Naturalla Beauty

Being pretty pale, it's taken me a long time to fully embrace bronzer.  I love how it can sculpt the face, but finding the right color - something that's neither too dark or too orange - has been a challenge.  Revolution Organics' lip glosses are already favourites of mine and I'm happy to say, I think I've finally met my bronzer match in their Bronzed Beauty Balm!



Product Description
The ultimate beauty multi-tasker.  100% natural and created with 85% certified organic ingredients, this beauty multi-tasker delivers an instant healthy glow anytime, anywhere. The all-in-one balm infuses lips, cheeks, eyes, and décolletage with a natural, dewy radiance. Perfectly portable and ideal for on the go, the easy-to-use formula provides skincare and color in one for a hydrating hint of tint.  Free of chemicals, synthetics, and artificial ingredients, the balm contains only 100% pure, natural and organic ingredients. Formulated with cold-pressed organic olive oil and deeply moisturizing organic coconut oil, The All-Over Beauty Balm comes in three glowing shades to complement any skin tone.

Ingredients
Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Organic Beeswax*, Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*,Silica***, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil**, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil**, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate**, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Tocopherol**, Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract* MAY CONTAIN: Iron Oxides***, Mica***, Titanium Dioxide***, Carmine**.
* certified organic ** naturally-derived *** mineral

Price
$34 for 13g/.46oz

My Thoughts
I'm completely blown away by this product!  It's the first cream bronzer I've tried, and I love it.  It feels great on the skin and it blends easily, without leaving any harsh lines.  The colour is also just perfect for my light skin - it's brown, but it doesn't end up looking at all muddy.  Lightly applied, it makes the perfect natural contour and most days that's what I use it for, just blending a little under the cheekbones and around the temples.  It's sheer, but definitely buildable, so I think it would work on somewhat darker skintones as well.  It has a slight sheen, but it's nothing crazy - just enough to leave your face looking fresh and slightly dewy.  There's no actual glitter or sparkle.  Worn on it's own, I do find it disappears over the course of the day, but it's easy enough to reapply, or alternately, going over it with a powdered bronzer (or even a translucent powder) also helps it last longer.

Revolution Organics Bronzed Beauty Balm: Swatched heavily and blended out

The Score
10/10

The Bottom Line
Highly recommended!  Aside from being a fantastic bronzer, Revolution Organics' beauty balms are multi-purpose, so you can also use them on your eyes, lips, and body.  I especially like using it as an eye shadow base, since the bronze colour works well with almost any neutral look.  Pretty much the only deterrent I can think of is the price.  At $34, it's definitely more of a luxury item, but it is a great product with fantastic ingredients.  If you can swing the price, I do think it's well worth it.

I can't tell you how many times I read ingredients lists and everything looks great, until, nearing the end of the list, I spot a preservative I'm not comfortable using.  I'm not anti-preservative - there are plenty of reasons why we need preservatives - but there are tons of different choices out there and it can be tricky to know which ones are best.  Pretty much everyone knows to steer clear of parabens, but what about all the other options?  Keep reading for information on what kinds of products need preservatives, the difference between preservatives and antioxidants, and my thoughts on five of the most common preservatives found in natural products.



When do you need a preservative?
A preservative is needed anytime there is water in a product.  This includes any ingredients that contain water, such as aloe vera, hydrosols, and fresh herbs.  Anything with water in it provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, yeast and fungus, and therefore requires one or more preservatives to prevent both fungal and bacterial growth.

Generally speaking anhydrous products (which contain no water) like balms and ointments do not require a preservative.  However, depending on the kind of product, formulators may choose to include a preservative anyways.  Something like a balm cleanser, for instance, may not contain any water in the actual product, but it might benefit from a preservative, since it's generally stored in a pot or tub and is likely to have water introduced into it as you scoop some out to cleanse with. 


Antioxidants as Preservatives
It's important to make the distinction between ingredients like Vitamin E and rosemary oil extract, which are antioxidants that reduce the rate of oxidation in oils, and preservatives which inhibit fungal and bacterial growth.  Vitamin E and rosemary oil extract are great for extending the shelf life of oils, but if a product contains water, it should contain another preservative in addition to any antioxidants.


