How to: Powdered Face Mask

If you haven't had a chance to try (i.e. fall in love with) all of Antho's totally natural, organic, vegan products you are REALLY missing out. Generally all of their products have 6 ingredients or less. You can find a mask/scrub/cleanser for any of your skin care needs. 


In the case that you just don't know where to start, below are the basics of powdered products. 

Supplies:
- Antho Mask/Cleanser/Scrub of your choice
- Green tea (for an antioxidant boost)- you can also use purified water, milk, soymilk, etc
- Pinch bowl or small container
- Teaspoon
- Wash Cloth

1. Prepare your liquid- Yogi Green Tea Muscle Recovery is deliciously recommended
2. Gently cleanse face- we recommend Antho Tender as Petals or Alabu Baby Me
3. Lightly pat face dry leaving some dampness
4. Add 2 teaspoons of face mask powder (I used Antho Strawberry Dessert) to your pinch bowl
5. Add about 1 teaspoon of the green tea and mix with finger
6. Apply mask with fingertips working in an upward circular motion
7. Sit back and enjoy your tea for 15-20 minutes
8. Wet a washcloth with warm water and place over face to steam and breakdown mask for gentle removal (do not scrub)
9. After mask is removed, splash face with warm water and lightly dry. Apply your moisturizer to a slight damp face. We recommend Antho Serums or Alabu Replenish
10. Repeat 1-2 weekly to shrink pores, even skin tone, and find your way to an overall healthier complexion

Find a mask, scrub, or cleanser for any of your skin care needs:

• Antho Chocolatiers Gift- Nourishing for a dry, dull complexion
• Antho Mermaid's Cheek- Balancing for problem skin
• Antho Strawberry Dessert- Smoothing for uneven/problem skin
• Antho West Indies Scrub- Gentle exfoliation for brightening

Natural Baby Care Giveaway!

Want a chance to try one of our natural baby lines for FREE? Now is your chance!

                           

Follow the steps below for your chance to win:

1. "Like" Naturals COVE on Facebook

2.  Click the Promos tab

3.  Click Enter

4.  Upload a photo of your kids/babies/bellies enjoying the summer

5.  Promote your entry- click "share" beside your entry to show your friends and family where they can vote for your submission to help you win!

The photo with the most votes will be our lucky winner of this basket of wholesome goodness. 

Basket includes: Episencial Peaceful Bubbles, Episencial Soothing Cream, Episencial Snuggly Lotion, and various Episencial product samples. 

To Love or to Loathe: The Betrayal of Sunscreen

   Sunscreen is one product that bridges age, economic status, and cultural bounds. If you want to protect yourself from sunburns/sun damage (short term) and skin cancer (long term), sunscreen is an irreplaceable product.

Yet somehow there are a great many (75%, according to EWG 2012 Sunscreen Guide) that don't meet even basic criteria for safety. Perhaps this explains why skin cancer is the most common type of cancer- even when combining breast, prostate, and colon?

To lend a helping hand in choosing not only an EFFECTIVE sunscreen but also a SAFE one, we have compared a couple of the leading brands for babies/children with our own Episencial brand. 

     

     

Aveeno vs. Coppertone vs. Episencial

Natural Product

Episencial: Sunny Suncreen SPF 35

EWG Rating of 2

 

Description:

"This broad spectrum, lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer is water resistant for up to 80 minutes of sprinkler – proof fun! Safe minerals work to protect the skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays, while aloe and green tea extract keep skin cool and protected from IR damage."

