I tried Origins Sunshine State  two weeks ago on vacation. I have to say that I liked it and will be buying more of it. It was an easy rub-in and smelled nice. I spent considerable amounts of time by the pool enjoying the sun and refreshing water. This sun screen did not fade and was not oily on my skin. It doesn’t leave a white-wash look to your face like some of the heavier zinc products. It contains mineral based products, vitamin E and Bisabolol, from Chamomile to soothe your sun exposed derma. With no harsh chemicals to react to, you skin will be soft, smooth and protected. Resistant to water and sweat, Origins is a great product that beckons you to try it out and do your part for our environment and yourself.

 Origins’  mission is to create quality natural skincare products using organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils. It is their commitment to protect the planet.

Burt’s Bees Peppermint Shower soap is 99.9% natural with the following ingredients; vegetable soap, glycerin, almond meal, rosemary oil, peppermint oil, rosemary leaves, peppermint leaves, comfrey leaves and calendula flowers. It is also NOT tested on animals. How much more natural can you get than that? I do recommend using it as it makes you feel very clean after you’ve showered and you know that you did your little part for our environment. Burt’s Bees products are in no-nonsense packaging and printed on recycled board containing 30% post-consumer waste.

When it comes to being eco-friendly green and all-natural, it’s always best to make your own, whatever it is. Then you know exactly what the ingredients are and if you don’t like it, you can start new without spending a ton of money. I did some research on a product that I use every day and feel I couldn’t live without. Skin toner is a must have, at least in my bathroom and I look forward to the effects that it has on my face every day. I was just wondering…. Is there a recipe out there that I could make my own toner, save money, be green and have a natural product that is still good for my skin? Well, the answer is YES, I can! Below are some recipes that I found and some I put together myself after experimenting. Try it, you may like it.

• Green Tea Toner – 1 Cup of lemon and green tea, steep for an hour, cool completely. Put in a small recycled spray bottle and spritz your face. You can use it refrigerated for extra coolness! Gets rid of unwanted oils and keeps your face balanced. There are other variations for this recipe out there like adding vinegar or thyme. Will last a week in the refrigerator.
• Floral Water Toner – Add 1-3 drops of essential oil(s) to 8 oz. of floral water in a clean, sterile bottle. Shake to thoroughly blend the ingredients. Mist or splash it on your face after cleaning skin.
• Aloe Vera Toner – One tsp. of Aloe Vera gel, a tsp. of lemon juice, and a cup of water. Add 3 tsp. of rubbing alcohol if you have oily skin.
• Herbal Toner – 1 tsp. horsetail herb, 1 tsp. lavender flowers, 1 tsp. lemongrass leaves. Add herbs to ½ cup of water and stir in 4 tsp. witch hazel, 4 tsp. Aloe Vera gel and 2 tbsp. orange blossom water. Shake together and mist, pat or sponge on clean face.
• Green Tea and Chamomile Toner - 1 green tea bag, 1 chamomile tea bag. Steep tea for an hour in 1 cup of boiling water. Let cool, add 1 tsp. Aloe Vera gel and shake or stir. Use as a mist in a small spray bottle.

In the spring, I was reading a website that had a sunblock rating test reviewing several natural sunblocks. One of the higher rated blocks that I decided to try was Aveeno Active Naturals Continuous Protection Sunblock.  Although this product contains one ingredient that isn’t necessarily the best, oxybenzone, it is missing its bosom buddy, octinoxate,  they are commonly found together. Instead, Aveeno Active Naturals contains Titanium Dioxide which is a white opaque pigment that is used to cover your skin and reflect the sun naturally as it is not a harsh chemical.

 When using these all natural sun protectors, I find that the apparent sticking point (no pun intended) is that they are difficult to rub into the skin and you feel like you stepped off the Twilight movie set! This sunblock however, is easier to rub in and smells good. It comes in a spray formula, a lotion and in all different SPF levels.

I love this product! This sunblock does not leave a film on your skin and it works. It’s safer for your skin and for our water. Contains Active Photobarrier Complex™ to provide long-lasting UVA/UVB protection from the sun. Plus, they include select ingredients such as natural soy and vitamins A, C, and E.

Tea Tree Special Shampoo

 By Dena Fritz

If you purchase Tea Tree products, the folks at Paul Mitchell vow to fund the planting of enough trees to offset all carbon emissions produced by the manufacturing and distributing of the Tea Tree brand products!

 I bought the shampoo at my local hair salon that retails for Paul Mitchell products. Then, I bought it again. And again. It is a spirited and stimulating shampoo that comes in different scents, but I always buy Special as it is peppermint and very aromatic. It leaves my hair shiny, soft and manageable with a tingly, clean feel. Formulated with Australian Tea Tree oil and all natural extracts, this shampoo is part of an entire line by Paul Mitchell. Lemon Sage and Lavender Mint are available as mentioned on their website. You can be part of the give-back!

Check out Green Myths Debunked.

This helpful compilation includes a solar powered portable electronic charger, an organic counter garden, coffee from Community Agroecology, green sneakers, and more. Before you venture out to do your holiday shopping, you must take a look at these great green gifts. Have a guilt free holiday to one and all!

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Liquid Soap

Nothing says happy holidays quite like peppermint body wash! The multi-faceted Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Liquid Soap is a green staple and covers all the bases. This vegetable based cleanser is biodegradable, and can actually be used for about 18 purposes (i.e. shampoo, body wash, laundry, etc.). The oils used to create this powerful, peppermint wash are organic and fair trade, and Dr. Bronner’s does not use Sodium LaurylSulfate. irresistible

This liquid soap makes your skin feel soft, and tingly. It is perfect for the holidays, and smells like a candy cane. If peppermint doesn’t suit your fancy, there are several other scents to choose from including: Almond, Rose, Baby Mild, Lavender and more. The bottles that Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap comes in are made of 100% Post Consumer Recycled plastic, and the labels are paper. This is definitely a body wash that won’t leave an impact, except for on your senses!

Check out Dr. Bronner’s now.

Well, there is good news for everyone…there is an application for the iPhone called the Good Guide. This useful database includes ratings for about 50,000 products and companies that we face in our daily lives. You can break down your search by top rated, product name, and even scan the bar code for a rating result! As you develop favorites off of the database, you can create personalized lists for favorites, or products to avoid. It even allows you to develop a profile to personalize searches to products that best suit your needs.

At your fingertips, you quite literally have access to a countless number of products and how green they are. This incredibly handy application is a must have for green ladies on the go!

Body Shop Hemp Lip Protector

Lip balm is an essential part of every girl’s day. It keeps our pouts soft and moisturized, so we feel confident and comfortable. Although there is an abundance of choices for lip coverage, there is little to choose from in the natural coverage area. The Body Shop has a great hemp line of products that is a perfect fit for you ladies who want a natural looking mouth.

Let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t want to wear color or gloss, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need a little something to wear for protection. The Hemp Lip Protector uses hemp seed oil to seal in moisture and keep your lips supple. In addition, Community Trade beeswax affirms a pampered kisser. This great lip balm doesn’t smell like the normal fruity bunch, but instead has an incredible natural, herbal fragrance. This is a great way to keep your lips well maintained in the winter air.

Take a look at Body Shop Hemp Lip Protector now.