Have you ever read the ingredients on a bottle of cheap nail polish? If you’re lucky enough to have them listed (and are capable of reading the tiniest words you’ll probably ever encounter), then you might be shocked by what you see. It wasn’t until just before throwing out my old polishes and remover that I forced myself to look at the ingredients. One of the few recognizable ingredients on each bottle was formaldehyde resin. The remover was no better. Think acetone, parabens, and artificial colors that hardly seem necessary in a polish remover.

I avoided doing research on the horrible ingredients hiding in popular polishes for a very long time; I knew my findings would cause me to make a possibly expensive change. I’ve had several natural polishes on wishlists in the past, but I was never able to justify the initial high cost on top of shipping. When I saw Piggy Paint* at Pink & Blue Avenue, a local gift shop for babies and new mothers, I took it as a sign that it might be time to make the switch. I thought it over for a few days, and when I returned to the store I bought a bottle of Piggy Paint in Sea-quin (which is free of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, Bisphenol A, ethyl acetate and acetone)  as well as a bottle of Piggy Paint acetone-free nail polish remover. My next move was getting rid of all my Sally Hansen, Petites, and Essie products.

I feel pretty great about my purchase, and I consider it $20 well spent. I’ll be heading to the beach for a week on Saturday, and my toes will look great without being covered in formaldehyde. A post on achieving beach-ready feet at home is on its way! I’ll talk more about the performance of these lovely products in said post.

*I know, I know. As the name suggests, this product was created for kids. However, as the website states, “Piggy Paint is a natural, eco-friendly nail polish designed for fancy girls.”

I was a fancy girl at 7, I’m a fancy girl at 21, and I’ll still be a fancy girl when I’m 50. Count on it!

As my product reviews have become more in depth, I’ve grown accustomed to reviewing a single product at a time. I find it’s easier to be thorough this way. However, after trying my two new Made From Earth Lip Balms, I decided to review them together. They’re so similar in performance, ingredients and price that it just made sense.

Ingredients (provided at madefromearth.com)-

Citrus Fresh Lip Balm- “Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Essential Oils of Orange, Lemon and Lime, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract, Organic Calendula.”

Vanilla Lip Balm- “Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Vanilla Essential Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract, Organic Calendula.”

I couldn’t locate these products in the Cosmetic Safety Database, but the short lists of familiar ingredients did a fine job of speaking for themselves. Still, I’ve linked to the individual ingredients above. Unsurprisingly, none of the ingredients have hazard scores above a 2. Since these products are meant for my lips and will inevitably wind up in my stomach at some point, ingredients with low hazard scores are especially important.

Some great things about these products:

1.  They’re free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and synthetic coloring agents.

2.  They’re cruelty-free.

3. They contain organic ingredients.

Product Descriptions(also provided at madefromearth.com)-

Citrus Fresh Lip Balm: “Citrus Fresh tastes like a delicious mix of lemons, limes and fresh squeezed oranges. This organic and chemical free lip balm contains vitamin-rich sunflower seed oil and protecting beeswax to avoid a chapped lip texture to aid the production of collagen in the lips, with the sweet taste of oranges. Citrus fruits have been proven to have detoxification properties due to the high concentration of vitamin C. In topical form, they can help to alleviate skin problems, and when used on a regular basis, protect the skin from sun damage and aging.”

Vanilla Lip Balm: “Warm. Calm. Relaxing. Organic ingredients with vanilla designed to soothe and calm your lips. For all vanilla lovers, welcome home.”

Price- $3.99 for each 0.15 oz. tube

Performance- These lip balms are both great; they moisturize my lips for hours at a time. While they don’t provide any tint or gloss (and I shouldn’t expect that of them since they’re not tinted or a lip gloss), they still leave my lips feeling soft and looking healthy. I probably wouldn’t wear this lip balm if I were trying to look fancy, but it’d be perfect to wear to bed, around the house, or while working out…I guess it’s comparable to sweatpants: comfy, great and necessary but not appropriate for all occasions.

Scent- The Citrus fresh lip balm smells a little like Mountain Dew and a lot like lemon/lime. When I mentioned wearing these lip balms while working out, I had this one in mind. It’s so fresh and bright and seems like an appropriately active scent. The Vanilla lip balm is a more warm and relaxing scent. I’ve worn it to bed several times and can totally see myself wearing it while napping on the beach.

