in Green Beauty or caught me raving about it on instagram!)

More recently, I've been trying out three of Sola's body care products and I'll tell you right off the bat: they don't disappoint either.  Keep reading for my detailed thoughts on the Coconut Deodorant*, Soft Skin Balm*, and Relief Balm*.



Coconut Deodorant
The Coconut Deodorant is one of Sola's best sellers and I can easily see why!  It's a great formula that ticks all my deodorant boxes.  Basically, it...

• smells good
• keeps you smelling good
• has a great texture/consistency
• applies easily 
• doesn't stain or leave marks on clothing 
• doesn't irritate my skin or cause rashes  

The ingredients start off pretty standard -- coconut oil, baking soda, arrowroot powder, olive or sweet almond oil, and beeswax -- but true to form, Sola also includes antibacterial Chinese herbs zhi mu and sheng di huang, both known to cool excess heat in the body, calm inflammation, and nourish the skin.  Sola doesn't add any fragrance or essential oils, so the sweet coconut scent really shines through.  I can be fussy about coconut smells -- even natural, coconut oil ones -- but the Coconut Deodorant is a winner for my nose.  It smells fresh, sweet, and delicate, and is more reminiscent of actual coconut than coconut oil, if that makes any sense at all.

The deodorant has a very smooth, buttery consistency that melts into the skin beautifully without any gritty or grainy baking soda texture.  It also doesn't feel oily or leave behind any greasy residue, so you don't have to wait or delay pulling clothes on.  With regards to irritation, baking soda deodorants are hit or miss for me, but I haven't had any problems with Sola's Coconut Deodorant.  I usually use a non-baking soda option if I've just shaved, but that's true across the board, not specific to this one.

And, perhaps most importantly, the deodorant offers great odor protection too.  I apply it once in the morning and it keeps me smelling good until the next day -- so, roughly a full 24 hours.  I don't notice the coconut scent beyond when I apply it, so it's not so much covering up bad smells as actually preventing them. I don't sweat a ton, so your mileage may vary here, but I find it keeps me pretty dry as well.

I'm looking forward to testing the deodorant more as the weather warms up, but since it's held its own through a few sweaty workouts, I'm pretty confident it'll do just fine in the summer too! 



Soft Skin Balm
The Soft Skin Balm is a wonderfully nourishing moisturizer perfect for treating ultra dry skin.  The balm is thick and rich, courtesy of shea butter, beeswax, and olive oil, and while it doesn't absorb immediately, it sinks in slowly and deeply nourishes dry skin.  The four Chinese herbs included in this one -- shu di huang, bai shao, he shou wu, and gan cao -- are all intended to nourish and bring moisture to the skin, and combine nicely with soothing lavender and patchouli essential oils.  The scent is very light and unobtrusive.  I mainly smell olive oil in the tin, and while the essential oils come out a little on the skin, it's still very mild.

I've been using the balm mostly on my feet and elbows, and it's also a great thick moisturizer to slather all over your hands before bed.   I even used it as a lip balm in a pinch one day!  I probably wouldn't repeat that experience, if only because patchouli isn't my favorite taste in the world, but it did leave my lips nicely moisturized and supple!

Relief Balm
The Relief Balm is a gentle warming treatment for aching muscles, minor sprains, strains, and arthritic pain.  I deal with occasional back and shoulder pain and the Relief Balm has helped a lot in those moments of discomfort.

The balm is a very soothing and gentle product made of only herb-infused olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E, and essential oils.  The herbs and essential oils are all chosen to not only relive pain, but also to target the source of that pain by reducing inflammation and improving circulation and blood flow in order to promote healing.

With ingredients like cinnamon (gui zhi), ginger (gan jiang), and white camphor, the balm generates a gentle warming sensation when applied.  The warmth penetrates slowly and gently eases muscle tension and relieves pain and discomfort.  It's very soft and light and not at all hot or uncomfortable like some other warming muscle products I've used in the past.  In Chinese medicine, cold accumulation is seen as a common source of pain, so from that angle too, a warming product like the Relief Balm is targeting not only the pain, but the root cause of that pain.

If you deal with aches and pains, I think this would be a great one to keep in your arsenal!



