Natural Beauty Products: BeautyCounter

I just got some great new products to try out!  They are from a new beauty line called BeautyCounter. BeautyCounter's mission (which can be read here: BeautyCounter Mission) is basically to create awareness of what we're putting on our skin (see "more info" below) and to create safe and effective products.  Their products are all natural, non-toxic, organic, and vegan! Formulated without parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances PEGs (polyethylene glycol), SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), or secrets.

Recently, I've been using the RoseWater Uplifting Spray and the Everyday AM Hydrating Cream.  I've used the other products in the past and love them all!

RoseWater UpliftingSpray

On the box:  A botanical elixir of organic rose essence, citrus, and rosemary revitalizes. Sodium hyaluranate promotes skin hydration and a dewy glow.   
Extra Benefits: Closes pores, calms anxiety, lightens redness, hydrates skin, helps skin absorb Lustro Face Oils, cools you off (you can keep in fridge or cooler!), helps condition and add shine to your hair if sprayed on!                                                     
My two cents: The RoseWater spray is a wonderful pick-me-up, especially in the summer heat.  It has a light rose scent, that fades quickly (for those of you not big on scents, like me).  It doesn't mess with your make-up, either, so you can use it whenever!  Mine currently lives in my purse.                                                                                

Ingredients: Water, rosa domascena water, ethylhexylgelycerin, sodium hyaluronate, phenoxyethanol.

Every Day AM Hydrating Cream

On the box: A lightweight cream with organic coconut oil and aloe to hydrate skin. Acai berry, pomegranate, lavender, and chamomile soothe and refresh. 

My two cents: The AM Hydrating cream is by far the best moisturizer I've used in ages.  I was always an Aveeno girl, but lately it seemed to be drying me out.  I tried some other products, but of course they made my sensitive skin breakout (story of my life).  This cream has completely renewed moisture to my face.  After just two days of use, I can really tell a difference.  It is light-weight, alcohol free, and my new best friend!

Ingredients: Water, caprylic/capric triglyceride, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, coconut oil, cetearyl olivate, cetearyl glucoside, cetearyl alcohol, lavender extract, acai extract, pomegranate extract, safflower seed oil, bisabolol, sorbitan olivate, panthenol, beta clucan, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrogenated lecithin, xanthan gum, maltodextrin, xylitol, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin.

This is just a glimpse at the BeautyCounter Lineup.  They recently came out with a kids’ line and are planning to release a make-up line soon!

Please visit the following link to find out more or to purchase products: BeautyCounter

Just so you know, I gain nothing by promoting this product.  I choose to tell you about it because I think what they're doing is important. There are lots of natural skin care products out there that you can try and I hope to review more of them for you.  Did you know, 1938 was the last year the US federal government passed a law to govern cosmetics safety and protect the people who use them?  Just think about how much more we know now about cancer-causing toxins!   

More info about BeautyCounter and skin care products:

Check the toxicity of your products

Ingredient Glossary from BeautyCounter

BeautyCounter Ingredient Selection Process

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
Truth in Aging

For the Love of Honey

A couple of posts ago, I talked about my less than adoring feelings towards fruit and yogurt.  I've been playing with different ways to force myself to eat these things that are supposed to be so great for you, so I

went out and bought a few small containers of Greek yogurt, a quart of strawberries, a bunch of bananas, a bag of granola, and a bear of honey.  The best part was the bear!  I haven't had honey in years, I couldn't believe the bear was still around!  No pointy top, though...I'm still thrilled!

So ensued my new found love of honey.  It has this raw sweet flavor that slightly reminds me of tea (like Arizona Green Tea with Honey, duh).  There are so many recipes that either call for honey, or honey can be added to or substituted for.



Another awesome thing about honey, is that it's great for your skin, too!  And so I give you:

The Cinnamon-Honey Face Mask

I have very sensitive skin and this mask didn't bother me.  You might feel a little burn to begin with, but unless you think your skin is going to burst into flames, try to wait it out.  My face felt amazing afterward. The ingredients in this mask help with acne, redness, inflammation, dryness.  It's pretty much a miracle mask.

Ingredients:

• 2t Cinnamon
• 2t Nutmeg
• 2T Lemon Juice (or Juice from whole lemon)
• 2T Honey
• 1T Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients together until you have a nice, thick consistency.  
2. Spread mask all over your face, avoiding the area around your eyes.  I suggest doing this part over a sink.  Leave on for 20 minutes.  
3. Rinse with warm water.  Take your time rinsing and scrub you face gently while you remove the mask.

You should have plenty left over to use this mask one or two more times.

Let me know what you think!  Was it hard to handle the burning?  How amazing did your skin feel after?

**This is an adaptation from Beauty Anywhere.  I added lemon juice and olive oil to the mix.  Lemon juice naturally lightens the skin and makes dark spots disappear.  Olive oil helps to keep moisture in, while the other ingredients can be somewhat drying.  Any natural oil will do, that's what I had in the pantry.  I bet coconut oil would smell amazing in this!**