Toxin Free Beauty

Desert Essence Jojoba Oil - The New Medicine Cabinet Staple

2009-05-13T14:59:00.009-04:00

Growing up, my mother taught me to remove my eye makeup with Vaseline and cotton balls. While I've tried other eye makeup removers, I was never really able to get used to their drying effects. So when I decided to overhaul my beauty products a few months ago, there was the giant jar of Vaseline sitting on the shelf, staring me down. Now, I did try one natural eye makeup remover (Earth Science Chamomile and Green Tea Eye Makeup Remover), but since I had never liked them before I didn't feel like I could give it a fair review. (Visit the Eco*Pretty blog if you're interested in the Earth Science review.)

Enter: Jojoba Oil!

To be honest, I don't even remember what led me to this wonderful oil (maybe a Google search for natural makeup removers?). But I can tell you that it really does work wonders when removing eye makeup (even waterproof mascara)! I simply squeeze a little onto a cotton ball and then rub until all the makeup is gone. It's a little more messy than Vaseline, but it keeps the skin around my eyes moist and supple just the same.

Some other uses:
-Dab a little around your nose at night after battling a cold/allergies (no one likes looking like Rudolph in the middle of May!)
-Rub it into dry or cracked elbows, to keep them soft
-Use a little (and I mean a LITTLE) on your legs and arms to get that subtle summer glow
-Mix it with your favorite scent for a super moisturizing bath
-Make your own at-home facial scrub with Jojoba Oil and Raw Sugar

Other (untested) claims:
Now I've read a few message boards claiming that Jojoba Oil can also clear acne, but I've been a little scared to go that far just yet. I've also read that it's good for rubbing on your ears when stretching out to a bigger-gauged earring. I've even read that it's safe to use on my cat (she's got major dandruff issues)!

Find it: less than $5 at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's

Summertime Skin Woes

2009-05-10T10:39:00.004-04:00

Friends, I've been an unfaithful blogger. I'll spare you the excuses and just say that I'm still on the mend after ending grad school, but you are on my mind every morning as I continue to try out all my earth-friendly products in the shower. It's been an especially frustrating few weeks skin-wise, as the weather is shifting and my go-to winter products are now leaving my face all oily and broken out. Not cool at all. New product reviews are on the way, but for now I want to hear about your favorite natural products! Leave a comment to let me know why I should try it!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T22:38:00.002-04:00

To celebrate Earth Day, my husband made me a new banner for the site! Thank you Tyler!!!

Better Botanicals Rose Tulsi Toning Mist

2009-04-12T07:27:00.006-04:00

When you have very sensitive skin, it can be difficult to find a product to clear away dead skin cells without causing days of extra redness. I was feeling downhearted about my skin- it seemed I could choose between skin that was dull, dry and flaky, or skin that was smooth and bright red. I dislike both options. I wanted to find a toner that would calm my face rather than inflaming my rosacea. I also needed to choose a toner that could do double duty as a scrub, clearing away build-up with the gentle swipe of a cotton ball.

The perfect solution? Better Botanicals Rose Tulsi Toning Mist. A trip to My Organic Market in Frederick, Maryland brought me in contact with the Better Botanicals line of Ayurvedic body care products.

Performance: The rose tulsi mist smells wonderful, and it works perfectly with my specific needs. It is so gentle on my face, and I feel relaxed when I spray the cool mist and let it penetrate my pores. I use a soft cotton round to wipe the mist away. If I skip a day with the toning mist, I can always tell by evening- my moisturizer is more effective when I use this mist, and my powder stays in place longer. I look less red and splotchy, which is pretty much my main beauty goal. I’ve bought this product several times and I am not sure that I’d be totally happy using any other toner!

Key Ingredients: Kamala, rose, aloe, tulsi, and vetiver. Alcohol and paraben free. Over 98% natural. In fact, this toner is so natural that the color of each batch will vary depending on growing conditions and the time of year that the herbs were harvested.

