My new obsession is healthier beauty products. I’m becoming more and more aware of the dangers of the chemical toxins found in so many of my used-to-be favorite brands, and as I march steadily down the path of wellness, I’m continuing to realize that health is a whole package. I can’t go all organic with my veggies, then spray toxic chemicals on my hair and think it’s okay. Nor can I use an all organic moisturizer, then wash it off at night with a harsh cleanser. Of course, it’s not completely all or nothing. I balance my efforts as best I can and every step in the right direction is a positive one.

So back to the cost of wellness. It’s not always cheap, and I certainly don’t have tons of funds to spend on expensive all-natural products. So instead of cutting corners, I do my homework and look for ways cut costs. Yesterday, I spent most of my Sunday switching back and forth between two websites: The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, a fabulous website that I’ve mentioned before,

and VitaCost.com, another great website offering cheaper prices on vitamins, supplements, bath and beauty supplies, etc.

After all was said and done I ended up choosing the Aubrey Organics Natural Vegecol line and saved about 20%. This line scores 2/10 on Skin Deep’s hazard scale. I can live with that. I also ordered Badger SPF 30 Sunscreen for 15% less than the retail value. This sunscreen scored a 1/10 on Skin Deep’s sunscreen database. Woohoo!

Three cheers for safe sun protection and the slightly cheaper price of wellness.

What are your favorite natural bath and beauty products?

There are a lot of opinions out there about sunscreens. Both camps argue valid points. The advocates fear bad burns and abnormal moles gone awry while those opposed will warn of parabens and other toxic chemicals. Then of course there’s the “sun-saluters” who’ll tell you to expose your bare, un-screened skin to 15 minutes of rays a day, in order to fill up on necessary Vitamin D.

The truth of the matter is that skin cancer is a real and scary thing, and for some sun sans screen is not an option. If you’re like me and dare not spend more that 30 minutes under the warm summer sky without protection, you’ve got to explore this link… EWG’s 2010 Sunscreen Guide… Discover which sunscreens are the safest to use and which pose as much of a threat as those dreaded UV rays.

I was shocked to learn that some of the worst sunscreens out there are the ones we’re smearing on children.

Does your lotion measure up? Find out before your next sunny outing!

Happy Summer!