Moksa Organics: Bath and Body with Purpose

It’s getting to that point in winter where I’m literally going to scream aloud if I don’t get some sunshine soon. Really soon. It’s also about this time of year when my skin is crying out for extra moisture after several long months of winter’s cold, dry air. Luckily for me, I’ve discovered a really awesome and easy way to escape the last days of winter…with Moksa Organics!

Moksa Organics delivers the whole package with lightly scented body butters that not only nourish your skin but your weary winter soul! The delightfully tropical key lime vanilla scent is subtle yet effective, allowing your mind to drift off to a southern beach strewn with palm trees! While it works wonderfully as an entire body cream, it is especially effective when applied to the hardened heels on your feet. Overnight and on more than one occasion, I've treated my tootsies to a Moksa hydration sleepover and it works like nothing else to soften callouses.

Another wonderful product to try, one that everyone needs, are their body bars! Moksa body bars are absolutely heavenly to use in the bath or shower and clean very well, even in hard water conditions. Some, like Payne's Prairie Organic Body Bar, donate 100% of all proceeds to charity! My favorite so far has been the Yasgur's Farm Organic Body Bar - the woodstock blend of patchouli and orange with just the right amount of exfoliating power to free my skin of winter plague (dry, dead skin cells). One bar lasts quite a long time, much longer than a normal bar of soap - in fact, about 3-4x longer than from what we've tested!

Not only does this company make effective products, their ethical standards are something to aspire to. Here is an excerpt from their website regarding their carbon neutral certification.

Moksa believes in starting a “clean” revolution one bar of soap at a time! Part of our business philosophy includes:

• waste reduction of raw materials
• perfecting our soap formulas (understanding the chemistry and molecular process) in order to eliminate end product waste
• reduction of water usage (our system for clean up entails a 3 part system that uses only a few gallons of water)
• overall energy reduction (energy efficient appliances, using off peak hours during creation and curing processes)
• AVOIDING NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES such as aluminum & tin containers (not to mention the environmental impact from mining), packaging made from petroleum such as plastics (PP, PET, PS, etc), as well as avoiding petroleum in our products, eliminating ingredients whenever possible that go through a refinement process
• avoiding paper products, packaging and labels from the logging industry
• supporting and purchasing from suppliers with the same business philosophy

We don’t waiver from our beliefs, even if it means that we as a producer make less money. Each and every day we feel good about what we do, and that’s worth so much more!

This is definitely a company that you'll want to show support for! Check them out today.

Moksa Organics Website

Body: Daytime Restoration Creme from NONTOXIQUE

Natural age-defying relief for dry hands and feet! 

Description: Deeply moisturizing and packed with a powerful host of anti-oxidants, this creme provides safe and natural restoration to tired hands and feet. With the ability to penetrate the skins many layers, destructive free-radicals are slowed down allowing for wound healing, cellular regeneration, collagen and elastin support and reduced fine lines and wrinkles. 4 oz

Ingredients: Purified water, organic aloe vera juice, organic jojoba oil, organic virgin coconut oil, mango butter, mowrah butter, vegetable emulsifying wax, kiwi extract, avocado oil, vitamin E, gotu kola, comfrey, alfalfa, sage, tumeric, ginseng, calendula oil, xanthan gum, buriti oil, sea buckthorn oil, grapefruit seed extract, rosemary extract, anise, organic sweet orange essential oil

EWG: 2* (safe/green) - Click here to read the report!

Price: $30 US

Are your hands drying out from excessive hand washing? Are your tired tootsies aching for some nourishment and pampering? Treat yourself to a natural solution with NONTOXIQUE Daytime Restoration Creme.

Developed by a professional manicurist, this sweet smelling cream has a citrus scent that will remind you of lazy afternoons eating oranges on a southern front porch!  It glides on effortlessly with ease across the skin with help from it's aloe vera base.  And while it soaks in within minutes to provide hydration to thirsty skin, it does require re-application within several hours if your skin is very dry.

SHOP NONTOXIQUE

*Regarding the EWG report, please note the company has submitted a request for their product to be reevaluated as they have proof that their emulsifying wax does not contain contaminants, which is the only ingredient which prevented this product from being rated a 1 on the EWG database. At the time of this review being published, the EWG rating is still listed as a 2.

Body: Grapefruit Spray & Rose Neroli Lotion from Opas Soap

Refreshing. Hydrating. Pure Bliss.

