I’ve been using Sophyto’s Daily Skin Rejuventation Collection for a little over two weeks, and my skin is loving it! I’ll be reviewing each product in the collection in the order that I use it. First up is the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser!

Ingredients (provided at sophyto.com)- “Aqua (spring water), coco-glucoside, *pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract, *sucrose, *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice powder, levulinic acid, *alcohol denat, glyceryl caprylate, *olea europaea (olive) leaf extract, glycerin, sodium hydroxide, sodium dehydroacetate, ascorbic acid *Organic, 95% of the agricultural ingredients are produced organically”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a hazard score of 2. There are no individual ingredients with hazard scores above a 2.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of parabens and artificial fragrance/colors.

2. It contains organic ingredients.

3. It’s cruelty-free and vegan.

Product Description(provided at sophyto.com)- “A sublime airy mousse made from concentrated orchard apple extract and raw sugar cane to offer a totally natural solution compared to harsh glycolic acids. The fruit acid foam works upon contact with skin to gently, yet effectively remove cellular build-up revealing a much fresher, glowing complexion.  Because this cleanser does not contain overly rich foaming boosters and sulphates, it requires little to no agitation when rinsing, so suitable for even the most sensitive of skin, including rosacea and acne. AWARD FINALIST “Best Eco Beauty Finalist” 2011 CEW Awards. Always guaranteed to be free from artificial fragrance, colors, fillers and parabens. pH 5 for a normal skin range.”

Price- around $25 for a 150 ml bottle.

Performance- I was a little hesitant to try this product since I’ve had limited success with anything other than cream cleansers, but it was surprisingly gentle and didn’t dry my skin out like I’d anticipated. The mousse-like consistency didn’t even need to be massaged into my skin for me to feel like it had done it’s job, and the tiny bumps I sometimes experience when experimenting with different cleansers were nowhere to be seen! I firmly believe the impressive performance of this product had plenty to do with the additional Sophyto products I used afterwards. Reviews to come!

Scent-The scent is so mild that it’s not easy to describe. It smells clean and also a little like a green apple. I’m for it!

Rating- I’m subtracting a .5 for the hazard score of 2, so 9.5 it is!

Remember my recent post about giving rosewater and glycerin a try? Well, I pretty sure I’ve been using it long enough to form an opinion…which means it’s time for a review!

Ingredients (provided on product packaging)- “Vor-Mag Water (water that has been vortexed and magnetized to raise the energy to a higher vibration that we believe to be more beneficial), Natural Vegetable Glycerin and Hydroessential Rose Oil.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a hazard score of 0. I can definitely live with that!

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of parabens.

2. It’s free of pesticide residues.

3. It’s cruelty-free.

Product Description(provided at lamazon.com)- “Certified. Soothing and old-fashioned. Skin lotion you can trust. Harsh weather defense.”

Price- around $5 for a 4 oz. bottle.

Performance- I’d be lying if I said that this product altered my skin dramatically. It wasn’t hydrating enough to use in the place of my current moisturizer, but it was certainly a nice addition. It didn’t make my skin look especially radiant, but it did feel a good bit softer. I wasn’t disappointed, but I wasn’t amazed either.

Scent- Believe it or not, it smells like roses.

Rating- 8/10

It looks like I’ve managed to find another dud in the wide world of natural toothpastes. Is anyone surprised?

Ingredients (provided at luckyvitamin.com)- “Phtyoplenolin® (Centipeda Cunninghamii Extract), Bio-Chelated Extracts of: Calendula Flowers, Chamomile Flowers, Echinacea Tops, Gotu Kola Whole Herb, Prickly Ash Bark, Olive Leaf, Grapefruit Seed, Black Walnut Green Hulls and Green Tea Leaf, Essential Oils of: Peppermint, Oregano, Lavender, Clove, Eucalyptus, Thyme and Cinnamon Bark, Bio-Saponins™ [Yucca spp, Quillaia (Quillaia saponaria) Bark, Sarsaparilla Root, Wild Yam Root], Folic Acid, Co-Enzyme Q10, Aloe Vera, Chlorophyll, USP Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Calcium Carbonate, Silica.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a hazard score of 2. The only ingredients with hazard scores above a 3 are clove oil and cinnamon bark. Additionally, I couldn’t find ingredient matches for sarsaparilla or wild yam roots.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of Preservatives, fluoride, alcohol, synthetic solvents, sodium-lauryl-sulfate, artificial sweeteners, colors, and dyes.

