Sponsored post. 

In today’s digitally driven social scene, if there’s no picture, it didn’t happen.

Like it or not, so much of our lives is documented with pictures, snaps, and Instastories for the purposed of the shared experience. We all want to show off our best, brightest selves on our social platforms, and that includes flashing a brilliant smile. Sure, filters help, but here at EcoSalon, we like to be as authentic and natural as possible. That’s why we tried Tom’s of Maine® new Luminous White to brighten our smiles and dazzle our followers – no filter needed. 

Tom’s of Maine® Luminous White is the forty-seven year old company’s latest and most advanced toothpaste. Like many products out there, it promised us whiter teeth in two short weeks. The product works to remove surface stains, which we’ll openly admit to having thanks to our morning (and afternoon) cups of coffee. However, unlike the empty promises of other brands, it actually worked. Following two weeks of diligent brushing morning and night, we were pleasantly surprised to notice that our teeth looked a few shades whiter – even without giving up our coffee.

There are a few other positive differences between Toms of Maine® and other toothpaste brands. Toms of Maine® never uses any artificial colors, flavors, fragrances, or preservatives. You won’t find any neon blue or green stripes in their paste, often used by other brands as a marketing tactic to convince the consumer of its superior whitening properties. Let’s be honest, food coloring does not make teeth whiter. You also won’t experience an overly sweet peppermint flavor or a harsh burning mint sensation, which is all too prevalent in other products we have tried. With Tom’s of Maine®, you get a smooth white paste with a subtle, crisp mint flavor. We liked that the taste lingered ever so slightly, which reminded us of that clean feeling one gets after visiting the dentist – no spit tube or judgement required.

Tom’s of Maine® further stood out among the other brands dominating the oral care aisle by its dedication to ethical and sustainable business practices. We are always on the hunt for companies that give back to their communities. Corporate responsibility empowers us and proves that even the most basic of purchases can make an impact. You can’t get more basic than toothpaste, and we’ll admit, brushing our teeth feels like a chore. Every now and then we may skip a night or two, exhausted from the day and ready to face-plant onto our pillows. However, Tom’s of Maine’s® philant

hropical efforts have motivated us to stay awake for a few more minutes to get our second brush in. The company donates ten percent of its profits to human and environmental organizations and efforts. Many of these organizations are small local groups throughout the nation, who tend to make the best use of funding and often need it most. By brushing our teeth, we can contribute to a worthy cause! We also love that the company never tests on animals, and all of its packaging is recyclable. Win!

Our two weeks are up, but we’re not stopping here. Now that fall has arrived and the holiday season is just around the corner, we have our calendars filled with social engagements, which means we need to maintain our newly whitened teeth. We’ll keep brushing with Tom’s of Maine® Luminous White so we can be camera-ready with our authentic, impressively white smiles. You can find Tom’s of Maine® and try it for yourself at your local Whole Foods and many natural health stores. 

Find Tanya on Instagram and The Vegan Potluck Podcast. 

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The post Up Your Selfie Game With a Brighter Smile by Tom’s of Maine #Nofilterneeded appeared first on EcoSalon.

EcoSalon’s Made In America Box features items that are made right here in the U.S.A! July is an all-around patriotic month here in the states, so join your fellow eco-friendly patriots with a box of products worth $494.85, for just $129 + free shipping!

Sold Out!

You see it everywhere: The words “Made in America” are proudly-displayed symbols of the self-made American spirit. With this edition of The Box, you’ll be sporting your (ethically dyed) reds, whites, and blues especially proudly – and consciously – as your skin glows and your hair shines. With everything from beautiful hand-crafted jewelry to the perfect makeup, you’ll be ready to shine as brightly as the stars and stripes themselves.

There are only 40 Boxes available.

Beginning on Friday, July 24th, we will reveal between three and four of our fabulous participating brands per day. The Box will go on sale Monday, July 27th, at 8 o’clock AM Pacific Time. So set your timers and mark your calendars–these will sell out fast! Check back daily to see the latest reveals, and read on to discover today’s products!

Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Lip Glaze + Gift

Did you know that your skin absorbs 60 percent of anything that is applied to it? That includes those products made with petroleum, artificial colors, toxic chemicals and harmful preservatives. What’s the result? Clogged pores and aged skin! Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques has a solution to this dilemma, creating products from natural and certified organic plant oils and extracts, flower essences and minerals from the earth. This makeup is the kind that your skin craves. Filled with vitamins and nutrients for moisturizing and anti-aging, it leaves the skin rejuvenated and soft. With makeup that can do all that, AND give us the confidence that comes from that perfect shade of lip gloss, sign us up!

$50 gift card redeemable Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Products

ColourFusion Lip Glaze: $9

Total value: $59

Nurture My Body Luscious Duo

Get ready for your best body – instantly – with these two nourishing products. Improved elasticity and skin revitalization comes from Nurture My Body’s Wild Eucalyptus Body Wash, while proactive repair and broad spectrum protection is provided by their Organic Sunscreen (SPF 32). Both products are made with organic ingredients that help keep your skin healthy and protected. While the invigorating scent of Wild Eucalyptus will make your shower energizing and fun, the fragrance-free sunscreen is made without nano-sized particles, which can get into the bloodstream. This nutrient-packed combo will give your skin everything it needs to stay safe and good-lookin’ for the rest of the summer.

BONUS: Just catching The Box after it’s sold out? Nurture My Body is offering 15% off to all EcoSalon readers, even after all 40 Made In America Boxes have been purchases. Just use the coupon code ECOSALON to redeem this great offer!

Organic Sunscreen: $29.99

Wild Eucalyptus Body Wash: $26.95

Total Value: $56.94

Tyramin Succulent Stud Earrings

These beautiful earrings are made by socially-conscious Tyramin (only the most sustainable materials are used whenever possible, with jewelry crafted in small batches), whose unique designs are sold in high-end boutiques, museums, and fine art galleries. These earrings are especially unique; they are cast from real succulent plants in pewter. From everyday to special occasion, these fun studs will catch you compliments no matter where you go.

Value: $53

Osmia Organics Facial Calibration Serum

This serum is everything but the (all-natural) kitchen sink. Not only does it nourish the skin, but also, it helps your cherished epidermis balance and become even and smooth, helping oily and combination skin learn to behave itself over time. Plus, your skin will get a blast of antioxidants and vitamins from acai and organic black seed oil. It even smells heavenly. This super powered serum checks every box on our skin-needs list, and it’s made in the U.S.A.

Value: $50

Good Karma Skincare Lux 7 Age Defying Four-in-One Face Cream

Let’s be honest: We don’t always have the energy to apply all of the products we know they should use, day-in and night-out. Well, Good Karma Skincare doesn’t believe you should have to. Cynthia Ransom created Good Karma to address the needs of real women, including the need for a simplified system. This revolutionary face cream acts as a daily moisturizer, skin refining serum, eye cream, and night cream, all in one. Made to make skin glow, this detoxifying cream will leave your skin smooth and radiant. As a bonus, a portion of every sale goes to feeding animals in shelters.

Value: $48

Sprayology Hair + Nail Tonic

Did you ever get an awful haircut, and wish you could grow your locks back faster to recover from the hacking? With Sprayology’s Hair +Nail Tonic you can do that, and more. This homeopathic oral spray contains 17 ingredients that will also give you healthier nails and heal a dry scalp, which means you’ll see a reduction in hair shedding. The best part of this magic potion? You’ll never find anything easier to ingest. Simply spray twice under your tongue, and be on your merry way.