Grapefruit Spray Description: Grapefruit is an all purpose spray! This scent is fresh, sweet and to the point! You may spray in your household, bathing room, automobile, or you may spray yourself! 4 oz


Rose Neroli Lotion Description: Rose Neroli is filled with botanicals to give a natural glow, tighten pores, aid in anti-aging, hydrate skin, and help maintain the proper pH balance of the skin. Rosehip extract is not only healing but it contains a large amount of vitamin C, which combats premature aging and wrinkles. 2 oz

Grapefruit Spray Ingredients: Distilled Water, Organic Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vitamin E, Polysorbate, Glycerine, Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon



Rose Neroli Lotion Ingredients: Distilled Water, Hydrolyzed Oat Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Olive Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Alginate, Leuconostoc (Radish Root Ferment Filtrate), Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Organic Olive Leaf Extract, Organic Rooibos Leaf Extract, Organic White Tea Leaf Extract, Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Chamomile Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Neroli Extract, White Willow Bark Extract, Red Clover Flower Extract, Elder Flower Extract, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Rosehip Extract, Lavender

EWG RATING:  SAFE/GREEN (1)  Click here for: Grapefruit Spray EWG report or Rose Neroli Lotion EWG report

Price: $4.95 US each

As the days grow shorter and the wind grows colder, our skin also changes as the humid moisture of summer fades into the crisp dryness of autumn. Due to this inevitable seasonal change, we must adapt our products to accommodate the needs of our bodies and one way we can satisfy your skin's thirst is with an adequate body lotion.


Opas Soap has created a wonderfully hydrating formula in their Rose Neroli Lotion that provides not only much-needed moisture, but also herbal ingredients that soothe and heal as they moisturize. Although you might expect it to be quite fragrant, it is actually only very slightly fragrant and the scent is rather neutral - not floral as the name might suggest. Just the size of a dime drop will provide a satin finish to your skin for hours to come!


Beyond the needs of your skin, often spirits can drag down along with the reduced sun exposure...this is when Opas Soap's grapefruit spray comes in handy. The light, refreshing scent is a squirt of happiness into a dreary day...providing a little pick-me-up when you need it the most! You can spray it around the house, on your body, on your sheets, your clothing, wherever you'd like...and the essential oils it contains are known to be strongly anti-bacterial, meaning a quick spritz around you can take care of nasty germs often present in those cool months when colds and the flu are most likely to strike. Be well, in more ways that one, with the wonderful product line offered by this eco-friendly company!

Shop the website:

Body: Cleansease by White Witch

The easiest 15-minute facial ever...and more!

Description: Cleansease Balancing and refining masks with rhassoul clay and melissa and neem. Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin types. Made in Ireland. 5-pack.

Ingredients: Oatmeal, rhassoul clay, organic melissa powder, neem leaf powder

EWG RATING:  SAFE/GREEN (0-1)  Click here to read EWG report

Price: $20 approx. US

This 5-pack of facials are very similar to tea bags, you simply wet them with warm water and rub on your face and neck. Then go turn on some slow music and lay down to relax for 15-20 minutes. You will feel them tightening, shrinking pores, rejuvenating your skin. Once washed clean with warm water, your skin is left feeling moisturized and fresh.


White Witch offers many pure herbal products, including: milk baths, foot baths, eye compresses, and hair repair rinses. They carry absolutely everything you need to entirely pamper yourself with a spa night at home, the natural way.


Start your evening off with an almond milk bath, to moisturize your entire body. Place the eye compresses on your tired baby blues to refresh them. Use the hair rinse to repair your hair while adding highlights naturally. For a pedicure, soften your tootsies with a steamy tea bath of Footsease. Follow this with an allover body indulgence with the chocolate orange lotion bar - it melts on your skin!


These products are perfect for travel because they are all non-liquid; there is no restriction when carrying them on an airplane within the USA so you can pamper yourself when you reach your destination, without being limited to 4oz or less.  They honestly look like tea bags, but they're for your body! Just add a bit of warm water and you have yourself an effective relaxation package to go! Excellent gift basket idea or for an anniversary.

SHOP WHITE WITCH

Pyur Nourishing Baby Lotion (for the whole family!)

Delicate skin requires delicate ingredients!

Description: Designed for even the most sensitive skin, Pyur Nourishing Baby Lotion is made with the best ingredients to leave your baby’s skin soft and nurtured. This lotion is the perfect choice for your baby’s daily use, because the therapeutic properties of vitamin E, chamomile and lavender are delivered in moisturizing butters and oils without clogging your baby’s pores. It comes in an easy pump bottle, allowing you to easily dispense the non-greasy and fast-absorbing formula lotion. Vegan. 8 oz.

Key Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Lavender Distillate, Organic Roman Chamomile Distillate, Orange Blossom Distillate, Shea Butter, Vitamin E

Price: $17.95 US

Note: The texture is thick and smooth, definitely more creamy than most lotions. The scent is subtle and does not smell babyish, making this a perfect whole-family moisturizer!

