OK, let’s be honest here, common phrases such as “it’s like getting teeth pulled” didn’t come from anybody’s “fun” experience in the dentist chair.  Matter of fact, nothing’s quite as unsettling as being tilted back with a stranger’s hands in your mouth, sharp instruments coming at you, and that annoying little sucking tool hooked to the side of your mouth.  But it’s a fact of life, because after all, total body health really does start in the mouth.  And oral hygiene is critical in maintaining a healthy heart, and staying on top of your game.

While we haven’t seen innovation in the oral care space in some time, a company in Oregon has emerged as a real leader in organic and sustainable oral care products.  Since 2003, Tooth Soap® has grown to become the best natural, non-toxic alternative to toothpaste. Tooth Soap®, made with organic whole foods, natural and wildcrafted sustainable ingredients, flawlessly cleans teeth and gums by scrubbing fissures and pits in teeth (the most common place for cavities) to remove oils, residues and other contaminants. Tooth Soap® leaves teeth absolutely clean allowing re-mineralization of teeth to occur naturally.  They offer a complete line of oral and beauty care products, and even have products for pets.  But certified kosher toothpaste?  Who knew!

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has deemed their products to be novel, and will be issuing the patent in the coming months.  Now that’s great news, and quite an accomplishment.  At IzzitGreen, we love innovation, we marvel at thinking outside the box, and we absolutely support and admire the little guys taking it to the big guys.  And we’re here to help.  It’s not only the American Way, it’s the GREEN way!

So check out our friends at Tooth Soap® to purchase their entire line of oral and beauty care products, and ask for them at your local health, beauty, and grocery store.  They stand behind their all natural products 100% and offer a 90-day no-hassle, no-questions-asked guarantee.

Bamboo Go! Towel is Useful and Sustainable

The Go! Towel by Luxe Bamboo solves some serious dilemmas for ultra minimalists and tree huggers alike. Before use this tiny towel is super packable and comes as a small disk, about the size of a few stacked Pogs. (For those of you who were never cool enough to play, Pogs are poker chip-sized cardboard disks.) Plus, one towel weighs less than two ounces! But the magic really begins when you introduce a little agua. Just add a few drops of water, or three tablespoons to be exact, and ta-da! Now you have a super strong, ultra absorbent, reusable towel that grows from teeny-tiny all the way to 12 x 20 inches! But wait, there’s more! The Go! Towel is made from 100% organically grown bamboo fiber that is unbleached, dye-free, unscented and naturally antibacterial. Not only does this towel come from a super sustainable source, but it also comes back full circle when you’re done with it. Just throw your Go! Towel into your compost pile or worm-bin and this biodegradable cloth will return to nature in four to six weeks.

How Will You Use Yours?

So how can one use such a magical towel? Oh let me count the ways. . .One, for traveling when every ounce counts. Two, for cooling off after or during exercise. Just wet the Go! Towel and throw it around your neck. It will trap air and cool it against your skin for an instant chill. Three, this bamboo towel dries soft, not crunchy, so it’s great for removing make-up and the fine bamboo fibers are extra  gentle even on sensitive skin.. Four and five, as a coffee filter in a serious must-have-caffeine emergency or as a Swiffer replacement to clean the kitchen floor post spill. The next million ways include: for facials, as a handkerchief, in your golf bag, on a bike ride and the list goes on and on.

Luxe Bamboo is based in Santa Monica, CA and works tirelessly towards their mission of introducing people to the amazing bamboo fiber and its low environmental impact and beneficial properties. Consider their amazing towel for the perfect go-everywhere accessory or impress your guests at your next party or event,  with responsible custom Go! Towels.

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: Luxe Bamboo

ECO Logical Skin Care has challenged the norm and taken advantage of extensive studies performed in Australia, where skin cancer rates per capita are the highest in the world,  and where incredibly advanced research on sun exposure is heavily promoted. The result is one of the safest sunscreens around for you, your children and the environment.

