One of my missions in motherhood is to reduce the environmental toxins my family and I are exposed to that are everywhere and can be detrimental to our health. I also want to help others with that same task, which can be daunting. I started this feature, Natural Products I’m Loving Now, as a way to share the natural products I’ve come to trust and love. I want to help you take some of the guesswork out of finding products that are healthy for you, our environment, and actually work. The Summer Edition is here!
Aubrey Organics Natural Sun SPF 30 Unscented Spray for children
Sunscreen is an essential part of summer, but it can be such a chore. Last summer I used a sunscreen bar from Moody Sisters on Etsy, but they don’t carry it in their shop anymore. I liked the bar form as it was easy to apply to my squirmy kids, but was still natural, chemical-free. I love the convenience of a spray form, but most spray sunscreens are not natural and the FDA has warned that they should not be used on children. This Aubrey Organics sunscreen is a nice compromise. It’s a spray bottle, but does still need to be rubbed in. Even with the need to rub in, the spray feature makes the application process easier. It does go on very white, as most mineral-based sunscreens I’ve tried do, but it rubs in better than most natural sunscreens. I think it’s because it’s not quite as thick. It’s also totally unscented, which is awesome. We’ve been using this all summer at the pool and it works great. Not one sunburn to speak of. I highly recommend this sunscreen if you are looking for a natural, mineral-based sunscreen for you or your kids.
Primal Pit Paste Natural Deodorant Lavender 
Aaaah, I’ve finally found a natural deodorant I can recommend! I should show you a picture of the deodorant graveyard in my bathroom. I have tried countless natural deodorants, and none of them have worked for me. Some of them will work if I keep reapplying, but this one works even if I don’t reapply. It just works. This Primal Pit Paste was actually recommended to me by one of my readers and I only wish I would have tried it sooner. It is not an antiperspirant, but restricting sweat via aluminum is not healthy. Research shows that aluminum produces toxic, oxidative stress on the brain and is linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This natural deodorant has only ingredients you can feel good about putting on your pits: organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, organic arrowroot powder, aluminum-free baking powder, and essential oils. I love the lavender. It comes in a paste form that you need to rub into your armpits. If this bothers you, it also comes in a bar form, but I have no problem rubbing it in. It’s just like rubbing in lotion, but it’s thicker and not sticky at all. I could not be happier about this deodorant and am so glad I found a natural deodorant that works!
Coconut Oil as an Eye Make-Up Remover
I’ve long known about the benefits of coconut oil and that it can be used as a moisturizer, but I really didn’t love using it on my skin as I don’t like the greasy feel. After having so many problems finding an effective, yet natural eye make-up remover, I decided to give coconut oil a try. Wow! It works so well! And I don’t mind going to bed with coconut oil residue around my eyes as it is supposed to be great for wrinkles. Win! I put some coconut oil in a small mason jar and use cotton pads to remove my eye make-up before bed. It works better than any eye make-up remover I’ve tried, natural or not.
Kodiak Cakes Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix
In general, I like to make my pancakes from scratch or use my own, homemade pancake mix. Sometimes, though, the convenience of a purchased pancake mix is hard to beat. When I saw Kodiak Cakes on Shark Tank in April and that their mixes only had natural, recognizable ingredients, I was intrigued. Their mixes use whole grain flours and no sketchy ingredients like most pancake mixes out there. I picked up a box at Target and gave it a try. It produces wonderful pancakes! You only have to add water to the mix, so these mixes are perfect for camping or traveling. We have used the mix for our summer travels and it’s been great.
This is not a sponsored post; these are products I have tried and loved on my own. Some links, however, are affiliates links. Thank you for supporting my blog endeavors in trying to get the message of healthy, natural living out there!
Looking for more natural products I’m loving? Check out past editions of this feature here, here, here, and here.
Maryea,
Can you expand on the Primal Pits? You say IT WORKS. What is working? I make my own with almost same ingreds and here is what is NOT working, yellow stains on my shirts and I am sweating. I do not stink though 🙂 I know, I know, God made us to sweat, but as a 43 year old who just switched to the natural world, I am having trouble feeling my sweaty pits! And the stains!!!!
Primal Pit Paste won’t stop you from sweating, either. I still sweat, but I guess not enough to have it be a problem for me. I have been using natural deodorant (none of which is antiperspirant) so I am used to that aspect. What works with the Primal Pit, better than any other natural deodorant I’ve tried, it that I don’t smell. 🙂 As long as I don’t have BO, I’m okay with a little sweat. I haven’t noticed any yellow stains on my shirts, but I do wear a lot of sleeveless shirts in the summer. I think you just have to get used to the feeling of being a little sweatier than you are when you use an antiperspirant deodorant. It’s worth it when you think about what is stopping the sweating!
Thank you!
I have problems with Natural Deodorant’s and am ALWAYS looking for a new one that really works , the one you listed looks good and maybe easy to make and I truthfully take my makeup off with coconut oil and I keep it by my bed, as well but its so good for the bottom of my feet before going to bed too.
I do think it would be easy to make the deodorant. That ingredient list is pretty short! For now I don’t have time for that, though.
I LOVE the primal pit paste!!!!! I ordered the orange creamsicle one for teens, because I don’t like lavender, and can I just say, I will never use another deodorant again! It is amazing. Thanks for the recommendation!!
Oooh I may need to try the orange kind. I do like the lavender, but orange sounds refreshing!
As a breast cancer survivor, I am always looking for healthy products to use at home that reduce environmental stress on our bodies. I am looking forward to trying pit paste- thanks for the recommendation!
You’re welcome, Luna!
OK, thanks for letting me know Maryea. 🙂
I have also tried a million and one natural deodorants and none have worked. I’ll give this a shot though!
That’s how I felt about it…what do I have to lose? I was totally surprised by how well it works.
Hi Maryea,
Love these posts! Can’t wait to try the deodorant. Quick question — is the Kodiak pancake mix organic? Thanks!
Tammy
No, it’s not organic. I’d prefer it to be organic, of course, but for traveling I’ve enjoyed having the convenience of a mix with whole grain flours, no preservatives, hydrogenated oils, etc.