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients:

Titanium Dioxide 11%- Sunscreen, UV filter, inhalation concern in aerosol form

Zinc Oxide 5.5%- Sunscreen, inhalation concern in aerosol form

Inactive Ingredients:

Acrylates Copolymer- film forming, binding agent

Acrylates/C12-22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer- film forming agent

(C12-C15) Alkyl Benzoate- skin conditioning, lubricant, reduces greasiness

Aloe Barbadensis Flower- Aloe Vera, soothing, healing

Camellia Sinensis- Organic green tea, antioxidant, added skin & IR protection

Caprylic Capric Triglycerides- skin conditioning agent

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil-  Organic Safflower, skin conditioning agent, occlusion, nutritive

Cetearyl Alcohol (Plant Derived)- emulsion stabilizer, viscosity increasing

Cetearyl Glucoside- emulsifying agent

Ethylhexyl Palmitate- fragrance agent, skin conditioning, irritation concerns

Glycerin (Plant Derived)- naturally occurring, denaturant

Glyceryl Stearate SE- surfactant, emulsifying agent

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil- sunflower, skin conditioning, nutritive

Isopropyl Palmitate- palm oil, binder, skin conditioning, nutritive

Isostearic Acid- binding agent

Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil- Meadowfoam oil, skin conditioner, nutritive

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate- vitamin C, antioxidant for added protection

Persea Gratissima Oil- Avocado oil, moisturizer, skin conditioning

Polyhydroxystearic Acid- suspending agent 

Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate- preservative

Triethoxycaprylylsilane- binding agent

Water (Aqua)

Xanthan Gum- natural thickener 

The Good
1. No additives, Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, harsh preservatives, EDTA, SLS, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or gluten
2. Low EWG score of a 2
3. Gentle enough for face or body
4. Water resistant (up to 80 minutes) with antioxidants for added protection

The Bad
1. Getting a pure (effective) product can sometimes cost a bit more than typical sunscreen

Near Natural Product

Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion - SPF 50 - 8 oz

EWG Rating of 2

Description:

"#1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand

·      Broad Spectrum
UVA/UVB Protection

·      Hypoallergenic

·      Waterproof

Coppertone® WaterBabies® Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion

means: Oil Free, Fragrance Free and Dye Free."

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients:

Octinoxate (7.5%)- UV filter, enhanced skin absorption, cellular level changes, hormone disruption, 

Octisalate (5%)- UV filter/light absorber, enhanced skin absorption- increases sunscreen ingredients to enter the skin, relatively safe (3)

Zinc Oxide (14.5%)- Skin protectant, persistance & bioaccumulation concerns, possible organ toxicity concerns (in aerosol use)

Inactive Ingredients:

Water

Propylene Glycol- concern for developing allergies (immunotoxicity) especially in children, contact dermatitis and contact urticaria in humans

C12 15 Alcohol Benzoate- lubricant

Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate- skin conditioning agent

Cyclopentasiloxane- may cause disruption in hormones

Cetyl/PEG/PPG 10/1 Dimethicone- skin conditioning, may contain toxic impurities

PEG 12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer- organ system toxicity, contamination concerns, shouldn't be used on damaged skin

Triethoxycaprylylsilane- synthetic, silicon-based binder, limited information

Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Extract- soothing

Ethylhexyl Palmitate- skin, eye, & lung irritation, environmental pollutant

Diazolidinyl Urea- antimicrobial preservative (synthetic) that acts an formaldehyde releaser

Methylparaben- synthetic preservative, also know for endocrine/hormone disruption as well as organ system toxicity and cellular level changes (linked to cancer), interferes with gene expression

Ethylparaben- synthetic preservative, known for endocrine/hormone disruption 

Sodium Chloride- salt

The Good:

1. Likely your mother's trusted brand- and who could forget the timeless Coppertone baby graphic
2. Cleaner than most sunscreens available on the shelf- keep in mind only this particular formula

3. Recent updates to their formula which has brought it much closer to "near natural" status

The Bad:

1. Use of parabens, formaldehyde releaser, and other synthetic substances linked to various types of toxicity

2. Ingredients are overall less safe than alternatives

Seemingly Natural Product

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 55

EWG Rating of 7

 

Description:

"Pediatrician recommended for over 60 years.