The Bottom Line
Sola Skincare is a great Canadian line and I really like everything I've tried from them!  The products work as promised and both the handcrafted nature and the way Sola brings together classic natural ingredients and components of traditional Chinese medicine really resonate with me.  I doubt you could go wrong, but I'd especially recommend the Coconut Deodorant and, of course, my favorite, the Balancing Face Oil.  If you deal with aches and pains, the Relief Balm is another fantastic pick.

2016 hasn't been my most productive year blogging, but there's still been no shortage of trying new products!  It's been a bit of a mixed bag recently -- not everything has been the hugest hit -- but I think it's equally important to share the "just okay" products as the ones I fall head over heels for.  Today's batch includes a mix of skincare, body care, and nail products.


Rocky Mountain Soap Vanilla Mint Hand Cream
Vanilla Mint is one of my favorite scents from Rocky Mountain Soap, so when I noticed they added a hand cream to the Vanilla Mint lineup, I knew I had to try it.  I reviewed the Apricot Hand Cream last year and while I loved the cream itself, I had minor issues with the scent, which had a tendency to turn a little funny on my skin.  I happily don't have any problems with the Vanilla Mint and this cream has become a favorite hand moisturizer.  Just like the Apricot, the Vanilla Mint Hand Cream is rich and emollient, but also soaks into the skin quickly without leaving behind any greasy film or residue.  My cuticles got super dry when temperatures first dropped here last month and the hand cream had them healthy and back to normal within a couple days. 

Oro de Sonora Organic Jojoba Oil*
I've used jojoba oil on and off for years, but I usually just buy whatever brand is on sale at the time on iHerb or Vitacost.  Using the Oro de Sonora these last several months has really cemented for me how significant quality differences can be between different brands of oils.  Oro de Sonora's jojoba oil is coming directly from experienced jojoba growers in southwest Arizona where jojoba oil is the only thing they produce.  It's certified organic and expeller pressed, as well as filtered and rested to eliminate any impurities.

The oil itself seems richer and more alive than other jojoba oils I've used.  It's not richer in the sense of being a heavier oil, but it seems like it delivers more intense nourishment to the skin.  It also has a more noticeable scent -- though nothing offensive or overly strong -- which has me rethinking just how much processing other, virtually scentless jojoba oils go through.  Jojoba oil is super versatile and because it's very similar to the natural sebum produced by our skin, it's suitable for all skin types.  I like using it for both oil cleansing/makeup removal and as a gentle moisturizer, and the Oro de Sonora oil works great for both purposes.

Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Baking Soda Free Deodorant
This deodorant is a cult favorite in the green beauty sphere, and while it works well for odor protection, I'm not blown away.  My main gripe is that the deodorant repeatedly separated during the summer, despite never leaving my air conditioned house.  I tried to remix it at the time, but I must not have done a very good job as once I got about halfway down the jar, the texture became a lot more solid.  I mixed in some extra oil -- the Oro de Sonora jojoba actually -- and while it smoothed it out somewhat, the texture is still not as nice as the first part of the jar.  The deodorant also has a tendency to leave significant white marks on black and dark clothing, which is a big pet peeve for me.  It undoubtedly does keep you smelling good, but, overall, I think there are better options out there, including Meow Meow Tweet's baking soda version, which I liked a lot a couple years ago.

Mineral Fusion Gel Top Coat + Nail Polish Remover
The Gel Top Coat was recommended by a couple people on Instagram and I've been really happy with it.   It has a decently large brush and a thicker consistency -- but not in a gloopy way -- that easily applies a thick layer of topcoat onto the nails.  It dries to a lovely glossy, glass-like finish and I do think it helps keep polishes on longer.

The Nail Polish Remover, on the other hand, has me less impressed.  It removes polish okay, -- though not as easily as the Priti NYC remover I was using previously -- but it also tends to smear the color onto the skin all around the nail while doing so.  The scent -- some kind of floral mixed with a typical remover smell -- isn't horribly offensive, but again, it's not as pleasant as the Priti.

The remover also gives me this strange cold feeling, almost as if I'm rubbing ice cubes on my nails.  I've never experienced it before, although a quick google search taught me that it's apparently not all that uncommon with nail polish removers.  I don't wear a ton of nail polish and will certainly use the bottle up now that I have it, but next time I'll either try something new or go back to Priti.



