Love List ~ Feb 18

A new year is upon us and I have been busting to tell you all about some amazing new products that have been released! So many more innovative people making awesome things that are good for us and the planet.

♥ Hello Sunshine Natural Sunscreen

The amazing Alisa and Danni from 123 Nourish Me have released a cracking natural sunscreen and people are going crazy for it!! It’s got an SPF rating of 30 and also comes in a small wind-up stick which is perfect for the handbag, nappy bag or for the kids to take to school.

There are no nasty toxins here! Hello Sunshine is made with organic, quality ingredients that will not harm our families or our oceans and reefs.

It has a very subtle vanilla scent, goes on smoothly and sinks in without leaving a greasy white residue. I tested it out on my family and everyone is a fan, particularly the fair skinned ones!

Keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram, where I will share a video of using it on the skin.

Get it here. PS get 10% off with the code: HELLOTEN

♥ Cheeki Leakproof Stainless Steel Lunchbox

This is what mums everywhere have been waiting for and wanting. A stainless steel lunchbox that is affordable and leak proof!!

This new one from Cheeki is double layered and has a silicone seal under the lid (which doesn’t touch your food) – genius. There are three variations: double stacked, regular and large so you can find a size that suits you.

Get them here.

♥ Fur Baby Pet Support Essence

Alisha from Naughty Naturopath Mum has just released her brand new blend and it’s all about supporting our furry friends.

If you are a long time reader, you will know we have a dastardly dachshund called Wilbur. Dachshunds tend towards being anxious, having loud barks and being notoriously difficult to train. We have had a lot of trouble over the years with continual barking – in his mind, he is protecting the family against perceived threats. That means he’s a great guard dog but even falling leaves can make him go crazy!

I have been testing the Fur Baby Pet Support essences for just over a week now and we are pleasantly surprised! We have been popping them in his water bowl daily and he was calmer over all. On several occasions when he got himself into a barking loop, we administered directly into his mouth (that was fun!!!!) Within five minutes he had settled right down and stopped barking. Woohoo! I am calling that a win.

If you want to try them out, they can also be used for settling traumatised and rescue pets, nerves and fear, travel, vet visits, loneliness, separation and any antisocial behaviours! Find them here.

♥ Eco by Sonya Face Compost Mask

Another gorgeous product from Eco Tan founder, Sonya Driver. This is a lush organic seven minute face mask made with superfoods and antioxidants.

It’s designed to cleanse, soothe, brighten and draw out impurities. I know my skin needs a little TLC right now, so this is just the ticket.

Get it here.

♥ WayCap Stainless Steel Coffee Pods

Australians use and throw away over a billion single-use coffee capsules every year!! Far be it for me to come between anyone and their coffee but man, that’s a lot of waste.

Well the solution is here – WayCap make reusable, stainless steel capsules for your coffee machine. They come with 4 interchangeable steel filters, for extra fine to coarse grinds, and are compatible with certain Nespresso machines.

Get them here.

♥ Cedar and Stone Oils

I am a sucker for essential oils and I am always keen to try out new brands and blends. All of these smell amazing but Namaste is my favourite. Maybe I am really just a hippy at heart because I tend to adore anything that has patchouli in it!! 😉

Cedar and Stone are a small Aussie owned business in Kingscliff in Northern NSW. They have such a funky vibe going on!!

Get them here.

♥ Wolf Stainless Steel Drink Bottle

I know many of you resonate with wolf energy and love wolves! This is a perfect way to keep that energy close to you. The same print is also available in a lunch bag and tote bag. Isn’t he magnificent?

Get them here.

What are the best natural sunscreens?

It’s a question that comes up again and again from my readers, so today I have a list for you of the best natural sunscreens in Australia.

I am sure you are aware that regular sunscreen is in fact, full of toxic ingredients that are detrimental to your health and the environment. I won’t bore you with the science but if you want to read up on the studies, two great resources are Dr Peter Dingle and Nicole Bijlsma who explain it really well to us non-scientists!

“Despite the fact that more people use sunscreen than ever before, the rate of skin cancer continues to rise. Research conducted by the Environmental Working Group in 2011, revealed that the great majority of sunscreens do not protect against both UVA and UVB rays and in addition, may contain chemicals that affect our hormones, damage the skin and in some cases, actually increase the rate of skin cancer.” Nicole Bijlsma

I have some qualms about using any sunscreen at all, considering that even the natural ones can contain nanoparticles. Then we have the new research telling us that sunscreen interferes with our Vitamin D absorption. It’s really quite confusing!

It’s probably a good idea to do your own research and read up a little more to decide what is best for your family. These are some things we do to balance the risk of sunburn with the beneficial effects of the sun.

♥ Avoid the sun in the hottest part of the day. Living in Queensland, it’s sunny most of the year round, so it’s really easy to get burnt quickly. If possible, we do our outside stuff before 10am or after 4pm.

♥ Cover up. Hats, t-shirts, longer-sleeve shirts, rash vests, sunglasses and umbrellas all come out if we have to go out in the hottest part of the day. Finding shade is also a good idea!

♥ Use coconut oil. It has a natural SPF of about 7, so use it with care. According to Bruce Fife “one of the oldest uses for coconut oil is as a sun screen / suntan lotion. Islanders have been using coconut oil for this purpose for thousands of years. In the tropics where the climate is hot, islanders traditionally wore little clothing so that they could keep themselves cool. To protect themselves from the burning rays of the hot tropical sun they applied a thin layer of coconut oil over their entire body. This would protect them from sunburn, improve skin tone and help keep annoying insects away.” Carrot Seed oil also has an SPF factor, but it is a little smelly!

♥ Use natural sunscreens. Sometimes we just need extra protection for things like all day sports events and a good natural sunscreen provide that additional coverage.

This is the list of some of the best natural sunscreens in Australia.

Like skincare, sunscreen is a personal thing and depends on a lot on your skin type. So, try out a few until you get one that is just right for you!