There are times in life when a picture speaks a thousand words; this is the case with Pyur Nourishing Baby Lotion! Just as children will say the darnedest things, they are also quite picky about products - especially products you want to put on their entire bodies. All too often you will see kids running away from their well-meaning parents, all in the name of lotion application avoidance. Well, we decided to put this one to the ultimate test...we left the lotion on their bathroom counter, then sat back to see what happened. This is our first photo review....here it is:

Visit the Pyur Website

Body: Essential Body Cream by Anuera

Description: Super moisturizers soften skin while infusing powerful essential oils into every cell of your body. An aromatic delight! Available in many essential oil blended scents. 4 oz. FREE samples available by request.


Ingredients: Distilled water, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, essential oil blend.


Nut-free Ingredients: yes


Price:  $10

I was intrigued by the claim that Anuera's Essential Body Cream "Corbin's Blend" promotes calmness, clarity and focus. I did find the scent soothing and found that the cream worked well to moisturize my hands - although we haven't yet hit my driest season so I'm now sure how well it would work on a seriously dry skin. I was happy though with the overall feel of the cream - it doesn't leave my hands / skin feeling too oily afterwards.

I also tried giving my daughter a little on her hands when she was being fussy one afternoon - and noticed immediate results - however, I can't help but wonder if this is psyschosomatic. My daughter might have calmed down because of the extra attention or simple curiosity about why I was applying the cream to her hands at all. And since I'd read it had a calming effect, I couldn't help but look for one. Plus, it's relaxing to apply a lotion in general sometimes, especially with one with a nice scent.


That said, it's eco-friendly, smells nice, doesn't leave my skin feeling oily and gross and seems to moisturize well. So the calming effect is surely just a fringe benefit anyway. A 4 oz jar will run you $10 but the 2 oz. sample jar I received will surely last me awhile as a little seems to go a long way (although if you were using it regularly over your entire body, you might go through it more quickly) so as a hand cream I find it worth the money.

Anuera Website

This review was written by Jen, an ecoSAFE guest tester.

Pregnancy: Belly Butter by Pyur Mama

Baby your baby belly.

Description:  A wonderful ultra-rich stretch mark prevention formula made with certified organic ingredients. Each ingredient has been chosen for its ability to increase elasticity, soften and soothe. Even after pregnancy, it's moisturizers and vitamins will rejuvenate your skin and reduce the appearance of those pregnancy lines. The aromatherapy blend provides a calming and uplifting citrus fragrance that envelopes and relaxes. All of the ingredients in Pyur Belly Butter are 100% pure and natural and have been screened for safe use during pregnancy. But you don't have to be pregnant or postpartum to enjoy the benefits of this rich body butter! This organic body butter provides deep moisturizing to anyone with dry skin. 4 oz

Ingredients:  Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Rose Distillate, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Calendula Extract, Cocoa Butter, Avocado Oil, Carrot Oil, Witch Hazel, Vitamin E, Kokum Butter, Mango Butter

Price:  $19.95 US

Throughout my pregnancies, I've had the pleasure of testing a multitude of pregnancy balms and lotions, yet very rarely will you find one which actually has the consistency of spreadable butter...Pyur Mama Belly Butter does! It spreads on evenly and leaves your skin with a healthy sheen....the perfect healthy pregnancy glow!


Thickness: Consistency of spreadable butter
Scent: Light citrus, reminds me of sweet, spring blossoms
Certified Vegan

Certified Organic Ingredients

Packaging: Recyclable

Website

Body: Butter Creme Hand & Body Lotion by Blue Ridge Gypsy

Renew your skin, Renew your soul.

Description: Our super rich Butter Creme Hand and Body Lotion formula is made of Organic Macadamia Nut Oil, Shea Butter, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is the same formula as our Skin Free Butter Creme, but with a touch of fragrance (essential oils only). We keep the heat as low as we can to make sure the good things in the oils aren't lost. Enriched with concentrated Vitamin E.


Ingredients: Water, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Organic Macademia Nut Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Stearic Acid, Emulsifying Wax, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Essential Oil Blend


Price: $12.99 US

This is definitely a lotion, not a cream, so if you're looking for a light drink of hydration for your skin rather than a creamy coat...this is a product you'll want to try! It instantaneously soaks in, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth, not oily or greasy. The natural scent lasts for hours and is a wonderful substitute for perfume.


Scent: Available in several true-to-life scents. All fragrances consist of essential oil blends only, no synthetic chemicals. Organic essential oils are used when possible. We tested Mandarin Vanilla, a delightful scent very similar to an orange sherbet sundae....absolutely refreshing and delicious!


Packaging: Recyclable PETE (#1) bottle


EWG Safety Rating:   Green/Low Hazard (2)

            

Blue Ridge Gypsy Website

Body: Delightfully Unscented Baby Lotion by Poofy Organics

 Rated "0" toxicity on the EWG database for cosmetic safety... 

you're not just buying lotion, you're buying PEACE OF MIND!