Continuous Protection™ Sunblock Lotion with SPF 55 is formulated to provide better, longer-lasting sun protection from the sun's harmful rays. It combines patented Active Photobarrier Complex™, which maintains broad spectrum protection over time, with natural skin soothing oatmeal to care for baby's delicate skin. Gentle enough for baby's delicate skin, this non-greasy, skin-soothing, natural oatmeal formula is waterproof, helps prevent moisture loss and is as mild as water to the skin.

Simply put, Active Naturals™ are ingredients derived from nature and uniquely formulated to reveal skin's natural health and beauty.

Essential Active Naturals®: Skin soothing oatmeal."

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients:

Avobenzone- UV filter/light absorber,

Homosalate- UV filter/light absorber, enhanced skin absorption concern, hormone disruption, forms toxic metabolites, environmental toxin

Octisalate- UV filter/light absorber, enhanced skin absorption- increases sunscreen ingredients to enter the skin, relatively safe (3)

Octocrylene- UV filter/light absorber, causes oxygen radicals & resulting cellular level mutations, accumulates in human cells, environmental toxin

Oxybenzone- UV filter/light absorber, hormone disruptor, skin allergen, cellular level changes/mutations, accumulates in human cells, environmental toxin

Inactive Ingredients:

Avena Sativa Kernel Flour- Oats

Behenyl Alcohol- binder, stabilizer

BHT- preservative, concern with organ system toxicity, endocrine disruption, and allergies

ButyloctylSalicylate- aka salicylic acid (used to treat acne)- skin conditioning agent

Caprylyl Methicone- synthetic skin conditioning agent, limited ingredient information
Diethylhexyl 2 6 Naphthalate- UV light absorber, phthalates are associated with reproductive and developmental toxicity- confirmed in human studies

Dimethicone- synthetic skin protectant, antifoaming, recommended for restricted use in cosmetics, organ system toxicity, environmentally toxic

Disodium EDTA- enhanced skin absorber (high concern), used to help decrease reactivity of metal ions that may be present in the formula

Ethylhexyl Stearate- human irritant (skin, eyes, lungs)

Ethylhexl Glycerin- deodorant agent, human irritant (skin, eyes, lungs), organ system toxicity concerns

Ethylparaben- synthetic preservative, known for endocrine/hormone disruption 

Glyceryl Stearate

Methylparaben- synthetic preservative, also know for endocrine/hormone disruption as well as organ system toxicity and cellular level changes (linked to cancer), interferes with gene expression

PEG 100 Stearate- cleansing agent, contamination concerns, moderate organ system toxicity concerns

Phenoxyethanol- alcohol, lubricant

Propylparaben- synthetic preservative, mimics estrogen and causes hormone disruption, skin irritant, environmental contamination

Silica- high concerns of bioaccumulation (particularly in aerosol form), possible organ system toxicity

Sodium Polyacrylate- organ toxicity and contamination concerns

Styrene Acrylates Copolymer- skin conditioning, data gaps

Trideceth 6- emulsifying agent, organ system toxicity concerns, environmental toxicity concerns

Trimethylsiloxysilicate- silcon based antifoaming agent, limited info

VP/Hexadecene Copolymer- binder, film forming agent

Water

Xanthan Gum- thickener

The Good

1. Avobenzone is the top of the active ingredients (despite the others)

2. Integration of oats

The Bad

1. Parabens & phthalates (particularly methylparabens & propylparabens) oh my!

2. Countless synthetic ingredients, dangerous sunscreen agents, and immuno/environmental toxins

3. This Aveeno product is FAR from the natural image they try to portray

To love or to loathe, tied with a bow

Fact: There is NO perfect sunscreen! Finding a sunscreen that if safe and effective can be a difficult process- especially when trying to find a reasonably priced one. 

Here are a few simply rules to sift through the bad when reading your labels:

-Skip the parabens, phthlates, oxybenzone,  & retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A): these ingredients are  known to cause issues with hormones, organs, genes, and the environment. INSTEAD, look for avobezone, parasol, zinc, titanium dioxide, or Mexoryl SX.

