Spring, is that you peeking out?
Our weather has been outstanding over the past week and is only getting better. I love it! I am so excited to get outdoors for runs. I think a lot of the snow and ice will melt this weekend.
First up, three Project Natural Glow product reviews!
I bought these at Whole Foods on Feburary 6th.
1) Activa Organic Coconut Oil
My review: I love this coconut oil. For whatever reason, it doesn’t get super firm like some of the other ones I have tried. I use coconut oil as a body moisturizer while in the shower. After washing with soap and rinsing, I rub coconut oil on my skin. Rinse as usual and when you get out of the shower, lightly pat the skin with a towel, but try not to rub off all the coconut oil. This leaves your skin very soft.
2) Desert Essence Natural Tea Tree Oil Toothpaste
From the website: “Desert Essence Pure Aromatic Tea Tree Oil comes from the bountiful outback of Australia. We have also added baking soda, which actively helps to fight plaque. Flavored with pure essential oil of Ginger for a unique and refreshing taste. Free from harsh abrasives, synthetic sweeteners, or artificial flavors.”
My review: Since I have had such great success with their tea tree oil, I was eager to try out their toothpaste. I liked everything about this toothpaste except for the flavour. I had serious doubts about a ginger flavoured toothpaste, but it was the only flavour that Whole Foods had in stock so I bought it anyways. The ginger just didn’t give my mouth a fresh feel (and tasted gross!), so I switched back to the regular stuff for now. Any natural toothpaste recommendations?
3) Dr Mist
This is a spray on natural deodorant. It is aluminum free, fragrance free, stain free, colorless, and non-oily and non-alcohol based. It claims to get rid of body, foot and underarm odor effectively and can also be used for mosquito and insect bites, open wounds, acne, eczema and other skin itchiness caused by toxins.
My review: Despite these exciting claims, Dr Mist was very ineffective for me as a deodorant. It simply did not work. I have not tried it for things such as insect bites or acne, but I will probably give it a shot just to see for myself.
So what does a girl do when a natural deodorant fails?? She makes her own!
I have heard from some of you that swear by homemade deodorant. I came across Passionate Homemaking that features a homemade deodorant recipe. Unfortunately, this deodorant did not work for me.
I also put the leftovers in a small plastic container:
I was really excited for this homemade deodorant, but it did not work for me personally.
Have you ever used a homemade deodorant? What did you think?
My St Ives facial scrub also ran out, so I decided to make my own!
Lemon Sugar Scrub
[From Tip Nut]
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 TBS lemon zest (grated)
- I also added a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon)
Directions: Mix together and put in a container!
My review: This stuff is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very refreshing. You must make this! 
It is just awesome and left my skin sooo soft. I used it in the shower and it was amazing. I also tried it on my face and it was good too. The only thing I didn’t like was that it left my face very oily so I had to use a cleanser afterwards to get off some of the oil. I am hoping that it doesn’t cause breakouts on my face because I really thought this was so effective. A very cheap and effective way to exfoliate. I loved the touch of lemon too. A+++++
Have a great Saturday
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Wow! I have only ever made a brown sugar srub, but the lemon sounds super refershing! I bet using that in the morning would wake me right up!
To be honest, I’m a bit scared to try the all natural deodorants and toothpaste, so I’m glad you are testing them out first
I have a dentist appointment this month, so I think I’ll ask him for his recommendations. If I find anything great, I’ll let you know.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the sun!!!!
hey girl..thanks for the reviews! I have coconut oil..right now I just use it for cooking but I should definitly try to branch out. Could be good for my dry skin
Also, love that you made your own scrub!!!
p.s all of the natural deoderants I have tried..have not worked. By the end of the day my arm pits get all red…and to be quite frank…I stink. lol
What a cool post! That lemon scrub sounds amazing, especially as we kick into Spring/Summer. I’m a little intimidated by natural deodorants as well.. but I can’t help but cringe right now when I slather on the Dove.
Lady your glo bar pack came in yesterday and it was ~awesome~. Can’t get enough of the heaven bar (the first one that I tried.) I blogged about the experience last night if you fancy a quick read.
Excited for the meet up tomorrow <3 Thanks for the delicious bars!
I absolutely LOVE homemade sugar scrubs– I do the same as you- use it followed by a cleanser since it’s a little oily
I see the sun too – woo-hoo!!
I still use regular deodorant for when I am going to be working out, but after I have a shower, or I am just going out somewhere I know I’m not going to be sweating a ton, I use Tom’s of Maine – aluminium free. Works pretty well, though there is still te white residue issue, but that can be resolved with a bit more planning on my part (put deodorant on FIRST then wait about 10 minutes then put clothes on!!
I love the homemade deordorant recipe! I will have to try this…I usually use Tom’s lemongrass deo, but it can be pricey!
I’m going to email you because I will be West Palm when you’re there too so I’d love to be part of the meetup!
Would love to try the homemade natural deodorant – about a month ago I bought the Tom’s Apricot one which smells great, but it doesn’t work at all
I’ll have to try this out!
I use the Tom’s toothpaste in clean mint and I really like it! The mint flavor is really natural and fresh tasting.
I have found an AMAZING Natural deodorant (and is Canadian too!). Check out Rocky Mountain Soap Co. (www.rockymountainsoap.com) I am obsessed with their products at the moment (all natural) and their deodorant was my first purchase. I absolutely love it! I need to consider buying stocks in their company I love their products so much….hahaha
Where do the articles you write for Breville go? Are they available online? I would love to read them sometime.
Enjoy the sun!
They are on the Foodthinkers.com website
My first one is up there, I think I called it spiced apple pie
That lemon scrub sounds awesome!