Health and Earth-Friendly Benefits: A genuinely herbal product, Rose Tulsi Toning Mist works as a detoxifier and naturally replenishes oils and moisture. Besides their commitment to eliminating paraben and other preservative use (this product is free of both), Better Botanicals strives to make products as naturally as possible. There are no synthetic colors or fragrances, no alcohol, no parabens, preservatives, mineral oil or animal ingredients. No animal testing.

Find It: $15.99, Better Botanicals Online, Whole Foods, My Organic Market

Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper

2009-04-02T10:18:00.004-04:00

I suffer from what my friends and I like to refer to as "Pale Lip Syndrome". For some reason, my natural lip color is all but non-existent and no matter how much product I leave the house with in the morning, my lip color tends to fade by mid-day. Solution? Lip plumper!

Performance: Now, you may be thinking: "But my lips are plump enough, I just need some color!" However, the magic of the plumping ingredients (cooling mint and tingly ginger) is that they stimulate circulation, thus giving your lips a natural rosy hue. Choose one of five sheer shades (I got mine in chocolate cherry-tinted "NYC") and you've got a natural-looking lip color that will last for hours!

Ingredients: Triisostearyl Citrate, Avocado Oil, Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, Jojoba Seed Oil, Candelilla Wax, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Flavor, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Cranberry Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate. May Contain: Mica, Iron Oxides, Carmine

Health and Earth-friendly features: All Jane Iredale products focus on natural ingredients that pose minimal allergy risk. No animal testing.

Find it: $24 at Jane Iredale Direct

Physician's Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Eyeliner

2009-03-31T20:57:00.002-04:00

A true makeup junkie at heart, I hardly ever step out of the house without a little eyeliner applied above my upper lashes. But alas, I am also a contact-wearer and too much eye makeup can tend to irritate my eyes. Thus, the more natural and irritant-free the product, the better!

Performance: Although it only comes in four (rather dark) shades, I liked this liner so much I bought two (brown and black)! The rich color glides on easily, creating a sharp, well-defined wingtip on my Audrey Hepburn inspired days but it's also easily smudge-able (yes, I said smudge-able) on more subtle days. Plus, Physician's Formula Organic products are conveniently sold at my local CVS!

Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Seed Oil, Organic Beeswax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Organic Carnauba Wax, Squalane, Mica, Organic Olive Fruit Oil, Organic Soybean Oil, Tocopherol. May contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide.

Earth-friendly features: 36.9% Organic. 100% Free of Harsh Chemicals. 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives. 100% Free of Parabens. 100% Free of GMO's. 100% Free of Synthetic Colors. 100% Free of Synthetic Fragrances. 100% Cruelty Free. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Find it: $7.95 at Physician's Formula, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Ulta

(Toxin) Free Products? Yes, Please!

2009-03-19T06:25:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to offer a morsel I received in my email- Sephora is giving away free samples from the all-natural and organic products that they offer. You have to be a "beauty insider," but the sign-up is free and can be done quickly online. When you order or buy something from Sephora, they will give you samples from eight different companies- score! If only they would ship to my overseas mailbox, I'd get in on this deal. You should snatch those free samples and then brag about all the great stuff you tried- or maybe warn others of products that don't live up to the hype. Enjoy!

Photo taken from a Sephora BeautyInsider email.

Detox Week Wrap-up - Collective Wellbeing Detox Soap

2009-03-05T18:06:00.006-05:00

I have to admit, my detox ended a little earlier than expected, due to a lack of willpower and a tupperware container full of brownies that have been staring me down since Sunday. But I still feel good about the solid couple of toxin-free days I had this week, and I enjoyed trying out some new products in the process.

Collective Wellbeing Detox Soap
Performance: It's hard to say whether or not this soap actually lived up to its claims of soaking up all the toxins from my skin, but I can tell you that it was really quite fun washing myself with black soap! This bar contains active charcoal, which is known for its super absorbing qualities (it's also used to purify drinking water), and zinc, which is supposed to soothe and reduce inflammation. To be honest, it seemed to get me just as clean as any regular soap and water. Plus, it made the bathtub pretty messy (think: at-home black hair dye messy), but it was nothing a quick little rinse didn't clean up. In the end, I'll still keep it around because black soap looks really badass and it also smells pretty nice.

