OrganicBeautySource.com BlogWelcome to the OrganicBeautySource.com Blog! Here you will find information to help you make healthy and important choices about the best organic cosmetics, skin care products and hair care products.
Liz Thompson is founder and editor of OrganicBeautySource.com, wife and mother of two. She is dedicated to safety in cosmetics and strives to do her part for the environment. She loves reading magazines, shopping (online & off), vacationing, staying healthy and spending time with family and friends.
Jul 3, 2009, Rare El'ements Healthy Salon Quality Hair Care
I may be particularly in love with these because of my never ending quest to find all natural hair care products that work on my hair for an extended period of time. My hair is the needy type and most leave it dry and blah after a few uses. My friend Terri over at The Nature of Beauty – awesome green beauty shop which, if you haven’t already checked out, totally should – suggested this line and since I always love a personal recommendation, tried it out. Expecting the usual results but hoping for the best, I was more than pleased with the way Rare El'ements works on my hair. It’s soft, shiny and even enhanced my wave while toning down the frizz. And, best of all, worked time and again. Finally, I have found a natural hair care line that doesn’t compromise great looking hair for safety. Eat your heart out silicones!
Jul 2, 2009, Get Buff(ed) for Summer
So, you’ve got your skin care regimen down for summer, switched out a hair product and found a new warm weather scent that you love. Now, what’s missing? Maybe those lumps, bumps and scratchy parts on the ol’ bod gotcha down? True, summer is the time to show a little more skin and you can have your body beach-worthy with very little work and almost instantly. Lavere Body Effect to the rescue. Seven fabulous products to get your body smooth and soft and even contains ingredients to help diminish the appearance of cellulite. The line consists of a shower cream, body scrub, body lotion, body cream for more intense hydration, a body oil mist and hand cream. I love the whole line but my favorites are Body Effect Anti-Cellulite Body Scrub, Body Effect Shower Cream and Body Effect Anti-Cellulite Oil Spray. I have sensitive skin and the skin on my body is fairly fussy, as well. It needs lots of hydration but certain lotions and oils irritate or make it break out. With Body Effect my bod is truly happy, healthy and looking good. I buff when needed, use the shower cream almost daily and let’s just say that awesome little bottle of oil spray is never far from where I can get my hands on it. It gives your skin this yummy, silky glow that is positively addictive, and the smell is a mouth-watering combo of minty, limey goodness. Now, I know I have said this at least a couple of hundred times, but if you are not already using Lavera Sunless Tanning Lotion you are missing out on a really natural-looking, safe tan. It truly is the best sunless tanner I have ever used. Lavere Body Effect is an easy and satisfying way to get yourself buffed and glowing for summer. You’ll be wearing that bikini in no time.
Jun 23, 2009, A scent that makes sense
Thankfully, there are several nontoxic fragrances on the market, but my problem with them is usually my scent-sensitivity. You know how some people are sensitive to loud noises or bright lights? Well, mine is a scent issue. Most of them make me headache-y and sick to my stomach. My rule of thumb is, If it smells drinkable I can probably wear it. Such is the case with Lavanila Pure Vanilla Healthy Fragrance ($56). This stuff is yummy smelling (think warm vanilla bean, not sickeningly sweet vanilla cookie) melts into the skin and lasts all day. And…totally healthy. Lavanila fragrances are made from 100% natural ingredients and contain vitamins and nutrients which actually make wearing them good for you. How about that? The fragrances come in a variety of scents, like vanilla grapefruit and vanilla coconut. As for me, I am sticking with the pure stuff.
Jun 19, 2009, Check out this good stuff!
Stephanie Greenwood (Bubble and Bee Organic) just started Today's Chemical, a daily review of chemicals used to make cosmetics and why you do or do not want them in your products. Even for those of us who are pretty well down with chemical ingredients, this is an invaluable resource. I know I'll be checking it out. You can even ask Stephanie an ingredient question which she will answer personally. Read my write up. Another cool idea from a very well informed green beauty expert is the Emerald Awards by Terri Bly (The Nature of Beauty) for Feelgood Style. So far she has handed out Emeralds for the best of the best in Lipstick/Lipgloss, Foundation and Mascara. And I have been sampling tons of great products this summer. From fragrance to day cream with SPF, so stay tuned for my reviews.
