When the summer heat is on, sun protection is a must. But how do you determine a truly safe sunscreen from the many options out there?

Recently, the northeastern seaboard turned into a giant microwave oven, searing its occupants with 90-degree plus weather and, I’m pretty sure, 10,000 percent humidity. With sunscreen and summer still a novel concept, people frolicked care-free in the sun in madras pants and flowing dresses. I was one of them. Spending almost the entirety of Saturday in the sun, I diligently applied and reapplied my favorite certified organic sunscreen.

What happened? While my sunscreen held up, my applications skills did not. A bright red splotch still beams from the top of my foot. A streak of angry red runs along my neckline. There are actual thumb prints on my knees. I am an excellent walking public service announcement for why sunscreen matters.

Sun safety is paramount, and this includes safe sunscreen options. What do we mean by safe? As we recently outlined, some ingredients in conventional sunscreens might act as suspected hormone-disruptors and support the acceleration of tumors and lesions. Suddenly, a little sunburn doesn’t seem so bad—except sunburns, of course, may cause skin cancer.

Luckily, the safety-conscious sun worshippers among us have options. The Environmental Working Group recently released their 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, outlining their picks of the best sunscreen and SPF products on the market. This list includes 184 beach and sports sunscreen, as well as 22 moisturizers containing SPF.

Which ones to pick? We’d sign off on any of them, as well as these EcoSalon-approved protectors. Here are five of our favorite sunscreens from the EWG’s 2013 compilation.

1. John Masters Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($32.00)

From organic specialist John Masters Organics come this lovely, lightweight sunscreen suitable for all skin types. With titanium dioxide and zinc oxide offering a broad spectrum protection, it also acts as an excellent moisturizer. Made with extracts of green tea, shea butter and jojoba oil hydrate, this certified organic product is biodegradable and reef-friendly. The EWG gives it a 2 (a 1 is the highest rating), citing excellent sunscreen stability and a good UVA/UVB balance of protection.

2. Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm, SPF 15 ($29.45)

This mineral sunscreen offers up a solid chemical-free protection. Acting as a physical sunblock that bounces the sun’s rays off your skin (chemical sunscreens absorb it), this balm brings an intense 22 percent zinc oxide protection. It also contains natural vitamin E, the gold-standard ingredient for skin health. The EWG gives it an overall rating of 2, citing an excellent balance of UVA/UVB protection and stability.

3. Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Face Stick SPF 50 ($9.99)

Aveeno—yes, that Aveeno—offers up this easy-to-use sun protection in a handy stick. Using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for its protection, this product is both oil and fragrance free. The EWG gives it a rating of a 2, citing excellent sunscreen stability and good UVA protection. Who knew the aisle at your local drug store could be so EWG-friendly?

4. DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ ($20.76)

One of the best trends in sunscreen is light protection that doesn’t make you feel like a 1970s lifeguard smearing white streaks of zine oxide on her nose. (Though, 40 years later, said lifeguard likely has a lovely, sun-protected nose.) I, for one, am so adverse to that oily sunscreen feeling that I’d rather walking around in a personal radiation suit. So, three cheers for the moisturizer plus sunscreen from DeVita Solar. Given a rating of a 1 from the EWG, it offers up excellent UVA protection, as well as sunscreen stability.

5. Episencial Sunscreen SPF 35 ($15.00)

For “ages 0-150 years,” this broad spectrum sunscreen offers up a light, water-resistant protection. Made with organic green tea and zinc, it can be worn in the water (or sprinklers!) for up to 80 minutes. The EWG gives it the highest rating of a 1, citing its excellent stability, as well as good UVA and UVB balance.

Photo: Flickr/M00by

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Your phone starts ringing loud enough to wake the dead. Despite the intense collection of rocks stationed on your forehead, you reach out and silence the noise. Sure, you silence it by throwing your phone into a laundry pile which you will frantically tear into later, searching for your phone. Then you turn your aching eyeballs to your nightstand, where a full glass of water sits within reach. It mocks you like the vodka you kicked back just a few hours before. That’s when you realize with the regret of a thousand tequila shots: the hangover has cometh.

