This morning I was digging through my ‘product drawer’ hoping to find a moisturizer with a bit more ummpphh for my face. I was out in the sun yesterday and my skin feels dry and icky from all the sunscreen. I re-discovered a WELEDA face moisturizer I bought awhile back at Whole Foods.

First, what is Weleda: Weleda is a company that makes natural beauty products. A big part of their mission is using Biodynamic farming methods and developing fair trade partnerships. I had to google ‘biodynamic farming’ – it means:  ‘a method of organic farming that treats farms as unified and individual organisms, emphasizing balancing the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants and animals as a self-nourishing system without external inputs insofar as this is possible given the loss of nutrients due to the export of food.‘ Ok, so organic farming…it sounds good. 

• To learn more about Weleda: http://usa.weleda.com/sharing-our-story/index.aspx

I was drawn to try this line for a couple of reasons: it had been recommended to me as a good, natural product line, the price point wasn’t as high as some of the other options at Whole Foods – and this particular product seems to address the needs of my skin – I tried: Iris Hydrating Facial Lotion

my tube of Weleda Iris Hydrating face cream

Cost: $20 (at Whole Foods) for a 1.0 oz tube (link to product below)

A few selling points:

• For oily to combination skin
• Light, fast absorbing
• Regulates natural moisture balance and provides long-lasting protection against drying out
• Uses organic jojoba seed oil as a hydrating emollient that nourishes and softens
• Organic calendula flower extract soothes skin and provides a protective antiseptic barrier

Weleda Iris hydrating cream featured in WL magazine (it's the white/purple tube up top)

What I love about Weleda –

• besides it being a natural option…
• it did a great job moisturizing my skin
• I love the slight lavender smell
• It comes in a tube so you don’t have to dip a finger into a pot and spread bacteria around
• It spreads well, sinks into skin and doesn’t leave me feeling greasy
• My skin stayed moisturized during the day

One thing I noticed is, the ingredients seem to seperate…so when you first squeeze it out there is a bit of oily liquid that comes out with the white cream. You have to mix it between your fingers before you apply to get the right consistency.

I thought I’d share this natural, paraben free option. A moisturizer for ‘combination’ skin is always good for me in the summer – my skin is dry year-round but tends to break out more in the summer…with the humidity and the sunscreen I apply to my face. Oh and…given all the chemicals in sunscreen it feels nice to apply something natural at the end of a beach day 😉

• Link to buy/get more info on Drugstore: http://www.drugstore.com/weleda-iris-hydrating-day-cream/qxp330472?fromsrch=weleda

If you’re looking for a natural option – the Weleda line might be a good one to look into!

Have you tried Weleda or any natural skin care product lines? Please share 

Facial moisturizers…I’ve tried so many – from the $7 CVS brand to the $75 Chanel (who am I?) moisturizer. I am willing to pay extra on the one BIG condition – that is WORKS…that results are noticeable (oh and, the product actually last more than a month). Thus far I haven’t found any miracle creams – I might need to give up that quest one day. But recently I found this new moisturizer at Sephora. It ain’t cheap ($55) but it is great for sensitive skin and it’s also free of synthetic ingredients. The line of products is called REN – this is what they’re all about:

http://www.renskincare.com/AboutRen/FivePrinciples.aspx

As I read more and more about the chemicals in make up, skin, and body care products I tryyyy to find products for myself with less/no synthetic ingredients (although you will find I use plenty that don’t follow these rules, eek). The idea of chemicals seeping through my skin freaks me out!! I have tried some ‘organic/all natural’ skin care lines but just because those boast natural/cleaner benefits it doesn’t mean my skin loves them. I have eczema on my face and can get dry patches so I need something that works and have to avoid strong fragrances. I am also prone to break outs.

So, I tried REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream http://www.renskincare.com/p/3112/Hydra-Calm+Global+Protection+Day+Cream

Two pumps cover my face and neck. Making sure I cover my neck these days is important – as the neck tends to age quicker than the face for some woman, eek!

I would recommend this daily moisturizer to anyone looking for cream that moisturizers well, doesn’t leave you too greasy, and is looking for a product with less/no synthetic ingredients. I also found the bottle lasts a few months – which is good when you’re forking over $55. I got mine at Sephora but it’s also sold at Barney’s (and prob other places)