Ingredients: Saponified Palm Oil, Purified Water, Glycerine, Carbon (Activated Charcoal), Salt, Zinc PCA, Certified Organic Extracts of Yellow Dock Root, Echinacea Root, Sage, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Thyme, and Juniper Fruit, and a blend of pure essential oils including Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Geranium, and Tea Tree essential oils.

Earth-friendly features: No parabens, sulfates, or the like. Part of all proceeds are donated to charity.

Find it: $6.00 at Collective Wellbeing, Whole Foods

Detox Week - Day 2

2009-03-03T15:16:00.008-05:00

Maybe you're a natural athlete. Maybe you like to run. Maybe the only way you will get your butt off the couch is with a gym membership. My workout of choice, however, is the at-home yoga dvd. It's convenient, self-paced, and there really are no excuses...no gym hours to keep track of, no weather complications; just me and my yoga mat against the world! Since part of my detox week commitment is to do yoga every day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite dvds with you.

Favorite instructor - Sara Ivanhoe
For starters, I love her upbeat, encouraging tone of voice. Her 20 minute workout videos are perfect for busy lifestyles, and she walks you through each pose gently, clearly explaining how to get the most out of each one. I also love that she provides ideas for modifying the more difficult poses for beginners. My personal favorites are "Sculpted Buns and Thighs" and "Total Body Tone with Weights". I hear she also taught yoga on VH1's Celebrity Rehab!

Favorite morning wakeup routine - Rodney Yee's AM Yoga
This is the perfect routine to replace that morning cup of coffee! Yee starts out with a few minutes of very soothing meditation, lying belly-up on the floor. He proceeds with some simple but invigorating leg stretches, and then finally leads you into the sitting and standing poses. In direct contrast to Ivanhoe, Yee's voice is quiet and calming...which is perfect for helping a non-morning person like me ease into the day.

Most accessible - YOGAmazing (FREE podcasts available on Itunes!)
Okay, so this guy is a little bit of a nut...but he really does know his yoga! I subscribe to his FREE podcasts on Itunes, so I'm able to pick and choose which ones sound interesting and which ones to just delete. With routine names like "Yoga for Insomnia" and "Yoga for Geeks", each routine is very different, helping to prevent boredom (another excuse to cross off my list!). I love that he really takes the time to explain why specific poses are helpful for the topic of the day. This week, "Yoga for Cleansing" is at the top of my to-do list.

Detox Week Kickoff!

2009-03-02T14:15:00.006-05:00

Spring break is upon us and for many, this is a week to indulge. But after completely running myself into the ground these past few weeks, I've decided to use this week to replenish my system with a light detoxifying diet and other health-promoting activities.

Don't worry, this isn't some fad cayenne pepper thing. I've simply taken some tips from Week 1 of the Body and Soul Challenge (featured in the magazine back in January) and created my own personalized week of cleansing and renewal. Although I clearly haven't committed to the entire regimine (otherwise I probably wouldn't be online right now), I have decided to cut out alcohol, excess sugar, processed snacks, breads, pasta, white rice, meat, and dairy for my four day cleanse. I've determined to do yoga every day of the cleanse, and I'm also going to have some fun trying out some products that claim to aid in the detox process.

In case you decide this detox thing is for you, here are a few of my personal observations since I did it in January:
-The first day is the toughest. Your body needs to adjust to the sudden lack of carbs, so you might feel sluggish at first. Give yourself plenty of time to rest.
-Nobody is forcing you to follow a strict set of rules here. This is your chance to nurture your body back to optimal health. If that means you need to eat a piece of chocolate after dinner just to get by, nobody's going to care. Try to practice self-forgiveness.
-By the end of the detox last time, my usually wretched allergies were much easier to tame. I could actually breathe through both nostrils! This is the perk I'm looking forward to the most.
-I love that the Body and Soul challenge also includes time for reflection and journaling. It helped me really start to notice what triggered my cravings (stress, boredom, laziness, etc.) and forced me to find new ways to deal with those triggers. Perhaps the most interesting thing I learned last time was that I have a tendency to "reward" my hard work with sweets.