From the occasional imbiber to the hard-partying, most of us who partake in the spirits have gone a tad overboard at one point or another. And what comes next is, shall we say, not pretty. Putting all unpleasant bodily feelings and functions aside for Web MD, let’s talk about what our face is doing. (Besides vomiting. Thanks, Web MD.)

Hangover face, like ex-boyfriends or bedbugs, manifests in different ways. Some of us have dry, papery, wrinkly skin around the eyes which are simultaneously puffy and dark-ringed. Others wake up coated in a grease slick to rival a mechanic’s garage floor. How best to fix hangover face? Here are a five solutions to feel better.

1. Puffy eyes and dark circles, ahoy!
For some, a night of drinking results in a curious morning mask, and I’m not talking about the one you wish you were wearing during your walk of shame. Puffy eyes or dark circles make an appearance, sometimes delightfully conspiring to do so at the same time.

For puffy eyes, or fluid trapped under your eyeballs, consider this home remedy. Grab two organic tea bags, steep in hot water, and let them cool. (If you know thyself and thy drinking habits, consider having steeped tea bags on standby.)

Then spend a few minutes relaxing with them over your eyes. Black tea is great for caffeine, which can reduce redness by restricting blood vessels. Herbal tea, like chamomile, works well to sooth redness and inflammation. Both often contain tannins, which help get the blood flowing.

You can also considering a product like Yon-Ka Phyto-Contour ($47.00), containing 94 percent natural ingredients. It offers rosemary extracts to help reduces puffiness and dark circles. Gently massage this fragrant cream below your eyes with your fingertips.

2. When your morning glow outshines the sun.
Hangover face can involve waking up with skin so oily it looks like it should have a congressional hearing to determine who is at fault. (Also see: sleeping in your makeup.) With sebum production in overdrive, consider a gentle, natural cleanser to restore your face to normal. Avoid harsh exfoliates or anything too stripping, as your body is already focused on hydrating and healing.

A great gentle cleanser to consider is John Master Organics Linden Blossom Face Cream ($22). Made with some certified organic ingredients, it contains soothing aloe vera and rose water.

3. Your skin is red and blotchy.
Another unfortunate side effect of alcohol can be red and/or blotchy skin, similar to the look of rosacea. Since alcohol causes the blood to flow closer to the skin, expanding small capillaries and already-visible veins, you make look as if your lipstick has traveled up over your nose and cheeks. It’s especially common in the fair-hued, which is why the Irish call it “drinker’s nose.”

Aloe vera is a great soother for red and inflamed skin. If you have some pure aloe vera, massage some into your face. You can also consider this Soothing Serum from Juice Beauty ($36.00). Containing organic aloe vera and white grape juice, this product contains certified organic ingredients.

4. Water, water everywhere—especially on your face.
Your parched throat isn’t the only part of your body screaming for water after a night of drinking. Your dry skin might look like it has been hanging out on a clothes line in the dead of winter. Hopefully you remember to down at least one glass of water before you collapsed into bed the night before. If not, drink up. You need to rehydrate on every level, and the free stuff coming out of your faucet is your best bet.

Also, be sure to spritz. I’m an established groupie of Thayer’s Rose Petal Alcohol-Free Toner ($9.95), which I keep in a water spritzer by my sink. This product contains tannins of witch hazel and offers an immediate, protective layer on your skin. And the best part? You don’t even have to raise your head if you have it stashed by your bedside. Which is a plus when your brain feels like it’s made of bowling balls.

5. Moisturize and moisturize.
Last, but certain not least, be sure to treat your face to a repairing moisturizer. Yes, you aptly tended to your insides with many glasses of H20. But once you’re up and about, previous drinks now a fading memory, remember to thank your skin for putting up with your shenanigans.

