The Naturopathica 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge

Ten days ago, I started the Naturopathica 30 Day Skin Transformation Challenge with some trepidation.  My sometimes problem skin had finally been put under control with tamanu oil.  After ten days on this challenge, I have had one blemish, but it healed quickly.  My skin has not been oily at all.  

I am following the Naturopathica  REGIMEN KIT: NORMAL TO OILY

ALOE CLEANSING GEL: A foaming sulfate-free cleanser with a refreshing blend of Aloe Vera and Lavender gently clarifies the skin while maintaining natural moisture

OAT FACIAL POLISH: Soothing Oats and Jojoba Beads gently sweep away dry, flaky skin, removing impurities and leaving the face soft and radiant

PLANT STEM CELL SERUM: An ECOCERT certified organic concentrated serum, designed to significantly slow down the aging of cells due to inflammation caused by UVA photodamage and oxidative stress

ROSEMARY OIL-REDUCING MOISTURIZER: An astringent blend of Rosemary and Willow help to absorb excess sebum while nourishing devitalized skin with moisture

The Naturopathica Oat Facial Polish is my favorite cleanser now!  It is very gentle, but it contains a little exfoliant to keep your skin in great daily shape without leaving you feeling raw.  All of the products in this regimen smell wonderful!

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Really Natural Beauty: Jason's Nourishing Apricot Pure Natural Deodorant Stick

Apricot is my favorite scent for deodorant! It may seem like an odd scent to put under your arms, but it is gentle enough and sweet enough that it works.

Jason Apricot Deodorant Stick is affordable and does not contain aluminum, which has been suspected of causing breast cancer.

Long-Lasting Protection. Especially Gentle Formula. Natural Ingredients

This natural deodorant is gentle, safe and delivers long-lasting protection. JASON Apricot Deodorant Stick is formulated without Aluminum Chlorohydrate. Formulated with Apricot Oil, Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Certified Organic Corn Starch, this deodorant delivers soothing freshness.

No Propylene Glycol. No Mineral Oil. No Animal By- Products. No Animal Testing. No Synthetic Fragrance.

Ingredients: Cyclomethicone,Corn Starch Octyl Palmitate, Sodium Bicarbonate, stearyl Alcohol, Tribehenin, Candelilla Wax, Shea Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Sunflower Oil, Zinc Ricinoleate, Soyethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate, Silica, Apricot Oil,Vitamin E,Alpha-Bisabolol,Essential oil blend.Certified Organic.

The Environmental Working Group has given this product a hazard score of four.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Really Natural Skin Care: We LOVE EO!

EO is my go to brand for skin care, and I have converted many a family member to switch to the company's hand soap. Paraben free, polysorbate free, disodium EDTA free, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate free, and post consumer resin bottle, I feel safe using these products on my children's skin. In fact, it was my son's allergy to SLS that caused me to discover EO.

We were sent the following EO products to try:
EO Liquid Hand Soap French Lavender

• Made with unique combinations of pure essential oils and nourishing herbal blends to effectively cleanse without drying your hands.


• Our Coconut Cleansing Complex creates the gentlest, most effective and richly foaming soaps available. We do not use irritating sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates


• Our Organic Herbal Blend is soothing and healing


• Naturally antiseptic


• Calming & Relaxing

EO Body Lotion Grapefruit & Mint

Nourishing and moisturizing with pure essential oils, mango seed butter and Vitamins A and E. Our Grapefruit Essential Oil is cold pressed from the skin of the fruit to preserve the refreshing, citrusy aroma. We blend it with Peppermint Essential Oil to stimulate the senses and promote mental clarity. From the tropical orchards of Florida to the lush Willamette Valley in Oregon, we source the highest quality ingredients from the regions where they thrive naturally. Pure Grapefruit Essential Oil has a sweet and uplifting aroma. Peppermint Essential Oil is revitalizing and refreshing. Our Organic Herbal Blend is formulated to soothe and heal dry, irritated skin. Nourishing Mango Seed Butter replenishes the skin's moisture and provides a protective barrier from external elements. Antioxidants Vitamin A and E aid in tissue repair and improve skin elasticity. Absorbs quickly for softer, silkier skin. Use as an all-over body treatment to nourish your skin and awaken your senses. Breath. Believe. Receive. Made in the USA.