2. It’s cruelty-free.

Product Description(provided at luckyvitamin.com)- “Nature’s Answer PerioBrite Toothpaste Cool Mint a low abrasive toothpaste, does more than clean teeth – it supports periodontal health. Dentist formulated Periobrite contains soothing organic herbs well-known for their cleansing action, while CoQ10, Folic Acid, Oregano, Cinnamon and Clove promote tissue and gum health. As part of an oral health program, PerioBrite naturally whitens teeth while leaving your breath fresh and clean, energizing your whole mouth with a cool, sparkling minty-fresh sensation. For best results, use with PerioCleanse, PerioWash and PerioRub. Daily brushing helps promote healthy teeth and gums.”

Price- around $4.00 for a 4 oz. tube

Performance- Since the ingredients aren’t half bad, I really wanted to like this toothpaste. Unfortunately, the flavor reminded me a little too much of the way pine sol (or maybe some other scary household cleaner) smells. Also, it didn’t freshen my breath as much as I would’ve liked. Obviously, the breath freshening factor kind of makes or breaks a toothpaste. Overall, I wasn’t a fan.

Scent- an odd combination of citrus, mint, and something not quite identifiable

Rating- 6/10. I subtracted 2 points for the odd flavor and another 2 for this product’s inability to adequately freshen my breath. The solid ingredients and the fact that it’s cruelty-free earn it 6 points.

I’m on a quest to find the perfect toothpaste, and it isn’t going very well. Today I’ll be reviewing a product that I just finished: Kiss My Face Triple Action Aloe Vera Gel Toothpaste.

Ingredients (provided at kissmyface.com)- “Sorbitol, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Water, Xylitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract*, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Melaleuca Alternafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Ubiquinone (Co-Q10), Stevia Rebaudiana Extract, Flavor, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice), Xanthan Gum, Menthol, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Chlorophyllin- Copper Complex, Potassium Sorbate.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a hazard score of 4. Obviously, this isn’t ideal. The ingredients with hazard scores above a 3 are flavor and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate,

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s fluoride-free.

2. It’s sulfate-free.

3. It contains organic ingredients.

Product Description(provided at kissmyface.com)- “Brushing with great tasting natural aloe gel helps prevent plaque and tartar build-up that can cause gum disease, bad breath, discoloration, and cavities. Natural formula features cool Mint freshness, natural whitening, Co-Q10, Tea Tree, Herbal Extract, Olive Leaf Extract, Organic Aloe Vera and is free from Fluoride and SLS.”

Price- Around $5.95 for a 3.40 oz. tube.

Performance- The taste and and performance of this product are nothing short of ideal. The  sweet, minty flavor makes for long-lasting fresh breath, and the consistency of the gel isn’t too thick or too thin. Unfortunately, the problems I have with this toothpaste are with the ingredients and not the performance.

Scent-Sweet and minty, like the taste.

Rating- 7/10. I’m subtracting 3 whole points for the high hazard score, which might seem like a lot…but I brush my teeth 2-3 times a day and inevitably end up swallowing a significant amount (not to mention what is absorbed by my gums). Above all else, I need for my toothpaste to be safe.

If you feel like you’ve seen this soap on the blog recently, then it’s because you have. Danielle gave me a bar for Christmas, and I’ve been using it ever since. Now it’s time for a review!

