Image Courtesy of Earthessentials.com

I recently received quite a few free samples from Earth Science, and the Purfection Hand Cream packets were the first to go.

Ingredients (provided at earthessentials.com)- “Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid , Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Meadowfoam Estolide, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil,Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum).”

I couldn’t locate this product on the Cosmetic Safety Database. The only ingredients that have hazard scores higher than two are Phenoxyethanol (4) and Fragrance (8). However, I’ve recently learned via a comment on this post that the fragrance Earth Science uses is 100% natural and that all of their products are labeled under a labeling standard called INCI. Under this standard, all fragrance (whether natural or synthetic) must be listed in a Universal Language (Latin) and must be listed as Fragrance (Parfum).

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of parabens.

2. It’s cruelty-free and contains no animal ingredients.

Recyclability- Since I had sample packets and not an actual bottle, I’m not sure about the plastic number of this product’s packaging. I would assume that it can be recycled fairly easily, however since, according to health4humanity.com,  ”Recycling and conservation has been part of the Earth Science philosophy since it’s beginning in 1979.”

Product Description (also provided at earthessentials.com)- “Rich in vitamins C and E, aloe vera, shea butter and jojoba, this luxurious hydrating cream soothes and softens hands. Pure and effective, this is our best skin remedy for dry, chapped hands. pH 5.5″

Price-$12.95 for a 4 oz bottle, or $38.50 for 16 oz bottle.

Performance- This hand cream makes my hands feel so dreamy! Because it’s a little on the oily side, I’ve found that it takes a little longer to rub in than other hand creams that I’ve come across, but it’s totally worth it. I could rub my hands together for hours after using this stuff and not care.

Scent- Floral+Citrus= heaven on my hands

Rating- 7 seems like a reasonable number for this hand cream. I subtracted two points for the one or so questionable ingredients, half a point for the high price, and another half for the slow absorption.

Would I purchase this item again?- Definitely, why else would I have put it on one of my Christmas lists?! Conveniently enough, and for easy shelf to purse/toiletry bag transfer, this hand cream is now sold in a smaller bottle!

Image courtesy of Josiemarancosmetics.com

I received my very own Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick for review in the same package as my Josie Maran Argan Oil Lipstick. Initially, I didn’t know where I was supposed to be applying the moisturizing stick, but I soon learned (and read) that I can use it pretty much anywhere.

Ingredients (provided at josiemarancosmetics.com)- “Natural Prunus Armenica (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Organic Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Natural Beeswax, Natural Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Natural Copernica Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Natural Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Natural Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Natural Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Natural Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ OIl, Natural Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Natural Leptospermum Petersonii, Natural (Lemon Tea Tree) Oil, Menthol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexlylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol (and) Phenoxyethanol (and) Hexylene Glycol.”

This product earned a hazard score of two on the Cosmetic Safety Database. Menthol (a three), tocopheryl acetate (a four), and hexylene glycol (a five) are the only ingredients with hazard scores above a two. None of the ingredients are linked to cancer.

Some great things about this product:

1. This product contains organic ingredients.

2. It’s cruely, paraben, petrochemical, and artificial fragrance free.

Recyclability- This container is #7 plastic. Sadly, that means that I cannot recycle it in Lake Charles. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a town where you can recycle more than #1 and #2 plastics, then good for you!

Product Description (also provided at josiemarancosmetics.com)- “This multi-purpose balm offers all the benefits of the nourishing oil, which includes anti-aging ingredients rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. A head-to-toe spot treatment for dry areas in need of moisture, this soothing balm conditions and repairs skin as it hydrates. Use it to moisturize chapped lips, soothe dry skin, tame fly aways, alleviate itching and stinging from insect bites, moisturize dry cuticles, relieve chafing skin, soothe stretch marks, calm sunburn, soothe waxed skin, and much, much more.”

Price-$16.50 for 0.55 oz

Performance-  I’ve used this stick on scrapes, blisters, elbows, cuticles, and my lips (especially before bed).  It has real staying power on my lips, and it moisturizes all the other areas sufficiently. While it makes my cuticles look great just after using it, I still need to reapply daily to maintain healthy-looking cuticles. This stick provided a great deal of relief to a raw spot on the back of my foot that I got from wearing shoes that were too big. My elbows can get pretty dry, and this stick makes them look and feel much more presentable.

Scent- Kirby and I both agree that this stuff smells like a citronella candle. I personally like the way citronella candles smell, so I also enjoy the scent of this moisturizing stick. If you’re bothered by citronella candles, then this stick may not be for you.