Grapefruit Seed Extract
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 3
Also Known As: Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Citricidal
The main concern with grapefruit seed extract has always been the possibility that it can be contaminated with other chemicals, including parabens, triclosan, and benzethonium chloride.  However, even setting aside the possibility of contamination, turning grapefruit into grapefruit seed extract is a process that involves multiple steps of chemical processing, making it more of a synthetic ingredient than a natural extract.  I wouldn't say it's the worst preservative out there, but it's a lot less natural than the name would imply.

For more details, Stephanie Greenwood (of Bubble & Bee) has a great article that looks at the chemical makeup of GSE and how it is manufactured. 


Japanese Honeysuckle Extract 
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 0
Also Known As: Lonicera Japonica, Plantservative
The chemical structure of japanese honeysuckle extract is essentially identical to that of methylparaben and the debate over the safety of this ingredient has resulted in many people calling it a "natural paraben."  (Diagrams can be found here.)  More research is necessary, but studies have shown that japanese honeysuckle extract, when introduced into the human body, behaves much the same as parabens.  For that reason, I don't think it's too big of a leap to deduce that it carries many of the same health risks as synthetic parabens.  This is an ingredient I avoid.


Potassium Sorbate
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 3 
Potassium sorbate is a naturally occurring compound first discovered in rowan berries, but the potassium sorbate used in cosmetics can be of natural or synthetic origin.  There are some concerns about skin and eye irritation, but your body is able to completely metabolize potassium sorbate, so I think it is generally a pretty safe option.  The downside is that while potassium sorbate is great for preventing fungal growth, it is somewhat less effective with bacteria, so another preservative might be needed, depending on the specific formulation.  It also breaks down faster than some other preservatives, so it doesn't give an indefinite shelf life.


Phenoxyethanol
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 4
Phenoxyethanol is found in so many natural products!!  According to the FDA, it is a preservative, primarily used in cosmetics and medications, that can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting or diarrhea.  This warning refers specifically to ingestion, so it should definitely not be present in anything used around the mouth.  There are also concerns about allergies and immunotoxicity, and phenoxyethanol is considered an irritant to the eyes, skin, and lungs.  It's also interesting to note that phenoxyethanol, along with parabens and petrochemicals, is not permitted in ECOCERT-certified products.  There is still a big data gap with regards to research on phenoxyethanol, but as of now, it is an ingredient I avoid.


Sodium Benzoate
EWG Skin Deep Rating: 1
Sodium benzoate is found in apples, cranberries, and plums, but again, this doesn't automatically mean the sodium benzoate in your cosmetics is naturally sourced.  Like potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate is more active against molds and has lower activity against bacteria.  In terms of safety, there's mixed research on sodium benzoate, with some studies linking it to cell damage and toxicity.  It's very important to make sure that sodium benzoate is not mixed with Vitamin C, since when combined, they create benzene, which is has been named as a known human carcinogen.  


Wrapping Things Up
I hope this was helpful!  Preservatives are somewhat of a "necessary evil" unless we want to throw out all our products within a couple days of them being made, but, as with anything else, there are safer and less safe options. 

I haven't done a lot of posts like this, so please let me know what you think.  Do you enjoy reading more information-based posts?

If you're new here or in case you haven't caught on yet, I've recently become a bit of a lunatic about testing out new shower gels.  It all started with a legitimate hunt to find a new one after the brand I'd been loyal to for years started irritating my skin, but even though I've already found some fantastic replacements, I'm still enjoying trying out new ones.  Fact is, even if I don't like a shower gel very much, it's something that gets used up fairly quickly, so I can still usually manage to finish it off without any ill results, which is more than I can say for a lot of other products!  Today I want to talk about a body wash from Nourish.  After loving their Body Polish, I wanted to try out more products from their line and since I was running low, I figured I might as well go for their body wash next.  After careful consideration, I decided on the Fresh Fig scent.



Product Description
You can feel truly good about your daily bath or shower when you cleanse your body with this organic hydrating blend of soothing aloe, nourishing coconut milk, antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, and a proprietary blend of moisturizing essential oils. It leaves skin smooth, soft, refreshed, and naturally scented with the enchanting fragrance of organic fig and apricot.