ECO Sunscreen Protects You

ECO Sunscreen was given the highest overall score of 1 by the Environmental Working Group. The EWG is an independent research and information provider in the public health and environment sectors that works to expose threats to our health and the environment. ECO Sunscreen received this prestigious rating by keeping their sunscreen free of chemical UV absorbers, artificial preservatives and fragrances. ECO Logical uses only naturally and organically sourced, chemical-free ingredients that contribute to a sunscreen that is safe, balanced, antioxidant-rich, hypoallergenic and filled with nutritious support for your family’s skin. ECO Sunscreen uses non-whitening zinc to cut sun exposures as opposed to harmful chemicals found in many other sunscreens. ECO Logical offers this sun-blocker in three distinct formulas. The Face version is great under make-up and the non-greasy, non-comedogenic formula won’t clog your pores or weigh you down. ECO Sunscreen Body is best for all over protection and nourishment with antioxidants like green tea and grape seed. Finally, ECO Sunscreen Baby is filled with extra gentle moisturizers like shea butter and jojoba perfect for little ones or anyone with sensitive skin plus it has a no-sting eye benefit.

ECO Sunscreen Protects the Environment

While you’re slathering on protection you can also be helping to protect fragile marine life. ECO Sunscreen is the official sunscreen of the Surfrider Foundation, a powerful activist network committed to the protection of our oceans and beaches. ECO Sunscreen is biodegradable and lacks toxic UV absorbing chemicals that threaten marine life, including fragile corals. Plus, this zinc sunblock’s superior water resistance makes it a top choice for wave surfers everywhere. There is a lot of marine life out there, and it just happens to be maybe a little important in how things run around here. Do your part and choose a sunblock like ECO Sunscreen that is safe for you and the environment.

Follow Alina on Twitter for the latest good-green stuff in sports, fitness and outdoors!

Image Credit: ECO Logical Skin Care, Morgue File

And to care for dry hands and skin at home, there’s a vast number of hand lotions and creams on the market, however it’s important to take into account the ingredients in each product. The Environmental Working Group has a database, the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, which provides a search engine for products, ingredients or companies to discern how harsh the products you’re using are.

With that in mind, Izzit has found a few products that are worth checking out, based on their rating from Skin Deep as well as the companies’ green initiatives and goals.

Burt’s Bees Creams

Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream ranks as a “moderate” hazard, according to the Skin Deep database, but the company’s goals make it a smart, green purchase.

Burt’s Bees is committed to stick to natural products, its web site says. Besides all their products being 99 percent natural — with over half at 100 percent natural — the company promises to disclose their ingredients and use packaging with post-consumer recycled materials. The company also believes in giving back through The Greater Good Foundation by pledging at least 10 percent of web site sales to their selected partners.

Not only is the company eco-friendly, in addition to their Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream (that includes sesame, macadamia nut and rosehip essential oils), they sell other types of hand moisturizers ranging from Naturally Ageless Skin Soothing Hand Cream (featuring pomegranate extract), to Beeswax and Banana Hand Creme. The Beeswax and Banana cream was called “super rich, all natural hand cream . . . with aloe vera and vitamin E to moisturize dry skin and beeswax to help seal and protect your hands from the elements.” Perfect for after you’ve just had to shovel your driveway clear of snow . . . again.

EO Hand Creams

EO’s hand cream ingredients rank as containing “low” hazards (ranked 2 out of 10) according to the Skin Deep database. EO is a family owned and operated company that is a Certified Organic Manufacturer of personal care products, the company web site says. To get their ingredients, EO uses sustainable sourcing because they “believe that we have a responsibility in the land stewardship that yields the ingredients which make up EO,” according to the web site. The bottles that the products come in are made from recycled PET bottles that were collected and re-cast. Not only does EO use natural ingredients and recycled materials to produce their products, but the company supports various community outreach programs, clinics and housing centers.

As for its hand creams, they are “ultra-hydrating” and “nourish dry skin with potent, soothing therapeutic ingredients.” Its French lavender cream contains essential oils, organic “five mushroom complex,” organic shea and cocoa butter, organic calendula and organic quinoa. It also offers hand creams in unscented, lemon verbena and  chocolate & mint varieties.

Pangea Organics

Pangea Organics’  hand and body lotions also rank as a “low” hazard (2 out of 10) according to the Skin Deep ratings system. Pangea avoids petroleum, sulfates, synthetic preservatives and artificial colors and fragrances while using organic ingredients, sustainable agriculture and fair trade, according to the company’s web site.

Not only are Pangea’s products natural, the company participates in a partnership with the Women for Women International organization. In 2010, Pangea Organics pledged 5 percent of its profits to Women for Women International “to help women move from victims to survivors to active citizens.”

