Review: Acure Superfruit + Cirtus Argan Oil Bar Soap

No matter how many fancy body washes, shower gels, or scrubs I try, I always go back to bar soap. Bar soap is a great, simple cleansing product that helps me keep my showers shorter and conserve water. It is indispensable, yet somehow hard to get just right. Acure Organics has a great bar that doesn't wear down too fast or too slow - it's just right. It's called the Superfruit + Cirtus Argan Oil Soap.

Pros:

• Yummy fruity scent
• Non-drying
• Mostly organic
• Doesn't wear away too quickly
• Retail availability
  

Review: Gourmet Body Treats White Ginger Hand & Foot Scrub

When I moved to Austin, I found that my skin became drier. Products like scrubs and exfoliators suddenly became very useful, as they help remove the dead skin and reveal bright new skin. One of these exfoliators is Gourmet Body Treats White Ginger Hand & Foot Scrub

Pros:

• Yummy sweet ginger scent
• Gentle ingredients
• Made with organic sugar
• Helps exfoliate skin while providing moisture
• Easy to apply
  

Review: Lunaroma After Waxing Calming Skin Blend

If you've ever waxed regularly, you know that it can leave your skin red and sometimes irritated. I used to wax my eyebrows frequently, and my face would be red for half the day. Fortunately, there are some products that can help soothe waxed skin. One of these is Lunaroma's After Waxing Calming Skin Blend.

Pros:

• Pleasant scent
• Can help reduce ingrown hairs
• Soothing formula
• Made with organic jojoba oil
• Handcrafted
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
  

Review: Seventh Generation Body Wash

If you have a roommate or live with a man, you probably have dealt with a cluttered shower at one point or another. One handy way I've found to reduce the number of bottles in the shower is to choose scents that my man and I can both use and enjoy, such as peppermint. I was delighted to see that Seventh Generation came out with a new line of a new line of body washes. They are available at many local stores and there is a nice peppermint option.

Pros:

• Lathers well
• Offered in four scents
• Retail availability
• Affordable (around $6-8)
• Vegan and gluten-free formula
  

Cons:

• No unscented version (yet)

Summary:
I tested the peppermint scent, which was light and not overpowering. The scent didn't linger too long, but smelled good during my shower. My man likes the scent as well. The formula feels similar to conventional formulas, with a good lather. These body washes rate about a 2-3 on the EWG Skin Deep database, with the peppermint coming in at a 3. However, the two highest hazard ingredients, linalool and limonene, are naturally-occurring components of essential oils, so I suspect this hazard rating runs a little higher than necessary. The price is a fair value, particularly if you can find it on sale in a local store. If you're looking for a nice, gentle body wash for a vegan lifestyle, this is a good option that can be found locally.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was sent to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review. No additional compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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Review: Enfusia Moisturizing Body Lotion

Note: Packaging has been
updated since photo was taken.

There's a company in my current home state of Texas that offers an entirely vegan, gluten-free line of body products. It is called Enfusia, and they are located near Houston. I recently had the opportunity to test their Moisturizing Body Lotion.

Pros:

• Available in several scents or fragrance-free version
• Non-greasy
• Absorbs quickly
• Scented versions will retain their scent for few hours
• Many organic ingredients
• Vegan and gluten-free
  

Review: Acure Organics Exfoliating Mint Body Wash

Many of us want gentle products to use on our skin, whether it is a facial moisturizer or a body wash. However, we don't always think about whether or not these products could also be organic. Acure Organics offers an exfoliating mint body wash that contains many organic ingredients.

Pros:

• Lathers well
• Pleasant mint scent
• A little goes a long way
• Contains organic ingredients
• Biodegradable
• Vegan and gluten-free
  

Cons:

• Not much of an exfoliator, as advertised

Summary:
This is a nice body wash with a traditional texture. It forms a nice, bubbly lather and cleans without drying. The scent is a great minty fragrance that doesn't smell artificial and is gender neutral. While the title is "exfoliating," I didn't feel any beads, really, when I applied this wash on a loofah. I love the packaging, and Acure's commitment to sound environmental practices. This wash is quite gentle, rating a low 1 on the EWG Skin Deep database. While it is a little more expensive than a drugstore body wash, the ingredients, performance, and company ethics make this a good value. If you're looking for a gentle body wash in a great scent suitable for men and women, this is a great option.

Also available on Amazon.com.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was sent to me free of charge by the manufacturer for review. No additional compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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Review: Earth Therapeudics Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray

Have you ever pulled off your shoes after a long, hot day and wished there were something to soothe your tired, sweaty feet? Or do you wish there was something to cut the stink after wearing flats barefoot? That is where products like Earth Therapeutics' Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray come in.

Pros:

• Pleasant mint scent
• Cooling effect
• Dries quickly
• Can help deodorize feet
• Contains many organic ingredients
• Affordable

Review: Whole Foods Verve Bar Soap

When I was younger, my family used regular drugstore soap. We usually purchased bars for "sensitive skin," which were often unscented to avoid irritation. When I made the switch to cruelty-free products, I was shocked by some of the sticker prices on bars of soap at the health food store; many were fancy artisan soaps. What's a girl to do if she wants something like regular soap, only cruelty-free? Enter Whole Foods' Verve soap.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Retail availability (Whole Foods)
• Gentle ingredients
• Unscented and scented options
• Easy to use up (see below)
• Non-drying
  

Cons:

• Hard to find outside Whole Foods

Summary:
I was delighted to find this soap at Whole Foods. Instead of paying $5 a bar for other natural soaps, they offer this in-house line for $3.99 for a three pack, and a little more per bar if buying individually. The unscented bar doesn't smell like much, but there are some scented varieties as well that seem based on popular conventional scents like cucumber. The ingredients for the unscented bar come in at a shockingly low 0 on the EWG Skin Deep database. I suspect the fragrance varieties are higher, depending on the fragrance used. One of the best things about this soap is, when you get down to a small bar, you can easily incorporate it into a new one (it melds together when wet). This is very handy, so you don't end up with tiny soap pieces cluttering up your bath or shower. I love the hip packaging and impression on the soap. If you're looking for a dependable soap that is gentle and performs as well as the conventional alternatives, Whole Foods' Verve is a great, affordable option.

Product Ratings (out of 5)

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Performance
Presentation
Purity
Value

Disclosure notice: This product was purchased by the reviewer. No compensation was accepted and the opinions are my own. Please verify any claims with the manufacturer, especially if you have any allergies or concerns.

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