Have you used any of these products?

Deodorant is undoubtedly one of the most difficult products to green in your routine, but it's also one of the most vital.   Conventional deodorants and antiperspirant are loaded with chemicals, heavy metals, and synthetic fragrance, and lymph nodes in the armpits readily absorb and hold onto these toxins.

Thankfully there are plenty of healthier options out there today, including Ursa Major's new-to-the-scene Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant*.  I've been using Hoppin' Fresh for upwards of a month now and I'm happy to report that it's quickly become one of my favorite deodorants.

It wasn't, however,  a completely smooth road to love for me and this odor fighter.  My testing experience went something like this:

Days 1-3: The honeymoon stage.  I smell fresh and clean all day and love everything about the deodorant.

Days 4-8: Trouble in paradise.  Odor protection starts to last only 4-5 hours before wearing off.  Reapplying helps for a short time, but the deodorant wears off again in another 2-3 hours.

Days 9+: Back on track.  Hoppin' Fresh starts lasting again and I'm back to smelling good the entire day, sans reapplications.

Which just goes to show that, even for someone who's been exclusively using natural deodorant for years, there can still be an adjustment period when switching to something new.


Setting aside odor protection for a moment, the most unique thing about Hoppin' Fresh is just how comparable it is to conventional deodorant in both feel and application.  The deodorant is a smooth, firm stick (not even a hint of crumbling here!) that glides on super easily.  This perfect, almost gel-like consistency is pretty standard in mainstream deodorants, but it's something I haven't found in other natural ones - and goodness knows I've tried more than a few!  It goes on clear, dries quickly, and won't stain clothes either.  

The smooth texture is courtesy of a base of soothing aloe vera juice and the often vilified propanediol.  Without going off on too much of a tangent, propanediol is often linked to propylene glycol due to similarities in chemical structure, but there are some notable differences.  Where PG is petrochemical-based, propanediol is mainly derived from corn sugar fermentation.  Manufacturing doesn't have the same environmental impact as that of a petrochemical, nor does the end product carry the same allergy or toxicity concerns.  

Hoppin' Fresh isn't an antiperspirant - and really, you wouldn't want it to be! - but kaolin clay does its part absorbing moisture.  I've never felt excessively wet or sweaty while using it.

When it comes to odor protection, Ursa Major has you covered with a powerful trifecta of anti-microbial and anti-bacterial hops extract, baking soda, and essential oils.  I know baking soda is an issue for an increasing number of people, but even if the thought has you cringing in anticipated agony, I wouldn't write this deodorant off just yet.  I've had problems using "simple" baking soda formulas for the last six months or so, but I haven't experienced any irritation from Hoppin' Fresh.  I've even tested it immediately after shaving without any issues.

As I mentioned, it took a little over a week for the odor protection to fully level out for me, but since then, it's been top-notch.  I only apply the deodorant once a day and I still find myself smelling fresh the following morning.  Granted, it's winter here now, but judging by how well it holds up to a sweaty workout, I'm pretty confident Hoppin' Fresh will fare well in the warmer months too.  Out of the tube and freshly applied, the deodorant smells minty and herbal thanks to a blend of plant extracts and peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and grapefruit essential oils, but while the odor protection lasts, the scent wears off pretty quickly, so even if herbal scents aren't your thing, it's unlikely to bother you much or interfere with any other scents you may want to wear.

The Bottom Line
Whether you're a natural deodorant pro, or you're new and struggling, I think Hoppin' Fresh is worth a try!  It applies very similarly to conventional deodorant and is simultaneously gentle on the skin and offers some of the strongest odor protection I've found in a natural deodorant.

Giveaway
I've also teamed up with Ursa Major to give one of you the chance to try Hoppin' Fresh, as well as Ursa Major's two other new releases: the Citrus Riot Body Wash and Perfect Zen Body Lotion.

The giveaway is limited to US/Canada.  Follow the Rafflecopter widget, below, to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I've used Nourish Organic's original Fresh & Dry Deodorant Stick on and off for years, so when the company launched their new Deodorant Cream last spring, I was eager to give it a try.  Both deodorants are affordable, have fantastic ingredients and are USDA certified organic, but that's where many of the similarities end.

Keep reading for my thoughts on both formulas...