Well what about their hand and body lotions? They come in a variety of interesting combinations including Chilean Red Clover with Geranium & Grapefruit (described as “toning and rejuvenating”), Pyrenees Lavender & Cardamom (“invigorating antiseptic benefits”), Indian Lemongrass with Rosemary(“refreshing” and “de-stressing”) and French Chamomile with Sweet Orange and Lavender (“vitamin-rich” and “soothing”).

Burt’s Bees, EO and Pangea are among numerous companies that produce eco-friendly lotions and creams. When looking for an organic personal care product, keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate personal care products as organic unless it contains or is made of agricultural ingredients and can meet the USDA/National Organic Program guidelines.

By Melissa Turtinen

Image credits: Burt’s Bees, EO and Pangea.

The Body Shop is the perfect place for the last minute Mother’s Day shopper looking for earth friendly cosmetics. In the spirit of helping those last minute shoppers still remain in good standing with the Mrs., The Body Shop has thrown in a free shipping upgrade. No longer will you be punished by your last minute shopping trait – that is if you get to the gift buying by 3pm on May 5th. Plus, their Queen of Nature picks are the embodiment of green cosmetics. Not to mention, on top of their shipping upgrade and eco-conscious ways, they are running some other pretty appealing deals. Phew, that’s a lot of savings and peace of mind all rolled into one shop!

The Body Shop’s Queen of Nature Compilation:

Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation ($25.00)

Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation helps you achieve a healthy, radiant complexion while remembering to protect your skin from the sun with SPF 25. Titanium dioxide and iron oxide provide the sun protection without clogging pores. Available in a variety of shades that provide light to medium coverage, this foundation is clinically proven suitable for sensitive skin.

Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation Brush ($26.00)

This brush is large, rounded, and super-soft. It also evenly applies just the right amount of Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation. Nature’s Minerals™ brushes are specially designed to pick up ultra-fine powder and distribute it evenly across the skin. But my favorite part about Nature’s Minerals™ brushes, they are made with animal-friendly synthetic bristles.

Nature’s Minerals™ Foundation & Brush are both part of The Body Shop’s buy one get one 50% off makeup promo.

Paddle Brush ($16.00)

This must have Paddle Brush is another earth friendly pick made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified beech wood. FSC certified forests are managed to ensure long-term timber supplies while protecting the environment and the lives of forest-dependent peoples. This Paddle Brush is one of the many wooden hairbrushes from The Body Shop made from this wood.

Hemp Heroes ($23.80 / was $34.00)

If pampering is on the Mother’s Day agenda, Hemp Heroes is the ideal gift set.  Hemp Heroes features moisturizing hemp seed oil to repair dry, cracked skin and restore its natural moisture barrier. It includes a 3.4 oz Hemp Hand Protector, 1.69 oz Hemp Body Butter, .4 oz Hemp Foot Protector, and .14 oz Hemp Lip Protector – an environmentally friendly stock pile. On top of that, this gift set is part of The Body Shop’s 30% off gifts promo.

Almond Oil Heavenly Hands ($17.50 / was $25.00)

Also on the pampering and promo note, Almond Oil Heavenly Hands is a complete manicure in a box. This gift set has fragrant sweet almond oil and nourishing Community Trade shea butter to keep hands feeling and looking their best.  All the goodies are stored in a bamboo covered roll with fabric interior featuring a pocket and ribbon closure. And don’t forget, this gift set is also part of The Body Shop’s 30% off gifts promo.

Bag for Life ($5.00)

This Mother’s Day you can do your part for the environment by purchasing earth friendly products that encourage others to walk the same path. Like the Bag for Life reads, “Green is not a colour it’s a state of mind.” Also, all proceeds from the Bag for Life go to the Somaly Mam Foundation.

The Body Shop® believes that there is only one way to beautiful — Nature’s Way. Check out more from The Body Shop’s Queen of Nature Compilation.

With the Olympic games coming to an end, it seems appropriate to close them out with a few handmade bath products from Canada. And seeing how at Izzit we are huge fans of LUSH, who happen to make all of their North American products by hand in Canada, I want to highlight a few of their limited edition, Olympic inspired bath products.

LUSH’s Limited Edition Bath Products

LUSH has rose to the occasion yet again, their current bucket of limited edition goodies will even get an Olympic Grinch to smile, and smell good too. LUSH seems somewhat convinced the Olympics being held in Vancouver is no coincidence, and in celebration of their roots, they’ve handmade these bath bombs, massage bars, and shower gels right in Vancouver.

