I’ve always heard that unrefined coconut oil is the way to go when it comes to cooking, and this makes plenty of sense.  Apparently the polyphenols in coconut oil, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, are damaged during the refining process. I’ve also read that the proteins/minerals are significantly diminished after being refined.

 But because it was the cheaper option at the health food store, I’ve been moisturizing my body with organic refined coconut oil for the past couple of weeks. Common sense tells me that since my skin is  my largest organ, I might be better off opting for unrefined coconut oil when it comes to moisturizing, but frugality tells me to get over it. After all, it is still organic, expeller pressed, and processed under the same guidelines as any USDA organic product. Like I said, I’ve found plenty of information that would be helpful if I were cooking with it (one & two)…but not so much related to putting it on my body.

Any helpful input is encouraged. : )

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Today’s review is of Stark Skincare’s Cypress Purity+Defense Oil, the last of the Stark samples I received for review. Since all of the products have been such a treat, I won’t say I saved the best for last…but this oil sure is special!

Ingredients (provided by Jessica and soon to be up at starkskincare.com)- “Oryza sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Camellia oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Argania spinosa (Argan) Nut Oil,Tocopherol (vitamin E), Cupressus sempervirens (Cypress) oil, Citrus bergamia (bergamot) oil, and pure essential oils/huiles essentielles pures.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a low hazard score of 2.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants.

2. It’s vegan and cruelty-free.

3. This product comes in a reusable glass bottle with dropper.

Product Description(provided at starkskincare.com)- “This antioxidant-rich facial oil has been formulated with 5 powerful yet light plant oils that nourish and protect skin from environmental damage, with a refreshing blend of essential oils that decongest skin and regulate sebum production. We also use plant resins that give this oil a deep green woodsy scent, that finishes with a light, citrus and vanilla-like scent on the skin (or hair!), perfect for men and women!”

Price- $45 for a 1 fl. oz. bottle.

Performance- You guys, this oil is somethin’ else. From the way it made my skin feel (extraordinarily soft) and look (positively radiant), to the uplifting, invigorating scent (see below), it could easily become one of my favorite oils I’ve used. My only complaint regarding this product is that my sample ran out too soon. I’m almost certain that the tone and overall condition of my skin would’ve continued to improve with prolonged use.

Scent- Earthy yet bright, pleasant and gender neutral. I especially loved moisturizing with this oil in the morning; a deep breath after application is just the right way to start any day.

Rating- 9.5/10. I’m subtracting half a point simply because I wouldn’t ordinarily spend $45 on an oil.

Today I’ll be reviewing Stark Skincare’s Grapefruit Cleanse+Hydrate Balm. If you’re not already aware of how much I love multi-use products, then you’re about to be. Sit tight!

Ingredients (provided by Jessica and soon to be up at starkskincare.com)- “Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Fruit Butter, Cocos nucifera (Virgin Coconut) Oil, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Glycine soja (Soybean) butter Candelilla (Euphorbia cerifera ) Wax, Camellia oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Maranta Arundinacea (Arrowroot) Root Powder, Citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel wax, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), pure essential oils/huiles essentielles pures.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a low hazard score of 1; the only individual ingredient with a hazard score above a 2 is unspecified oils, but I’m not worried about this since they’re essential oils.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of synthetic dyes, fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants.

2. It’s vegan and cruelty-free.

3. Like the others, this product comes in a reusable glass jar.

4. The soybean butter used is non-GMO.

Product Description(provided at starkskincare.com)- “This water-less balm has the unique concept of being both cleanser and hydrator! Similar to the “oil cleansing method” popular in Europe or cold-creams our mothers and grandmothers used, this balm can be used to melt away daily grime and dirt, replenishing your skin with healthy, antioxidant-rich plant-derived oils and butters! Next, the balm can be used as a moisturizer, alone or with Stark’s CYPRESS Purity + Defense oil (an especially luxurious treat for a night-time ritual). Use on dry elbows, parched lips or fly-away hair or as a great after-shave balm! ”

Price- $40 for a 2 oz. jar. While $40 isn’t exactly cheap for a moisturizer or a cleanser by itself, I can much more easily justify paying that price for a product I could use as both (especially since only a small amount is needed to get the job done).

Performance- A couple of months ago, I tried the oil cleansing method with success, but I’d be lying if I were to say I had high hopes when it came to cleansing my skin with a balm. To my surprise, my skin reacted beautifully. After a little over a week of using this product, my face was clearer than ever, extra soft, and remarkably hydrated. I used this balm to cleanse in the morning and as a moisturizer at night, and in doing this I seem to have struck some sort of magical balance. I continued cleansing with my Karen’s Botanicals Gentle Cleansing Lotion at night, and I followed the A.M. cleansing balm with Stark’s Cypress Purity+Defense Oil as a moisturizer (review to come tomorrow). Since it’s a multi-purpose product, this balm would be perfect for traveling  (my goal is to eventually carry less than three toiletry bags with me on weekend trips).