Rating- Each lip balm earns a rating of 8/10. I’m subtracting 2 points from each because I wouldn’t hate something slightly more versatile (maybe something with just a little tint), but the ingredients and price are both ideal.

Would I purchase these items again? Sure! I’d also really like to try the Blueberry and Spearmint Lip Balms.

*These products were provided by Made from Earth; the opinions were provided by me.

Made from Earth is a line of organic skincare products that are always free of parabens, synthetic preservatives, colors, and fragrances.  They’re a cruelty-free company and one that  fully supports The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. I recently received several Made from Earth products in the mail for review, and the Peppermint Herbal Conditioner’s lovely scent and no nonsense list of ingredients begged me to try it immediately. How could I resist?

Ingredients (provided at madefromearth.com)- “Organic Aloe Juice, Organic Lavender Distillate, Organic Roman Chamomile Distillate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Castor Seed Oil, Stearalkonium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrolized Wheat, Mentha piperita (Pepper mint) Essential Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Essential Oil, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Black Willow Bark Extract.”

I couldn’t locate this product in the Cosmetic Safety Database, so I linked to each ingredient above. The only ingredient with a hazard score above a 3 is Phenoxyethanol, and it earns a hazard score of 4.

Some great things about this product:

1.  It’s free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and synthetic coloring agents.

2.  It’s cruelty-free.

3. It contains organic ingredients.

4. The bottle is made from #1 plastic and is easily recyclable.

Product Description(also provided at madefromearth.com)- “This herbal and organic conditioner leaves your hair silky soft – and it also contains peppermint essential oil to stimulate the scalp area leaving you refreshed. All natural and plant-based ingredients restore elasticity and strength. It is designed to give your hair and scalp the optimum benefits of natural botanicals, rich plant moisturizers. Included is also our science-based formula of hair-enhancing vitamins and amino acids.

Peppermint is known for providing relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion. Its oil is useful for hair care as it gives a cooling effect while leaving a “waxy” coating on the hair. The conditioner forms a protective layer over each hair, and restores moisture to hair follicles.”

Price- $12.00 for an 8 oz. bottle, which seems to be pretty standard.

Performance-  After shampooing with Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo, I followed the directions provided on this product’s packaging and conditioned my hair twice. I was a little worried that doubling up on the conditioner might weigh my hair down, but I was pretty pleased with how shiny and manageable it ended up being. After a little blow drying and straightening with the help of my Jonathan Straightening Lotion, my hair was almost commercial material!

Scent- Combine the invigorating scents of peppermint and tea tree oil, and voilà! You wind up with this conditioner. The tea tree oil is much less obvious than the peppermint and is almost an afterthought, but it’s definitely there. Also, whoever decided to make shampoos, body washes, and conditioners smell like mint had to be a genius. I can’t think of a better addition to a sleepy morning shower.

Rating- 9/10. I subtracted 1 point for the ingredient with the hazard score of 4, but this product’s performance, scent, price, and remaining ingredients are all fantastic!

Would I purchase this item again? Yes, I certainly would.

*This product was provided by Made from Earth; the opinions were provided by me.

I gave up on concealer for a couple of years (with brief relapses when I needed to cover up a sunburn) because I realized how pointless clogging my pores to make my skin look better seemed.  Lately, though, my eyes have been looking a little tired, and my not-so-noticeable dark circles have become slightly more noticeable. While I’m still against the idea of using concealer to hide pimples, I am all for looking well-rested. My solution?  Josie Maran Argan Blend Concealer!

Ingredients (provided at sephora.com)-”Mica (CI 77019)**, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch**, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil**, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cera Alba (Beeswax**), Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tricaprylin, Cera Carnauba (Carnauba Wax)**, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax**, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Glycerides (and) Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides**, Myristyl Myristate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil**, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oil**, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil**, Linum Usitatissimum (Flax) Seed**, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil**, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)**, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol**. May Also Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) *Organic **Natural”

The Cosmetic Safety Database does have an Argan Concealer listed (and it receives a low hazard score of 2), but after comparing the two ingredient lists (Sephora and CSD), I found a few small differences. The concealer I’m reviewing contains Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, an ingredient with a hazard score of 0. The concealer listed in the CSD contains four ingredients  that are absent from the ingredient list of the concealer I’m reviewing: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ozokerite,  Nylon-12, and Lanolin Oil. In the longer, accurate ingredient list above, I’ve linked to the only two ingredients with hazard scores above a 2.