EO Everyone Soap

A natural plant based soap made with pure essential oils, gentle and fragrant, a perfect shower, bath and shampoo for the whole family.

I like the new Everyone soap, in that it is so versatile.  A three-in-one (bath, body, hair) product safe for the littlest to the oldest in your family. Plus, it comes in three great flavors: lavender + aloe, coconut + lemon, and citrus + mint.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.

Really Natural Beauty Secrets: John Masters Organic Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner

Shhhhh! I'm giving away natural beauty secrets!

I love John Masters Organics Hair products. I first got hooked with John Masters Organic Lavender and Avocado Intensive Conditioner. This rich conditioner is just what my long hair needs. My hair can be dry on the ends but oily on top, and it just drinks up John's conditioner.

Lavender and avocado oil are combined with over 10 certified-organic plant extracts and oils to bring intense moisture and vitality to dry hair. Hair is left shiny, soft and luxurious. Wonderful, light lavender scent. Safe for color-treated hair. 7 fl oz.

Made with 12 certified-organic ingredients

• lavender oil- slows hair loss; treats eczema and dermatitis on the scalp
• avocado oil - moisturizes and conditions the hair
• soy protein - strengthens hair follicles; makes hair look thicker and fuller, improves shine
• white tea - detoxifies hair and scalp
• arnica - hydrates scalp; stimulates hair growth

John's products rank from two to four on the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep cosmetic database. Not only are these products safe and effective, I would rather support businesses like John Masters over major corporations like Aveda any day!

Really Natural Beauty: Aubrey Organics!

Aubrey Organics has a full line of skin and hair care products. Made with quality, natural ingredients, I have always loved Aubrey. We were sent the following products to try: Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta & English Lavender Facial Toner

Ingredients: Aubrey's Herbal Base (Deionized Water, Natural Grain Alcohol, Witch Hazel [Natural Herbal Extract], Vegetable Glycerin the Following Whole Herbals: Organic German Camomile Flowers, Organic Calendula Flowers, Organic Lavender Flowers, Organic Peppermint Leaf, Coltsfoot Leaf and Organic Nettle Leaf Extracts of Roman Camomile, Linden, Sage, Clematis, Coneflower, St. John's Wort, Watercress, Burdock Root, Lemon, Ivy, Soapwort, Meadowsweet, Bladderwrack, Horsetail, Blue Mallow, Pellitory Root, Cucumber, Elder Flower and Arnica Aubrey's Preservative [Citrus Seed Extract, Vitamins A, C and E], Organic Lemon Peel Oil), Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Seed Oil and Rose Oil.

Aubrey Organics Lip Balm - Vanilla & Honey

Ingredients Cera alba (beeswax)*, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil*, virgin olea europaea (olive) oil*, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil*, natural flavor, cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil*, rosa rubiginosa (Rosa Mosqueta) seed oil*, tocopherol (vitamin E).* = Organic

Aubrey Organics Crème de la shave Raspberry Honey

INGREDIENTS INCl: Aqua, alcohol denat. (38b, lavender*), myristyl alcohol (coconut fatty alcohol), hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, sodium palmate (palm soap), sodium cocoate (coconut soap), prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, glycerin, rubus idaeus (raspberry) fruit extract, panthenol (vitamin B-5), aloe barbadensis leaf*, carmine, fragrance**. *Organic **Natural isolate blend sourced from essential oils

Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Hip Seed Oil

Extracted from a rose that grows high in Chile's Andes Mountains, a little of this rich oil goes a long way to nourish and revitalize dull, dry skin and scalp and rehydrate damaged hair.

Aubrey's mission proves they are a company you can trust:

Our mission is to provide all-natural, safe and effective personal care and lifestyle products to the consumer. We offer a true and authentic alternative to many of the mass produced synthetic products on the market today. We craft only the highest quality all-natural products without compromise as to ingredients, packaging or cost. We believe in education and transparency. A customer is best able to make an educated and correct purchasing decision only when armed with true and valued information. Part of our core purpose is to provide that information as best as we can.

