Let’s face it: the older we get, the more high-maintenance we become.  I’ll be the first to tell you, dear readers, that I just celebrated my 35th birthday not long ago; one of my presents to yours truly? Trying to take better care of myself–which also means paying more attention to the needs of my complexion….

I’ll also be the first to admit that I have an overall aversion to most moisturizers, including those made for oily or otherwise “troubled” skin.  Maybe it’s just me, but plenty of non-comedogenic products have made me break out, so now I’m often reluctant to try anything new.  However, I also realize how unhealthy dehydration is–and since I get to sample some amazing stuff as a beauty editor–let me tell you about Pomega5′s cruelty-free green tea moisturizer.  Hooray for antioxidants and their key benefits, which include:

• green tea extract: an anti-inflammatory that reduces sun damage and risk of irritation; prevents collagen breakdown
• pomegranate seed oil: an omega-5 fatty acid; this powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory stimulates collagen renewal (and other skin-rejuvenating actions)
• verbena oil: an antiseptic/anti-bacterial distilled from the verbena (lemon) leaf; known to relieve anxiety, boost concentration & uplift mood
• jojoba oil: a moisturizer rich in omega-9 (antioxidant); also unclogs pores & reduces stretch marks/wrinkles
• vanilla extract: a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols; sensuous, calming & a known protectant

Sounds great (at least in theory), right?  But what about those dreaded zits?!  As fantastic as the ingredients all are–botanicals can still exacerbate the tendency to break out–I’m also happy that this does not seem to be an issue with Pomega5‘s moisturizer.  I use it under Tease Zone.

Jen#2

Press sample provided for review purposes.

Product image and info courtesy of Pomega5.com and wikipedia.org.

Exfoliating Foot Scrub

As Jen mentioned the other day, women tend to subject their feet to more than their fair share of torture.  Perhaps no one is more guilty of doing so than yours truly–now that summer is here, I realize I should probably start taking better care of my tattered tootsies! That’s why I picked up this tube of cruelty-free peppermint foot scrub during a recent trip to the drugstore. If anyone’s feet needed to be exfoliated, mine certainly did–let me tell you, they’re anything but photogenic!

The online product description is short, sweet and self-explanatory: this good-for-you organic scrub helps dry, rough feet shed that unwanted layer of flaky or scaly skin–using only natural pumice and walnut shells as exfoliating agents.  In addition to buffing and polishing, sunflower oil (an excellent source of therapeutic vitamins A and E) also helps minimize further agony by moisturizing those poor, over-worked soles.

More good news about Kiss My Face: not only is the line cruelty-free, almost everything is also vegan (a few products list honey and/or beeswax among the ingredients; they’re listed in the FAQs). Hooray for humane, eco-friendly beauty!

Are my feet ready for their close-up now?  To be perfectly honest, I have only used the scrub once, thus far (on Saturday, to be exact), yet I can already see–and feel–an improvement in the overall texture and appearance.  I’ll be sure to keep you posted after subsequent use; I might even feel brave enough to share a pic!

Product image and info courtesy of Kiss My Face; mineral clarification is from the Mineral Information Institute.

Jen 2

Nurture My Body – Cleansing Milk or Cream Cleanser

The gentle Cleansing Milk facial cleanser has seaweed extract and aloe vera gel to soothe sensitive skin. It leaves your face feeling smooth and moisturized. It’s made for normal to oily skin, but personally I think it’s better for normal to dry skin. It has a high level of moisturizing ingredients and it also has organic herbal extracts and essential oils to dissolve dirt and kill bacteria.

For extra dry skin, try the Cream Cleanser with avocado, coconut and safflower oils, as well as organic extract and essential oils like comfrey, chamomile and rose. Both cleansers have an EWG rating of zero – the best you can get!

Komenuka Bijin – Facial Moisture Cream and Skin Care Cream

Japanese company, Komenuka Bijin has a great Facial Moisture Cream for normal to dry skin. It is thick but not at all greasy and has a simple, but effective list of ingredients including rice bran, rice oil, aloe, squalene and Vitamin E.

It also contains collagen for its moisture and anti-aging properties. Collage is made from gelatin, so please note that the product is not vegan (but, it has not been tested on animals!).

Patyka – Huile Absolue Organic Serum

Patyka makes a luxurious oil that can be used on face, cuticles, hair or body. It’s made with squalene, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, rosewood oil, olive oil and many other skin-nourishing ingredients.

You can use it on your face as a night treatment, but it actually absorbs very well, so you can even use it during the day or as a makeup primer. You can use it on your cuticles or to tame frizzy hair. It also smells wonderful!

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The company started in June 2006. They passion is to provide the safest and most natural personal care products that reflect the unique beauty in all of us while maintaining our stewardship with the Earth.

Their Organic Skin Care line takes care of you. It adds to your healthy glow by nourishing your sensitive skin with botanical rich ingredients. So, go ahead – light up your world. Their Organic Body Care products offer you nutrient rich ingredients that will enhance your softness, tenderness and bring to your body vitality.