I feel like most of what I just typed is unnecessarily confusing, and for that I apologize. At the very least, I hope I managed to be thorough.

Some great things about this product:

1.  It’s free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, gmos, & triclosan.

2.  It’s cruelty-free.

3. It contains organic ingredients.

4. The concealer comes in a compact that includes a mirror. Nifty!

Product Description (provided at josiemarancosmetics.com)- “This unique two-shade Argan Blend Concealer provides long lasting and repairing coverage that hides all imperfections while hydrating the skin with Josie’s signature ingredient, Organic Argan Oil. Dual shades work together to correct and conceal flaws and highlight skin tone, helping women address the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, while concealing dark circles, blemishes, age spots, and redness.”

Price- $28.00 for a 0.32 oz compact. I know…it’s kind of expensive, but this concealer should last several months since I’m using it strictly under my eyes.

Performance-  To apply this concealer, I dabbed my ring finger (since I’m a dummy and either lost my concealer brush or don’t have one) in the darker bottom shade first and patted gently underneath my eyes. Then, I did the same with the lighter shade. I was pleasantly surprised by how natural it looked, and I quickly dabbed on a little blush/lip stain before running outside to take pictures.

I'm not sure what type of flowers those are behind me, but they smell like everything good and lovely in the world.

See that beautiful bird necklace I'm wearing? It was a gift from my friend Jillian. She's the greatest.

I applied this concealer around 3 pm yesterday, and it was still going strong when I removed my makeup around 12 am. I did notice some slight creases after running/sweating around 6 pm (I hadn’t planned to run when I put on concealer), but a little blending with my pinky solved this problem in no time. When removing this concealer, I’d suggest using coconut oil and a warm washcloth. It gently melts the concealer away, which is definitely preferable to scrubbing or rubbing the delicate skin underneath the eyes with soap.

Scent- I doesn’t have much of a scent at all, and lack of scent is probably a good quality for a concealer to possess.

Rating- 7/10. I subtracted 1 point for the creases that occurred after sweating (but no more, since I probably shouldn’t have been wearing concealer while running and will likely never do so again) and another 2 for the ingredients with a hazard score above a 2.

Would I purchase this item again? Yes, please!

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Ingredients (provided at sephora.com)- “Water, Rose Water, Glycerin, Quaternium-15, Carmine.”

I couldn’t find this product in the Cosmetic Safety Database, so I’ve linked to each ingredient above. The ingredient that concerns me most, or at all, is Quaternium-15. It has a high hazard score of 6 and acts as a formaldehyde releaser. Sheesh! I was initially drawn to this blush because it had so few ingredients (well, that and the exceptional performance). I guess fewer doesn’t always mean better, and it certainly doesn’t mean more natural.

Warning: This product has apparently been reformulated to also include parabens and a whole mess of other unnecessary stuff (either without my knowledge before I did this review or since).

Some great things about this product:

1.  This blush is a favorite of many and has won enough awards to prove it.
2. The bottle could easily be reused as a container for homemade cuticle oil or something similar.

Product Description (provided at benefitcosmetics.com)- “Our original rose-tinted stain is kiss-proof, see-through color for lips and cheeks. It’s the sexiest flush you can get from a bottle! Naturally sheer and sexy on all complexions…innocent yet provocative. Originally created for an exotic dancer in the 1970′s, benetint has soared to cult fave status. It’s loved by celebs, makeup artists and gals around the world! This rosy glow lasts for hours.”

Price- It’s $29.00 for a o.4 oz bottle. Again I say: Sheesh!

Performance- Danielle has been using and loving Benetint for years, so I had the pleasure of trying this product before purchasing it. Performance is one of the few areas in which this product doesn’t fall short. It gives my cheeks and lips the loveliest and most natural-looking rosy tint. It also has real staying power; I can wear it all day without needing to reapply (sometimes I do anyway, though, if I’m aiming to look a little fancier). I love that it’s a liquid rather than a cream or a powder, and I think this is how it manages to look so natural.

Benetint should be blended immediately after application, unless you want weird splotches on your cheeks/lips. I’d also avoid licking your lips after applying this stain. It tastes pretty bitter, and it’s probably not something you want to ingest.

Scent- This product smells sweet, pleasant, and very much like a rose.

