It’s not a cruel summer with these: my summertime essentials

Less is more has never been more true to me in the Summer. I’m not holding the heat very well – esp. my skin –  but with a little help from these little friends, zits, burns and mosquitoes have been kept under control 😉

1. Annmarie Gianni Sun Love
Several weeks back, I ordered the Ann Marie Gianni oily skin sample pack, which included for a limited time her new sunscreen. It’s packed with antioxidants and a blend of super oils. I had never heard of urucum seed oil before: apparently it’s been used for centuries by indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon for its sun protection properties. Sun Love has a cream texture, and a slight cocoa scent. It’s very similar to May Lindstrom’s Honey Mud in terms of color and texture, just to give you an idea. It might be a sample size, but a little goes a long way. It’s also non greasy, and quickly absorbed.
Ingredients: Aloe vera juice infused with herbs (*sencha green tea, *life everlasting flowers, *rosemary leaves, *olive leaves, *lavender flowers), zinc oxide (18%), *sunflower oil, gum blend (water, *chondrus crispus, plant sugars, non-GMO xanthan gum), fractionated coconut oil, herb infused oil (*rice bran oil, *urucum seed), *non-GMO glycerin (soy), *green tea extract, *avocado oil, vegetable wax, aspen bark extract, iron oxide, *buriti fruit oil, *seabuckthorn berry oil, non-GMO vitamin E tocopherols, cocoa absolute, *lavender oil, non-GMO xanthan gum, hyaluronic acid. *Organic or wildcrafted

2. Lotus Wei Quiet Mind Serum
This was in a Petit Vour box a few months ago (march or april) and it’s my first Lotus Wei product. A powerful blend of flowers and gemstones, this serum is meant to soothe physical tension along with mental chatter and restlessness. Which is exactly why I need in this heat: to stay zen, I just apply Quiet Mind on my temples, and carry it everywhere with me just in case.
Ingredients: * Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower Oil), vitamin E (from GMO-free Soybeans), essential oils of *Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium), Coriandrum sativum (Coriander), *Eugenia caryophyllata (Clove), *Citrus deliciosa (Mandarin), *Citrus limon (Lemon) and hand-collected flower essences of Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise), Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower), Brugmansia arborea (Datura), Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion), Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus), and gem essence of Kyanite. *Certified Organic

3. Odylique Mosimix Body Oil
This was a gift from the sweet Katie during the green beauty swap (here) and it’s been put to use as soon as the weather heated up. Not only does it moisturize your skin, but it’s also a great mosquito repellent. I apply it on bare arms and legs and it leaves a subtle Lemongrass aroma, which is quite pleasant.
Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil*, high oleic sunflower oil*, coconut oil*, lemongrass*, lavender*, thyme*, limonene* & linalool* & citral* (in the essential oils). *Organically grown/produce

4. Herbivore Botanicals Purify balancing facial serum
This was my first Herbivore Botanicals purchase and a more thorough review will follow up. I jumped on the Herbivore Botanicals bandwagon, after enjoying the reviews from the girls of Unsullied. This aqua-colored serum is super lightweight, easily absorbed, and keeps my skin balanced with no additional breakouts. It has soothing properties thanks to blue Chamomille and blue Yarrow and doesn’t have any particular smell, which is also why I really consider this my go-to oil for the Summer.

Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Blue Yarrow, Blue Chamomile Oil, Green Myrtle, Hyssop Oil, Immortelle Oil.

5. Dr.Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel
You may have already read Lilly’s great review (here), and I can only agree with her as it’s particularly suited for hot weather. I use it on spots and redness that may occur during the day and it quickly soothes the inflammations. Also the gel texture is really refreshing. I was considering purchasing the full-size, as it’s a really great product, but I don’t see myself using this in the colder seasons. This is definitely a purchase I’d do starting Spring.
Ingredients: Into our base of Organic Aloe Vera Gel* and Witch Hazelº the following organic and wild-crafted herbals are blended: organically grown grape alcohol* (from the fermentation of organically grown grains). Greater Nettle*, Wild Chamomileº, Myrrhº, European Elder*, Sweet Weed*, and French Lavender*. Curacao Orange*, Benzoinº, Rosemary*,
Olibanumº, Wild Fennelº, Balm Mint*, Sea Oakº, Atlantic Kelpº and Red Seaweedº. Also added are natural vitamin B and vitamin C complexes and
100% pure essential oils. * – Signifies certified organically grown.  º – Signifies ethically wild-crafted.

6. Deep Steep Honeydew-Spearming Body Mist
In this heat, I just can’t bother wearing a strong perfume, and I’m craving light and fresh scents. Deep Steep’s body mist ticks all the boxes. Alcohol free, it leaves the skin refreshed and slightly fragrant.
Ingredients: Aqua, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Infusion of Organic Herbs, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Extract, extrait de zeste de citron (citrus medica limonum), extrait de citron vert (citrus aurantifolia), Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Aroma (Organic and Wildcrafted Aroma Blend), Natural Color.

What are your favorite products this Summer? For those wondering the obscure reference in the blog title, you can find it (here) hehe.

Take care,

Liz