For a few months I’ve been on the hunt for a really decent all natural body moisturiser. I got off to a good start with Organic Surge Sweet Blossom Body Cream. It smells fabulous, a bit like sherbet, and has … Continue reading
If you have sensitive skin or a young child you really should try out Weleda’s Calendula Baby Care range. Products span from bath creams to massage oils and all are made using organic calendula, reputed for its healing effect on … Continue reading
I’ve become a bit obsessed with finding a ‘safe’ suncream recently, one that protects from the sun but isn’t packed full of nasty chemicals. I’ve been poring over horror stories on the internet about how skin cancer rates have actually gone up since we started using sunscreens, the dangers of nanoparticles and how many of the most commonly used ingredients are known to produce free radicals under UV light. Scary stuff.
I came to the conclusion, and this is very much a personal opinion, that plain old zinc oxide is the safest sunscreen out there. And that led me to US firm Badger, makers of the famous Badger Balm.
I’ve been putting their SPF 30 Sunscreen for Babies through its paces all summer, both on me and my 16 month old. It’s easy to apply, holds up to water exposure (it was actually quite hard to wash off) and has a pleasant smell. It also contains soothing chamomile and calendula, with sunflower oil and vitamin E to mop up free radicals produced in the sun. It does make you look a bit like you’re auditioning as an extra in a Twilight movie but I found that more of an issue for me than for the baby.
Badger also produces an SPF 15 for adults which is meant to be less whitening and they are reworking their adult lotions so I will be road testing these too and reporting back. To see all Badger’s sunscreens follow the link below:
In short, highly recommended for kids but grown ups might find the formula a bit white as an all over sunscreen.
Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen for Babies: £14.95 for 87ml
Natural credentials: 100% certified natural and 94% organic; non nano zinc oxide
Available from: 24/7 Healthfoods (£1.99 shipping cost)
Don’t let the fact it’s advertised as a baby bottom butter fool you. This is an intensely nourishing moisturiser with a rich, buttery texture that’s great as a night cream, body and hand cream, even a lip balm.
Comprising just four ingredients (olive oil, hydrogenated olive oil, vanillin and chamomile oil), it smells slightly of white chocolate, not unlike Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, and the chamomile calms dry, irritated skin. Researching the product I even found a review of how it had helped a psoriasis sufferer, confirming its gentle, soothing properties.
I’m actually a bit slow off the mark with this one. Vogue reviewed it back in 2008 (followed by every beauty editor in the UK and beyond) but it only came to my attention when my friend Smooch was stocking up on it to send to a friend in Australia. It’ll cost a fortune in postage, surely? It’s worth it, came the response. I have to agree.
Try decanting some into a small travel pot and keep it in your handbag for dry skin emergencies.
Waitrose baby bottom butter £2.89 for 125ml
Natural credentials: Olive oil and vanillin with chamomile oil to calm the skin
Joli Naturellement 