Ingredients
Organic aloe barbadensis leaf juice, organic cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, purified water, potassium hydroxide, organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, organic sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, organic cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar) gum, organic fragrance, organic butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), organic cocos nucifera (coconut) milk, tocopherol (vitamin E), organic jasmine officinale (jasmine) extract, organic althea officinalis (marshmallow) root extract.

Price
10 fl. oz for $9.99 from Nourish or $8.29 from Vitacost

My Thoughts
First, let's talk about the scent.  According to Nourish, "organic fig and apricot mingle with notes of organic citrus, apple, and currant in this delightful fragrance that’s at once warm, refreshing, and utterly enchanting."  To me, it mainly smells like apricots or peaches.  But then, thinking about it now, I'm drawing a bit of a blank as to what figs actually smell like.  Either way, the smell is fresh and fairly light.  It isn't overpowering and it's only slightly noticeable on my skin after I shower.  If you wanted, you can also layer the scent with Nourish's other fig products.  

As body washes go, Nourish's is very hydrating.  It's a pearly/creamy colour that, silly as this sounds, just looks moisturizing, and it really is.  It cleans well, but my skin is not left feeling at all tight or stripped.  I will say, if you like a lot of lather, this body wash might be disappointing.  It does lather, but not to epic proportions.  For this reason, I need a bit more product than with something like Face Naturals and I find it works better to use it just in my hands, rather than on a loofah.

The Score *I've decided to start including ratings, since it gives a really clear idea of how much I like something.  Let me know what you think!*
8/10

Bottom Line
I recently included Nourish in a list of my favourite bath and body companies and this body wash is another hit from the brand!  I love how moisturizing it is and the fig scent is lovely too.  Because of how sensitive I am, I usually stick to products scented only with essential oils, so I'm excited to have found a line with other fragrances that I've been okay using.  I'm curious to try out Nourish's other scents now too!

As much as I love mixing up my own DIY skincare products, sometimes the thought of actually taking the time to make something can be daunting.  Scrubs are one of the simplest things you can whip up, but even so, there are days when it seems like too big of a hassle.  Times like that, I'll often mix up enough for just one use.  Sure, it might end up being more work in the long run, but in the moment, it seems a lot easier!  You also don't have to worry about storage or how long a product will be good for.

This is a new recipe I came up with earlier today.  It makes just enough for one use and the combination of the coconut oil and the maple flavour is phenomenal.  I think it's the best smelling non-food item that's ever come out of my kitchen!  You can use this either before or after cleansing, depending on your preference.  I used it after, just quickly rinsing off the salt, because I wanted to maximize the amount of moisture my skin retained from the coconut oil and shea butter.  This also helped the scent last - I smelled so good, I was sniffing my arms all day long!

Recipe
1 tbsp virgin coconut oil
1/2 tbsp shea butter
2 tbsp sea salt
1/8 tsp natural maple flavor

Add coconut oil and shea butter to a small heatproof measuring cup or bowl.  Set measuring cup or bowl in a pot with 1-2 inches water in the bottom and bring to a low simmer.  Stirring constantly, heat until just melted together.  Remove from heat and add to sea salt, along with maple flavor.  Mix until all ingredients are well combined.

That's it! 

Melting the coconut oil and shea butter

The finished product.  My scrub was pink from the Himalayan sea salt I used

Tips

• Make sure to use sea salt, which is full of minerals and is also a natural detoxifier for your skin.  Regular table salt lacks these beneficial properties and also contains iodine and chemical anti-clumping agents, which you don't want on your skin (or in your food for that matter!)
• Alternately, you can replace the salt with any other exfoliant you like.  Opt for sugar if you prefer a gentler scrub.
• The oil in the scrub may make your tub slippery...be careful!

The Bottom Line
Homemade scrubs are a great, affordable way to exfoliate your skin and I'll definitely be whipping this concoction up again!  It left my dry winter skin feeling smooth and hydrated, even without applying any additional moisturizer afterwards.  I'm so in love with the coconut maple scent too.  Seriously, if someone out there sold products that smelled exactly like this, that would be awesome.  I could definitely get behind a maple coconut lip balm or shower gel!
  