So for some fruity aromas and maple scented yummies, stroll on over to LUSH’s limited edition section! Warning: Although LUSH’s limited edition Olympic inspired treats may make you feel like an Olympic athlete, please refrain from turning your backyard into a 50-foot ski jump and your pond into a speed skating rink. These products do no actually make you a world-class athlete, although a little LUSH pampering can result in a relaxing, Olympic like state of mind.

If there is one thing I have learned during my time spent searching for the perfect organic foundation is that once you’ve found the brand and tint for you, you are golden (well hopefully not golden per se, I would hope for more of a beige or ivory…). All joking aside, it’s hard to find the perfect foundation for your skin, especially when you want to take your eco conscious beauty side to the next level with an organic product. With this in mind, I hope the organic mineral foundations I came across are your dream products, and if not, I hope it helps you get one step closer.

Afterglow Glow Kit Light: Organic Mineral Makeup Kit

Because it can be hard to find the perfect foundation tint, a kit of assorted colors can be a great choice.  What better place to turn for such a product than one of my recent blog picks, Afterglow Cosmetics. Afterglow’s products have great reviews and generally last longer than traditional cosmetics but with certified organic ingredients.

Afterglow Glow Kit Light comes with a ton of stuff – two shades of foundation (use one or combine the two for further customization), a blush, translucent setting powder, a baby Kabuki brush, a concealer brush, application instructions, and a nifty little cosmetic bag. Two of the coolest perks with this kit are Afterglow’s vegan brushes. Not only are they vegan, they are professional-grade tools made of super soft taklon, a fine-grade nylon fiber that provides a smooth, even finish without high moisture retention.

Afterglow Organic Mineral Foundation: Individual Foundations

If the kit isn’t for you Afterglow sells individual organic mineral foundations. The How to Use section on Beatorium.com sums this product up quite nicely: “Effortlessly brush on 100% natural Organic Mineral Foundation for a soft, naturally glowing finish.” On top of this, Afterglow’s Organic Mineral Foundation contains natural sunscreen and is ideal for super sensitive skin. Look good and protect yourself from some pesky UV Rays, double whammy!

Some greenies have really moved in the direction of mineral makeup. But like most health and beauty products, this type of makeup has fans and critics. Some claim a lack of scientific proof while many dermatologists report that because high quality mineral makeup eliminates fragrances, binders, synthetic dyes, and preservatives it is much better for your skin. My best advice is to double-check your labels. Make sure you are buying a brand that eliminates synthetics like bismuth oxycholoride, paraben preservatives, fillers, color, and other nasty chemicals (yes, a brand like Afterglow).

That said, if mineral foundation happens to be on your shopping list, and you are ok with a company praised in Oprah’s favorite guide Go Green Gorgeously, Afterglow’s line is the one for you. And don’t forget a little old mantra your mother taught you, you usually get what you pay for. A good foundation is usually a bit pricey, but the right one can easily become a girl’s best friend.

That’s right, I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day, and on top of that I’m a sucker for cheesy presents, and on top of that I love trying new health and beauty products. Although this could be seen as a somewhat dangerous combination to the masses, I’ll hold back a little with your interest in mind. Maybe it’s the girl in me.  Maybe I’m really just cheesy.  Either way, I put together a list of some fabo bath and shower gifts for your green conscious Valentine, or for lets say, just you…

LUSH Love Soap: Just a Little Treat Valentine Shopper

You can’t go wrong with a name like Love Soap. This special treat stuck out at me in LUSH’s V-Day gifts category. Not sure why…. Ok, I kid.  It’s red heart shaped soap.  Pretty appropriate for your loved one. Plus, Love Soap is sparkly and perfumed with light scents of Jasmine, Clary Sage, and Ylang Ylang. This combination of ingredients aims to relax, warm, reduce tension, and help you feel joyful – not bad for a little heart of soap. Fresh handmade soap, check!

LUSH Be Mine Gift Set: For the Indecisive Valentine Shopper

I hope you absolutely love the shower goodies in LUSH’s Be Mine Gift Set but just in case that fails you will adore LUSH’s V-Day inspired recycled paper wrap job. To get back to the products though… this set features LUSH’s slightly “sensual” jasmine shower gel Flying Fox, their “kiss-inducing” Honey Trap lip balm, and Soft Coeur, a melty cocoa and honey massage bar for that sweet touch. Try and stay mad at your Last-Year-V-Day-Forgetting-Hubby after this gift box.