I also just have to add the disclaimer that in no way am I qualified to prescribe a diet for anyone and I can't promise that you will have the same experiences as I did. Please check with your doctor first if you have any major health concerns.

Let the detox begin!

Fig + Sage Giveaway!

2009-02-22T17:40:00.007-05:00

Just stopping by to tell you about a product giveaway by fellow beauty bloggers Fig + Sage. Check out their site for a chance at a $50 Talulah Skin Care gift certificate!

Choosing Products with Natural Ingredients

2009-02-21T13:57:00.006-05:00

From the moment I learned that Coca-Cola is an effective drain cleaner (oh, the things we learn in college dorms!), I vowed to put as little of it into my body as possible. It just freaked me out to imagine it corroding the insides of my digestive system the same way it broke down all the gunk that had built up in my drain. Now, I know many of you are loyal Coke drinkers, and I'm not here to change your mind. But my point is, we put a lot of things into our bodies and onto our skin without really giving it any thought as to how they will affect us. We often assume that harmful ingredients couldn't possibly be in our products, that "somebody" is making sure of it. But do you know that the FDA doesn't have any regulations for cosmetics? According to their own website, "...a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA" (FDA 1995).

I know many of you may not be as obsessed as I am with this whole natural beauty thing, so you may or may not even know what one should look for in a "natural" product. There are a lot of resources out there on this topic, but to save you the extra leg work, I'm going to try to highlight some of the ones I've found most helpful.

Ingredients to Avoid
The first resource is from a fellow natural beauty product blogger, Eco*Pretty. If you can't tell by the intentional similarities in format, this is my personal favorite blog on the topic because of its straightforward, easy to read product reviews and aesthetically pleasing site layout. The entry, Why Organic or Natural Beauty? is a great introduction to the natural beauty world, as it clearly delineates which ingredients to avoid (Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, Propylene glycol, Artificial Dyes, and Fragrances) and why. Three other major offenders I would add to this list: Dimethicone (skin irritant, possible link to cancer), Petrolatum (skin irritant, clogs pores, a probable carcinogen) and Talc (linked to cancer).

Also read: Ten Synthetic Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid, Cosmetic Safety

What about Alcohol?
Originally, I assumed that all alcohol was bad for your skin. However, Skincare-news.com informed me otherwise. According to their site, alcohols to avoid include: Ethyl alcohol — also known as denatured, or SD, alcohol and ethanol — Benzyl alcohol, Methyl and Isopropyl alcohol. However, some alcohols do check out on the "safe" list: Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetostearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol 40, C12-15 alcohols, Stearyl alcohol and Lanolin alcohol (according to FutureDerm).

How to read a product label
So, you've found a product with a minimal list of "bad" ingredients...now what? The Toxic Beauty Notes blog says to pay attention to the order of ingredients, especially those in the top third of the list (which represents 90-95% of the product's contents). The higher up on the list the ingredient appears, the more of it you'll find in the product.

Even more info (for all you eager beavers!)
Here's a great site: Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews. Just type in the name of your product (most major brands are included) and they assign a safety rating based on the ingredients listed. FYI: A rating of "0" or "1" is ideal, "9"...not so good. Admittedly, the site does get a little confusing after that, but it's a good starting place if you don't feel like taking the time to look up the ingredient list yourself.

Product Battle! - Lip balm

2009-02-14T09:32:00.015-05:00

Happy Valentines' Day! Today's entry is all about finding the right balm for all your smooching (or just plain pampering) needs.

