I went to the New York Green Festival this past weekend and found some awesome small green companies that are doing great work. Here were some of my faves:
If you are into essential oils then you need to know about Noctua-Diem. Founded by Certified Natural Health Professional, John Vega, the line is all created by hand and the serums are all essential oil blends and range from Camphor Blemish + Spot Serum (with Chamomile and Geranium Oils) to the Carrot + Pumpkin Seed Anti-Aging Serum (with Lavender and Evening Primrose Oils) covering all skin concerns.
Most Shea Butter moisturizers need "mixers" - oils or other butters - as Shea Butter is generally quite thick and hard to blend into skin on its own. It has a cousin, Shea Nilotica, which is only produced in Uganda and the Sudan, is referred to as East African Shea Butter and it is AWESOME. Kiroja's is certified organic, fair trade, processed by a women's co-op and it melts into your skin. My favorite "flavor", Lavender, only contains the Shea Nilotica and Organic Lavender Essential Oil - love!
You know I love Peppermint anything and Alapure's Botanical Handmade Marula Mint Soaps are made with Peppermint Oil, Organic Mint Leaves and Marula Oil - Alapure's key ingredient - which is from Marula trees in South Africa and is high in Vitamin C and has numerous healing properties. I'm into it.
Violets Are Blue defines philanthropy as they give each woman who enters Mt. Sinai's chemotherapy program for treatment of breast cancer their Beloved Skincare Package. It contains a facial cleanser, body lotion, facial serum, foot salve and lip balm to combat the drying nature of chemo and all products are fragrance, chemical and dye-free. You can also purchase this package as a set or individually in addition to other assorted goodies that they make.
Hydroquinone is the leading ingredient to help with fading hyperpigmentation (spots on the skin due to age, sun or hormones) but it gets into your blood stream and is linked to all sorts of unsavory situations. The Ayurvedic based line, Om Botanical, has a product called Skin Glow which employs Sake, Licorice and Tumeric instead of chemicals. Founder, Sudhir Shah, showed me a before and after pic that would make you sign up on the spot (no pun intended!).
And out of left field, beauty wise anyhow, I wanted to share the company Bees Wrap - it's so cool! Think of how much Saran Wrap you use - for wrapping cheese, covering plates of leftover dinner, etc - and how much plastic you're throwing away - no bueno for the Earth (nor is plastic super healthy for you and your kiddos). Bees Wrap is made with organic cotton muslin, beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin. They're reusable, antibacterial and washable.
The Green Festival is open to the public and will take place later this year in Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Portland so if you live nearby check it out!