Value: $29

Raw Materials Skin Grit

This top-selling exfoliator is a true wonder. It can be used both by women and men, and is versatile enough to handle your face and body. Your skin will be fine tuned and softened by this antioxidant-packed exfoliant. Using everything from jojoba beads (which gently soften skin and slowly melt to release natural moisturizing components) to finely crushed walnuts (to boost up the cleansing experience by unclogging pores and removing dead, dull skin), your pores will be clear, and your body will be happy.

Value: $27.95

Divining Oil Designs Personalized Healing Bracelet

Treat yourself to a beautiful, uniquely healing bracelet with a $25 gift card from Divining Oil Designs. These beautiful, customized pieces are intended to provide holistic healing to the mind, body and soul. Each bracelet’s beads slowly diffuse oils over time, with a bead composition personalized to fit your needs. The wonderfully scented bracelets can also be refreshed as they begin to fade, simply by adding another drop of the desired oil to the beads. Take your favorite scented oils with you, everywhere you go, and enjoy the healing that they provide.

Gift Card Value: $25 (with free shipping!)

Good Clean Love Oils Rollerball Gift Set

These nourishing oils are good for your skin, and good for your love life. These love oils have aphrodisiac qualities that work with the brain’s chemistry to smell unique to everyone that uses them. How many products are in your beauty supply stock that can actually enhance a kiss? These oils send a clear message, and will excite your foreplay…only in the safest, vegan, and most edible manner possible.

Value: $23.99

Au Naturale Organic Creme Eyeshadow

We won’t say that Au Naturale’s creme eye shadow is the best thing since sliced bread, but it’s pretty close! This stuff is dripping in gorgeous color, and can be blended, used as an eyeshadow, eyeliner, or brow polisher. Not only will these eyeshadows leave you looking sultry and sexy, but they’re also free of nano-particles, sulfates, and additives. “Good for you” looks good on you.

Value: $20

Aura Sensory Hair Care Set

The problem with using shampoos and conditioners that aren’t natural, is that the chemicals will actually strip your hair of its natural moisture. That can make hair look damaged and frizzy, but have no fear: Aura Sensory’s sulfate-free Shine Enhancing Shampoo and Deep Hydration conditioner are here. These products work together with a promise to bring life back your hair, thanks to the natural vitamins, oils and amino acids that are packed into the duo. Your scalp will be healthy, and your hair will be safe with these top-selling miracle workers.

Value: $20

Beautiphyed Age Defense Antioxidant Mist

The truth is, we could all benefit from some more antioxidants in our skincare regimen. This age-defying face mist, which also doubles as a toner, makes the task easy and fun; only a couple of quick squirts will protect your face from environmental toxins with hydrated, protected skin. The spray also works to fight aging and irritation, without any funky stuff; as dictated on Beautiphyed’s website, “Good nutritional advice tells you: ‘If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it!’ It’s no different for your skin.”

Value: $20

Rejuva Minerals Mega Lash Mascara

If you came here looking for makeup that made you look like a movie star, you came to the right place. Rejuva Minerals’ Mega Lash Mascara is a clump-free top seller used by celebrities and their makeup artists alike! In fact, every single Grammy nominee and VIP guest received this incredible gift at the 2015 Grammy nomination ceremony. What makes this mascara star-worthy? It actually conditions your lashes with organic cotton flower extract and avocado, as well as lengthening and thickening them.

Value: $20

Sona Organics Custom Soap (made exclusively for Ecosalon!) and Natural Deodorant

Yes, you read that correctly: Sona Organics is including an organic soap in that’s only available in THIS Box, made exclusively for the fabulous readers of EcoSalon! On top of the exciting exclusivity of this gift, Sona is also providing its awesome, all-natural, vegan deodorant to keep you smelling sweet and fresh all day. The formula is so good, it only takes a maximum of two swipes for this product application to have maximum effectiveness. Body odor is fun for no one, but this product works on everyone!