Ingredients (provided at iherb.com)- “100% vegetable soap: butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), coconut oil and/or palm oil, apricot oil, nigella sativa (black seed), honey, vegetable glycerin, tocopherol (vitamin E), mineral pigment or vegetable color, essential oil blend.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a hazard score of 1. The unspecified oils and unspecified color both have hazard scores of 4, but I’m not too alarmed by this since I know the oils are essential and the color is of either mineral or vegetable origin.

Some great things about this product:

1. It contains organic ingredients.

2. It’s cruelty-free.

3. It’s sustainably produced and contains ethically traded ingredients.

4. It’s sulfate and paraben-free.

Product Description(provided at iherb.com)- “Honey has historically been used as an antiseptic in balms and poultices to comfort and soothe skin, reduce redness and heal wounds. Black Seed oil, Nigella Sativa, can be traced back more than 3,000 years to the kingdom of the Assyrians and ancient Egyptians. Discovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamen, Black Seed oil was reportedly used by Queen Nefertiti to maintain her exquisite complextion. Black Seed earned the Arabic approbation”habbatul barakah”, the seed of blessing, for its powerful curative properties in traditional medicine.

The traditional use of Black Seed oil on the skin to strengthen the immune system, prevent external infections and increase blood circulation has been updated in a gentle exfoliating cleanser made with Black Seeds, conditioning Honey, healing Shea Butter and softening Apricot Oil.”

Price- around $3.07 for a 5 oz. bar.

Performance-This bar is currently sitting on the cedar soap dish beside the sink in my bathroom. I love washing my hands with it because it’s surprisingly moisturizing and doesn’t leave my hands feeling dry or in desperate need of lotion. I chose not to use it as a body was for two reasons:

1. I want to make this gem last as long as possible.

2. The scent might not be mild enough for an all over wash. See below. (Have I mentioned that I have an extremely sensitive nose? Thanks, mom.)

Scent- This product has a lovely, rich floral scent. It’s actually pretty impressive how strong the scent manages to be. The empty box is sitting beside me as I’m typing this review and I am fully aware of that fact. Also, this soap is the first thing I smell when I walk into my bathroom.

Rating- 9/10. I’m subtracting 1 point because the scent of this bar, as awesome as it is, is so strong that it might be a bit overwhelming if I washed my entire body with it.

If there’s one thing I love, then it’s drinking from a straw. It somehow seems more ladylike than taking sips directly from a glass, and it’s especially convenient at restaurants (when direct mouth to cup contact is hardly ideal).  Unfortunately, the unnecessary waste created by and toxins leached through plastic straws have been more than enough to keep this straw fan skeptical.

When I heard about Glass Dharma, I was immediately intrigued. With BPA and the disposable element out of the way, I could finally enjoy my straw without risking my health or feeling guilty! Glass Dharma sent me 4 straws and 2 cleaning brushes (*sold separately) to try and review, and none of them failed to impress.

The sipper straw with amber dots is perfect for a small glass of juice.

Staying hydrated is a piece of cake with my ice tea straw with red dots.

And the same goes for my beautiful bends ice tea straw!

The smoothie straw might be my favorite, but to those who are familiar with my love for smoothies...this should come as no surprise.

Glass Dharma has generously offered to give one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate toward anything in their shop!

You can earn up to three entries by doing one or all of the following:

• Follow Glass Dharma and Dawn Grimes (that’s me!) on Twitter and tweet the following: “@dawngwimes is giving away a $25 @GlassDharma gift certificate on her blog! http://turbyandjohn.com/2012/01/10/glass-dharma-review-giveaway/“
• Like Glass Dharma and Turby and John on Facebook.
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (with a link).

Please leave a comment on this post for each entry you complete with your email address (or else they won’t count)!

This giveaway will close one week from today, at which point a winner will be randomly selected and announced the following Wednesday (the 18th).  I will forward the winner’s email address to the kind folks at Glass Dharma, and they’ll get your prize to you ASAP.  : )

Good luck and tell a friend!

Don’t want to wait for your glass straw and/or accessories? Head on over to their website and buy one today!

*As I mentioned above, the cleaning brushes are sold separately. They make cleaning the straws such a breeze, though, that they’re definitely worth the $5 they cost!