Jun 12, 2009, New from Down Under
Mom absolutely loved the line. Here is her report: Janika Nouveau Facial Cleanser – a light, yet creamy, cleanser that leaves skin lightly hydrated Janika Revival Facial Toner – a mist toner that cools and refreshes Janika Suave Eye Gel – very refreshing, is more like an eye cream than gel Janika Nutri Facial Moisturizer – very light but hydrating, and has a fresh, subtle scent, great under make up Janika Nuit Night Serum – put this on at night before bed, smells wonderful Though I did not get to sample the products personally, I did devour the ingredients labels, and they are astoundingly free from anything synthetic or nasty. Rather, chock full of healthy, natural plant extracts and essential oils. All products are cold processed to preserve the nutrient value of all the nourishing ingredients. So, in the end, my mother had a refreshingly satisfying experience with Janika. And so did I.
Jun 9, 2009, You Asked....The line Origins has organic products, but after reading all the articles on your website I am confused whether to go with Origins or not. Can you please inform me about this company or suggest something else? You are wondering about the purity of Origins organic line and rightly so. When a cosmetic manufacturer does not display a full product ingredient list on their website (as is the case with Origins organic products) it should raise your suspicions that the products may include ingredients that you may not want to use. The next concern is when there is no mention of the product being free from harmful ingredients – i.e. “this product contains no sulphates, petrolatum, parabens…”. I could not find an ingredient list for the Origins organic products online (and I did a lot of searching) and that in itself is enough to make me skeptical. Skin care brands who are made without toxic ingredients are proud to display their full ingredient lists on their website. So, I took a trip to a local department store that carries the line so that I could get a look at the ingredient list first hand. The cleanser is reasonably safe as is the toner (toners by nature have very few ingredients), but the moisturizer contains a few not-so-virtuous ingredients (benzyl benzoate and magnesium aluminum silicate). The deodorant contains benzyl salicylate and most of the products had “
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eos products come in lip balm sticks and (this is where they go new age) lip balm spheres. And they don’t stop there, both sticks and spheres are housed in this soft-to-the-touch packaging which makes it hard to keep your hands off of them. Smart! Though the bright colors, funky shapes and oh-so-touchable exterior of these balms are what draws you in, most importantly is what’s inside. Made with vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil to keep lips super soft and smooth, the balms are free from harmful ingredients (like petrolatum and parabens) USDA Certified Organic and all natural. All this and at only $2.99 a pop. Can’t beat it with a stick (or sphere!). Image credit: eosTM
The set includes: Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange Facial Cleanser, Egyptian Geranium With Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub and Italian Red Mandarin With Rose Lip Balm. They have also added one of my favorite beauty products ever, Japanese Matcha Tea With Acai & Goji Berry Facial Mask, I am sure you have heard me rave over this product before. And I cannot wait to try the brand new Turkish Rose & White Tea Eye Cream, which they have also generously thrown into the mix. If it is anything like the other Pangea products, it will not disappoint.
The Radiance Gift Set is available now for pre-order and will ship around June 15th.
Carmen wrote in wondering where she can find Soleo Organics Sunscreen in BC Canada. Saffron Rouge, located in Guelph Ontario, carries Soleo products and ships to all parts of Canada as well as internationally. They also have a boutique in Guelph. Soleo is currently out of stock everywhere for the next 2-3 weeks due to some restructuring of packaging and product sizes. You can pre-order Soleo at www.saffronrouge.com. Soleo is a terrific and safe sunscreen. It is free from harmful ingredients and doesn’t leave a white film on skin. Vivesana is a new sun care line on the market and is very similar to Soleo. Read my article on Vivesana on Green-Blog.org and use the coupon code at the bottom of the post for a 25% discount.
Enter Nuworld Botanicals Aromatherapy Personals($17). This cool new line out of Canada was created by Natalie Cascella and includes 11 unique aromatherapy blends, packaged in convenient little rollerball vials for on the go aid. Each combines aromatherapy and acupressure, along with health benefits of antioxidants, vitamins and 100% certified organic essential oils. Nuworld Botanicals uses a base of 100% certified organic Jojoba oil to dilute the essential oils for safe use.
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Graduation parties, weddings, spring flings; all of these warrant the same thing...a new dress. And Lara Miller has the perfect one. After looking high and low (online and otherwise) for a cute new item to add to my warm weather wardrobe I must say not one thing fit the bill. That is until I stumbled upon Lara Miller's Spring 09 collection. Made from a blend of organic bamboo and cotton these pieces are not only sustainable and eco-friendly but absolutely adorable, comfy and (possibly the best part) machine washable. Looking for something for a casual gathering? The clean and simple Frances Dress fits the bill. Or maybe you need something a bit fancier? The spectacularly modern Tiered Ronnie Dress is perfect (I would invent a place to wear this one it's so cool!). NIMLI carries much of Lara Miller's Spring '09 collection. There are a few items that I didn't find there (wide-legged pants, shorts) and when I find out where to get them, will let you know.