Scent- Did someone say Fruit Loops? I did, because that’s what this lovely product smells like. SOLD.

Rating- 10/10.

Remember my mention of the Olivella Nourishment Cream sample I received? Well, today I’ll be reviewing it!

Ingredients (provided on product packaging)- water, olive fruit oil,glycerin,cetearyl olivate,shea butter, hydrogenated olive oil,sorbitan olivate,olive oil, sweet almond oil, rose seed oil,sunflower seed oil, corn oil,chamomile extract,carrot root extract,hypericum perforatum extract,glyceryl linoleate,glyceryl caprylate,sodium dehydroacetate, ascorbyl palmitate,lecithin,tocopherol,xanthan gum,citric acid.

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a hazard score of 5. Fragrance is the only ingredient with a hazard score above a 3 (ingredients with large data gaps aside). I’ve emailed the company to see if the fragrances they use are phthalate-free. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, and I’ll let you guys know as soon as I do.

Some great things about this product:

1. It’s free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, and gluten.

2. It’s cruelty-free.

Product Description(provided at olivellausa.com)- “Olivella Nourishment Cream is a natural night and day face cream, rich yet light and extremely
absorbable, non-greasy, leaves skin perfectly nourished, granting an immediate pleasant feeling and an extraordinary vitality and softness. Great cream for dry skins, protects skins from external agents and prevents aging. Uses an exclusive natural Nourish-compensator which exercises a fundamental role in maintaining and/or restoring the surface lipidic barrier.”

Price-$18.99 for a 1.69 fl oz container.

Performance- Since it’s pretty rich, I’ve been using this product strictly underneath my eyes. It’s perfect for this area, and it consistently leaves the skin feeling soft and moisturized. And even though it’s rich/thick, it has a nice and surprisingly lightweight feel after it’s applied. It wears well under concealer, which is a definite plus.

Scent- Rich, floral, and almost a little masculine. I like it, but it might be a bit overwhelming if I were applying the product to a larger area.

Rating- Assuming the fragrance is phthalate-free, this product deserves a 9/10 (subtracting half a point for the heavy scent and another for the price). I will edit this rating if I hear otherwise regarding the fragrance.

The Omega Daily Moisturizer is the last Sophyto product I’ll be reviewing for now. I’ve enjoyed this brand a great deal, though, so I have a feeling you’ll see it again on the blog soon.  : )

Ingredients (provided at sophyto.com)- “aqua (spring water), *simondsia californica (jojoba) seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, *butyrosperum parkii (karite) fruit butter, *helianthus annus (sunflower) seed oil, *daucus carota sativa (carrot) root extract, sodium stearoyl lactylate, glyceryl stearate, *oenothera biennis (evening primrose) seed oil, *punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil, *rubus idaeus (raspberry) seed oil, *cera alba (beeswax), *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice powder, levulinic acid, sodium dehydroacetate, lecithin, *paeonia lactiflora (white peony) flower extract, *rosa damascena (rose) flower extract, glycerin, tocopherol, *guar gum, xanthum gum, *alcohol denat, sodium hydroxide, citric acid  *Organic, 90% 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 3. The only ingredient with a hazard score above a 2 is lecithin.

However, as Ishtar pointed out, “lecithin is listed as moderately toxic despite the fact that it is known to be a safe emollient. Yes, it is derived from soy and it is also a penetration enhancer but the rating is the same whether it comes from a GM-Free source or not, or whether or not toxic ingredients are used along with the lecithin.”

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)- “Ultrahydrating, lightweight formula with ingredients that help reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin’s elasticity. Optimum levels of nourishing fatty acids and deep hydrating agents maintain a supple, smoother looking complexion. AWARD FINALIST “Best Eco Beauty Finalist” 2011 CEW Awards. Always guaranteed to be free from artificial fragrance, colors, fillers and parabens. pH 5 for normal skin range.”

Price- around $45 for a 50 ml bottle.

Performance- This product was hydrating and lightweight and everything I could hope for in a moisturizer. I have no complaints. However, my love for the Super Skin Concentrate ultimately overshadowed this little guy.

Scent- It honestly doesn’t have much of a scent.

Rating- I’m subtracting half a point for the hazard score of 2 and another since $45 is more than I’d usually spend on a moisturizer.

The collection I’ve been reviewing came with two moisturizers from which to choose. Naturally, I chose to alternate between the two. Today I’ll be reviewing the Tocotrienol Super Skin Concentrate, and tomorrow I’ll be reviewing the Omega Daily Moisturizer!