Custom Natural Soap Exclusively For EcoSalon Readers: $3

Vegan Natural Deodorant: $12

Total Value: $15

Hello Products Toothpaste Mint Medley

An all-natural toothpaste that tastes so good, it actually makes you want to brush? It’s the truth! While most toothpastes are packed with sweeteners, triclosan, artificial dyes and microbeads, which can get stuck under the gums, Hello toothpaste is free of all of those offenders, and leaves out polyethylene and microplastics found in many oral care brands. Not to mention, these great toothpaste flavors also deliver cavity and enamel protection for your pearly whites. Hello products have reached major chains like Target and Walgreens, but with our Box, you get to try three awesome flavors, including the latest flavor, peach mango mint, and decide which one you like best.

Peach Mango Mint Toothpaste: $4.99

Supermint Toothpaste: $4.99

Mojito Mint Toothpaste: $4.99

Total Value: $14.97

All Beauty Water Beauty Bundle

What if you could enjoy a drink that not only made you more beautiful, but also tasted good? Now you can, with All Beauty Water’s nutrient-enhanced water that works to make you more beautiful from the inside-out. With All Beauty Water’s patented combination of “SkinVitamins®” and “SkinNutrients®,” your skin will get everything that it needs that it can’t get from regular water, like minerals, antioxidants and electrolytes. This product is a great tasting alternative to skin-harming soda and other sugary drinks. Each box comes with four bottles of water, with delicious flavors that include Pomegranate Rose, Strawberry Açaí, and Cucumber Aloe.

Value: $3 per bottle

Total value: $12 (for 4 bottles)

Total Value for the Made In America Box: $494.85

Sale Price: $129 + free shipping! That’s a 74 percent savings. It’s our salute to you, and your loyalty to an eco-fabulous lifestyle!

Sold Out!

The Box will go on sale Monday, July 27th, at 8 o’clock AM Pacific Time. So set your timers and mark your calendars–these will sell out fast (the last one sold out in under one hour)!

Note! We recommend purchasing The Box from a desktop device vs a mobile device (while we dial in mobile purchases).

Offer good anywhere in the continental U.S. International shipping is not available at this time. Buy, one, two, or three boxes! Please allow up to three weeks for delivery. All sales are final. Due to the nature of this exclusive one-time sale, we cannot accept any returns or exchanges. Any inquiries or concerns regarding purchased Boxes must be submitted via Customer Service within 30 days from date of purchase.

Say hey to Amanda on Twitter or Instagram

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The post A Salute! With EcoSalon’s The Box: Made In America appeared first on EcoSalon.

You love your Dr. Bronner’s. Who doesn’t? Now there is more to love! The family-owned company has come out with a brand new toothpaste, safe and fair trade, of course.

Dr. Bronner’s has long been known and loved for its castile soaps. Big bottles of ultra-gentle cleanser in a wide variety of scents with so many uses. Fans have been known to use the soaps on everything from skin to dishes and laundry. Others create their own facial scrub and shampoo.

Some Dr. B fans have even used the soap as toothpaste. Think this is taking the love too far? No worries. The company recently added toothpaste to its popular line-up.

Dr. Bronner’s Toothpaste is low-foaming, synthetic- and fluoride-free, vegan, and comes in three natural flavors – Cinnamon, Anise, and Peppermint.

We know synthetic-free cosmetics are a safer choice. But what is the big deal with fluoride? It is in conventional toothpastes, our drinking water, can even be purchased in bottled water, and dentists promote it. How bad can it be?

Regular use of fluoride is thought to have negative effects on teeth, gums, and overall health, including tooth discoloration, stomach ailments, allergic reaction, and skin irritation. Fluoride consumption is also linked to more serious health issues and diseases, from arthritis to reproductive issues. More than 95 percent of toothpastes sold in the US contain fluoride and the FDA now requires a poison warning on each fluoride-containing tube.

Another cool trick Dr. Bronner’s has utilized in its paste? Organic coconut flour acts as a mild abrasive. A much healthier choice than those plastic microbeads, both for our bodies and earth.