If you too are a jungle-dweller during the months of April and May, you may want to try a few different approaches to this skin care dilemma. A gentle foaming cleanser that doesn’t strip the oil from your skin will clean and remove any excess oils and bacteria created from humidity, sweat and pollen. A great choice is Lavera Basis Cleansing Gel
($15) As for toner, my latest fav is good ol’ green tea. Brew up an extra cup and store in the fridge for up to a week. Use the chilled tea on a cotton round or keep in an atomizer and spritz onto skin. Super refreshing and green tea is absolutely chock full of powerful antioxidants to fight free radical damage and help ward off sun damage. Incorporate a cup or two into your daily diet for whole body health benefits. If you are using a gel cleanser you won’t want to forget to hydrate the skin afterward or you will end up with a sapped, unhappy complexion. Right now I am using Nude Replenishing Night Oil ($78) and Age Defence Moisturizer ($100), both of which I posted on a few weeks ago. This entire line is truly fantastic and, though kind of pricey, I really can’t imagine living without it. Can’t wait to try the Miracle Mask. A less expensive alternative is Organic Apoteke Rejuvenating Face Cream ($45). Both the Nude and Organic Apoteke moisturizers are hydrating, but have a lighter almost serum-like consistency and are very concentrated. When those zits do crop up, zap them with tea tree oil. This is strong stuff, so be careful to keep it away from your eyes and lips. Angelina Organic Skincare Tea Tree Facial Toner is milder than the straight stuff and will diminish your blemish in just a couple of days. So, as you get out the shorts and flip-flops don’t forget that you will probably need to change your skin care habits as well. As for the frizzy hair, that is another post. Let’s just say, a hair tie and head band are good friends right now! Image credit: Whirling Phoenix at Flickr.com, Creative Commons license.
I have absolutely no idea what other products Kelly will feature on the show, so cannot attest to their "green-ness", but with Bubble & Bee in the line up I kind of can't wait to find out.
In honor of Earth Day the California couple are giving everyone who purchases a bottle of Further Soap ($18.50) a free bottle plus free shipping. Can't beat that!
From now through June you can turn in any old bottles of nail polish (brands other than Zoya) that you have lying around and Zoya will dispose of them following EPA guidelines and replace them with a Zoya nail polish. All Zoya nail polishes are formaldehyde, toluene, camphor and dibutyl phthalate free and there are over 300 shades to choose from. So round up those half-used bottles and hit the Zoya nail polish exchange today!
The line includes four products; Cleanser, Mist, Serum and Moisturizer. I am never much on more than a two or three step process, but I must say, each product was pleasant to use and had an actual purpose. The Cleanser is very light yet still makes skin feel clean, but leaves it moisturized, as well. The Mist is next up and is light and super refreshing. Its job is to "refresh and revitalize" skin cells leaving them ready for the beneficial essential oils found in the next step. The Serum is dark green in color but comes out as an oil (composed of Intellimune Seed Oil Complex and Argan Oil!) and is full of antioxidants to reduce inflammation and combat fine lines and wrinkles. I made sure to focus on my trouble spots with the Serum, around my mouth and neckline. The Moisturizer follows and seems light but is actually very moisturizing and a little goes a long way, one squirt covers the entire face and neck. My experience with IN Skin Care has been primo! It is the perfect line for summer because it is nourishing and moisturizing without being too heavy and leaves skin looking radiant and healthy. Definitely a new fav!
Not writing this week. See you here next week....
Intelligent Nutrients, founded by the creator of Aveda, is receiving rave reviews in the world of natural beauty. Purchase the starter pack between now and Sunday, April 5th at The Nature of Beauty and receive $30 off the regular price. Starter pack includes a full size product each of the four products in the line. I can't wait to try mine out and will post on it next week. Have you tried Intelligent Nutrients? Let me know what you think!