Take this time to indulge in your favorite moisturizer. You can also consider the Herbal Hydration Complex ($47.00) from Farmaesthetics. Made with organic shea butter and witch hazel, it’s a cooling mask designed to quench your skin in moisture while calming irritated skin.

photo credit: sidewalk flying via photopin cc,  Svadilfari via photopin cc

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Simple beauty tips for a balanced budget.

Green beauty has flourished in the past several years, bringing clean ingredients to the masses. And nothing ushers forth an ageless natural beauty like products free of harmful chemicals. But the price of clean beauty can sometimes be more than a green goddess wants to pay. The good news? You can still get age-defying, top-shelf products without composting the innards of your wallet.

Here are ten green beauty products that will brighten your age-less beauty on a budget.

Raw Sugar Scrub by Strawberry Hedgehog ($20.00)
For a youthful glow, toner and moisturizer are your best friends. But a good body scrub is your wise, cool auntie who can talk about the days of Woodstock yet still crack you up on Twitter. The key to skin renewal is to make dead skin the enemy, and this organic Raw Sugar Scrub from vegan experts Strawberry Hedgehog does just that. Made with organic sweet almond and apricot kernel oils, vegan sugar, and pure essential oils, this sweet but simple products offers up an excellent exfoliation.

Not to mention it’s in a mason jar.

Sensitive Care Lotion, Chamomile, by Seventh Generation ($7.99)
Dry, flaky skin is the bane of aging—seriously, it should be wearing a cape and twirling a moustache, it’s so evil. But even the most supple-skinned maiden knows to reach for a daily moisturizer to maintain her dewy hue. Green product giant Seventh Generation offers up this gentle, 95% plant-based product which provides deep moisture with a light application.

Bearberry Oily Skin Balancing & Toning Mist by John Masters Organics ($20.00)
Toner is like the available nice guy we’re supposed to live happily ever after with at the end of the romantic comedy. We ignore toner when, the entire time, the answer is right there in front of our face. One of the best ways to maintain and brighten your complexion, toners can restore your skin’s natural pH levels while protecting your skin against stress and pollutants. This offer from organic skin experts John Masters Organics provides a moisturizing coverage made up of certified organic ingredients.

Apple Brightening Cleanser by MyChelle Dermaceuticals ($13.39)
As we age, our skin can take on a dull tone which only works to add years to our complexion. This product from MyChelle Dermaceuticals promises to gently cleanse away the look of discoloration and sun damage, all the while offering up a fun, fruity scent. It is free of sulfates and gluten and is vegetarian-friendly.

Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream by 100% Pure ($19.00)
Nothing ages you more than puffy, dark-rimmed eyes that look like they just dragged themselves through the sewer after a night of partying. (Or sitting up with a baby, without the sewer part.) This Coffee Bean Eye Cream from 100% Pure offers up anti-inflammatory, caffeine-rich green tea, great for reducing puffiness and increasing circulation. It is 100% natural, 100% vegan, and gluten-free.

Certified Organic Leave-In Conditioner by Intelligent Nutrients (Travel Size—$12.00)
Dry, brittle tresses do nothing for a youthful visage, so it’s important to keep locks feeling hydrated and healthy. From eco-beauty giant Horst Rechelbacher (founder of Aveda) comes this fantastic conditioner from Intelligent Nutrients. Certified USDA Organic, this conditioner offers the mysterious Intellimune ingredient, described as a “blend of nature’s powerhouse antioxidants.”  It is vegan and gluten-free.

Baking Soda and Lemon Teeth Whiteners (Less than $5)
Bright pearly whites are a key indication of youth, but who wants to use the harsh, chemical whiteners gracing our drug store shelves? Try lemon juice and baking soda as a simple, home remedy to freshen up your choppers. In a small bowl, mix together the juice of one freshly-squeezed organic lemon with a small amount of baking soda. After using a tissue to wipe excess salvia from your teeth, apply the mixture. Leave it on for one minute before brushing it off with your toothbrush. (Note: Do not exceed the one minute mark. You don’t want the lemon acid to damage your tooth enamel.)