-Avoid high SPF: There is no such thing as perfect coverage- any sunscreen claiming much more than SPF 50 is offering little to no additional coverage.

-Lotion not spray: although they may seem to save time, aerosols require alcohol (harsh for the skin), cheapen the formula of the sunscreen, and  introduce airborne hazards

20% off- Happy July!

Thank you for all of your love and support so far in our Naturals COVE adventure. 

We're so happy to be celebrating SUMMER (and our first month open!) that we want to give you 20% off your purchase of $30 or more. 

So don't be shy... tell your family, friends, and friends-friends. Swoop up some summer favorites before we run out!

What will you buy with your discount? Share your thoughts with us. 

A New Member of the Naturals COVE Family- Antho

When choosing which companies to bring aboard the Naturals COVE family, we aimed for natural companies that we already know and love-  as well as new companies that share our dedication to quality, safe, and effective personal care products for all stages of life. 

Prior to attending the Natural Products Expo West in March of this year, we were completely unfamiliar with Antho (Anthology) products. After spotting their beautiful booth, we were quickly drawn to their chic, apothecary style packaging and the friendly faces of the company's Founders. 

Several long moments of awe passed as we circled through the booth smelling candles, trying body butter, admiring their serums, and wondering when we might get to try their decadent masks (particularly this Strawberry Dessert Mask). 

We were full of questions for the Founders, which they graciously answered. Without a second thought, we invited them to become a member of our Naturals COVE family for our online store opening- beginning with their skin care line.


About antho
Antho is family-owned company devoted to providing all natural, vegan, cruelty-free and organic products. 

Ingredients
Antho offers the highest percentage of organic products in the industry. Antho products are USDA certified organic, unprocessed and raw.

How are they made?
Made right here in the USA, their products are made in small batches to ensure their freshness and potency.  

Packaging
Their products are presented in beautiful, recyclable apothecary glass. All serums and oil products have the added protection of brown tinted glass to safe-guard their potent, super-nutrient qualities and prevent spoiling from sun exposure. 

"Our eco-friendly apothecary glass containers will never interact with essential oils or release toxins into the final product like many plastics do. Also sunlight depletes ingredients of their potency and shortens products lifespan - a common problem with clear glass packaging. Our stylish dark glass bottles block the light so you can enjoy full-strength products until the last drop."- antho founders

Where do I start?
Antho's products are designed to maintain their quality without the use of preservatives. One thing that make them SO different for many of us is the absence of water in their formulas. This allows them to be more effective, long-lasting, and creates value for customers by eliminating the fillers. 

Never used powdered masks or cleansers? Learn more about how to use their products here. 

Summer Scents Collection

We don’t know about you but… when summer FINALLY rolls around, we love to surround ourselves with all things fresh, juicy, sweet and citrus. Welcome summer and encourage it to stay awhile with these Naturals COVE Scents of Summer.

Coconut Lime/Coconut Vanilla

The cheapest vacation you'll ever take. Coconut lime or coconut sets you far, far away on a tropical island- if only for a moment. 

Vanilla Orange

Can you say CREAMSICLE? And to think, you can smother yourself in this stuff all summer long without adding an inch to your waist.

Orange Blossom

Like a special kind of fantasy- a flower and an orange had a baby.

Ylang Ylang

In summer (or anytime really) ylang ylang has a sort of floral, glamorous quality to it. Why not start everyday feeling dainty and glam?

Citrus

Simple, juicy and refreshing. Have your pick of this summer favorite with a skin care regimen, body shimmer, deodorant, or body/baby washes. 

Strawberry

Fresh from the strawberry patch. Taste the sweet, simple goodness of strawberries all summer long. 

Did you know strawberries have natural skin brightening benefits for your complexion?

Lemongrass

Like a long summer day, lemongrass scent is packed with clean, fresh delicious-ness.

Try Keeki Ginger Blossom Lotion for a Lemongrass with a sweet, tropical twist.  