You can pick up a tube of Dr. Bronner’s Toothpaste on the brand website (where they are currently selling for 15% off), Whole Foods Market, and many natural food stores across the country.

Have you tried the new toothpaste? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

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Image courtesy Dr. Bronner’s

The post Dr. Bronner’s Magic Toothpaste? All-One for Healthy Teeth appeared first on EcoSalon.

seriesPart 3 in a special series on the presence of plastic in our lives.

We all try to do our part. We try to make conscious, low environmental impact choices when we can, but technology has outpaced awareness. Plastic hides everywhere: under our noses, in place sight, in the places we’d least expect. Case in point: a committed java junkie, I try to carry a reusable cup at all times. When I don’t, I order a medium in a large cup, so I can avoid the plastic lid. And then I learned even the paper cups have a thin layer of polyethylene lining.

Most of the scientific literature to date suggests that polyethylene doesn’t leach chemicals, but it doesn’t biodegrade, either, creating a lasting problem. So often, we don’t even know we’re consuming plastic. Even chewing gum contains plastic (poly-vinyl acetate). Check the ingredients; it’s difficult to find a single chewing gum that doesn’t contain a synthetic. Ditto beer. Fans of the hearty, local microbrew will notice the plastic gasket lining the bottle caps of glass bottles. In short: it’s everywhere.

Many face cleansers, for example, utilize plastic in their formulas to work as an abrasive. Everyone wants healthy skin, and we dutifully scrape away those older, dead skin cells to reveal the younger, fresher cells beneath. The plastic particles in the exfoliants wash down the drain, into the rivers and the ocean, where they work as a vector to absorb persistent organic pollutants at highly toxic levels – and can be ingested by fish and bio-magnify up the food chain, right back into tonight’s dinner.

Treatment plants haven’t been able to demonstrate effective capture of these plastic additives, which on personal care labels will go by names like “polyethylene micro-spheres” or “micro-beads.” Brands like Clearasil, Ponds, and Neutrogena all use synthetic exfoliants. (Luckily, there are healthy, green alternatives for younger, fresher skin, from brands like Farm Aesthetics, Burt’s Bees, and Yes to Carrots to homegrown remedies like lemon peel and coffee grounds.)

Coffee, beer, gum, cleansers – does it ever stop? Plastic is even in some brands of whitening toothpaste.

The stuff just doesn’t go away. We’ve been using plastics widely for about 40 years, with consumption spiking about 20 years ago. Within this short span of time, plastic can already be found in every part of the ocean and on every single beach in the world.  It’s made of toxic chemicals. It doesn’t biodegrade. It’s accumulating in every light and dark recess of our reality. And we don’t know what it’s going to do to us yet.

Recycling, far from being an answer, is a myth, one that makes us feel good but doesn’t solve the problem. When we throw “it” away, we have to remember one thing: there is no away. There is only out of sight. As we wash our faces, brighten our smiles, and pound our morning lattes, we’re creating an ever-, over-plasticized environment.

Editor’s note: This is part 3 in a special series on plastic. Read part 2 and part 1.

Image: Nick Harris

The post Plastic: The Forever Wonder Substance appeared first on EcoSalon.

I love marinara sauce. But without fail, 24 hours later, my lip-glossed mouth could make a small child cry and have the family pet running for cover. The culprit in my case is garlic. Sure, I’m not alone, but halitosis is a real turn off. Research has proven that among some culprits are:

• Garlic – is absorbed into the bloodstream and secreted by the lungs. While not everyone is affected, I certainly am
• Bacteria – volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan,  harbors on the teeth, gums and tongue
• Food particles – become lodged between teeth
• Plaque – on or below the gum line
• Dieting – to excess may cause ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting, which smells awful
• Smoking – dries out the mouth and contributes to periodontal disease
• Diseases – such as lung infections, kidney failure and chronic reflux of stomach acids produce odors
• Milk Intolerance

20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh

If you’re not ready to drop $2,000 on a Halimeter, which will analyze the VSC’s in your mouth and let you know if your breath is offensive, here are natural ways to clean up your act.