Bronzer by Alima Pure ($20.00)
Sun-kissed skin is seen as the signal of health and youth in our culture. However, some bronzers can make you look more Snooki than siren. This bronzer from Alima Pure offers a light color in multiple shades to produce just the right hint of health. Alima Pure is a preservative-free line with a BDIH natural cosmetics certification, putting it on standard with European brands.

Fingerless Gloves by Coolibar ($19.00)
Did you spend your youth, like most of us, waving your hands in direct sunlight with nary a sun block smudge to be had? These fingerless gloves from Coolibar can help halt the march of time across your hands. With a UPF rating of 50+, they keep your hands sunshine-free and, while driving, offer up a nice grip on the steering wheel. Not to mention, they serve as a great visual reminder to keep the sun block flowing. (Here are our picks for green sun blocks.)

Correcting Concealer by Juice Beauty ($18.00)
Dark spots from sun damage are the enemy of the clear, even skin many of us covet. But mainstream lightening products can contain chemicals such as hydroquinone, which is so toxic that the FDA has proposed banning it. Instead, consider this correcting concealer from Juice Beauty, which offers up coverage with certified organic and natural ingredients.

Image: pedrosimoes7
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7 ways to moisturize your hair in the dry, winter months.

It doesn’t matter if we are raven-haired, red-headed, blonde or brunette. It doesn’t matter if our hair is thin, thick, textured or kinky. During the dry winter months, we might as well hook our heads up to outlets for all the static electricity we produce. The cold, dry temperatures of winter can siphon the moisture from our skin and hair like a sponge. So how best to fight back against winter?

Stop washing your hair every day
We live in a world where most people make best friends with anti-bacterial wipes. Dirt is the enemy. But so is washing your hair too much. Over-washing can strip important oils from your scalp, resulting in dry, over-stimulated tresses. Plus, what’s better for dry hair then your own, natural oils? At the least, try to skip a daily washing.

And when you do wash, consider a homemade shampoo like this one from beauty expert Narine Nikogosian: Combine one tablespoon of dried jasmine with one teaspoon of honey with two eggs yolks. Boil the dried jasmine with one cup of water for five minutes. Steep for ten minutes, then strain. Blend the jasmine, honey and egg yolks. Apply to your hair, and then rinse with cold water.

Install a water filter on your showerhead
Municipal waters contain drying chemicals that can strip your hair of its essential oils. Chlorine and other chemicals used to clean our water supplies can wreak havoc on our hair. Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in a swimming pool knows that hair follicles will eventually make hair like a Brillo pad if not properly rinsed. Here’s more information on shower filters.

Wash your hair backwards
Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, is also famous for this hair care tip. First, apply half a teaspoon of your favorite oil to your scalp and work it through. You can use jojoba, olive, or sweet almond oil. Second, apply your conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes. Third, use a small amount of shampoo to wash out your hair. Finally, if your hair feels tangled, put a little remaining oil on your fingers and comb through your hair. The oil treatment helps loosen and attract dirt which the shampoo then washes away.

The avocado: not just for salads
The avocado is a triumph of moisturizers, oils and vitamins. But before you add some to your salad, you might want to consider treating your tresses to a homemade avocado mask. Take one small avocado, mash it together with one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of olive oil. You can even blend them together. Apply to damp hair for at least 30 minutes, then rinse. This recipe works on all hair types.

Rinse with olive oil
You can give yourself a fancy “hot oil” salon treatment with a mere tablespoon of organic olive oil. First, rinse your hair with warm water. Then work the olive oil through your tresses with your fingers. Let it sit for twenty minutes. Then rinse with cool water, following up with a bit of shampooing if your hair feels too oily.

Sooth your scalp
An irritated, dry scalp can throw your hair out of balance. Organic stylist and expert Felicia Howe recommends Simply Organic Scalp Spa Treatment ($23.99) to tame your irritated head. As Felicia Shares, “I’ve been using this all season, it’s been saving my hair and scalp. It’s amazing.”  This professional-grade product contains olive leaf extracts.