The Competitors
Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm - The "gold standard" of natural lip balms, this balm boasts 95.29% natural ingredients and the packaging contains 50% post-industrial recycled plastic. It has a great minty fresh scent and soothes dry lips, all for a price you can't turn down! No animal testing. Find it: ($3.29) CVS, Whole Foods, Target

Yes to Car rots C Me Smile Lip Butter - Available in five exciting flavors (Berry, Carrot, Melon, Citrus, and Mint), these lip butters are as tasty as they are effective. All are USDA certified Organic and are Paraben, Petroleum, and Phthalate free. All flavors include nourishing Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Beeswax, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Shea Butter. No animal testing. Find it: ($3.69) Walgreens, Target, Whole Foods

Vickery and Clarke Cocoa Butter Intensive Moisture Lip Balm - From the new natural product line at CVS, this lip balm is 94% natural and incredibly soothing for dry, cracked lips. What sets this balm apart? Cocoa Butter and Aloe Vera. And I love the warm, cocoa butter scent! Find it: CVS

Perfect Organics Shea Butter Lip Balm - Vegan girls rejoice! These moisturizing little pots of lip balm were slightly harder to find, but were well worth the search. The thick, moisturizing texture is perfect for applying immediately after I brush my teeth, helping me to maintain my soft, Valentine's-ready pucker. Soothing ingredients include Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Hazel Nut Oil, and Jojoba Oil. Find it: ($3.99) Perfect Organics, Whole Foods

And the Winner is...
Best Overall Lip Balm: Perfect Organics Shea Butter Lip Balm

Honorable Mentions
Favorite Lip Balm in Stick Form: Vickery and Clarke Cocoa Butter Intensive Moisture Lip Balm
Yummiest Flavor: Yes to Carrots C Me Smile Lip Butter (Melon)
Easiest to Find: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Dr. Hauschka- Quince Day Cream

2009-02-13T14:32:00.004-05:00

Hello, toxin-free beauty lovers! My name is Becky, and I’m very excited to be contributing to this blog. I’m becoming more passionate about organic and all-natural health and beauty with each passing day, and with each excellent product I test. The first product I’ll review is one from a company I strongly support.

An Earth-Friendly Company: Dr. Hauschka skincare was founded in Germany, with the idea that nature and rhythm can create the most beneficial skincare possible. The majority of their products use organically grown rose petals, which means that everything has a lovely, natural scent. They focus on sustainable agricultural practices, and all of their products are certified as all-natural. I hope to visit the farm and research site while I am living in Germany; if I do, I will certainly share the experience here!

My skin tends to be combination, leaning toward dryness in the winter months. I also have problems with rosacea, and I am constantly looking for a great moisturizer that will keep my face soft without causing irritation, extra redness, and those dreaded break-outs. Dr. Hauschka’s Quince Day Cream is the perfect weight for all seasons. It absorbs quickly, but does not seem to disappear midday- my face stays smooth and soft from morning to nighttime. The absence of chemical coloring and scenting means that my very sensitive skin does not end up looking more red and angry; in fact, the smooth day cream calms my rosacea. I find the quince scent to be wonderful, although at first I was a bit skeptical. I believe it is a scent you can grow to adore. While the Quince Day Cream will cost you a bit more than some other moisturizers on the market, I believe that this all-natural gem is well worth the price. I highly recommend this product, and suggest that you look for the Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream or Rose Day Cream Light for variations and different consistencies.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Anthyllis Vulneraria Extract, Pyrus Cydonia (Quince) Seed Extract, Alcohol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Althaea Officinalis (Marsh Mallow) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Beeswax/Cera Flava, Pyrus Cydonia (Quince) Wax, Lysolecithin (Hydrolyzed Lecithin), Bentonite, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Fragrance/Parfum (Essential Oil), Citral, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Xanthan Gum

Find It: Whole Foods, Dr. Hauschka website, My Organic Market, many other organic grocery or beauty stores

How to Look Like You Know What You're Doing on Blogspot

2009-02-13T09:30:00.004-05:00

Many of you have told me you don't know how to leave a comment on this blog. You may just be confused by all of your options. I understand this whole "blog thing" might be new to some of you, so here's a handy link that might help:

http://darraghdoyle.blogspot.com/2008/05/how-to-comment-on-blog-beginners-guide.html