When Stevonne from Beija-Flor Naturals contacted me about trying the company’s Beija-Flor Naturals Amazon Anti-Oxidant Treatment, I was intrigued. Stevonne was remarkably upfront about the product’s ingredients, and with good reason—they’re pretty stellar. After seeing such impressive ingredients, I was expecting a lot from this product…and I wasn’t disappointed!

Ingredients (provided in the Beija-Flor Naturals Etsy Shop)- “Murumuru Butter, Cupuacu Butter, Cocoa  Butter,Tucuma Butter, Rice Bran Oil, Passion Fruit Oil, Vitamin E, Acai Oil”

This preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gave it a very low hazard score of 0, with none of the individual ingredients having hazards scores above 2. The only ingredient I left out was tucuma butter, since I couldn’t locate it in the database.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of parabens and petrochemicals.

Product Description(provided in the Beija-Flor Naturals Etsy Shop)- “Face moisturizer that shows results in the first use. Smooths rough areas, lines and wrinkles and gives a healthy glow to skin. This facial butter kicks the butt of any anti-aging product on the market today! Our all natural blend of Brazilian butters are a non-greasy blend of Cupacu, Murumuru, Tucuma, Cocoa Butter, Passion Fruit, and Acai extracts that liquefy upon contact and absorbs into skin quickly.

This product is full of antioxidants that decrease cell destruction, which in turn combats the aging process. The Amazon Antioxidant Treatment is a great night cream or daily moisturizer, and safe to use under makeup. The natural cocoa fragrance of the ingredients will make you do a little samba!”

Price- $12.95 for a 2.5 oz glass jar.

Performance- To be honest, I wasn’t completely shocked to discover that I absolutely love this treatment. It’s probably hard to go wrong with such a dreamy mixture of oils and butters.

I’ve found this product to be a real miracle worker in the following areas:

• elbows
• under my eyes (I’m young so I hardly have any lines under my eyes to begin with, but this treatment has made even the tiniest lines seem less obvious).
• knees
• feet

Scent- This product has a nice, nutty scent; it also smells a little like chocolate (probably because of the cocoa butter). You won’t hear me complaining!

Rating- 10/10

Along with their body oils and butters, Hello Mellow also sent me a Balance Bath Salt to try. As with the other products of theirs I tried, I was very impressed!

Ingredients (provided at hellomellow.com)- “pink himalayan sea salt, dead sea salt, epsom salt, dendritic salt, essential oils of bergamot, orange, and chamomile… and love.”

The preliminary report I created in the Cosmetics Database gave this product an impressively low hazard score of o.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of artificial fragrances/colors, parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals.

2. It’s cruelty-free.

Product Description (provided at hellomellow.com)- “BALANCE centers your being with a calming wave of harmony. bergamot, orange and chamomile help you find middle ground and level you out.

perfect for travel or for a bath or two of our majestic bath salts. they detoxify and tone your skin, reduce muscle soreness, regulate sleep, decrease stress, and leave your skin soft and silky smooth. melt away the stress of the day and soak in the magic and wonder of the himalayans.”

Price- Only $6 for a 2-shot container or $36 dollars if you feel like splurging on a 20 oz container.

Performance- I was a little worried that the large chunks of salt wouldn’t dissolve easily in a hot bath, but with a little massaging from my feet and hands they disappeared in no time. Like the Rusalka bath salt I recently reviewed, the scent of this product was apparent and inviting but not at all overwhelming. After taking an uncharacteristically long bath with this salt, I felt sufficiently relaxed and my skin was mega soft. Also, I was delighted to discover that this product didn’t leave my tub slippery at all.

Scent-  This bath salt has a relaxing, mild citrus scent that reminds me a little of a hot cup of tea.

Rating- I’m gonna subtract a point since $36 is a little more than I’m used to paying for bath salt. Otherwise, I haven’t a complaint in the world. 9/10

Hello Mellow’s luxurious body oils aren’t the only way to achieve softer than soft skin. Their body butters are pretty dreamy as well! Today I’ll be reviewing Uplift and Unwind.

