Organic Solar Infused Oils [Review]

I love using natural oils for moisture, after sun burn relief, and proactive anti-aging remedies. I also love using oils infused with herbs to help protect and heal the skin. Over the winter, my son had red and scaly skin (probably eczema) from the harsh cold weather. Plus, my hands were so dry and red from constantly washing dishes with hot water. During our beach vacation, we needed an after sun burn relief lotion to soothe our red skin. Organic Solar Infused Oils are a great natural moisturizer and skin healer.

HippieCrap Infused Oils        

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% organic herbs	Shorter shelf life
No additives or synthetic preservatives
Comes in a dark amber bottle

Hippie Crap offers a wide selection of solar infused oils. These oils are not essential oils, but are oils infused with herbs. Some oils are infused with a single herb like Calendula. While other oils are infused with a mix of herbs. Each oil and herb combination is focused on providing specific remedies and benefits. For example, Calendula Oil soothes skin. Oregano Oil helps with skin infections because of its anti-bacterial properties.

Let's talk about solar infused oils. Each batch starts with organically grown herbs purchased from a grower. The herbs are placed in organic sunflower oils for 6 weeks of solar infusion. Solar infusion utilizes the sun to naturally infuse oils with the goodness of herbs. There are different methods to infuse oils with herbs. The traditional method involves placing the oils and herbs in the sun for a period of time. After the initial 6 week solar infusion, the herbs are strained out of the oil and new herbs are added for a second infusion. I really like the double infusion method to create a strong infused oil. The second fresh batch is infused for another 6 weeks in the sun and the herbs are strained again. A small amount of Vitamin E oil is added to preserve the infused oil. Each batch is stored in a cool, dark place to preserve the infused oils. When an individual bottle is ordered, it is poured fresh from the big batch.

I love that all ingredients are organic and Shelley uses traditional, natural methods to infuse the oils. the smell of the infused oils was strong, but not overwhelming.

The infused oils come in dark amber bottles. Oils should always be stored in dark colored containers to preserve the qualities of the oil and extend the shelf life. Oils that are not stored in dark bottles will oxidize, lose potency and become ineffective. Most oils are available in 2 oz and 4 oz sizes. I found that the 2 oz size lasted us for a long time.

Results: I have been using the infused oils for dry skin, any rashes like diaper rash and cold weather eczema, and after-sun burn care. The sunflower oil is a great carrier oil because it is light and absorbs fairly quickly. To get the oil out, I put my finger on the opening, tip the bottle up and bring it back down, which allows me to get just enough oil on my finger and apply where needed.

Here are the infused oils that I received and how we have been using them:

Calendula Oil - dry, itchy skin; diaper rashes; cold weather eczema, sun burn relief
Chamomile Oil - calming massage
Oregano Oil - homemade anti-bacterial spray (also moisturizes), chest run
Bourbon Vanilla Extract - baking!

Hippicrap uses traditional and natural methods for infusing oils. I love that the ingredients are as organic as can be and the oils are safe to use on babies and children.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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100% Organic Ultra Hydrating Facial Moisturizer [Review]

I am always on the search for 100% organic and natural moisturizers and I love to share them with you! The longer I use face and skin moisturizers with natural ingredients, the more I am convinced that my skin does not need the synthetic emollients, the toxic fragrances, the preservatives, etc. Nouveau/Organica Ultra Hydrating Facial Moisturizer is made with 100% organic ingredients.

Nouveau/Organica Organic Facial Moisturizer        

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% USDA Organic ingredients	Comes in a plastic container
Soy-free, Vegan
Light and lasting moisturizing
Made in the USA

Nouveau/Organics 100% USDA Organic Facial Moisturizer contains natural oils, plant extracts, and essential oils. The moisturizing oils are most commonly found in natural skin moisturizers.  These oils have been used for people for a long time and compliment each other in this blend to absorb quickly and hydrate the skin.

Ingredients: Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Organic Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Organic Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Organic Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Oil, Organic Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) Oil, Organic Boswellia carteri (Frankincense) Oil, Organic Pelargonium roseum asperum (Geranium) Oil

I love the 100% organic ingredient list and I love that there are no preservatives, though this means that the cream should be used within 6 months or kept refrigerated for longer shelf life. Using this moisturizer on a daily basis will last me at least 6 months!