Or you can follow my even quicker instructions:
1. Click on "Comments" at the bottom of the entry.
2. Type your comment in the blank space under "Post a Comment".
3. Click on the drop-down menu next to "Comment as".
4. If you have your own blog or a Google account, then you probably know what to do with the first few options.
5. If not, then you may either leave a comment as "Name/URL" (you can just type your name in the box that pops up, YOU DO NOT NEED TO TYPE ANYTHING NEXT TO "URL")
6. Or you can just post a comment as "Anonymous".

Avalon Organics Lemon Hand and Body Lotion

2009-02-12T16:50:00.004-05:00

Performance: On my hunt for an effective winter lotion, I discovered this deliciously sweet treat from Avalon Organics. Normally, I'm not attracted to strong citrus flavors in my bath and body care, but this lemon-tart scented lotion makes my mouth water. Plus, it quickly absorbs, leaving only a hint of sweetness in my trail. I especially love the rich and creamy consistency, and it's moisturizing enough to keep my hands soft and hydrated all day long. Of course, I love the smell so much, I hardly go a few hours before wanting to reapply!

Ingredients: Water Purified, Cyclopentasiloxane (Silicone), Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60 (Emulsifier), Organic Sunflower Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Sorbitol (Thickener), Stearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Organic Lemon Peel, Calendula Officinalis Flower, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extracts, Babassuamidopropalkonium Chloride, Chamomile, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Flaxseed and Coconut, Sodium Chloride, Oat, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Amino Acid, Stearic Acid, Organic Lemon Peel Oil, Other Essential Oils

Earth-friendly features: Made with Consciousness in Cosmetics -- no parabens, petroleum-based ingredients, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, mineral oil, propylene glycol, or other harsh preservatives or chemicals. No synthetic fragrances or colors. 100% vegetarian ingredients and no animal testing.

Find it: Whole Foods, $10.95 at Avalon Organics

Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash

2009-02-10T09:34:00.011-05:00

I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. For a combo-skin girl like me to trust a product that isn't specifically designed for "combination - oily skin", this took a big leap of faith. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised.

Performance: This is my new go-to facial cleanser. The Tea Tree Oil acts as a natural antiseptic, keeping my skin clear, shine-free, and balanced, leaving me with that "squeaky clean" feeling afterwards. Although I've still gotten the occasional pimple while using this product, I've definitely seen a distinct reduction in frequency and severity of break-outs since using this product. Be aware, this doesn't smell like flowers and fruit. In my experience, tea tree oil almost always smells like medicine (but to me, it's worth it). The solution is also rather runny, as it lacks the chemicals typically used in cleansers to thicken it up. So if you don't get the pump kind, be very careful not to let it spill all over the place.

Ingredients: Castile Soap, Coconut Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Organic Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Chamomile Flower Extract, Goldenseal Root Extract, Awapuhi (Hawaiian White Ginger) Root Extract, Bladderwrack Extract, Palmarosa Oil, Petitgrain Leaf Oil, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil.

Earth-friendly features: A 30-year-old company, Desert Essence was the first to introduce Tea Tree Oil products to the United States. As stated on their website, they "support a federation of plantation farmers who have signed a pledge not to use any artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides". All of their products are also manufactured with wind power. No animal testing.

Find it: Whole Foods, $8.99 at Desert Essence

LUSH "Mange Too" Massage Bar

2009-02-07T11:08:00.007-05:00

Some might find the smells overwhelming (my husband included), but for me, walking into a LUSH store feels like pure luxury. The products not only smell heavenly, but the store aesthetic is natural and inviting with towering displays of fresh soaps, bath products, and other beauty items. With Valentine's Day around the corner, I just had to feature my favorite LUSH product: the Massage Bar.