Sounds good to me, so I got my hands on some to check it out for myself and have honestly used nothing else for the past week. My favorite product is the Replenishing Night Oil. Fan of the oils that I am, this intoxicating combo of rich, nuturing oils has the delicate scent of vanilla and rose and makes my skin look fabulous. It is perfect under the lightly hydrating Age Defence Moisturizer, which I will probably use alone once the weather warms up and just use the oil at night. The products feel luxurious going on and I awaken each morning to supple, glowing skin. I'm going Nude from now on! Image credit: Nude Skincare
Let’s start with the Relax Splash 2-Phase Toner Mist which I used in place of cleanser, although there is a cleansing milk included in the line. Over the drying winter months I used oils as cleanser on my dry skin (as I am sure you have read me gush on about if you follow my blog!) and this wonderfully refreshing toner is a perfect segue to an actual cleanser, which I will revisit in the more humid months of a Midwest summer. Though toners have never really been “my thang” I must say this one is different. In the past they have always seemed too drying for my skin, and if not, then kind of pointless. Relax Splash 2-Phase Toner is lightly cleansing, yet seems to be slightly moisturizing at the same time. And I love the misting part, so refreshing. Next up, Relax Eye Cream did not disappoint with its 1-2 punch of moisturization plus light-reflecting mineral shimmer, to help combat wrinkles and dark circles. A very cool feature on the Lavera site is the Lavere Anti-Aging Skin Type Recommendation Chart which helps you easily pin point which products are right for your skin. Totally takes out the guess work. And right now Lavera is running a special through the end of March, 20% off Lavere Anti Aging Skin Care. So hurry on over, never a better time to try. You won’t be sorry you did.
I would like to know if there are any other safe organic brands that are budget-friendly? There are so many brands claiming to be natural and organic and searching for it is tough. Yes, Tina, searching through products labeled “safe”, “natural” and even “organic” can be daunting and unrewarding. You really do need to know which ingredients are harmful and be able to pick them out of an ingredient list on a product label. One misconception of organic beauty products is that you have to pay more to get a product that is truly nontoxic. Not true! There are several terrific safe organic skin care brands on the market that are not only affordable but effective and a pleasure to use. Permalink -- click for full blog post
It's completely freshly prepared and organic. The results are fantastic. My skin has never looked better.
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Well, Organic Apoteke has changed all that. The Rejuvenating line for sensitive and mature skin is so awesome that I cannot wait to get more. All of the Organic Apoteke products come with a "I may make you blush" promise on the label. This is due to active ingredients and nutrients designed to go to the deeper layers of the skin to repair and nourish. As someone with extremely sensitive skin, the word blush is usually something I would avoid. However, those at Organic Apoteke assured me that the Rejuvenating range is designed just for people like me. After using the cleanser, toner and moisturizer I did notice a definite glow to my skin and thought it was due to a good cleansing, just glad there was no redness. It wasn't until the next morning that my real fascination with these products set in. My glow was still with me! Just as winter feels it is going to stay forever, something that provides a little much needed color to dreary skin. And no exercise involved.
Raspberry & Vanilla Body Butta lives up to the attitude it represents. Delicately scented (think chocolate raspberry torte) and the consistency of buttercream frosting, this creamy, dreamy body butter is a pleasure to the skin and senses. Made with ever loving shea butter and the addition of coconut oil with retained coconut meat for a non-greasy moisturizing experience. I slather my body after showering and my skin is still soft and smooth the next morning. The true measure of a good body cream! Comes in 4 and 8 oz. sizes complete with the usual Bubble & Bee fun and funky packaging.
Click on the above image to see how I did it!
That’s right, here at OrganicBeautySource.com we know how to be a 10+. OK, actually 11, out of 100 Top Organic Living Blogs. RadiographySchools.org has come up with a list of blogs working to improve the environment and generally green up our planet. Check out the Top 100 Organic Living Blogs. Green is good!
Camellia is a rare oil used in Japan for centuries as a skin cleanser and conditioner. It is packed with omega 3 and vitamins A, B, C, & E. Rose helps skin to retain moisture and is calming and restorative. Using Camellia & Rose cleanser made me feel like I was nourishing as well as cleansing my skin. Pai suggests you use the cleanser with their muslin cloth. I did this and like it for exfoliating, but honestly love to just rinse with warm water and enjoy the added moisture. Find Pai products at LoveLula.com, purchase the cleanser/moisturizer combo and save yourself a few bucks. Not sure which cleanser is right for you? Buy a sample for under $3!