1. Brush – after every meal, and be sure that your toothbrush is in good shape. A chewed-up, disfigured brush will miss those hard-to-reach areas.
2. Herb Pharm Breath Tonic – is my all time favorite. The non-aerosol spray is made from a sugar-free blend of certified organic peppermint, cinnamon, ginger, and clove extracts that leave my mouth feeling fabulous and clean.
3. Tongue Scraper – This smooth plastic or metal tool glides over the tongue and removes dead cells and bacteria
4. Floss – removes plaque and food that you may not even realize was stuck. I keep a container in my office desk
5. Water – According to the Mayo Clinic, drink water – not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol. Chewing gum or sucking on candy (preferably natural) also stimulates saliva, washing away food particles and bacteria.
6. Fenugreek – put one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in four cups of cold water, boil, then simmer for fifteen minutes over a low flame. Strain and drink like tea.
7. Guava – unripe guava has been said to aid bad breath as it contains tannic and phosphoric acids.

According to health 911, there are a few off-the-beaten-path remedies, including:

8. Apple cider vinegar – swallow a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar just before each meal (you may want to add it to a glass of water)
9. Alfalfa – alfalfa tablets have been said to aid bad breath
10. Anise – the licorice-flavored seed, may aid in reducing bacteria
11. Chlorophyll – Try liquid or chlorophyll tablets. Chlorophyll has a deodorizing effect
12. Clove Tea/Mouthwash – Cloves are a powerful antiseptic. Make a tea by putting three whole or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in two cups of hot water and steep for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour through a fine strainer and use as a mouthwash or gargle twice a day.
13. Fennel – Slowly chew the leaves and allow the saliva to build up in your mouth. Or, mix the contents of a fennel capsule with baking soda, make into a paste, and brush your teeth, gums and tongue with it.
14. Lemon – If you can stand it, a lemon wedge sprinkled with salt will help stop onion or garlic breath.
15. Parsley & Mint – Chewing parsley or mint leaves has been a remedy used for thousands of years. These herbs are especially good if garlic and onions are the source of your bad breath. Parsley is very high in chlorophyll. Chew a few parsley sprigs dipped in vinegar for immediate relief. If you swallow the leaves after chewing them they will be digested and continue to provide breath freshness for quite a while. These plants seem to reduce the production of intestinal gas by promoting better digestion.
16. Natural gum – such as glee, is made with spearmint or peppermint essential oils. These oils kill odor-causing bacteria, and the chewing action stimulates the production of saliva which helps combat bad breath.
17. Sage – contains essential oils with antibacterial properties that help neutralize one of the causes of bad breath. Chew raw leaves.
18. Spirulina – is a very good source of chlorophyll and can be purchased either in capsule or loose form. It’s suggested to start with 500 mg three times a day, but please check with your medical professional first!
19. Tea tree oil – derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, tea tree oil contains antiseptic compounds, which make it a powerful disinfectant. Try using a toothpaste containing tea tree oil, or put a few drops of tea tree oil on your toothbrush alone, or with your regular toothpaste. It has a strong aromatic flavor.
20. Baking Soda – Brushing your teeth with baking soda will help reduce the acidity in your mouth, which is less inviting for bacteria. Combine two tablespoons of dried lemon or orange rind, 1/4 cup of  baking soda, and two teaspoons of salt.

Please report back to us in the comments below on what worked for you!

Image: ellie

The post 20 Natural Ways to Keep Your Breath Fresh and Kissable appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ever imagine what it would be like to walk into a gigantic Whole Foods and have sample after sample handed to you of all that is good and organic? Last weekend I got that and more when I walked into the Natural Products Expo West. The foremost show of the natural products trade industry, 53,000 industry professionals from across the globe gathered March 12 – 14 in Anaheim, California, to look over the latest in organic products and natural trends. I must admit, walking through it was something akin to twirling through Willy Wonka’s giant chocolate candy room – except this chocolate was organic and to my knowledge, untainted by Augustus Gloop.