LUSH True Love Bath and Shower Gift Set: For the High Roller Valentine Shopper

A big reason I’m a fan of LUSH’s True Love bath and shower gift set is its accompaniment of Love Soap above. The set is packed with a few extra nifty treats for the indecisive Valentine shopper – gifts galore! It comes with a pretty sweet mixture of bath and shower gifts, a vanilla massage bar, and is wrapped up with a little LUSH aesthetic. A few best-selling products in a glittery heart shaped box – perfecto!

Ya… I got a little caught up with LUSH products for this Valentine’s Day. Maybe I’m giving someone a little hint, or maybe I just like LUSH. LUSH products generally feel fun, not to mention they are not tested on animals, and handmade from fresh and organic ingredients – what’s not to like? After all, who doesn’t want to buy something green and fun they can feel good about for their Valentine?

So whether this February 14th falls under Valentine’s Day or Singles Awareness Day (ouch, I know!) in your date book, here are some delightful treats for both situations. Who knows, you might actually want to stay home this Valentine’s Day with such LUSHific shower and bath treats. And remember, you can head over to the IzzitGreen Marketplace to see these and more green health and beauty products.

Looking for top rated eco friendly skin care and cosmetics?  Trying to find the organic makeup line that’s right for you, your budget and your skin?  There are a lot of choices out there, and with new brands jumping into the green beauty business every day, it’s hard to figure which products are rated the best by the experts and consumers alike.

In your quest to find the best eco friendly skin care or cosmetics brands, you can’t go wrong with the old adage:  ‘If you wouldn’t want to eat it, don’t put it on your skin.’ After all it’s estimated 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our body.  Yikes!  And with so many options to buy green, organic, or natural, and with many brands claiming to be pure blessings, I’ll bet you quickly decided there was too much out there to trek through alone.

To help make your organic beautification just a little easier, here’s a starter list of some great eco-sensitive and organic beauty brands you’re sure to find irresistible.

John Masters Organics: Simple, Clean Approach to Product Creation

John Masters Organics has been doing some pretty cool stuff since the early 90′s; using wild-harvested ingredients, cold-pressed and steam distilled extracts, and a strict ban on some pretty nasty chemicals. Founder John Masters can boast starting one of the first luxury green beauty lines in America, with products now sold in over 30 countries. His organic skin and hair care products are all tested in his clean air salon in SoHo New York – featuring only high quality, fair trade, organic ingredients. Not to mention John Masters Organics is endorsed by PETA – the only animal products used are honey and beeswax. You can mosey through the entire line at Beautorium.com.

Dr. Haushka: Certified Natural, Holistic Skincare for Over 40 Years

A company with 40 years of experience, it makes sense why Dr. Hauschka is a popular name in the organic skin care industry. They have an interesting philosophy called anthroposophy and a knack for Biodynamic farming, it is easy to see why Dr. Hauschka is called a pioneer of certified natural, holistic, skincare. Some of the more sought after products are the apricot radiance deep cleaning cream, cleansing cream, cleansing milk, clarifying toner, facial toner and rose day cream. Aside from creams and cleaners, Dr. Hauschka is currently partnered with Heifer International to support training in sustainable economic and agricultural practices. You can find an extensive collection of Dr. Hauschka at Beautorium.com.

Afterglow Cosmetics:  All Natural High Style Makeup

Afterglow Cosmetics was a pure demand product for founder Kristin Adams who is said to be allergic to everything. Afterglow last longer than traditional cosmetics but does it with certified organic mineral makeup. My favorite part about this company is their commitment to help the fight against breast cancer; they are a proud signer of The Breast Cancer Fund’s ‘Compact for Safe Cosmetics’. And with a warning to practice safe sexy how could you not want to try out Afterglow’s shimmery colors and silky textures? Beautorium.com carries this line of mineral makeup for sensitive skin.

So there go. Those are a few I gathered as I trekked through the world of top rated organic skin care and cosmetics. If you are on board to make some smart, sustainable purchases with your body in mind, this is a good place to start.  And remember, you can always head over to the IzzitGreen Marketplace to see even more green health and beauty products.