Rating- I’m subtracting three points for the hazardous ingredient and another for the high price. 6/10.

Would I purchase this item again? After learning more about the ingredients, I probably won’t be able to justify purchasing this product again. Danielle and I are planning to make our own Beet Blush eventually, and I’m hoping it will give Benetint a run for its money. I wish I had done research a little sooner; I might’ve saved myself 30 dollars.

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Ingredients (provided at burtsbees.com)- “ethyl alcohol, water, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water, glycerin, fragrance, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.”

This product receives a hazard score of 4 on the Cosmetic Safety Database, and the only ingredient with a hazard score above a 3 is fragrance. The bottle says the fragrance is natural, and I guess that’s just vague enough to make it seem less threatening. The CSD also lists Sodium Benzoate as an ingredients, but the Burt’s Bees website and the bottle do not.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates & petrochemicals.
2. It’s cruelty-free.
3. The bottle is #1 plastic and can be recycled in Lake Charles.

Product Description (provided at burtsbees.com)- “Eliminate up to 99.99% of germs and make your hands smooth and soft, naturally, with this 100% natural hand sanitizer. This unique formula combines the effective germ-killing strength of corn-based alcohol with vitamin-rich Aloe Vera, to soften and moisturize hands, plus Witch Hazel to soothe skin. Clean hands on-the-go without water, naturally!”

Price- Ordinarily it’s around $5.oo for 2 oz, but I found it on sale for $2.50 at Walmart.

Performance- I expected this product to be really drying since it contains alcohol. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the contrary to be true. Maybe it’s the aloe vera, but this hand sanitizer actually leaves my hands feeling soft. None of the above can be said of the bright pink soap in most gas station bathrooms. I’ve skipped hand sanitizing of any sort many times to avoid using that soap; it’s actually embarrassing.

Scent- The scent reminds me of a gin and tonic, actually (or really any alcoholic beverage that includes gin and citrus).

Rating-I’m subtracting 2 points for the questionable ingredients, but this product gets a well-deserved 8 for saving me from the pink mystery soap.

Would I purchase this item again? Eh, maybe.

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Ingredients (provided at noahsnaturals.com)- “Organic Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Organic Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Bisabolol, Naturally Derived Fragrance*. *Indicates Plant Origin”

I couldn’t locate this product in the Cosmetic Safety Database, so I linked to each ingredient individually above. The following three ingredients concern me most: Retinyl Palmitate (8), Naturally Derived Fragrance (8), and Tocopheryl Acetate (4). I’m hoping “naturally derived fragrance” is somehow less hazardous than plain ol’ fragrance.

Some great things about this product:

1. It contains organic ingredients.

2. It’s free of parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, petrochemicals, animal by-products, and sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates.

3. It’s cruelty-free.

4. Noah’s Naturals products have been given the “natural seal” of approval from the Natural Products Association.

5. Noah’s Naturals gives 1% of its sales to environmental organizations.

6. The bottle is #1 plastic and can be recycled in Lake Charles.

Product Description (provided at noahsnaturals.com)- “This therapeutic massage oil is specially formulated to help relieve stress and calm the mind. The infusion of Eucalyptus and Basil help to provide a soothing and relaxing experience.”

Price- It sells for around $9.00 for a 6 fl. oz. bottle, but I purchased my bottle from either Ross or Marshalls for around $3.00.

Performance- First things first: I do not use this product as a massage oil. I’m not one for giving or receiving massages; I’m more of a hot bath/long nap kind of girl. Occasionally I’ll put several drops of this oil into my bath, but I usually just use it as a moisturizer on my arms and legs after showers. It makes my skin extra soft without leaving the oily residue I initially expected, and only a small amount is needed for each use. In other words, this bottle has lasted for months.

Scent- It smells like eucalyptus with a really sweet finish. I guess the sweetness I’m smelling must be the basil. I like the scent a lot, actually. I find it to be very relaxing.

Rating- 7/10. I subtracted 1 point for each of the ingredients with hazard scores above a 3.

Would I purchase this item again?- Maybe. Who knows? If I find it for $3.00 again, then I might not be able to pass up such a great deal.

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I purchased a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Coconut Hair Creme around last July, but I guess it got lost in the abyss that is my bathroom cabinet. I ended up giving it to Danielle at some point, and then it really wasn’t a concern of mine. I’m not sure what reminded me of it, but here I am with a very late review.