Sure, there are some polish makers who have gotten rid of the top three offenders; DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde. But Acquarella has taken it a step further with their water based formula. No icky smell and lots of gorgeous colors to choose from. Application is pretty straight forward. Buff clean nails, remove excess oil with Acquarella's own remover and apply your polish. This polish is on the thin side (which I actually prefer) and removal does require a little elbow grease, but overall this was a pleasant experience. I sampled Pink a Boo, which was a bit too bubble-gummy for me, and can't wait to try French Kiss which is a paler pink. My daughter has Prissy (shown) which is perfect on toes. The polishes are slightly more expensive at $18 a pop, but have a two year shelf life. And if you spend $20 the folks at Acquarella will throw in a free buffer kit, which I must say is better than any buffers I have bought in the past. So, go ahead and get your water-based mani on!
Ice cream anyone? That's right, their new line is A La Mode with yummy ice cream flavors like Mint Chocolate (my favorite!) and Raspberry Sorbet. There is even a Banana Split. As usual, they are super soft, gloriously moisturizing without being greasy and packing a hint of Stevia for a sweet treat.
Do you have any information regarding "Derma e Natural Bodycare"?
Though derma e® Natural Bodycare line does carry the term "natural" in its title, it is not an organic or particularly safe line of bodycare products. derma e® Natural Bodycare products are based on the benefits of Vitamin E. While Vitamin E is beneficial to skin the line is made up of other ingredients which definitely are not safe, like Peg-100 Stearate and Phenoxyethanol, which are suspected endocrine disruptors and linked to cancer in animals. "Natural" is a term that we need to recognize as having little weight and not rely on any claims that may be on a product’s label. I realize that deciphering a product ingredient list can be confusing, to say the least. So, if you are still unsure after reading the ingredients list please check with me. I am glad to share any knowledge I may have and will do my best to find answers to your questions.
So, when my friend, Ellen Holder of Carenonline.com, told me of her favorite lip care product, Lemon Lips by Skin, I was more than pleased to try it. And it did not disappoint! Lemon Lips is creamy, smooth (not one bit greasy) a little lemony and just a tiny bit sweet. It is the consistency of honey butter and stays on a good, long time. Now, I know some of you are good if you have one decent lip balm in your handbag. But for you fellow lip product junkies, I swear you have to give this one a try!
Congratulations to Victoria! She will receive a complimentary copy of The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Fragrances
What do you think about the Sophyto line of skin care products?
The line is free from harmful chemical ingredients, though certain products do contain organic grain alcohol which The Environmental Working Group categorizes as a moderate hazard when tested on animals in high doses. Skincare products which contain denaturated (made unsuitable for drinking by adding bitter oils) organic grain alcohol are generally safe if used as directed, though they may be too strong for those with sensitive skin. Personally, I have not tried Sophyto because it is aloe based and I am allergic to aloe, wonderful as it is. Sophyto products were designed to act as professional dermatological skincare products and treatments. So if you are in the market to replace your toxic prescription products, Sohpyto would be a good choice. You can read more about the Sophyto line at Saffron Rouge.
One such alternative was the set. Said to be making a comeback (Vogue, January issue) I decided to give it a shot. Simply set barely damp hair on rollers and allow to dry completely (about an hour). Well, this may look cute on some gals, but I was instantly transported back to fifties helmet hair. Let’s just say, the clip and head band were whipped out in no time flat. I am okay with this for now (albeit, I do work from home) until my hair is in better shape and a couple of inches longer. Right now I am investing as much time and effort into getting a better hair physique as most people would their gym bods. Hopefully, it will all be worth it. Do you have any tricks or style solutions for a bad hair day? Please share!
So, what to do? Well, I have committed to not doing much of anything. That's right; less washing, drying, product usage and heat-styling of any kind. And, more difficult still, I am going to try not to pull it back (and hopefully prevent any breakage) which should prove fairly challenging as this is my weapon of choice when having a bad hair day. What is may plan of action, you may ask? Try to shampoo only twice (or thrice) a week, condition like mad with a great conditioner and use a homemade hair mask or treatment weekly. Now, I am reasonable and do not expect long ravishing locks by Christmas. But I do hope to see hair that is healthier, fuller and longer (yes, I am planning to cancel my haircut appointment for late December) and start anew. Luckily, December in the Midwest is hat season, but here are a few other items I am adding to my hair repair arsenal:
Nov 26, 2008, The Green Beauty Guide
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Lots of truly terrific all natch products pass my desk and I honestly love trying them all out. But every so often a true star comes through. Such is the case with 
Fragrance can be one of the worst offenders when it comes to the use of harmful ingredients. Synthetic fragrances are made with phthalates, an extremely toxic compound dangerous to us and the environment.