I especially like the rose hip oil.

Really Natural Beauty Gifts: Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex and Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum

Are you looking for the perfect stocking stuff for the natural beauty in your life? Naturopathica is sure to please from a company you can trust:

Our approach to healthy skin care begins by eliminating harmful synthetics or skin irritants such as parabens, glycols or sulfates, and then adding clinically proven ingredients like antioxidants and peptides that provide real benefits to the skin.

We were sent two products to try out:

• Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex: "A powerful antioxidant blend of Vitamins A, C and E is combined with Kudzu to help reduce the visible signs of aging."


• Naturopathica Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum: "A nutrient-rich cream that combines brightening Vitamin K with Mica and Silica to help improve skin tone."

These are high quality, natural beauty products! These powerful, effective natural ingredients leave your skin feeling fresh and young. Made in the USA, these cruelty-free beauty products are sure to please any woman on your list!

Really Natural Beauty: Bee All Natural Organic Hand and Foot Salve Plus Lip Balms

Applying organic ingredients to our skin and lips is just as important to our health as ingesting organic foods. Bee All Natural uses food grade, organic ingredients:

Bee All Natural was founded in 2009 when I couldn't find the quality skincare products I was searching for. Tired of buying "natural" products that were petroleum based and filled with perfumes, I set-out to develop my own skincare that would be safe for every member of my family.

The daughter of an organic dairy farmer (www.thomasorganiccreamery.com) I already believed in the connection between diet and health. I wanted the products I chose for my family's skincare to reflect the same quality and goodness as those that I chose for their nutrition.

Working independently, I researched, tested and developed each of my products from start to completion. The ingredients are certified organic and are all "food grade" quality. I make each product from scratch and never use pre-made bases. Packaging each batch myself, I even design and print my own labels and carry each order to the post office or retail location!

I am proud of Bee All Natural and stand behind my products 100%. I won't sell a product that I don't use and believe in myself. If I can't make a product great, I just won't make it.

We were sent the Organic Intense Hand & Foot Salve (peppermint) and every variety of lip balm to try out.

My daughter loves the chocolate lip balm!  The salve really works on my winter hands and feet!

I like supporting small companies, and I trust Bee All Natural to be all they say.  There's nothing in these products hidden or a cause for concern.  

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Beauty: Jason Natural Products Quick Clean Makeup Remover

I don't wear make up, but you don't need to in order to benefit from Jason Natural Cosmetics - Quick Clean Make-Up Remover. This fragrance-free, paraben-free, SLS-free, and phthlate-free pads use the power of aloe and cucumber to hydrate and clean. They even remove waterproof makeup!

Always wipe the pre-saturated pad outward toward the hairline. Begin at your forehead, from the middle, wipe one way, then the other. Move to your cheeks, stroking from the base of your nose outward until makeup and blush are removed. Now stroke twice down your nose. Finally, hold the pad for a few seconds over each eyelid, then sweep outward removing eyeshadow and mascara. Lastly, turn the pad over and wipe away your lipstick.

This product (old formula) receives a hazard score of three from the Environmental Working Group.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Beauty: Jason Naturals 0 to 8 Hazard Scores

I used to buy Jason Natural products because they are cheaper than many other beauty products at the health food store, that was until I had a negative reaction on my scalp. Ever since then, I avoid the label.  Thus, I was not surprised the company was targeted as one that committed "organic cosmetics fraud" by the Organic Consumers Association. In general, the brand earns hazard scores from zero to eight from the Environmental Working Group. Fragrance is one of the major ingredients that is a cause for concern.

We were sent the following Jason products to try:

• Chamomile Body Wash


• Pure Aloe Vera Shampoo


• Jason Lavender Deodorant Stick


• JASON Ester-C Creme

I don't know if Jason's cleaned up their act, but many of these products have been reformulated so that's good.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Beauty: Aubrey Saving Face Sunscreen and Creme de la Shave

Aubrey Organics has long been one of my trusted beauty brands. We were recently sent two products to try:
Natural Sun SPF 15 Saving Face Lotion

Light enough to wear under makeup, this gently moisturizing sunscreen is custom-made for the face's more delicate skin. Use it in place of your regular daytime moisturizer to protect skin from sun damage any time you're outside.