It’s all about serums
Sometimes you need a serum to act like the really great sequel to your favorite conditioner. Serums can leave your hair extremely hydrated while giving you the fresh out of a spa smell. Basically, a serum delivers the goods to your hair in a concentrated punch. So you want to make sure you use one that has clean, green ingredients.

Yarok Hair Care offers a serum entitled Feed Your Youth ($25) containing hydrating Yarrow and avocado. John Masters Organics has their Dry Hair Nourishment and Defrizzer ($16.00) which combines certified organic jojoba, lavender and rosemary. Both can be used in a “set it and forget it” fashion where you work the ingredients into your hair in the evening, only to be washed out in the morning.

Image:Erintaylormurphy, hulagway, wordridden, [g] [e] [r] [y]

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For many of us, the second we feel a tinge of stress, anxiety, or fatigue, it’s immediately plastered all over our eyes like a mask. I call it Zorro face. I could be sporting an awesome Carol Young Undesigned dress, killer organic kicks and as much USDA certified lipstick as my pucker can handle. But if I’m tired, I might as well be wearing a black mask across my eyes.

Luckily, we can rescue our peepers with a variety of natural remedies. Drinking water certainly helps with hydration, and puffiness is best combated with chamomile, green tea or aloe. You can apply tea bags or cooled cotton pads soaked in chamomile, green tea and aloe vera gels. And don’t forget the old spa favorite, cooled slices of cucumber. Cucumber is known for its soothing properties and will help relax eyes, reduce redness and dark circles.

Not into DIY eye healing? I have some suggestions for gentle products you can buy.

First, the age old question: Gels or creams? Gels have a temporary tightening effect, and work well for younger skin since they aren’t as rich as creams – a necessity for mature skin. Gels tend to be more soothing and better at reducing puffiness. Creams are best for fine line reduction. (They plump the skin to reduce fine lines.)

Soothing Gels and Treatments

Best for Your Dark Circles: Dark Circle Defense by Tarte
In short, this product really works. I dabbed a couple swipes over my raccoon circles and they were immediately concealed. It contains finely-milled light refracting minerals which are said to brighten skin, help camouflage dark circles, puffiness, redness, fine lines and wrinkles. I love that this product is completely free of petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, dyes and talc. It does contain ingredients like titanium dioxide and iron oxides.

Best for a Night Out: Lifted by Tarte
Tarte combines firming with cover up. I dabbed a bit of this product on and immediately saw a reduction in dark circles. However, use it sparingly. I got a little too enthusiastic and noticed it flaking off towards the end of the night. It contains Firmitol, which is a clinically-tested, patented, multi-ingredient “performance matrix” combines ingredients like purslane extract, ginseng extract and centella asiatica extract for “an instant wrinkle reducing effect.” It also comes in a biodegradable tube. It’s not certified organic but it is free of petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, dyes and talc.

Most Soothing Gel: Herbal Recovery Eye Gel by Jurlique
Another hit by Jurlique, the Australian queen of the natural skincare! This gel is extremely cooling, light and gives you a mini-spa experience. If you have tired eyes, this is the product for you. It has a pleasant, vitamin scent and is deeply hydrating. It is also “rich in the living energy of arnica and eyebright which help to firm and brighten the delicate skin around the eye area.” Okay! I really like that this product is certified biodynamic from the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture of Australia.

Hydrating Eye Creams

Purely Age-Defying Eye Cream by Jurlique
This eye cream is really rich with a pleasant, floral scent. It made my skin a little pink upon application – but it lasts. Hours later, my undereyes were still extremely moisturized. Apparently, it is “rich in the living energy of Euphrasia and Arnica.” (Arnica is a natural herb known to help with dark circles and bruises.) This product is also certified biodynamic from the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture of Australia and contains natural, wild-farmed ingredients.