Rating-  I’m subtracting one point because $16.50 is a little expensive, and I’m subtracting another two because I wish that it would make my cuticles look less raggedy for more than a day at a time.  Otherwise, this product is a winner. Seven all the way!

Image courtesy of Josiemarancosmetics.com.

I’ve yet to spend over $5.oo on a tube of lipstick, and I’m okay with that. That’s not to say that I was unhappy when I received a free tube of Josie Maran’s Argan Oil Lipstick in the mail. I was actually pretty pumped. After wearing it a few times to get a solid idea of what I though about it, I figured I’d share my findings with you guys.

Ingredients (provided at cosmeticsdatabase.com)- “White Beeswax, Ozokerite Wax, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Cream, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil, Simmondsia Chinenesis (Jojoba) Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Ascorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Red 27 Lake, Tin Oxide, Manganese Violet.”

This products has a hazard score of three on the Cosmetic Safety Database. That’s not too disconcerting, since most Maybelline lipsticks are sixes and sevens. The only ingredient that actually concerns me, and that’s also linked to cancer, is Retinyl Palmitate (or Vitamin A Palmitate). Since this is the second or third product of mine that contains this ingredient, I plan to do extensive research on it and find out why it’s so dangerous. The little research that I’ve done thus far tells me that this ingredient is most dangerous in products that are applied in the sun (like sunscreen).

The good news is:

1) This product has organic ingredients.

2) It’s free of parabens, toxic ingredients, artificial fragrances, and petrochemicals.

3) It wasn’t tested on animals.

4) Some or all of the packaging components are recyclable.

Product Description (provided at josiemarancosmetics.com)- “Josie Maran’s lipsticks are formulated to rehydrate, plump, and smooth the lips. These hydrating, full bodied lipsticks have a medium to full coverage, with a beautiful semi-gloss finish.”

Price-$20.00 for 0.14 oz or 4 g; that’s fancytown!

Performance-  In my brief tour of cheap lipsticks, I never tried any light shades. I just assumed that none of them would look good. When I noted the light color (the shade is Dyani) of my tube of Argan Oil Lipstick, I was briefly disappointed. Surprisingly, though, it’s quite flattering. It’s a little lighter than the actual color of my lips. It manages to be pink without being girly. It makes my lips really soft, too. It’s actually more comparable to some lip balms that I’ve tried than lipsticks. For the most part, it stays on my lips through meals.  That’s definitely a plus.

Scent- It doesn’t really have much of a scent. It isn’t completely without a smell, though. It has a faint generic lipstick scent. This isn’t really a positive or a negative. It’s just a fact.

Rating-  An eight would probably be the most accurate rating. I’m subtracting two points because I wish that it were a little cheaper and that Vitamin A Palmitate could be replaced by a less hazardous ingredient. Regardless, I like this product enough to buy it in the future.

It's so subtle!

Image courtesy of evanhealy.com

Everyone probably already knows about my love affair with Tea Tree Oil; it’s one if the beauty products that I almost always have in my cabinet. Lately, though, I’ve had wandering eyes. I decided to try the evanhealy Blemish Treatment Roll-On in hopes that it would do everything that Tea Tree Oil does for my blemishes and so much more. Here’s how it went:

Ingredients- (provided at evanhealy.com)- “Apricot kernel oil (Prunus armeniaca),* rose hip seed oil (Rosa canina seed);* essential oils of: rosemary verbenon (Rosemarinus officinalis), thyme thymol (Thymus vulgaris), palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii),* lavender maillette (Lavandula angustifolia),* cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum cassia),* bay laurel (Laurus nobilis).* Flower Essence of Crab Apple.

* CERTIFIED ORGANIC ”

I couldn’t find this particular evanhealy product on the Cosmetic Safety Database, but their products that are on the site have hazard scores that range from a zeros to threes (only two of which are a three). I’d say that’s pretty impressive, since they have 24 products on the site. I can’t imagine that the hazard score on this product would be above a one, though, since it’s composed of mainly organic oils and the only individual ingredient that isn’t a zero is a one (lavender maillette).

Product Description (also provided at evanhealy.com)- “Blemish Treatment Roll-On is an effective remedy for impure, congested and acne skin conditions. Helps to purify and detoxify acne blemishes without irritating sensitive skin. Used daily, it is an ideal accompaniment to our Tea Tree Gel Cleanser and one of our Clay Treatment Masks..”

Price- $16.50 for .17 ounces, which is a little expensive for my tastes.