Performance: Although there are several varieties of massage bar at LUSH, my personal favorite is the Mange Too. The bar is like a lotion in solid form, melting in your hand to give you just the right amount to take your average after-work back rub to the next level. The effect is so relaxing, I hardly accept back rubs without it anymore! The honey and white chocolate scented Mange Too can also be used as a (very thick) moisturizer. Some other varieties include "After 8:30" (chocolate and peppermint scented), "Sore Labors" (clove bud and cardamom infused, to soothe sore muscles), "Strawberry Feels Forever" (with floral and strawberry scents), and "Shimmy Shimmy Sparkle Bar" (vanilla and lavender scented, leaves a subtle shimmer on skin).

Ingredients: Fair Trade Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Perfume, Mango Butter, White Chocolate, Fresh Bananas, Honey, Peppermint Oil, Vanilla Absolute, Sweet Orange Oil, Limonene

Earth-friendly features: LUSH products are fresh and homemade, using organic and vegetarian ingredients. They believe in testing on humans, not animals. This particular product comes with zero packaging, an added bonus which cuts down on unnecessary waste.

Find it: $9.75 at LUSH

Alba Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion

2009-02-07T10:56:00.003-05:00

Performance: First of all, I LOVE the smell of this lotion! It's rich and tropical, which is a perfect pick-me-up for a snowy day like today. I also like that this lotion absorbs very quickly, so I don't leave a trail of slime behind me after I put it on.

However, I don't really think it makes the cut for my mid-winter moisturizing needs. I keep it by my bathroom sink as a post-hand washing lotion, but after two weeks of use, my cuticles are still ragged and thirsty. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this lotion for winter use. I will have to give it a second chance this summer, when my skin isn't as needy and I'm just looking for an excuse to smell good.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E

Earth-friendly features: Hypo-allergenic, 100% Vegetarian Ingredients, Paraben free, No Animal Testing

Find it: CVS, Target, most other drugstores

Giovanni L.A. Hold Hair Spritz

2009-02-07T10:53:00.004-05:00

I might be the only one around who still requires a spritz or two of hair spray every single day (the expensive stuff, too!). But I finally realized how bad this was for my asthma, so I decided to try out a less toxic alternative.

Performance: I've given this three weeks and am pretty convinced that I'll never go back to regular hairspray. I could basically spray this right onto my face, and it doesn't make me sneeze, wheeze, or even irritate my nose. It has a great citrus smell too! I can use it daily for a light hold when my hair is down, or I can use it for a much stronger hold to keep my bangs slicked back in a pony-tail all day. Plus, not only does it work really well, but it's so much less expensive than the big name stuff I had been using.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Rosemary Oil, Nettle Oil, Thyme Oil, Birch Leaf Oil, Chamomile Oil, Clary, Lavender, Coltsfoot Leaf, Yarrow Oil, Mallow, Horsetail Oil, Soybean Protein, PVP/VA Copolymer, Soybean Protein, Alcohol Denatured (Plant Derived), Vitamin E, Trace Minerals, Citric Acid, Grapefruit Seed, Fragrance (with Essentials Oils)

Earth-friendly features: Certified Organic. No Animal By-Products and Cruelty Free.

Find it: $7.99 at Target, Whole Foods

Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick

2009-02-07T10:21:00.008-05:00

I've had bad acne flare-ups since I hit my puberty. After years of harsh benzoyl peroxide creams (which might be linked to cancer) and various prescription treatments, I decided to go natural and give this a try.

Performance: I've been using this for a few months now, and I love it! It clears up my zits just as quickly as benzoyl peroxide, without making my skin dry/flaky. I also use it to prevent pimples around my trouble spots (chin, jawline). At first it smells only slightly medicinal, due to the alcohol base. But once the alcohol evaporates, it leaves a more floral scent behind. As an added bonus, it doesn't bleach my towels and sheets like benzoyl peroxide!

Tip: For more even application, I remove the applicator tip and use my finger to dab the solution on to trouble spots.

Key ingredients: Tea tree oil, Willowbark (natural source of salicylic acid)

Earth-friendly features: Paraben free. Phthalate free. Not tested on animals.

Find it: $7.99 at CVS