Relax Eye Cream by Lavera
This is another hydrating eye cream that will keep your peeps feeling moisturized. It also claims to reduce fine lines. According to Lavera, “In a 3 week test of 30 females with an average age of 42 years young, over 94% said the Intensive Repair Eye Cream visibly reduced small wrinkles and left the skin around their eyes looking well cared for and relaxed.” I don’t know about that, but it is BDIH-certified and contains several healthy plant extracts like tea tree oil, green tea and more.

Firming Eye Gels

Firming Eye Gel by John Masters Organics
This scentless gel is extremely tightening – so much so I was almost inclined to wipe it off after applying it. But if that’s what you’re going for, this is the product for you. It contains oat kernel extract which JMO claims firms and revitalizes while protecting against UVA rays. It is made with certified organic ingredients.

Zia Essential Eye Gel
Like the John Masters Organics product, this eye gel does all the things it promises – it immediately tightens and firms up your skin. It has a pleasant, slightly floral scent. It contains a blend of green tea, cucumber and seaweed. The predominating effect of this product is tightening rather than soothing. If you’re looking for the most organic, this probably isn’t the product for you. It does, however, contain some certified organic ingredients.

The Lip Balm by Revolution Organics
This product, yes, is a lip balm. But I was informed by the company’s publicist that it can be used as an eye treatment, so I gamely rubbed it under my eyes. It’s thick and if you’re looking for an intense, overnight hydration, it could be a good call. But it feels like exactly what it is – lip balm under your eyes. The product is free of synthetic chemicals, parabens, sulphates, artificial ingredients and petrochemicals. It is also USDA certified organic. And, might I add, a fantastic lip balm.

The post 8 Best Organic Eye Treatments for Dark Circles, Puffiness and Fine Lines appeared first on EcoSalon.

You know the times you’ve run a fingernail down the side of your face and small bits of face have rolled off with it? The ick factor is huge, right? And most of that ick is dead skin.

Sure, you can moisturize with the best organic lotions out there. (And for the best green lotions to use, click here.) But those dead skin cells have to absorb the lotion before it can penetrate the skin underneath.

No amount of organic skin lotion is going to raise your skin cells from the dead. But before you conduct a green funeral for your face, try sloughing off with your best tool of choice – a scrub.

Bringing out the healthy, alive layers of skin on your face will improve your skin immensely. You’ll be less prone to break outs. Your skin will be smoother and have a healthier glow.

Pick a scrub that can make best friendsies with your skin. It is possible to over-exfoliate so be forewarned! If you over scrub, you can sand paper away the natural, protective barrier of your skin.

For sensitive skin, you’ll want a gentle exfoliating scrub. If your skin can take a sand blasting, go for the deep pore scrub. Depending on age and sensitivity, some people scrub daily, some only once or twice a week.

Best Scrub to Lessen Your Carbon Footprint:

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub ($32.00)
This gentle scrub is organic and, even better, fair trade. It contains Egyptian geranium with adzuki bean and cranberry. The smell is interesting – a combination of mud with bits of fruit buried in it. It’s light enough to use daily but strong enough to feel like you’re getting a good exfoliation. It is free of parabens, sulfates and any synthetic preservatives.

Best Scrub to Brighten Your Face:

John Masters Organics Jojoba and Ginseng Exfoliating Cleanser ($28.00)
This fantastic product contains certified organic jojoba beads (to exfoliate!) and ginseng (to revitalize!). And the best part? It will leave your face noticeably brightened. It seems to contain almost light-reflective properties that sit atop your skin and make it glow.

Best Scrub to Pretend You’re at the Beach:

Juice Beauty Exfoliating Cleanser ($22.00)
This is another gentle cleanser/scrub that has a rich pineapple base. The fresh fruity scent will bring you back to the beachy memories of childhood or that vacation you once went on where you blacked out from pineapple margaritas. It also contains certified organic extracts of white grape and aloe vera.

Best Scrub for Your Buck:

Noah’s Naturals Face Scrub with Jojoba Beads ($7.99)
This is a great, all-around scrub. You’ll feel like you’re getting a good wash while scrubbing out the baddies. It gives off a pleasant, old-school scent that’s almost floral, without being perfumey. It contains no parabens or sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s not organic, but it’s a good choice if you want an affordable, natural cleanser.