Pink Lemonade

Pink? Citrus? I think this childhood favorite speaks for itself. 

Tangerine

Energizing, fresh, and simply summer. 

Mint

Mojitos on a beach or a crisp summer breeze. Mint is the perfect escape- even if only for a moment washing hands at the sink.







Sadly, summer doesn't last all year... 

Which of these summer scents will you swoop up before the season ends?

12 Summer Must-Haves

Get your beach bag ready and keep your skin glowing all summer long with our Naturals COVE Summer Must-Haves. 

1. KINeSYS Sport Sunscreen (SPF 30)

Alcohol, oil, and grease free- this sweat & water-resistant, mango sunscreen was made for you. Literally- check the slip-proof, ergonomic design.

Its concentrated formula and sophisticated spray gives more "bang-for-your-buck" and perfect coverage- forget the wasteful, alcohol loaded streaming spray sunscreens.

Good to Know: While sunscreen should protect, 75% do more harm that good- causing immune system, nervous system, and hormone disruption (not to mention, it damages precious Mother Earth).  If you find these ingredients (to name a few) in your sunscreen, show your sunscreen right to the trash: 

        -Retinyl palmitate/acetate (Vitamin A)- studies show the development of cancer and cellular level changes. 

        -Oxybenzone- hormone disruption
        -Alcohol- drying, irritating

Check out the EWG Summer Guide to Sunscreen for more information on choosing a safe sunscreen. 

2. Episencial Sunny Sunscreen (SPF 35)

Broad UVA/UVB protection- no child should be without this Sunny Sunscreen. Green tea and aloe added for extra protection (and antioxidants). 

80 minutes of sun-loaded, sprinkler fun in each application. 

3. Plantlife Orange Blossom Body Oil

Sand, salt, and sun can leave your skin in desperate need of moisture.  

Oil up with this summer scented wonder to soften and replenish you skin FAST!

4. Keeki Raspberry Sorbet
What better time of year to sport hot pink? Non-toxic, chemical & headache free. 

You'll forget that nail polish once smelled like a toxic sewer once you meet this 100% biodegradable, vegan, gluten free beauty. 

5. Little Twig Travel Set

TSA cleared size- everything you need to jet set and enjoy vacation with your on an island far, far away. Tangerine body wash/shampoo, conditioning detangler, and bubble bath. 

Definitely not just for babies. 

6. Plantlife Lemongrass Bodywash
Restore your sanity from the hot, humid summer. 

No body wash will get you SO fresh and SO clean better than this one. 

7. Antho West Indies Scrub 

Sweat, salt, and sand can lead to some serious facial grime. 

Use this gentle poppy seed scrub to refresh and replenish your sun-soaked skin without harsh plastic beads. 

8. GFYG Deodorant
Enjoy the outdoors and avoid smelling like a farm animal with this summer-y, citrus deodorant.

All natural and aluminum free!

9. GFYG Body Shimmer
With a touch of sun, add some glam to your moisture routine. 

All natural body lotion with a light shimmer and citrus scent.

10. Alabu Replenish Facial Moisturizer
Travel sized, roll-on facial moisturizer for right out of the ocean (after a cleansing, of course). 

A little goes a long way with this power-packed, dry squalane oil. All natural and great for all skin types. 

11. Antho Strawberry Dessert Face Mask
What's more summer than a fresh, juicy strawberry?  This skin smoothing face mask with bring life back to any complexion. 

And with zero calories. 

12. Alabu Baby Me Ultra-Moisturizing Goats Milk Soap
Last but certainly not least, your face deserves to be cleansed, moisturized, and forever young- simply. 

Made with 1/4 fresh goat milk, this soap won't leave your skin seeking moisture like most (okay, all) synthetic soaps. Great for all skin types.



So sunscreen up and treat yourself with some of our Summer Must-Haves! Lifelong beauty starts with the right stuff. Make the SWITCH and make it NATURAL!

Check out our Summer Scents Collection.