Fresh & Dry Deodorant Stick
The Fresh & Dry Deodorant contains no baking soda and the ingredients more so resemble those of a hydrating body butter than a typical deodorant.  Nourishing organic coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter are extra gentle on sensitive skin and cornstarch helps keep moisture away.  Odor protection comes from organic saccharomyces ferment, a blend of plant enzymes that actively target and digest the bacteria that causes odor.  

I like this deodorant and it's one I've purchased more than once, but it does have a couple drawbacks.  With regards to odor protection, it falls on the milder end of the spectrum.  I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, so it's definitely not a deodorant that works for everyone.  Personally, I reach for it most on days when I'm just hanging out at home and know that I won't be super active.  If I'm going to be out and about, I'll layer another product on top - my favorite pairing is with the Weleda Citrus Deodorant - to make sure it lasts all day.  The deodorant can also feel a little sticky on the hottest summer days, but I enjoy using it the rest of the year.

Organic & Effective Deodorant Cream
The Deodorant Cream looks like another stick deodorant at first glance, but it's actually a soft cream that gets pushed up through a series of holes in the top of the tube.



I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out what's so familiar about this mechanism and it finally hit me today: Play-Doh Mop Top toys!

I've tried a lot of natural deodorants over the years, and while I've been fortunate enough to find some great ones, I've also encountered more than a couple duds along the way.  Today I want to introduce Botanical Babe, a lovely Michigan-based small batch natural skincare company that handcrafts all its products, including my newest deodorant discovery, the Natural Deodorant Cream*.



First off, this deodorant really works.  I've tested it through long days, summer heat, and workouts and it hasn't let me down.  I only need to apply it once in the morning and the odor protection lasts all day.

That great odor protection comes from baking soda - which can be an irritant for a lot of people, myself included - but it's tempered here by arrowroot powder and moisturizing organic shea butter and coconut oil.  I've gotten some painful rashes from certain baking soda deodorants in the past, but I haven't had any issues with the Botanical Babe Deodorant Cream.  As a precaution, I don't use it immediately after shaving, but that's my general practice with any baking soda deodorant.

Depending on ambient temperature, the consistency of the deodorant varies between that of a moderately firm butter and a softer, whipped-feeling product, but it's always soft enough to scoop out with just a finger and easy to apply.  The cream rubs in well, leaves skin dry to the touch, and doesn't transfer to clothing.    

Arrowroot powder also helps keep you feeling dry once you start sweating, so while it's not an antiperspirant that will prevent sweat, the Deodorant Cream does absorb some moisture.  I'm not a super sweaty person to begin with, so your experience may vary, but with the exception of more vigorous workouts, it keeps me pretty dry throughout the day.  

The deodorant is lightly scented with a blend of organic juniper, grapefruit, orange, and lemon essential oils.  I don't really smell the juniper, just a soft sweet citrus aroma.

The Bottom Line
Botanical Babe's Deodorant Cream offers all day odor protection and doesn't cause irritation, despite the baking soda.  It also has a creamy texture and just enough scent to effectively dispel odors without overwhelming your senses.

Ingredients: Organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, sodium bicarbonate, arrowroot powder, organic grapefruit essential oil, organic juniper berry essential oil, organic sweet orange essential oil, organic lemon essential oil.

Andrea from Botanical Babe is also offering one of you the chance to try her deodorant for yourself.  Follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget to enter.  The giveaway is open to everyone, worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hear time and time again how difficult deodorant is to switch over when transitioning to natural products, and I think it's very true.  First, you have to factor in that many of us come to natural products used to antiperspirants not deodorants and that no natural deodorant is going to stop you from sweating the way an antiperspirant does.  After this first hurdle, you come to the even larger problem of finding something that works without needing to be reapplied every thirty minutes AND doesn't irritate one's delicate arm pits.  

Baking soda is one of the best odor-absorbing ingredients out there, but because of how alkaline it is (a ph of 8.5, versus the 4.5-5 ph of the skin's natural acid mantle), it can cause skin reactions in a lot of people.  It really depends on the individual: some people can tolerate it fine, others not at all, and for others still - like me - it all comes down to how much is used in a given product.  