Crème de la shave Raspberry Honey:

Get Closer. Made with rich emollients and fruit extracts, this moisturizing shave cream pampers and protects your skin for a luxurious, ultra-smooth shave and legs so soft, you may not need a lotion after shaving. You'll love its silky feel and indulgent berry scent.

The Environmental Working Group gives the sunscreen a hazard score of two. They have not rated the shave creme.

I do have extensive experience with the sunscreen, as I took it on a backpacking trip. We used a whole tube, but we never got burnt.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Beauty: Flower Shower Juniper Rose by Bella Botanica

One of my favorite natural beauty products comes from Bella Botanica. Flower Shower is a lovely toner spritz that is refreshing throughout the day. I recently tried the juniper rose flavor:

Mist this refreshing Flower Shower on your face, or in the bathroom, car, or office. Let the Pure Essential Oil aromatherapy of Juniper, Rose Geranium, and Lemon evoke a desert sunset or a mediterranean breeze... This spray will lift your mood, rejuvenate the spirit, cleanse stale air around you, and hydrate the skin - like a shower in a bottle!

My new beauty regiment is to cleanse, apply Tropical Tamanu Oil, then spritz the flower shower! My skin has never looked so good!

The Absolute Best Care for Your Lips: Dr. Hauschka Lip Care Stick

For years, I have resisted dishing out the big bucks, relatively speaking, for Dr.Hauschka Skin Care Lip Care Stick. I get lots of lip balms sent to me as samples for reviewing, but Dr. Hauschka is the line I buy when given a choice. The lip balm always seemed extravagant at $14 a stick, but I finally justified it to myself promising to never lose it.

Four plant waxes join beeswax to seal in moisture and protect even the most sensitive lips while providing a soft, silky shine.

• Jojoba wax and shea butter protect from the elements
• Helps prevent dry, chapped lips
• Soothing extract of carrot and anthyllis soften and nurture
• Unlike conventional lip care products, the ingredients in Lip Care Stick promote healthy lips without causing dependency

Your lips deserve this wonderful, organic, natural product. Just one application, and I feel relief that lasts without constant reapplication. I love Dr. Hauschka!

Really Natural Beauty: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer and Green Apple Peel

Made with certified organic ingredients, Juice Beauty makes high end products without the exorbitant price, well too exorbitant. We were sent two Juice Beauty products to try:
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel - Full Strength

A powerful hydroxy-acid complex of certified organic apple, lemon, grape juices, raw cane sugar and white willow bark dissolve and free dull, lifeless skin for visibly improved skin tone and texture. Vitamin antioxidants and essential nutrients hydrate and nourish fresh skin for a healthy, beautiful complexion.

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer

Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer contains a proprietary blend of organic fruit stem cells and powerful Vitamin C to help decrease DNA damage and accelerate cellular proliferation.
Fruit stem cells penetrate deeply into the skin and encourage cellular repair while potent Vitamin C promotes collagen production and renewed skin elasticity

.

Juice Beauty consistently receives low hazard scores (one to three) from the Environmental Working Group. These are great products from a company you can trust! All of the products are made in the USA.

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.

Really Natural Beauty: Hugo Naturals Dual Action Sea Fennel and Passionflower Deodoran

Deodorant is somewhat a necessity of life, but unfortunately many of the big name brands are full of toxic substances that are particularly concerning for breast cancer. Finding a natural deodorant that works can be a challenge.

Hugo Naturals, Sea Fennel & Passionflower Deodorant is a unique blend perfect for sensitive skin.

Dual-Action Formula Our powerful formula helps keep you fresh all day long. We've formulated our deodorant with powerful anti-microbial ingredients that help stop odor causing bacteria, while leaving out propylene glycol, alcohol and aluminum. Gentle yet effective, our rich deodorant contains rice powder to help absorb perspiration. Non-irritating. Non-staining. Crafted from cruelty-free ingredients. Always free of artificial fragrances, artificial colors, parabens, petroleum products, and animal fats.

I love the smell of this deodorant!

Disclosure: I was sent free samples of these products to review. No prior assurances were given as to whether the review be positive or negative.