Ingredients (provided at hellomellow.com)-

Uplift: avocado butter, mango butter, and essential oils of grapefruit and vanilla and love.

Unwind: avocado butter, mango butter, and essential oils of benzoin, cedarwood and vanilla and love..

The preliminary reports I created in the Cosmetics Database give these products both low hazard scores of 0!

Some great things about these products:

1. They’re free of artificial fragrances/colors, parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals.

2. They’re cruelty-free.

Product Description (provided at hellomellow.com)-

Uplift: your skin will happily devour these nutrients while your senses luxuriate in our simply sweet, subtly soothing, UPLIFT blend. this feel-good scent of pink and white grapefruit with a hint of warming vanilla will shift you into your happy place in a single application

Unwind: ready to unwind? UNWIND soothes your soul with a calming breath of tranquility.
our blend of cedarwood, benzoin, and vanilla seduces you into a mellow state of being.

Price- $6 for a mini container, $22 for a 2 oz container, or $30 for an 4 oz container.

Performance-  You know those pesky little dry skin bumps that sometimes appear on your forearms/just above your elbows in the coldest months? Well, these body butters made mine disappear completely within the first two days of using them. In keeping with the themes of the names, I used the uplift in the morning and the unwind before bed. The scents suited each time of day perfectly (see below), and the consistency was rich but not annoyingly thick. They both immediately melted into my skin and made it so soft without leaving the greasy residue that often accompanies body butters. Now that’s impressive!

Scent-  The website describes the scent of uplift as subtly sweet citrus of pink and white grapefruit with a hint of vanilla, and it describes the scent of unwind as lightly earthy with a hint of sweetness. That seems about right to me!

Rating- 10/10 for each of these lovely little guys

Have you guys heard of Hello Mellow? I hadn’t until recently, but their bright, fun packaging immediately grabbed my attention. It was their safe and simple ingredients that held it, and I was thrilled to receive several samples in the mail for review. Today I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the two body oils I tried: Revitalize and Rejuvenate.

Ingredients (provided at hellomellow.com)-

Revitalize: avocado butter, mango butter, essential oils of geranium and lavender and love.

Rejuvenate: avocado butter, mango butter, essential oils of lemongrass, lavender, and litsea and love.

The preliminary reports I created in the Cosmetics Database give these products low hazard scores of 0 and 1 respectively. None of the individual ingredients have hazard scores above a 1.

Some great things about these products:

1. They’re free of artificial fragrances/colors, parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals.

2. They’re cruelty-free.

Product Description (provided at hellomellow.com)-

Revitalize: refresh your spirit with a vital surge of clarity. lavender and geranium melt away stress and keep you going.

Rejuvenate: awaken your spirit with a powerful burst of energy. lemongrass, lavender and litsea combat mental fatigue and recharge your spark.

Price- $12 for a 2 oz bottle, $22 for a 6 oz bottle, or $28 for an 8 oz bottle.

Performance-  I’ve always heard that moisturizing damp, freshly-washed skin is the way to go, but I hadn’t quite experienced the dreaminess firsthand until using these products. I put the bottles of oil in the shower with me, and immediately after turning the water off (and wrapping my hair in a towel) I applied a generous amount of the oil to my entire body. After massaging the oil into my skin for a few minutes, I gently patted it dry with a towel. Not only was my skin uncharacteristically soft for winter, but it also felt incredibly smooth until the next day’s shower. I plan to moisturize this way daily and probably exclusively from now on. Also, a few drops of either oil in a warm bath is pretty special.

Scent-  Revitalize has a nice earthy scent, and rejuvenate is bright with a citrus feel that is reminiscent of citronella. I love them both, but I’d definitely prefer revitalize for everyday use.

Rating- 10/10 for revitalize and and 9/10 for rejuvenate (since I prefer revitalize’s scent and its hazard score is a bit lower). Collective score: 9.5/10.