Ingredients (provided at drbronner.com)- “Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Ethanol, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Lavender Oil, Organic Quillaja Saponaria Extract, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol.”

This product receives a hazard score of two in the Cosmetic Safety Database. For whatever reason, Avocado Oil is wrongly listed as one of the ingredients in the CSD, but this shouldn’t change the hazard score much (if at all). The only ingredient with a hazard score above a two is Ethanol, and it has a hazard score of five.

Here’s what the CSD has to say about Ethanol, in case you weren’t feeling up to clicking the above link:

“Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is considered broadly toxic and linked to birth defects following excessive oral ingestion. Potential risks from ethanol in personal care products are significantly smaller than the health risks posed by the consumption of alcoholic beverages.”

Some great things about this product:

1. It contains organic ingredients.

2. It’s free of parabens, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

3. It’s cruelty-free.

4. It’s certified Fair Trade by IMO.

5. The bottle is 100% post consumer recycled content, and it’s a #1 plastic (easily recyclable).

Product Description (provided at drbronner.com)- “Certified by the same National Organic program that certifies organic food, our conditioning & styling crème provides light styling hold while making hair silky soft without any synthetic ingredients. Organic virgin coconut oil makes hair shiny & luxurious, organic jojoba oil imparts excellent manageability and feel, while the organic hemp oil moisturizes and softens hair.”

Price- $7.99 for a 6 oz. bottle or $9.99 for an 8 oz. bottle

Performance- I used this hair creme strictly as a leave-in conditioner, and I never really noticed a marked difference in my hair after using it. It might’ve been a little shinier, but it also left it feeling slightly oily (which is why I never used this product for light styling, despite the bottle’s suggestion).

Scent- I smelled very little coconut and a whole lot of lavender and alcohol when I used this product. Looking back, my dissatisfaction with this product probably had a lot to do with the alcohol smell.

Rating- 5/10. I subtracted four points for the less than stellar performance and another for the one questionable (and smelly) ingredient. The reasonable price and other decent ingredients are worth at least five points.

Would I purchase this item again?- Probably not. Since I forgot about it and eventually gave it away, this product clearly wasn’t the one for me. I don’t mean to say this product is completely worthless; maybe I just didn’t/don’t have the right hair texture/type for it.

Image Courtesy of eoproducts.com

After finishing my bottle of Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash, I began searching for something with an ingredient list that wasn’t tainted by fragrance.  When I came across EO Essentials Orange Ginger Spice Shower Gel, I must’ve been so pleased by the price and the lack of synthetic fragrance that I forgot to analyze the rest of the ingredient list before purchasing it.

Ingredients (provided on product packaging)- “Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Vegetable Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, EO Essential Oil Blend, EO Organic Herbal Blend [Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis),Organic Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) Extract, Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract, and Organic White Tea (Camelia Sinensis) Leaf Extract], Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Organic Cranberry Flavor Concentrate, Organic Hibiscus Flavor Concentrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate.”

I couldn’t find this specific product in the Cosmetic Safety Database, but a very similar EO Essentials Shower Gel receives a hazard score of 4. That isn’t a complete deal-breaker, but what’s more unnerving is the amount of suspicious-sounding ingredients with large data gaps.

Some great things about this product:

1. It contains organic ingredients.

2. It’s free of parabens, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and disodium EDTA.

3. It’s cruelty-free.

4. The bottle is made from 100% recycled content and is #1 plastic (which means that it can be recycled in Lake Charles).

5. According to the product packaging, EO is “a small family owned and operated business located in Marin County, California.”

Product Description (provided at eoproducts.com)- ” EO Orange & Ginger Spice Shower Gel gently cleanses with pure Essential Oil & organic herbal blends to soothe & nourish the skin. Pure Sweet Orange, Spicy Ginger Extracts and Organic Botanicals pamper the senses and reward the body. Bask in the decadent scent and ultra nurturing botanicals to treat your body to the ultimate skin experience. Our richly foaming Coconut Oil Cleansing Complex combines with rich and soothing Aloe Vera to gently cleanse skin without drying.”

Price- It sells for around $10 for a 32 oz. bottle.

Performance- I’d be lying if I said this product was lacking in the performance department. My skin still feels hydrated after using it, and it forms just enough lather that I feel clean… but not so much that I feel like I’m washing my body with dish detergent.

