“How are your pits?” “Amazing, yours?” This little overshare follows a scorching day out having convinced my sister to try Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant. My sister doesn’t usually buy in to my natural-is-better campaign. But two days later I get a … 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)
If you’re looking for a rich and deeply soothing eye product then Indie Lee’s Calendula Eye Balm is worth trying. I’ve been using this little wonder balm for about a month now and it’s just as healing on chapped lips and other problem areas as it is around the eyes.
As with all Indie Lee products it’s entirely natural: mango seed butter to reduce dark circles and calendula oil, beeswax and lavender oil to aid skin elasticity (calendula is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties).
I’d recommend applying about 15 minutes before you put on eye make up as it does leave a bit of a sheen, as you’d expect with all those natural oils.
I’ve got very sensitive skin and it’s cleared up a bit of ezcema I had on my eyelids. And, despite having a young baby, people keep telling me how fresh I look so it must be good! It’s not cheap but a little goes a long way.
Indie Lee Calendula Eye Balm: £26 for 0.5oz
Natural credentials: 100% natural with mango seed butter, calendula oil, beeswax, and lavender oil.
Available from: abeautifulworld.com
Joli Naturellement 