Ingredients that cause some concern are Ylang Ylang Oil and Frankincense Oil. Even though they are both organic, there is some possibility of contamination during distillation and extraction. EWG rates Ylang Ylang Oil as 3 (moderate hazard) and Frankincense Oil as a 2 (low hazard).

The facial moisturizer comes in a dark plastic container. The dark color is important to preserve the qualities of the oil and extend the shelf life, though I wish the jar was made from glass or stainless steel since plastic can leach toxins into the moisturizer. I would like to see Nouveau/Organica move toward glass containers.

Usage: A little of the facial moisturizer goes a long way. I usually take just a bit on my finger and rub it on my face. For best absorption, apply right after getting out of the shower or right after washing the face.

The moisturizer has a slight smell, but not overpowering. I mostly smell the Shea Butter, which is the first ingredient. Even when essential oils are used, I still prefer less scent.

Results: I was a bit worried that the moisturizer would be on the heavier side because Shea Butter is the first ingredient. I usually don't use Shea Butter on my face because it is too "thick" for my face. However, the Shea Butter mixed with the other ingredients and essential oils creates a great balance of ultra hydration. I have also been using this moisturizer on dry elbows and dry knees.

I would recommend Nouveau/Organica 100% Organic Ultra Hydrating Facial Moisturizer because of one of the cleanest ingredients lists that is available in the natural beauty department. I would like to see the company either reduce or substitute the Ylang Ylang Oil and reduce the potential toxicity caused from contamination. I would also like to see the plastic container be switched to a glass container. In the mean time, I will be enjoying and loving this moisturizer!

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Moose Bay Rum Shaving Soap [Review]

One of my favorite all natural products to try are soaps. There are so many different brands of natural soaps available now, even soaps specifically made for men! Natural soaps offer superior quality and leave your skin feeling clean, soft, and moisturized. Moose Bay Rum Shaving Soap is a classic combination of bay leaf and cinnamon spice with a hint of lime. The rich lather helps the razor glide across the skin. Bentonite clay and wheat germ oil protect the skin.

Moose Bay Rum Shaving Soap      
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
All natural ingredients	Contains Fragrance Oil (potentially toxic)
Great lather
Doesn't leave skin feeling dry

Moose Bay Rum Shaving Soap is specifically designed to be used for shaving. Although this soap is targeted at men, especially with the manly scents like bay leaf and cinnamon, I can see women using this soap for shaving their legs. The ingredients, especially Bentonite clay and wheat germ oil protect the skin and allow for a safe shave.

I have been using natural soap to shave for quite some time. I do like that the ingredients are selected specifically for protecting and moisturizing the skin for shaving. Let's look at the ingredients.

Moose Bay Rum Shaving Soap Ingredients
Saponified Oils of Olive, Coconut, Castor, Shea Butter, Bentonite Clay, Glycerine, Wheat Germ Oil, Fragrance Oil, Essential Oils, Tocopherol T-50 (Vitamin E), Rosemary Oleoresin (a natural antioxidant).

I love the simple ingredient list that is made from mostly natural ingredients. I would like to see the Moose Bay Rum Soap be made with 100% organic ingredients, or at least use 100% essential oils instead of Fragrance Oil.

Fragrance is rated as Highly Hazard by EWG's Skin Deep Database. I recommend avoiding this ingredient in any product. I will reach out to the company to get more information about the actual ingredients in their Fragrance Oil. Since they are marketing the product as a natural soap, then it should not have one of the most toxic ingredients in it.

Castor Oil is rated as 2 (Low Hazard), so I would try to limit my use of products with Castor Oil.

I do like that the preservative is a natural one (Tocopherol/Vitamin E and Rosemary Oleoresin).

Usage: Wet the soap and rub directly on the skin or on your hands and then on your skin. Let air dry in a soap dish.

Results: The soap lathered well and stayed somewhat lathered on the skin while my husband shaved his face. The smell was pleasant and not overpowering. A little soap went a long way and rinsed cleanly. My husband had a pleasant experience with the soap. He does not usually use soap to shave, but said that his experience with it was better than expected.