Performance- The evanhealy Blemish Treatment Roll-On works about as well as Tea Tree Oil. Since I love Tea Tree Oil, that obviously means that I love this as well. I don’t, however, love the price. I can buy a 2 0z bottle of Tea Tree Oil that works just as well for around fourteen dollars. I’m also not a huge fan of the fact that this product is in roll-on form. I don’t like the idea of applying the same roller ball to different blemishes on my face. I feel like I’m cross-contaminating, or something else ridiculous like that. I usually just roll it onto a cotton swab, which undoubtedly wastes a lot of it and is also worse for the environment. I’m just the worst.

Scent- The scent of this product actually reminds me a lot of Tea Tree Oil, which is interesting since Tea Tree Oil is not one of the ingredients. It smells a little foodier than Tea Tree Oil does, and a little less sharp, if that makes any sense at all. I personally prefer the scent of Tea Tree Oil, since that’s what I’m used to sniffing.

Rating- This product definitely deserves a solid 7. I subtracted 2 points for the steep price and 1 for the inconvenient roller ball.

Click the link to purchase your own bottle of evanhealy Blemish Treatment Roll-On.

Annnd if you’re like me and you want more bang for less buck, then you can buy a bottle of  Spring Valley Tea Tree Oil, which is the brand that I use.

Image Courtesy of Aubreyorganics.com

The decision to stop using bar soap to wash my face was one of the best that I’ve ever made. Before buying this product, I used Karen’s Botanicals Rehydrating Olive Oil Cleanser, which is a product that I also adore.

Ingredients- (provided at aubreyorganics.com)- “Coconut Fatty Acid Cream Base, Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Castile Liquid Soap, Horsetail Extract, Calendula Oil, St. John’s Wort Oil, Coltsfoot Extract, Coneflower Extract, Linoleic Acid (Vitamin F), Panthenol (Vitamin B-5), Carrot Oil, Aubrey’s Preservative (Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E), Organic Lemon Peel Oil ”

This Facial Cleansing Lotion received a hazard score of two on the Cosmetic Safety Database. The single ingredient with the highest score was, of all things, Vitamin A! It has a hazard score of five, which was news to me, but this causes me very little concern since it’s the next-to-last listed ingredient (which would lead me to assume that it makes up an almost negligible amount of the product) .

Product Description (also provided at aubreyorganics.com)- “Custom-made for skin that needs special attention, this extra-mild, low-scent formula soothes and hydrates sensitive facial skin as it cleanses..”

Price- $13.55 to $15.oo for eight ounces, but this was another steal that I found at the health food store in Lake Charles that just closed, so I snagged it for around $8.00.

Performance- The Vegecol Facial Cleansing Lotion is great for several reasons. I only need to use a pea-sized drop to wash my face, so it’s not something I’ll be needing to purchase every other week. It makes my face super soft and leaves behind no residue.  I also enjoy that it’s made for sensitive skin, which is a type of skin that I never fully realized that I might have until now.

Scent- It doesn’t really have much of a smell; I assume that this is because it’s formulated for people with sensitive skin. I’ve no complaints in the scent department. As far as I’m concerned, no scent at all is much better than something that is heavily-scented (especially as far as facial products are concerned).

Rating- If you read my blog even occasionally, then you know that I don’t give out perfect scores very often, but this product absolutely deserves a 10. I contemplated subtracting 1 point for the one questionable ingredient, but the performance silenced any of my doubts.

If this product sounds like it’s up your alley, then get your own bottle of Aubrey Organics Vegecol Facial Cleansing Lotion today!

To kick things off, I’ll review a wonderful lotion that I just discovered.

Tate's Natural Miracle Conditioner

I recently got a rash on my chest. Who knows why? I have super sensitive skin sometimes..but within three days of using this stuff (I got a not-so-small free sample from the health food store), the rash had completely disappeared. I’ve been using it as an eye cream as well, and it gives me the appearance of being well-rested even when I’m not. I haven’t used it as a hair conditioner yet, but I have a feeling that results would make me very happy.

Price: An 18 oz pump is around $26.00, and a 5 oz bottle is around $8.00 where I purchased it.

Ingredients: mountain spring water, apples, strawberries, rose, lemons, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, boysenberries, oranges, cloves, ginger, pineapple, blackberries, celery, cherry bark, oak bark, orchid, marigold, hazel nut, pine needles, coconut, chamomile, jasmine, calendula, parsley, thyme, papaya, eucalyptus, passion flower, cinnamon, geranium, nutmeg. (WOW!)

On a scale of 1 to 10: 9, and the price is the only reason it’s not 10.

I bought this stuff for my sister for Christmas because she really wanted some, but I didn’t try it for myself until about a week ago. I intend to buy the biggest bottle I can find tomorrow when I go to the health food store where I bought hers.