Any large gathering of people is going to stamp a carbon footprint bigger than Godzilla’s paw (does he have paws? Claws? Claw paws?), but this convention made an effort to go green. Recycling bins abounded throughout the center. All of the press kits were online (saving 487 fully grown trees) and badges were picked up on site, saving four metric tons of carbon emissions. I was thoroughly impressed, but how about the products?

My duties involve writing a green beauty column, so I made a beeline towards the health and beauty section. I practically went skipping with glee through the aisles. All of my favorite lines were there: J.R. Watkins peddled their lip tint, Nature’s Gate offered up moisturizers, and Lavera showed off their latest mascaras. It was like that dream I have where every question about organic and/or natural beauty was laid out in clean aisles with an expert stationed at every stop.

So what did the experts have to say about what’s new in the organic or natural beauty market?

First I checked out the Dr. Bronner’s booth. Here I met awesome Ariel, who told me all about the latest offerings from this legendary skin care line which she discusses in the video above. Then it was off to Lavera Cosmetics, the BDIH certified cosmetics company which produces makeup and body care. Their representative showed off their newest release, which is the Lavera sun spot Glow Go Self-Tanner for your legs and entire body. This product is 100 percent chemical and toxin-free and claims to provide safe, natural looking color and “subtle shimmer” without harmful ingredients or sun exposure. It contains organic soy extracts which is said to “infuse skin with a natural looking glow.” Before I realized what was happening, my entire arm was sprayed with self-tanner, which left it a bit glittery and well, self-tanned.

Sparkling like a Twilight vampire, I headed over to Thayer’s Natural Remedies. There I spoke with John Gehr, who co-owns the company with his mother. Not familiar with Thayer’s Natural Remedies? Get thee to a Whole Foods immediately – their Rose Petal Witch Hazel holds the title as my favorite all-natural beauty product.  I use this product daily and am now sporting a skin tone I haven’t seen since my early 20s – meaning clear skin and rosy cheeks. As John explained to me, witch hazel is a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties. It works great as a gentle cleaners and daily toner by tightening pores.

The key to Thayer’s Witch Hazel is the way they extract it. Tannins are the key ingredient in this product and they extract it without heat from the bark of the witch hazel. And it is the tannins that give you that beautiful rosy hue. As John joked, their witch hazel is not “made by witches, but magic for your skin.”

Newly spritzed with rosy cheeks, I stopped by Tom’s of Maine. Here I spoke with friendly representative Staay, who told me all about their new releases. She showed me the latest development for their deodorant line, a new product called Crystal Confidence. This deodorant offers 24 hour protection with a crystal built right into the device. Staay assured me that the product is clinically tested and consumer qualified – in other words, it was tried by customers. She says this is the closest item to a natural antiperspirant on the market.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s Expo!

The post EcoSalon Hits the Natural Products Expo West appeared first on EcoSalon.

As you probably already know, it’s not easy being green in the world of personal hygiene. And navigating the world of green toothpaste is a little like trying to find a designer handbag at a thrift store – lots of dodging of formidable land mines (aka shopaholics) who are determined to find that $50 Kate Spade, even if it means blowing up a few people along the way.

Why is it so hard? Well, there’s the mystery that is fluoride and fluoride-free. The anti-fluoride camp thinks fluoride is poison, while the pro-fluoride team thinks it’s the wall between your mouth going medieval. Then you go SLS-free. (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – the component that makes your toothpaste foam up.) It’s enough to make you want to rush out into the yard and start cleaning your teeth with twigs a la the Middle Ages.