For the price point of Moose Bay Rum Shaving Soap, I would expect 100% natural, if not 100% organic ingredients. If Moose removes or substitutes Fragrance Oil, then I would recommend this shaving soap.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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Ava Shower Filter [Review]

Let's be honest! Our water supply is not as clean as it used to be. Just because water looks clear doesn't mean that it is clear. Among chemicals dumped down drains, prescription medications flushed down the toilet, run offs from chemical plants, etc., we must take steps to clean out pollutants and toxins from the water in our houses. A shower filter that fits right on to the shower head is a great way to remove chlorine, fluoride, hard water and other contaminants using a patented KDF shower filter system.

Ava Shower Filter     

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Easy installation (need Teflon tape)	No filter replacement indicator
Filter lasts 9-12 months before replacement	Does not work as promised!

The Ava Shower Filter is an quick and easy way to filter the water coming out of your shower. The plastic covered system is easy to install and the filter lasts about 9-12 months (regular use). This shower filter claims to filter out 99.9% of Chlorine, Algae, Dirt, Fluoride, Lead, Chloramine, Bacteria, Arsenic, Chromium, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Mercury and Heavy Metals and many more chemicals. The shower filter also reduces scum build-up using kdf.

To install the shower filter, you remove your existing shower head, wrap Teflon tape (not provided in my package) on the filter thread on the water pipe thread, screw the shower head on to the threads and connect the swivel collar to the water pipe. Basically, the shower filter goes between the water pipe and the shower head. Once hand tightened, use pliers to tighten the swivel collar until the shower filter is firmly in place.

We installed Ava shower filter in the basement bathroom. The positioning of the threats on the shower filter does not really change the height of the shower head, but it does move the shower head farther away from the wall. Since our master bathroom has an enclosed shower (no bath), we did not have much room left for the shower head to stick out about 3-4" more. For a bigger enclosed shower or a shower and bath combination, this would not be an issue.

Installation: The installation of the shower filter was not too difficult. My husband is not a plumber by any means, but he was able to install the shower filter within about 30 minutes, taking his time to ensure proper placement and seals. The Teflon or plumbers tape is very important to ensure a good seal and prevent leaks. I had to purchase Teflon tape because my package did not come with it (though Amazon description says that it does).

Results: The filter does NOT filter out contaminants! The shower filter claims to filter out 99.9% of the chemicals mentioned above. There have been mixed reviews on Amazon, even with those who tested their water before and after. I had a couple of water test kits that I received from free from a local hardware store. I thought I would try these first, using one before the shower filter was installed and one after the shower filter was installed. Basically, the results were about the same - no change in water purity.

We use a Brita pitcher, which is effective and does make the water taste better by removing water contaminants. I tasted the shower water before and after and there was no change in taste. This is another reason that I feel like the product does not work as expected.

It is questionable whether the filter filters out the contaminants as promised. The initial cost is $59.99 and the replacement filter costs $49.99. Since the filter makes up most of the system, I can see the higher cost for the replacement filter. Filtering shower water for chlorine and fluoride will cost about $50/year with this system. Since the product does not work as promised, I would not recommend purchasing this product.

 

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are honest.

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How to Detoxify with Bentonite Clay [Review]

Whether you have used clay before or not, everyone is familiar with a clay mask. Bentonite clay is a common clay used in facial care products and also widely used to make homemade body cleaning products like facial masks. Clay can absorb toxins from the body to clean the skin. Bentonite clay is the most gentle, natural and effective skin care available. Organic Bentonite Clay heals damaged skin, deeply cleanses pores, reduces blemishes and acne, and absorbs toxins beneath the surface to restore, revitalize and renew.

Organic Bentonite Clay Mask       

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% pure and natural Bentonite Clay	Plastic container
Multiple uses

Bentonite clay is absorbent, which makes it a great natural skin care tool. Sodium Bentonite expands when wet and absorbs as much as several times its dry mass in water. The absorption properties allow Bentonite clay to absorb impurities, extract toxins, deeply cleanse and tighten skin, and stimulate circulation.

Amaki Bentonite Clay comes in a 1 pound jar that contains Sodium Bentonite. The Bentonite clay is 100% pure and natural, without any additives, artificial colors or fragrances, preservatives, etc. Just pure clay! The package also comes with a Konjac sponge and a salon quality mask brush. The 16 ounce jar contains enough clay for more than 50 treatments.

