Eco*Pretty's Last Post

Yes, Eco*Pretty is ending. During a time when everyone and their aunt is blogging and Twittering, I'm going offline. I think this Internet trend has only two, maybe three more weeks before people lose interest.

Ha! No, I've been working an increasing number of hours as the Chicago-area account exec for a top organic skincare company the past few months. I was recently promoted and given more responsibility that includes frequent travel and management (and most exciting, health benefits!). I'm also contributing to the company's blog and to a magazine in Indianapolis (my hometown), plus taking an intensive class through my church.

Thank you so much for your readership and kind comments. It's been hugely pleasurable serving and interacting with you throughout these 150 posts. I've tried to feature the finest of the growing crop of high-quality natural beauty products. I hope you've seen great results with any that you've bought based on my recommendations. Good luck in your environmental and beauty endeavors.

xoxo,
Lindsay

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Buy organic. Eat local.
Plant trees. Take the bus or bike.
Always stop to smell the flowers.

The Body Deli's New Blueberry Fusion Resurfacing Facial Wash and Sea Cucumber Gelee

When the weather is humid and the sun is unflinching, this skincare buff can't help but be lured to a brand with fresh food extracts and products that require refrigeration—with names like Sea Cucumber Gelee.

After a few sessions of sticking my head in the freezer to cool off a couple weeks ago, I found myself typing TheBodyDeli.com into my browser a couple weeks ago. (Last summer, I discovered TBD and was instantly addicted to its fresh cucumber cell toner.) An exfoliant and antioxidant fiend, I was excited to discover on the site this time around that they've launched a Blueberry Fusion Resurfacing Facial Wash. From its description and ingredients list, I thought it would rock my world. It has.

Pretty factor: Alpha hydroxy acids from organic acai and blueberry extracts slough off dead skin cells and unclog pores (the wash tingles upon application!), while the berries' antioxidants slow aging. Decyl glucoside, a mild plant-derived surfactant, gently removes all grime and makeup. Tamarind extract boosts hydration and oat flour soothes.

And if you have extra bucks, check out the Sea Cucumber Gelee mask—a summer must-have for anyone who spends a decent amount of time outdoors. It hydrates parched, sun-zapped skin, calms redness, and helps repair free radical damage via antioxidants. Some of its irresistible ingredients: Organic aloe vera juice, kombucha tea, sodium hyaluronate, and fresh cells of cucumber, pomegranate and kiwi, green tea extract. Ships on ice and must be stored in the frig.

Eco factor: Body Deli products contain fresh, organic plant, fruit and veggie extracts. No sulfates or other harsh surfactants, paraben preservatives, silicones, petrochemicals, or synthetic dyes and fragrance.

To buy: $38 for the facial wash and $45 for the cucumber mask at TheBodyDeli.com

Collective Wellbeing Hot Pore Cleansing Scrub with Active Charcoal

Grill season is here. And while I won't be sizzling slabs of meat over charcoal (which can produce carcinogens), I will be slathering a little of that black, porous rock over my face via my current product obsession: Collective Wellbeing's Hot Pore Cleansing Scrub. Relatively affordable, it's a purifying mask and jojoba bead exfoliator in-one—and it warms upon contact!

Pretty factor: I've scrutinized countless ingredients lists, and this scrub's raised both my eyebrows in pleasure. Active charcoal, which is like a sponge, absorbs impurities in the skin, while kaolin clay soaks up excess oil (which I've much appreciated during this sweaty summer). Jojoba wax beads gently exfoliate and calm sebum production thanks to jojoba's similarity to our skin's own oil. Salicylic acid and retinol further assist in removing dead skin cells and smoothing texture. Tea tree extract zaps any acne-causing bacteria that might be having their own summer bash on your skin's surface.

Eco factor: Collective Wellbeing uses organic botanicals and no sulfate detergents, parabens, or synthetic fragrance or colors. They're active members of 1% For the Planet and The Chicago Climate Exchange, through which they completely eliminate their carbon footprint!

To buy: $14.99 at Whole Foods and collectivewellbeing.com

Pacificia's Beautiful $9 Solid Perfumes

A couple readers have asked why I haven't reviewed natural fragrances. One simple reason: They're dang expensive. Most I've seen have hovered around $80 a bottle—which is out of my wallet range and, I imagine, many of yours. As a result, the only eau's I've used in recent years have been Stella McCartney's Roll-On perfume and lingering whiffs from essential oil-scented haircare products.

But that changed after discovering Pacifica's solid perfumes last month. Just $9 each(!), they come in cool, Andy Warhol in the Garden-esque tins with 20 alluring scents to choose from, such as Malibu Lemon Blossom, Tahitian Gardenia and, my favorite, French Lilac.

Pretty factor: These perfumes are a lesson in simple beauty. Just a few ingredients: organic soy and coconut waxes and a blend of pure essential oils—no nasty chemicals that you have to worry about sinking into your skin. The tins are easily transportable and the scents are time-released via pores and sweat ducts throughout the day. Perfect for summer.

Eco factor: Pacifica products are free of parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, lead wicks and all animal ingredients, including beeswax, and animal testing. Packaging is made with recycled content, the company reuses and reduces wherever possible, and it's working toward carbon neutrality.

To buy: $9 at select Whole Foods, Sephora (which sells 6 of the 20 scents) and pacificaperfume.com