But we can help you through the wilderness that is tooth care. Let’s start with fluoride. Did you know? Fluoride is poisonous! Since 1997,  the FDA has required that all fluoride toothpaste carry warning labels.

Don’t believe me? Check out your toothpaste. Mine reads “If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.” What’s worse, since my dentist recently accused me of vigorously brushing away my gums, I am forced to rub a more powerful (possibly nuclear) toothpaste directly on my teeth. This reads, “DO NOT SWALLOW. As with all medications, keep out of reach of infants and children.”

What does the pro-fluoride side have to say about this? For one, fluoride helps prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride blocks the acid produced by the natural bacteria in plaque from dissolving our tooth enamel.

If you choose to forgo fluoride, we have options for you. If you want to keep your toes dipped in the fluoride pool, we’ve got those, too. Some toothpastes below are also free of questionable SLS. But what the following products do have in common is that they all contain natural and/or organic ingredients and they all get moderate to low ratings from the Skin Deep cosmetics safety database.

The Best of the Green: The Natural Dentist Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
We really dug this toothpaste. It gives you a mouth full of minty cooling, and it tastes great with a peppermint sage tinge to it. Not to mention, the minty taste lasts. As stated, it is fluoride free. It contains no artificial ingredients and is SLS free. It has natural aloe vera gels, Xylitol (a sweetener and plague remover,) Echinacea, and more.

The Close Runner Up: Weleda Plant Gel Toothpaste

This product has an interesting minty, almost candy-like taste to it. It’s also pleasantly foamy for a natural toothpaste. It claims to have “an invigorating taste of lively mint and citrus fruits” that will refresh you. And, well, it does! The toothpaste contains natural essential oils such as chamomile and is fluoride and SLS free. Weleda sources its ingredients from biodynamic farming and practices fair trade corporate policies.

The Best Gateway into Green: Clean and Gentle SLS and Fluoride Free Toothpaste by Tom’s of Maine
Tom’s of Maine is the old standby for green toothpaste. Many of us were brushing away with it years before we’d given thought to a carbon footprint. And like the Grandma of Industry it is, performance is pretty old school. It has a minty taste that foams up and reminds you more of the Crest/Colgate experiences. (Which makes sense because Tom’s of Maine is owned by Colgate.) However, it does have a bit of a chalky aftertaste. It is free of fluoride and SLS. It contains Xylitol and “the foaming properties of glycyrrhizin or purified licorice root.”

Aloe Vera Oral Care – Tartar Control Toothpaste by Kiss My Face
Unfortunately, this toothpaste did not fare as well as the others. One tester laments that it left his mouth clean “but tastes like brushing with Ricola lozenges.” Another says “it was too slimy and didn’t give the after-brush clean zing.” It is certified organic, and free of fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate. It contains xylitol, silica, and olive leaf extracts.

The Old Green Stand By: Estrella Toothpaste
This toothpaste is interesting. Frankly, the taste is mostly chalky with a tea tree oil kick. Sound strange? Try it and you will see exactly what I mean. But it is fairly healthy in terms of toothpastes. Estrella contains no harsh chemical ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. It also contains the mysterious Herbal Brite complex, which is apparently aloe vera, green tea, and yerba mate.

The Matter of Taste: Ayurvedic Herbal Toothpaste by Auromere
This product, well known by greenies, is fluoride, SLS and gluten free. Its ingredients include fine chalk, peelu (an ancient tooth care herb) and neem. This product is Ayurvedic, which translates into “the science of life.” This is the ancient system of promoting health and rejuvenation with natural herbs and minerals that began over 3000 years ago. So you’re getting a pretty granola product.

But how does it taste? It does have a minty edge to it, but the predominating taste is licorice. If you are a fan, great. I am not, so I spent the minutes after brushing licking the roof of my mouth like a dog working through peanut butter. It is free of fluoride, gluten, bleaches, artificial sweeteners, dyes, bleaches, animal ingredients and artificial preservatives.

Image: Mauren Veras

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