Ingredients: 100% pure Sodium Bentonite Clay

Usage: Recommended recipe is to mix equal parts of the clay with apple cider vinegar or spring water and stir the mixture until it reaches a paste consistency. Metal bowls and utensils are not recommended since the clay absorbs metals and become less effective. I mixed about 1 teaspoon of the clay with some water and kept adding a little of the clay/water until it reached the consistency. I mixed the clay and water in my palm with the index finger of the other hand. Otherwise, I would use a wooden coffee stirring stick that I have in the kitchen.

I applied the clay mixture to my face and let it dry for about 15-20 minutes before getting in the shower. If you have sensitive skin, leave the clay for 5-10 minutes. In the shower, I rinsed the clay off with my hands. A warm wash cloth can also be used. After getting out of the shower, I applied my usual moisturizer (organic Argan Oil).

Bentonite clay can also be used as a hair mask. Separate the hair into 4 sections and apply the clay to the scalp land hair. Leave on for 20-25 minutes and thoroughly wash out with warm water.

I really want to try using clay for a detox bath. Amaki recommends adding 1/4 cup to 1 cup of clay to running water until dissolved. Soak in the clay bath for 20-30 minutes and drink lots of water afterwards.

Results: When clay dries on your skin, it makes the skin feel tight. Washing it off with my fingers in the shower took a few minutes, so next time I will likely use a wash cloth to make sure to get it all off. The skin on my face felt smooth and fresh. The skin felt moisturized, though I still applied some of my usual light moisturizer. I really like the immediate results from using the clay mask. Even if I do not have 15-20 minutes, I can keep the clay mask on my face for 5 minutes and still gain the benefits of clearer skin.

If you are looking for a pure Sodium Bentonite Clay for a clay mask or other homemade cosmetic uses, I would recommend Amaki Bentonite Clay.

I will be posting a recipe for homemade toothpaste soon! The picture below shows the rich gray color of hydrated Bentonite Clay.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Huntsman Organic Beard Oil [Review]

Oils are becoming a big part of my natural beauty routine. Oils range from heavy to light depending on skin type needs and time of the year. On my legs, I prefer heavier oils. On my face, I prefer lighter oils. They contain simple ingredients and most of the time, are available as 100% organic. I am even introducing my husband to oils to moisturize his face and facial hair. Huntsman Beard Co. Organic Beard Oil is the perfect blend of oils to soften and moisturize men's facial hair.







Huntsman Beard Oil        

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
100% organic oils
Comes in dark amber glass bottle with dropper
Absorbs quickly and works immediately

There are a lot of oils in the natural beauty market these days. I love the purity of these oils and their ability to moisture the skin so well. Huntsman Beard Oil and Conditioner is made from 100% pure oils. I love that there are not fillers, synthetic ingredients, preservatives or other unnecessary ingredients. I have used Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil separately for skin moisturizing, so I know that they work very well. The Argan Oil is a light and dry oil, meaning that it absorbs quickly and does not leave you with a greasy feeling. Jojoba Oil is very similar, but stays on the skin, kind of like paraffin wax. The combination of these two ingredients is perfect for conditioning a man's beard.

Ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Argan Oil

The beard oil comes in a dark amber glass bottle. Oils should always be stored in dark colored containers to preserve the qualities of the oil and extend the shelf life. Oils that are not stored in dark bottles will oxidize, lose potency and become ineffective.

Uses: This oil is easy to use. Just a couple of drops is all my husband needs for his facial hair. The dropper is easy for him to use and allow him to control how much Beard Oil he uses. He also likes that the label is very manly.

Results: My husband has full facial hair, which he keeps short. His hair is pretty thick and can get stubbly. Many times, I tell him his facial hair is too rough on my face when he is kissing me. He has been using the Beard Oil for several days now. We have both noticed that his hair has softened up some. I would not say that it softened remarkably (the results depend on the type of hair that the man has), but I did notice that the hair is not as rough when it touches my face. Any improvement is a plus in my book.

I would recommend Huntsman Organic Beard Oil and Conditioner for any man looking to soften facial hair.

Disclosure: I received the product to facilitate this review. No other compensation was received. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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