Schmidt's Deodorant is pretty popular around the blogosphere, so I was excited to get my hands on it over the summer.  It passed the smell test - all day odor protection - but it always managed to turn my armpits into an angry, red, bumpy battlefield.  Eventually I gave up and set it aside.  

You might know - if you've ever seen my empties posts - just how much I hate to waste products, so months later, I decided to try my hand at transforming this deodorant into something I could more comfortably use.  



Based off several different variations of homemade deodorant I've made, I combined:

7/8 of a jar of Schmidt's Lavender Sage Deodorant
An equal amount of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
Sprinkle of Ora's Amazing Herbal Clay/Arrowroot-based Body Powder (arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or kaolin clay would work fine too)
5 drops Young Living Eucalyptus Radiata Essential Oil

I melted the Schmidt's and coconut oil together over a double boiler, then removed it from the heat and stirred in the last two ingredients.  After that, it's just a matter of pouring it into jars and waiting for it to cool.

The Results?

Today was my first day using it, but so far it's everything I was hoping for!  It hasn't burned or irritated my pits, and it still works well to keep any stink at bay.  As an added bonus, it's also a perfect creamy, buttery consistency now, where the Schmidt's was always very solid and required a lot more effort to work into the skin.  

I'll keep you guys updated once I've used it for longer, but so far, I'm really happy with how it turned out.

P.S. Check out my favorite, super simple DIY Deodorant recipe here.

Deodorant is unarguably one of the hardest products to switch over when trying to green your personal care routine.  About two years ago, I begrudgingly gave up the search and have been making different variations of my DIY cream deodorant ever since.  While that recipe is the opposite of difficult, there have been many times I've lamented the ease and convenience of store-bought versions.  Not to mention, working in the bodycare department of a health food store as I do means that I'm frequently asked for deodorant recommendations.  Really, it was well past time I found something on store shelves that I like and can feel confident recommending....and I'm happy to say I've found two!



Nourish had their sitewide 50% off sale for Black Friday and I was able to snag their Fig deodorant for a mere $5.  (Regular $9.99, but available for $5.99 on Vitacost.)  Like the rest of Nourish's line, the deodorant holds USDA organic certification and the ingredients are impeccable.  It's made with coconut oil and shea and cocoa butters and feels like you're applying a rich body butter to your pits.  For wetness and odor control it relies on cornstarch and a plant enzyme ferment.  

But, I'm sure what you're really wondering about is how it works.  The fig scent - which you may remember I got a bit sick of in the body wash - is fresh, fruity, and perfect for deodorant.  For the first month and a half, everything was perfect.  But, just as I was getting ready to declare this deodorant a winner, it started struggling a little.  Full disclosure: I don't sweat a lot and I'm not generally a very stinky person, but for whatever reason, the Nourish has stopped holding up quite as well as it did in the beginning.  It's still fine for days when I'm not doing much, but if I'm running around all day or exercising, I've started needing a little something extra.

I certainly could reapply throughout the day, but right around the same time, Weleda's Citrus Deodorant just about fell into my lap and I remembered Mary B (of Makeup by Mary B) writing about layering these two products.  That's what I've been doing ever since and I'm happy to say it's been working amazingly well!  The Weleda is alcohol based - great for killing any odor-causing bacteria - and adding a spritz or two on top of the Nourish works like a dream.  And, by applying Nourish's creamy deodorant first, I feel like I'm creating a protective barrier against any potential dryness from the high alcohol content in the Weleda.  The combination keeps me stink-free all day and the two also blend together into the most delightful fruity scent.  

The Bottom Line
I haven't completely written off making my own deodorant, but I'm thoroughly enjoying having other options.  Natural deodorants are always something of a trial and error situation, but I like both of these and I'd recommend trying them - especially the combination of the two, but even individually.  Both deodorants are also free of mineral salts, which are somewhat questionable, safety-wise, and baking soda, which can cause irritation for a lot of people.

Have you tried either of these?  What's your favorite natural deodorant?

Nourish Ingredients: Organic cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, organic beeswax, organic zea mays (corn) starch, organic theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), organic saccharomyces ferment, organic fragrance.

Weleda Ingredients: Alcohol, water, fragrance*, citrus medica limonum peel oil, limonene*, linelool*, geraniol*, citral*, farnesol*
*From essential oils