Ingredients (provided at sophyto.com)- “*prunus armeniaca (apricot) seed oil, *punica grantum (pomegranate) seed oil, *rubus idaeus (raspberry) seed oil, *vaccinium oxycoccos (cranberry) seed oil, *rosa canina (rosehip) seed oil, tocopherol, ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract *Organic, 99% of the agricultural ingredients are produced organically.”

The preliminary report I created for this product in the Cosmetics Database gives it a low hazard score of 0. There is no individual ingredient with a hazard score 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.

4. I can and will reuse the nifty glass bottle.

Product Description(provided at sophyto.com)- “Rich in 100% pure alpha, beta, gamma and delta Vitamin E, the powerful synergy of organic fruit oils and NATURAL ORIGIN CoQ10 (trans-isomer) will nourish and protect while helping repair UV damaged and environmentally stressed skin.  Naturally derived phospholipids help hydrate and smooth skin’s texture, delivering visibly more radiant, healthier looking skin. Suitable for all skin types. AWARD FINALIST “Best Eco Beauty Finalist” 2011 CEW Awards. Always guaranteed to be free from artificial fragrance, colors, fillers and parabens.  pH refers to the hydrogen ion concentration in an aqueous solution. Oils are not water soluble so their acidity cannot be measured in terms of pH.”

Price- around $54 for a 30 ml bottle.

Performance- Of the two moisturizers I received, this was definitely my favorite. It left my skin so soft and hydrated, and somehow my face seemed less oily in its problem areas and more balanced overall after just two weeks of use. I love it! Also, this moisturizer and the Multivitamin Facial Serum are a dream team if I’ve ever seen one.

Scent-It’s faintly fruity and entirely pleasant.

Rating-10 big ones!

I recently began using Sophyto’s Daily Skin Rejuvenation Collection, so I’ll be reviewing some or all of the products individually in the future. It’s far too soon to give a definitive opinion, but my skin isn’t revolting against me yet (which is always a good sign). Be on the lookout for the reviews!

And be on the lookout tomorrow specifically for a recipe that will rock your worlds.

]]> http://turbyandjohn.com/2012/01/26/upcoming-reviews-sophytos-daily-skin-rejuvenation-collection/feed/ 1 10/10 http://turbyandjohn.com/2011/12/26/beija-flor-naturals-amazon-anti-oxidant-treatment-review/ http://turbyandjohn.com/2011/12/26/beija-flor-naturals-amazon-anti-oxidant-treatment-review/#comments Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:00:06 +0000 Dawn http://dawnandkirby.porchswingmedia.com/?p=3485

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

From Left to Right:

Captain Blankenship Mantra Perfume Sample- I ran out of this dreamy sample almost immediately. After Jana heard about how much I liked this particular scent, she kindly offered to send me my own roll-on for free! My Christmas list just got a little shorter.

Wash the Day Away Calming Chamomile Facial Elixir- Since running out of this product, which I loved, I’ve been cleansing my face with another oil blend of Danielle’s.

Burt’s Bees Aloe & Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer- While I did enjoy this product, I probably won’t purchase it again since the ingredients could be better. I’ll probably pick up a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray next.

Karen’s Botanicals Perfect Lotion-I tried to make this lotion last as long as I possibly could, and I think I did a pretty good job. Now that it’s gone, I’m pretty bummed out. I need the largest bottle available, and fast!

Dr. Bronner’s Tea Tree Castile Soap- Luckily, when I was home for Thanksgiving, my mom bought me a huge bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Almond Soap to replace my dwindling supply of the other.

All done! Depending on how many products I finish this month, maybe I’ll do another at the end of December. Let me know if you guys do a similar post so I can check it out. : )

P.S. Be sure to check back tomorrow for a lovely giveaway! Here’s a hint: I’ll be giving away a product pictured above.

Along with my new 100% Pure cosmetics, I also received several body cream samples in a few different scents- cabernet grape, honey almond, and green apple. I won’t judge you for being jealous; that’s a normal reaction to have.

Ingredients (provided at100percentpure.com)-

Cabernet Grape- “Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Juice)1, Organic ROsa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose Hydrosol)2, Theobroma Cacao Seed (Cocoa) Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado Butter), Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Seed Oil, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil3, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Extracts of Vitis Vinifera Fruit (Cabernet Grape), Organic Coffea Lona (Green Coffee)4, Organic Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Fruit5, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Rubus Idaeus Fruit (Raspberry)5, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit (Blackberry) and Organic Camelia Sinensis Leaf (White Tea)3, Citric Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water (Witch Hazel), Extracts of Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf (Rosemary), Origanum Vulgare Leaf (Oregano), Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf (Thyme) and Hydrastis Vanadensis (Goldenseal), Ethyl Alcohol (Grain Alcohol), Extracts of Euterpe Oleracca Fruit (Acai Berry), Resveratrol, Organic Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea)3, Garcinia Mangosteen Peel (Mangosteen), Lycium Barbarum Fruit (Goji Berry), Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Sambucus Canadensis (Elderberry) and Vitis Vinifera Skin (Muscadine Grape).