I have seen that natural deodorant recipe and been meaning to try it for months. Please let us know how it goes!
I just bought some natural toothpaste. It is from the JASON line of powersmile and it a peppermint gel. I opted to keep fluoride in mine. I love it, it is minty and fresh without the gross artificial sweet and I like how it is a gel since I am not a big paste fan. It also has coq10 in it to strengthen gums. I am really hoping this helps since mine always bleed when I floss them!
This is awesome! I love the face scrub idea! Definitely give it a try! I should try coconut oil on my face! I have some extremely dry patches! Thanks for sharing!
I would have never thought to make my own deodorant, I can’t believe how easy it is and only 3 ingredients. I look forward to your review. Hope it works so I can make my own too!
Angela, I make my own facial scrub too (http://chicagomarathonval.com/2009/08/31/diy-do-it-yourself-day/)… I use this basic recipe and sometimes throw in other scent. The coconut oil works great… I use the scrub and then wet my hands to rub it off, so I get rid of most of it but that a bit of residue still stays on to moisturize
Thanks for these reviews – I am definitely going to try making the homemade scrub, and I am excited for the possibility that this natural deodorant might work. Can you please keep us updated with a review of this deodorant? I’d love to get off the aluminum!
I have not had any luck with natural deodorant or toothpaste…they are just never effective and are so expensive! Plus my dentist was pretty disappointed with my last appointment so I went back to Colgate!
I have never used homemade, but I do use the natural crystal deodorant from the health food store that you just wet and rub on. It works great!!
Hey! I’ve been trying out natural products out lately also! I figured if I’m putting such great foods into my body I should be doing the same with my skin!!
xo
Jocelyn
Wow you are quite the chemist in your kitchen. Seriously that is so cool of your to make those products! Let us know how the deodorant works for you!
Have a great day!
Thanks for the link love!
That scrub sounds awesome…I’ve always wanted to try to make my own bath & body goodies.
My friend makes and sells deodorant pretty similar to that..she adds a few more things, 1 being “clove oil.” I know it sounds weird to have clove scented pits but it is AWEsome stuff. I guess clove is a natural anti-persp. The smell is not intense at all..Chris never thinks I smell like Christmas cookies or anything
Give it a try! Genius to put in a re-used twist up container!
I loved EVERYTHING about this post!!!
I’ve never thought to make my own deodorant before! What a great idea!
I’m love the scrub too
Have a great Saturday!
You have THE most unique ideas for creating your own products! Honestly. I think I might need to try out that skin scrub.
Both my parents are hippie athletes lol and swear by natural deodorant! The thing I find is you really have to layer the stuff on and allow it to dry before you put your shirt on.
I make my own sugar scrub too and I love it! I’ll never buy exfoliator again.
That sugar scrub looks great! I’ll have to try it sometime. I use a vegan deoderant. It’s lavender scented and I think it works fine. I don’t use a natural toothpaste, but have been thinking about trying. I’ve also been trying to stay natural with my skin care products.
How would that sugar scrub keep?
K
Not sure, but I will be keeping it in the fridge
You could also make a smaller portion that would last just for a few days or a week.
that weather looks perfect for a trail run! i hope you have the best run evvvvvvv-AH!
I think spring has finally come to Canada because it’s absolutely GORGEOUS in B.C. today, too!
I’m definitely going to try the scrub! I’ve been using H20+ Sea Salt Skin Scrub which is AWESOME, but SO expensive. So, thank you for the excellent tips!
I love making my own beauty products at home! Honey, Greek yogurt, avocados, so many delicious ingredients to use!
Its gorgeous here too, definitely make sure you get outside!
I’ve made facial scrubs at home with lots of success, but I’m starting to think an effective natural deodarant is the holy grail of personal care products – I’ve tried ‘em all and it just doesn’t seem to work. I’ll be checking back to see if you had any success with your homemade version!
This is too funny that you just posted this post since this morning I was JUST thinking about natural deodorants and toothpastes. I was wondering what were good brands, and if they actually worked. Thanks for this.
Thanks for the body scrub idea. I must try it soon – i’m too cheap to buy made scrubs.
I just made natural deodorant for the first time on Monday! The recipe is just a little different than yours (you can see my blog post about it here: http://www.pocoleon.com/green/a-fresh-batch-of-deodorant/). Mine has tea tree oil in it and that makes it really cooling and nice. So far, I think it works better than any other store-bought natural deodorant I’ve tried…and I’ve used natural for several years.
Oops! That was the wrong link I gave you! This is the deodorant link: http://www.pocoleon.com/green/a-fresh-batch-of-deodorant/
Hope that works better! Haha
p.s. the neem wintergreen flavor of that tea tree toothpaste is AWESOME…I’ve actually heard of some people’s recessive gums being restored after using that for a while…lol, is that even possible?
Hey Angela! I’m a loyal reader/lurker. I wanted to tell you I made my very first green monster this morning and loved it! I posted about it on my blog. I’m excited to try another one tomorrow. I’m 33 weeks pregnant and I’m sure the baby is loving his greens!
Love the scrub idea! I’m not sure I could handle the natural toothpaste though
It has been SO nice here in S Ontario! Maybe we should all take a walk after Fressen tomorrow, it is supposed to be beautiful! =D
I LOVE coconut butter for a moisturizer! I feel so fresh, and not to mention smooth after wearing it! As for natural toothpastes, I like Tom’s of Maine… I’m pretty sure you can get it here in Canada!
And what a GREAT face scrub! I am trying it soon for sure!
See you tomorrow!
xo
K
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