Best Scrub to Love Your Sensitive Skin:

Avalon Organics Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub ($16.95)
This product offers up a light, lavender scent. I used it daily for about a week and my skin did feel smoother after a couple of days. It’s free of parabens and preservatives. It is 100% vegetarian, and contains certified organic ingredients.

Best Scrub to Blast Your Skin:

Burt’s Bees Peach and Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub ($7.99)
If you’re looking for a scrub to really tear it up, this is the product for you. It has a fresh, peachy smell but it does leave a bit of a waxy, leftover feeling. It’s made from ground peach stone to exfoliate and also contains willowbark, a natural source of salicylic acid. 98.45% natural, it is free of sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, parabens and phthalates.

Best Scrub to Use Daily:

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser ($29.00)
This product works really well as a cleanser, but if you want a vigorous scrub, look elsewhere. It is not organic but it does contain “naturally-derived” exfoliating beads and certified organic lavender and geranium oils. And it’s tourmaline charged. What, pray tell, is tourmaline charged? Tourmaline apparently “acts as a conductor for the plant energy and the crystalline energy, while energizing the skin and boosting it with moisture and vitamins.”

Best Scrub to Simply Wash Your Face:

Exfoliating Wash by Kiss My Face ($15.00)
This scrub”¦er, wash got high marks for smell. It reminds me of lime and mint, and really makes me want a Mojito. It’s clean and refreshing, but doesn’t feel like a scrub.  It works more like a gel and feels gentle on your face. It’s not organic, but does contain several “certified natural” ingredients.

The post Re-New Your Skin: 8 Best Organic and Natural Scrubs appeared first on EcoSalon.

If you live in a place where water likes to go icy, your skin is probably suffering.  Trust me, I know your pain.  You feel like you’re going to fall into a snow drift, freeze for the next thousand years, and wake up to alien scientists commenting on just how dry your face is.  But worry no more!  Whether your winter involves wind chill or lows in the 50s, we have the moisturizer for you.  So treat your face to our review of these great, green moisturizers.

Mandarin Maximum Moisture by John Masters Organics

This fragrant, concentrated moisturizer is, in a word, outstanding.  (Did I say outstanding?  I meant amazing.)  It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave you with the greased-out feeling that you could cook bacon on your forehead.  It also contains glycoproteins which “stimulate cell growth for long-term reversal of damage.”  (Take that, sunspots!)  And you can rest easy with John Masters Organics exacting standards.  It contains strictly organic botanical ingredients. And no artificial products are ever used.

Nutrient Moisturizer by Juice Beauty

This product from Juice Beauty is excellent if you want deep, rich moisturizing results.  It has a sort of neutral scent – the kind of smell that makes you think there’s something powerful and vitamin-y in the mixture.  For dry, sensitive, or mature skin, this moisture contains replenishing organic grape juice, vitamin-rich carrot juice and essential fatty-acids.

Infuse Nourishing Multi-Vitamin Moisturizer by Pure and True

This was the most intense of the moisturizers that I sampled.  In fact, if you’re suffering from razor cheeks (a loving term for when you get those winter dry patches), this is the moisturizer for you. I just traveled back east to 20-degree weather and got razor cheeks in what felt like a matter of minutes.  (It was more like two days.)  One application of this intense moisturizer cleared it right up.  This product is free of artificial color, fragrances, parabens, petroleum products and toxic synthetics.

Green Apple Antioxidant Moisturizer by Juice Beauty

This moisturizer lives up to its green apple moniker by being amazingly fruity and sweet-smelling.  If you are into natural fragrances, then this is the product for you.  It is very creamy – use it sparingly, because a little goes a long way.  It contains antioxidant-rich organic apple and grape juices.  And it combines these organic nutrients with enzymes to even your complexion.

The post Get Your Green Face On: Best Eco-Moisturizers for Winter appeared first on EcoSalon.