1 certified organic by SGS organic
2 certified organic by Ceres GmbH
3 certified organic by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic
4 certified organic by Hawaii Organic Farmers Association
5 certified organic by USDA”

Honey Almond- “Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice1, Organic Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose Hydrosol)2, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Butter, Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Seed Oil, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip Oil) Seed Extract3, Euphorbia Cerifcra Cera (Candelilla Wax) Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C) and Resveratrol, Extracts of Prunus Amygfalus Dulcis (Almond) Fruit, Organic Coffea Arabica (Kona Green Coffe) Seed4, Organic Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Fruit5, Punica Granatum (Pomegrante), Organic Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit5, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit, Organic Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf3, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosmary) Leaf, Origanum Vulgare (Oregano) Leaf, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai Berry) Fruit, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf3, Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen) Peel, Lycium Chinense (Goji Berry) Fruit, Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Sambucus Canadensis Gaprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle) and Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Citric Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana WAter (Witch Hazel) and Alcohol (Grain)

1 certified organic by SGS organic
2 certified organic by Ceres GmbH
3 certified organic by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic
4 certified organic by Hawaii Organic Farmers Association
5 certified organic by QAI”

Green Apple-”Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Juice)1, Organic Rosa Centifolia Flower Water (Rose Hydrosol)2, Theobroma Cacao Seed (Cocoa) Butter, Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado Butter), Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) Seed Oil, Organic Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil3, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, RIbes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Pyrus Malus (Apple Flavor), Extracts of Organic Coffee Kona (Green Coffee)4, Organic Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry)5, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate), Organic Rubus Idaeus Fruit (Raspberry)5, Rubus Fruicosus Fruit (Blackberry) and Organic Camelia Sinensis Leaf (White Tea)3, Citric Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water (Witch Hazel), Extracts of Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle), Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf (Rosemary), Origanum Vulgare Leaf (Oregano), Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf (Thyme) and Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Ethyl Alcohol (Grain Alcohol), Resveratrol, Extracts of Euterpe Oleracea Fruit (Acai Berry), Organic Camelllia Sinensis Leaf (Green Tea)3, Garcinia Mangosteen Peel (Mangosteen), Lycium Barbarum Fruit (Goji Berry), Aristotelia Chilensis (Maqui Berry), Samvucus Canadensis (Elderberry) and Vitis CInifera Skin (Muscadine Grape)

1 certified organic by SGS organic
2 certified organic by Ceres GmbH
3 certified organic by Oregon Tilth Certified Organic
4 certified organic by Hawaii Organic Farmers Association
5 certified organic by USDA”

The preliminary reports that I created in the Cosmetics Database give these products each a hazard score of 1. The 1 ingredient I left out of each report is maqui berry, which the site didn’t recognize. There are no ingredients in these products with hazard scores higher than 2, but there are a few ingredients with no data.

Some great things about these products:

1. They contain organic ingredients.

2. They’re of parabens, petrochemicals, retinyl palmitate, phthalates, artificial fragrance, artificial colors & chemical preservatives.

3. They’re cruelty-free (and the only animal product 100% pure uses is cruelty-free honey).

Product Description(provided at 100percentpure.com)- “Highly nourishing, luxurious cream concentrated with potent anti-aging antioxidants, vitamins, skin softening fruit oils and moisturizing cocoa and avocado butters. Delicious smelling body cream will immediately hydrate, soften and feed your skin nutrients for a healthy, glowing complexion. Truly, 100% Pure – never any artificial fragrances, synthetic chemicals, toxic preservatives, or any other unsafe ingredients. Made only with the highest quality, organic nutrients for your skin.”

Price- Each 8 oz. bottle costs around $15.

Performance- If soft, hydrated skin if what you’re after (and who isn’t?), then these body creams are right up your alley. They won’t leave you feeling greasy or oily, and your skin will be smooth from morning until night!

Scent- The cabernet grape smells like grape kool-aid- what a treat! The green apple smells like a sour apple blow pop (another treat, but this scent is much more fleeting). The honey almond is definitely my favorite scent of the three. It reminds me a little of a maraschino cherry, which I love.

Rating- I’m giving the Grape and Apple lotions each an 8/1o, since the scents aren’t really something I’d consider wearing daily (regardless of how yummy they might smell).

The Honey Almond earns a 10/10. It seems to be a much more versatile scent, and it’s one I’d likely wear day after day.

Average rating: 9/10!

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