Keeping reading to learn how to win the Nurture My Body Gift Set with a selection of their best-selling products worth $50.

To enter:

• For your first entry, all you have to do is click on “Enter the contest here” at the bottom of this post. That will take you to a web form where you will enter.

For extra entries:

• Follow @MyBeautyBunny on Twitter and click the re-tweet button at the bottom of the post. Fill out the form (linked below) after you’ve tweeted. You can tweet once per day – just be sure to leave a comment for each tweet!

• Become a fan of My Beauty Bunny’s Facebook page. If you’re already a fan, just leave your Facebook name.

• Sign up for My Beauty Bunny’s e-mail newsletter and leave me the e-mail address you used to sign up. If you’re already a subscriber, just leave me your e-mail address.

• Add our “No Tricks. Just Treats!” button to your blog with a link back to My Beauty Bunny. Get the code here. Fill out the form (linked below) for your entry.

IMPORTANT: You must fill out the form (linked below) for EACH action in order for it to count. Comments on this post do not count!

You must be a U.S. citizen, age 18 or older to win. Contest ends midnight (PST), 10/30/09.

Good luck!

Contest has ended.

I decided to try their Organic Lavender Shower Gel, an organic-based, paraben-free skin treat.

From first use, this product surprised me. Since it’s a sulfate-free product, I prepared myself for a low lather, but it actually had a rich lather that helped me feel like I was getting completely clean–without making my skin feel the least bit dry.

It’s skin-soothing ability is due to its organic oils, like coconut, jojoba and olive oil. These instantly absorb so they don’t make your skin feel greasy, only soft and comfortable.

Of course, with a name like Lavender, it does indeed have a fresh, calming fragrance. Lavender essential oil and rosemary extract combine to soothe and comfort, which makes it a perfect bubble bath as well.

Another Russell Organics product that I’ve been using with my shower gel is a body scrub called Lemon Jojoba Body Polish. This creamy exfoliant uses Jojoba beads to gentle slough away dead skin cells while Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and Safflower Seed Oil soften even the driest skin. With each use, my skin feels smoother and looks healthier. Not bad, since the skin on my body usually looks rough and dull. It also leaves my skin smelling as fresh as lemons.

Yes, I think I’ve found the perfect combination to clean and beautify the skin all over my body. I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back to that gross bar of soap. Not only does my body thank me, but my bathtub does too.

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I tried Tropical Traditions tea tree liquid and bar soaps, and they are both fantastic.  They are both made from non-refined, fresh, organic coconuts from the Philippines (shout out to my Pinoy friends!), and no chemical solvents are used in processing.

There really are no other ingredients!  These soaps are made from coconut oil and organic tea tree essential oil – that’s it!  The combination of  moisturizing coconut oil and antiseptic tea tree oil makes  for a great body wash – especially for acne-prone and sensitive skin (like mine).  The best part is that they leave absolutely no residue.  They wash away dirt and oil without a trace, and without harsh chemicals.

Would you like to try these soaps for yourself?  Read on to win!

To enter:

• All you have to do is sign up for the Tropical Traditions e-newsletter to enter. Please leave a comment below after you sign up, and make sure to leave me the same e-mail address you used to sign up. You must do this before earning extra entries.

For extra entries:

• Follow @MyBeautyBunny on Twitter and tweet the following: “@MyBeautyBunny is giving away free Tropical Traditions coconut oil soap – http://ow.ly/oLVk” Or just click the re-tweet button at the bottom of the post.  Leave a comment below with a link to the tweet after you’ve tweeted. You can tweet once per day – just be sure to leave a comment for each tweet!

• Become a fan of My Beauty Bunny’s Facebook page. If you’re already a fan, just leave your Facebook name.

• Sign up for My Beauty Bunny’s e-mail newsletter and leave me the e-mail address you used to sign up. If you’re already a subscriber, just leave me your e-mail address.

IMPORTANT: You must leave a comment for EACH action in order for it to count!

You must be a U.S. citizen, age 18 or older to win. Contest ends midnight (PST), 9/30/09.

Good luck!

Contest is now closed.

Now, I have to tell you about their Chamomile & Grapefruit Moisturizer.  I love the zesty (yes, I said zesty), fresh scent and the germ-killing and toning properties of the grapefruit, witch hazel and neem oil.  It’s also got organic aloe, honey and coconut oil to retain moisture, and black willowbark to reduce inflammation.

It doesn’t make my sensitive skin freak out, which is a major plus in and of itself.  I really like that it’s a light moisturizer – not greasy at all and works well with my combination skin.  But, it’s not so light that you feel like it’s not doing anything.

It’s also relatively inexpensive – $20 for a product with this many great, organic ingredients is pretty darn good.  I also like the pretty cobalt glass pump (recyclable) and the classy label.  I like products that look good on my shelf – it makes me happy!

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