My friends have been very busy coming up with all kinds of new ways to help you choose and learn about the best green beauty products out there.
We always have room for yet another great lip balm, right? I never tire of trying a new product for the ol’ pucker and the latest in my arsenal are the ones from 
Right now, through June 15th, Pangea Organics is running a pre-order special on their new 
You know how the idea of aromatherapy seems so indulgent and pampering and healthy? Yet most of us never get around to actually doing it. It always seems so technical and time consuming, like acupuncture or ear candling. And it is a science. You certainly should not start rubbing yourself down with essential oils unless you know exactly what you are doing. Pure essential oils are very potent, and can even be toxic when used improperly, which is why makers of aromatherapy products who know what they are doing use a base oil and choose the appropriate oils for each aromatherapy need.
If you have ever dreamed of living in the Rain Forest just visit the Midwest in the spring. The drippy, humid, cave-like outdoors of late are taking their toll on my hair and skin, as well as my attitude. The hair does one thing –wavy/frizzy—no matter what products or form of styling goes into it. The minute I step outside it goes back to that lovely state. And my usually fairly well-behaved skin has gone into shock over lack of dry weather.
Be sure to DVR the Today Show on NBC tomorrow morning! On Friday, April 24th Kelly Magill of 
Not long ago I wrote about 
Just in time for Earth Day, 
So, I have been trying out the 
Well, my love affair with Lavera and its anti-aging baby, 
Many a skin care sample crosses my desk, and though I thoroughly love trying new products, it is not often that I want to purchase an entire line.
I simply can not quit tooting Bubble & Bee’s horn. First came their Pit Putty (my deodorant true love) following by their super smooth and yummy lip balms. Now for the latest addition to the awesome Bubble & Bee line up…
Pai has added a cleanser to their luxury organic skincare line. 
are a dream come true to those of us who don't wish to give up our polished nails to lessen toxic exposure.
As if the Crazy Rumors 
I have sampled, bought and borrowed so many lip gloss/balms over the years you’d think I would have that been-there-done-that feeling when a new one crosses my line of vision. But obsession is a funny creature, and obsession is what I would call my love and desire for the best lip products out there. Excitement still fills me when I get to try a new one.
by Julie Gabriel!
Well, while I am sticking to the kinder more gentler version of hair care, I am wearing my hair pulled back most days. But with a clip which is probably less damaging than a hair tie. After trying several different alternatives to the “no wash” days, this seems to be the simplest and makes me the happiest.
My hair is an absolute horror show right now. A little over a month ago I had several inches cut off in hopes it would make it thicker and easier to deal with. Not the case! It is limp, lifeless and looking thinner than ever, not exactly what I had hoped for, especially during the most festive time of the year.
Last weekend my daughter and I made our own lip gloss. You can add natural flavor and color for a custom-blend. A perfect little gift for all of your friends. 
A really good facial mask can not only clear out and tighten up your pores, but make your skin look radiant. I have long loved masks and have a new favorite. And the good news is, you can have it too, probably without even leaving your house. That's right, you whip it up yourself!
I know that one of the hardest products to switch for many of us is our deodorant. This is because, let's face it, most of us would prefer a little antiperspirant along with our deod. Antiperspirants contain aluminum to block the sweat glands and keep you from sweating. Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer and at the very least is a nose, lung and skin irritant. Not something that we should be using on our skin. Not only that but most leading antiperspirant/deodorants are packed with synthetic preservatives, like parabens, that mimic estrogen in our system so are possible endocrine disruptors and have been found in the tumors of breast cancer patients. While many doctors and scientists still feel that parabens are safe for use in limited dosage, no studies have been done on the use of parabens over a person's lifetime.
A visitor recently contacted me with a request for fragrance free shampoo and conditioner. These products are not super common, as most of us opt for something that makes us smell good. But, the fragrance can be a concern for those with allergies, babies and children or those super sensitive to the scents of most haircare products.
As the colder air returns it doesn't take long for it to affect our skin. I have been slathering lotion on my hands and feet at bedtime, letting my body soak up oils and lotions after showering and deep conditioning my hair more often.
While it seems everyone these days is jumping on the "green" bandwagon, I love coming across an organic skincare line that is totally committed, like 
I like to mix it up, interjecting new or recurrent products into my skin care regime. It seems to renew my skin, giving it a change of pace, so I will switch a cleanser or moisturizer out every few weeks or so.