 

Happy New Year!  I wanted to start 2013 off with something a little special and I'm super excited about this post - I've practically had to sit on my hands to hold off on putting it up until today!  I discovered Earthpaste while searching for glycerin free toothpastes.  For years, I've read about how glycerin in toothpaste can affect your teeth, but it's only in the last few months that I began actively looking at glycerin free options.  There's nothing wrong with glycerin in other body care products, but in toothpaste or mouthwash, it creates a film or coating that doesn't rinse off your teeth.  This coating is problematic because it prevents the teeth from remineralizing, thereby weakening them and leaving them more prone to decay.

Unfortunately, realizing that glycerin is not the best thing to have in toothpaste is the easy part.  Finding a toothpaste that's glycerin free can be much more difficult.  Generally it's used to help prevent toothpastes from drying out and I'd venture to say that virtually every toothpaste on the market today, both mainstream and natural, contains glycerin.  If you're open to using tooth soap or tooth powder, alternatives are more readily available, but for regular toothpaste, there are very few.  I reached out to Earthpaste and they were kind enough to send me some toothpaste to try out.  They even included some for a giveaway!  (More on that later.) 

In addition to being glycerin free, Earthpaste contains none of the other nasties commonly found in toothpaste.  It contains no sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or other foaming agents and no fluoride.  It also contains no titanium dioxide or artificial coloring to make the paste white.

Ingredients
Food-grade Redmond Clay - a polishing cleanser with antibacterial properties
Purified Water - to hydrate the clay into a creamy paste
Xylitol - a natural sweetener that has been shown to promote healthy teeth
Redmond Real Salt - to enhance flavour and lend antibacterial properties
Tea Tree Oil - supports oral health and has anti-viral and anti-fungal properties
Peppermint, Wintergreen and Cinnamon Essential Oils - add flavor and other health benefits
Menthol - leaves your breath fresh and mouth feeling clean (only in peppermint and wintergreen flavors)


Price
4 ounces for $7.99 from Earthpaste or $5.12 from iherb

My Thoughts
After my first time using Earthpaste, I was amazed at how smooth my teeth felt.  That smooth, polished feeling you get after a professional teeth cleaning?  With Earthpaste, I get that feeling every day in my own bathroom.  (How much did that just sound like an infomercial?)

Earthpaste comes in three flavours - peppermint, wintergreen, and cinnamon - and I was able to try them all.  In the beginning they all tasted really salty to me, but after just about three weeks of use, I don't notice the salty taste anymore.  I like all three flavours, but the peppermint and wintergreen are definitely my favourites.  The cinnamon has a much milder flavour and it doesn't leave my mouth feeling as cool and fresh after brushing, probably because it doesn't contain menthol like the other two. 

I will say, if you're used to more mainstream toothpastes, Earthpaste may take a little getting used to.  It doesn't foam and it isn't the bright white most of us have come to expect in a toothpaste.  Instead, it cleans your teeth without suds and looks a little like mud on your toothbrush.  It's lovely, tasty, and effective, but the colour and texture might be a little offputting at first. 

The Bottom Line
I'm not in the habit of giving ratings, but suffice it to say, if I were, Earthpaste would get a perfect 10/10.  Ingredient-wise, it's incredibly clean and exactly what I was looking for.  The tube even tells you to "rinse or swallow at your own discretion" - a far cry from your Crests and Colgates - which just goes to show how safe it is.  If that wasn't enough, in terms of performance, I think it's the best toothpaste I've ever used.  I'll definitely be purchasing the peppermint and wintergreen flavours once I run out.  I've never gotten that polished feeling at home before and my teeth have never felt cleaner.   

Giveaway
Now for the exciting part!  Earthpaste was generous enough to send me three extra sets of toothpaste to share with you, my lovely readers!  Apologies to international readers, but because of the weight and because I am shipping this myself, I'm going to have to limit the giveaway to Canada and the United States.  I promise I'll have more international giveaways in the future.

Good luck!  To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter widget below.  You can enter as many or as few ways as you like.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: Product provided for my honest review.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review in return for free product, nor was I compensated for this post.  All opinions are my own.