Scent- This shower gel has a really warm and pleasant scent that reminds me of fall. It smells like mulled cider mixed with gingerbread men.

Rating- I’m subtracting two points each for the ingredients that concern me most: Benzyl Alcohol & Phenoxyethanol.  6/10

Would I purchase this item again?- No. I love the scent and performance of this product, but I’m not comfortable enough with the ingredients to stick with it.

Image Courtesy of Carenonline.com

I’ve been using The Answer’s Ideal Eyes Anti-Aging Eye Cream for several months now. While typing up Wednesday’s review of Karen’s Botanicals Perfect Lotion, I realized (after mentioning and then attempting to link to my review of the eye cream) that I’ve yet to actually review this fantastic product.

Ingredients (provided at carenonline.com)- “Rose hydrosol*, sunflower seed oil*, helichrysum hydrosol*, meadowfoam seed oil, plum kernel oil*, jojoba oil*, rosehip seed oil*, blue/green algae extract*, mango seed butter, distilled water, vegetable glycerin, macadamia nut oil*, emulsifying wax NF, green tea extract*, vitamin E, essential oils of elemi* and carrot seed*, rosemary extract and grapefruit seed extract.
*Certified organic ingredient.”

I couldn’t find this product in the Cosmetic Safety Database so I searched each ingredient individually. A disappointing amount the ingredients had large data gaps (which means they haven’t been “assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel”), and two of the ingredients had hazard scores higher than a 3 (emulsifying wax NF* & grapefruit seed extract). At least most of the ingredients sound like things that are found in nature, right? I’m taking a great deal of comfort in that.

*I’ve just been informed by Ellen Holder, creator of The Answer, that “the emulisfying wax used in The Answer for Skin’s products is EcoMulse, which is EcoCert approved for use in organic products but there is no where on EWG’s Skin Deep database to specify this.” She also said that The Answer For Skin uses “a combination of rosemary extract and a tiny bit of grapefruit seed extract to prevent mold and bacteria growth–a must for an eye cream.” All of this sounds logical, and it also eases my mind. And who better to hear it from than the creator of the product line?

Some great things about this product:

1. It contains organic ingredients.

2. It’s free of parabens.

3. I will definitely be reusing the tiny glass jar that holds this product.

Product Description (also provided at carenonline.com)- “The Answer’s Ideal Eyes anti-aging eye cream is your best defense in fighting the aging process around the eye area. This thin-skinned area is often the first place to show signs of aging and needs powerful, yet super light and gentle, ingredients that can penetrate quickly and easily.  Ideal Eyes contains an arsenal of nature’s best anti-aging fighters.   Essential oil of elemi [EL-uh-mee] is highly regarded for boosting collagen support, reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles and has cell-regeneration properties, rejuvenating wrinkled, sagging skin.  Combined with vitamin A-rich carrot seed and antioxidant-rich sea algae and green tea, this nourishing eye cream feeds the skin of your delicate eye area.  Moisturizing plant oils of meadowfoam, rosehip, macadamia, and sunflower seed are rich in vitamins A, C and E and rich fatty acids.  It’s like a complete balanced diet for eye area.”

Price- It’s a little pricey at $27.95 for .5 oz. Fortunately, I managed to snag a 5 ml sample size for around 5 dollars before they stopped offering it at carenonline.com (which was an amazing deal, because I’ve still got half a jar after using the eye cream once a day for months). Use this product sparingly as the directions suggest, and you’ll be much more likely to get your money’s worth.

Performance-I recommended this product to a friend, so I’m obviously a fan of it. I used it as a daytime eye cream before discovering Perfect Lotion, and I loved that it made my under eye area glow. When used sparingly, it never caused my eye makeup to run. I currently use it as a nighttime eye cream, and it fills this role just as dreamily. It’s gentle and soothing, and I feel good about the possibility of it preventing and/or delaying wrinkles.

Scent- It doesn’t have much of a scent at all, but I guess it very faintly smells like cinnamon.  Who knows why that’s the case, since cinnamon is nowhere to be found on the ingredient list.

Rating- 8/10. I subtracted one point for each of the two questionable ingredients.

Would I purchase this item again?- I won’t rule it out completely, but I might go for something with even better ingredients next time…especially since this product isn’t sold in a try me! size anymore. I’m afraid it’ll go bad before I even use it all if I splurge for the .5 oz jar!