Description:  This creamy lotion goes on soft and smooth, babying your skin! Please be advised that because this product is naturally preserved & does not contain toxic preservatives, it will typically have a 5 month shelf life (depending on the weather) and will come with an expiration date. This lotion is made to order so it will arrive fresh at your door! 8.5 oz

Ingredients: Distilled water, organic sweet almond oil, organic shea butter, organic vegetable glycerin, emulsifying wax, organic rosemary extract

Price: $14 US

~*~*~*~

Since first reviewing Poofy Organics back in 2008, we have seen this small non-toxic business grow and blossom with many new product choices and lots of fans! We loved the Poofy Organics Lovely Lavender Shampoo back then and now we have tried a new addition to the Poofy line -- Baby Poof Lotion!

One of the greatest things about this company is how personal and friendly it is! It reminds me of walking into a mom and pop store and placing your order...it just makes you feel good to buy products from Poof's Closet! On top of the great customer service, is the very fresh quality of products! Each and every products is made to order so when you receive it, it is truly the freshest product you could possibly imagine! With freshness comes greater results...and that's something that we really like.

Poofy Organics is also one of the few companies that has a huge selection of "0" rated EWG products, meaning that they are the absolute safest products you can buy! This ensures that you and your baby are toxin-free from your body lotion. It moisturizes well and a little bit goes a long way so it's a great value buy!

Many children and sensitive adults have allergic reactions to fragrances, even the natural based kind. This lotion is unscented, meaning that the only thing you are going to smell is the shea butter. Shea butter smells kinda nutty, and to me, kinda like lanolin oil - but our kids swear it smells like chocolate - so take your pick! Since we are a essentially scented family, I simply add a few drops of our favorite oil blend into unscented products as needed to spruce up the scent!

I put this lotion on the kids bathroom counter for the past week, and they really enjoy pumping out their own lotion for their hands and bodies as needed. As a mother, I feel safe and comfortable with allowing them to get their own lotion because this stuff is so pure, it isn't going to hurt them even if a bit ends up in their eyes, mouths, ears, anywhere and everywhere a toddler puts lotion at! 

Poofy Organics Website

Face: Moisturizers by NYR Organics

NYR Organics is the US extension of England-based Neal's Yard Remedies. This remarkable company does an amazing job of ensuring safe personal products as well as eco-friendly operations in the production of those products. We were sent 3 facial moisturizers to try, my favorite was the rose and mallow moisturizer! With fairly normal skin, I found that the rose and mallow moisturizer soothed any inflammation and helped to even out my skin tone. The light scent is naturally occurring from the herbal ingredients and is not overpowering like some facial moisturizers. It is light and refreshing, a rather soothing experience overall!

Rose and Mallow Moisturizer

Cooling and restorative rose balances the complexion while mallow and almond soften and smooth for radiant skin.

Ingredients: Aqua, Cetearyl alcohol, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Almond) oil*+, Rosa centifolia (Rose) extract*, Sorbitan stearate, Polysorbate 60, Zea mays (Corn) oil, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) oil*, Triticum vulgare (Wheat) germ oil, Glycerin, Cera alba (Beeswax)*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Althaea officinalis (Marsh mallow) root extract*, Rosa damascena (Rose) oil, Citrus medica (Lemon) limonum oil*, Cedrus atlantica (Cedar) oil*, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) oil*, Lanolin, Tocopheryl acetate, Potassium sorbate, Benzyl alcohol, Alcohol denat.*, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Limonene, Linalool.

Frankincense Hydrating Cream

A light, organic daily moisturising cream enhanced by the rejuvenating properties of frankincense and myrrh to help reduce fine lines and keep skin feeling beautifully soft, fresh and youthful. With nutrient rich plant oils and herbal extracts to strengthen and rejuvenate the skin. Vegan.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Glycerin*, Cetearyl alcohol, Alcohol denat.*, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) flower extract*, Cetearyl glucoside, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Almond) oil*+, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) kernel oil*+, Borago officinalis (Borage) seed oil*, Daucus carota (Carrot) fruit oil*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Levulinic acid, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium hyaluronate, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Commiphora myrrha (Myrhh) oil, Limonene.

Nourishing Orange Flower Night Cream

A rich blend of wild rosehip, pomegranate and seabuckthorn oil with nourishing orange flower to intensely soften and smooth the skin. Vegan.

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycine soja (Soya) oil*, Sorbitan stearate, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Centella asiatica (Gotu kola) extract*, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Rosa canina (Wild rose) fruit oil*, Punica granatum (Pomegranate) seed oil*, Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea buckthorn) oil*, Punica granatum (Pomegranate) extract, Glycerin, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil expressed*, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Citrus aurantium (Neroli) flower oil*, Cananga odorata (Ylang ylang) flower oil*, Sodium hyaluronate, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Citronellol, Citral, Eugenol, Farnesol, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Limonene, Linalool.

NYR Organics Website