While you’ll usually find (mostly) healthy recipes here on Heart & Stove, sometimes I like to share a little extra – be it personal stories, travel photos, or non-food/kitchen products I’m currently loving.
As a nutritionist and health coach, my effort to maintain a balanced, healthy life goes well beyond the food on my plate. I believe the products we use in our homes and on our bodies can contribute to our overall health. Remember – our skin is our largest organ and quickly absorbs whatever we put on it directly into our bloodsteam!
I’ve also been blessed (?) with a weirdly strong sense of smell, so I’m super sensitive to fragrances. It’s always a challenge to find good products that don’t drive my nose crazy!
Just like with my food, I try to choose the cleanest, most natural products for my body and home whenever possible. Since “natural” is a loaded label word (aka it’s unregulated in most industries), I’ve started reading product ingredient labels (yep, just like food labels!) to help me make better choices.
That being said, I also like products that WORK! Sometimes there just isn’t a good/affordable/quality natural alternative for all the makeup/hair/skin/home/cleaning products we like to use. And you know what? It’s okay!
Not ALL the products I use are 100% “natural” and you know what? I try not to sweat it. That’s what we call balanced living, friends.
Without further ado, here are my top 5 skin product picks for the summer season!
Piperwai Natural Deoderant
Over the past few years, I’ve tried and wasted SO many natural/aluminum-free deodorants that smelled great but didn’t leave me smelling…well, great. Or they left my skin irritated, red, and stinging from too much baking soda. Then I discovered Piperwai.
This has been my go-to all summer! It’s active ingredient is charcoal (absorbs odor & moisture) and it’s free of aluminum, parabens, and synthetic fragrances! The scent is kind of citrus meets herbal thanks to a unique blend of essential oils. The only minor complaint here is that the jarred deodorant can be a little messy to apply, but they’ve since created a stick version. I’ll definitely be trying it out when my jar runs out!
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Confession – I hate wearing sunscreen. I’m not a fan of lotions, white streaks left behind, or the super strong fragrances of most sunscreens. I’m so glad I gave this Alba spray sunscreen a try!
It goes on entirely clear and has a very, very light, tropical (think coconut) scent. It also feels super moisturizing thanks to aloe and avocado oil. It’s free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. The best part? I’ve used this stuff religiously on the beach all summer and I haven’t had a single spot of sunburn!
Rosehip Plus Organic Cold Pressed Rosehip Oil
Okay, I’m including this with my summer skin essentials, but only because I can’t go a single day without it. It’s become my year-round go-to AM & PM skincare routine. I love, love, LOVE this Rosehip Oil!
I use it after cleansing my face in place of cream moisturizers. It’s the perfect weight oil, not too heavy or too light, and leaves my skin well moisturized with a dewy glow. With a single, organic ingredient list, it doesn’t get more natural than this!
Essie Nail Polish in Marshmallow
Remember what I said earlier about balance? Well, my favorite nail polishes definitely fall in the not-natural-but-have-to-have-it category!
You can’t beat the color selection or lasting quality of Essie polishes. My fave color for summer is Marshmallow – a fresh shade of white that perfectly compliments a summer glow.
Pure Haven Essentials Hand & Body Lotion
There are so many Pure Haven Essentials products I love and this hand & body lotion is another staple for me. The scent of this lotion – you guys, omg. It’s basically lemon-lime heaven and you’ve got to smell it to believe it. It’s a lightweight, quick absorbing, great lotion option for summer.
If you’re new to the line, PHE uses zero toxic ingredients and uses many certified organic ingredients! All fragrances are derived from essential oils (and usually smell good enough to eat!)
I’m a PHE consultant and can not recommend this brand enough. If you’re interested in learning more about the products, please contact me!
Giant, Floppy Sun Hat
The cutest way to add some extra sun protection? Grab yourself a giant, floppy sun hat! I picked this one up from Target and use it whenever I’m on the beach or working in my garden!
I love the details – suede tie, subtle sequins, and multi-colored weaving. You can find mine here, but Target has a lot of other cute hat options, too!
If you’re interested in learning more about the ingredients in your personal care products and how to make healthier choices, the Environmental Working Group is a great place to start!This post is not sponsored in any way – I just really love these products! This post contains some affiliate links. As always, I only share products I personally use and trust.
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