Kelly Bonanno

Real Estate Agent

sunscreen

By 2 Comments

Win A Free Bottle Of Block Island Organics Sunscreen! #Review & #Giveaway

With summer starting in just a few short weeks, I know what’s on your mind… beach days, BBQs, pool time, water park craziness. But so is sunscreen. Which one should I use? What brands are safe? Which ones don’t leave a pasty white film? … some of those thoughts sound familiar?

The most important thing when it comes to choosing sunscreen is – you know what I’m going to say – that it’s free of harmful chemicals. And I know what you’re thinking… “but pretty much all of them have harmful ingredients, so what do we use?!”

I get it, good sunscreen is hard to find. The struggle is real. You want toxin free, a nice consistency, no white film, good protection from the sun’s damaging rays and a pleasant scent, right?

I recently discovered a sunscreen that meets all of those criteria, Block Island Organics. You have a chance to win a free bottle of their Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30!

My son even likes it. Well, he doesn’t like to wear any sunscreen, kids and sunscreen are like oil and water, aren’t they? He knows I won’t buy the toxic junk so when it comes to clean sunscreen, this one gets his approval. If your kids are as picky about sunscreen as mine are, you know know that is a good sign. Learn what he has to say about it in this live stream he & I did for my Facebook group. 

I’m very happy to have a good, safe sunscreen to recommend. Block Island Organics is completely non-toxic mineral based made without nanotechnology, which is important. Mineral sunscreens are often made with nanotechnology which is not a good thing because nanoparticles have been shown to cross the cell barrier driving into organs, even attaching to brain cells. They’ve also caused developmental issues in animals.

The entire line is free of parabens, phthalates, dyes,  artificial fragrances, sulfates, petrochemicals… I could go on. Suffice it to say, nothing harmful in there! Yo. They are completely transparent about the ingredients they use, all are listed on the site

Their products are non-comedogenic & vegan formulated and gluten free which is so important for those of us who are gluten intolerant (me!) or have Celiac.

Their SPF 30 and their Face Moisturizer SPF 30 made the list of Environmental Working Group’s top sunscreen picks for 2017. This line is made in the USA and they do not test on animals.

The Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30 is extremely moisturizing and blends very well. If you have dry skin this will be an oasis of hydrating sun protection. If you have oily skin you may find it a bit heavy. My skin is normal with an oily t-zone, however, as I age it’s getting drier. I found that my tinted moisturizer went on smoothly after applying the sunscreen. Happy to report that it does not irritate the eyes the way many sunscreens do.

What is the worst thing about most natural sunscreens? They leave that pasty white film which no one likes. This one does not! Major plus.

Where does the name come from? The family run business started out of an eco spa on Block Island (which looks beautiful btw), Rhode Island called Koru Eco Spa. Their philosophy is: actively enjoy the outdoors with the motto “Play Smart. Play Safe. Non-Toxic Suncare.”

Not only do you get a chance to win a free bottle, Block Island Organics is offering my audience a discount as well! Use code kellyb to get 20% of any product in the line. The code is valid June 10th – June 28th.

Enter here for your chance to win a free bottle of Block Island Organics Natural Face Moisturizer SPF 30! Giveaway is valid only in the U.S.

UPDATE: This giveaway has ended but stay tuned, I’ll be doing more in the near future!

In the meantime, I invite you to participate in my free challenge. It can be overwhelming to know what products are safe and which to avoid. To help people figure it out and minimize their body’s toxic burden, I’m running a fun, FREE green your beauty routine challenge in July:

5 Days To A Clean, Green Beauty Routine ?

In this challenge, you’ll learn simple tips that you can start right away to look better, feel great & improve your health by detoxing your beauty & personal care routine without giving up glamour ? It will be easy and fun, sign up here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

By 4 Comments

The #1 Reason You Shouldn’t Skip A Trip To The Dermatologist

One of the questions I am most often asked is, “what sunscreen should I use?!” Using quality sunscreen that is free of toxic chemicals is important but equally important is keeping an eye out for changes in your skin.

Do you go to the dermatologist for yearly skin checks? Do you take you kids for yearly skin checks? It’s not just adults that are at risk of skin cancer.

May is skin cancer prevention month and quite coincidentally, my son’s skin check potentially saved his life. In this recent live stream I did in my Facebook group, I tell the whole story, share some of my favorite sunscreen brands & clear up confusion surrounding a controversial ingredient found in many skin care products, titanium dioxide.

At 4:30 minutes in, I discuss the importance of skin checks & exactly how my son’s saved him from an unfavorable diagnosis down the line.

I don’t want to sound dramatic but the dermatologist said that this would have turned into melanoma. I feel very blessed that we caught it so early. I’m proud of him, he noticed it on his back & brought it to my attention.

I have had 2 basal cell carcinomas removed.Tanning with baby oil back in the 80s? Guilty. They were very small, I found both myself. It’s important to check yourself frequently & when something new pops up, have it checked out.

It’s so important to know your skin and your entire body and be aware of any changes whether they seem abnormal or not.

I also have a very special & might I add, extremely cute guest joining me in this video!

Protect yourself and your loved ones and schedule those skin checks!

Feel free to join my private Facebook group where we share all things wellness, eco friendly living & organic beauty & I’ll be doing informative live streams, Q & As & more!

It can be overwhelming to know what products are safe and which to avoid. To help people figure it out and minimize their body’s toxic burden, I’m running a fun, FREE green your beauty routine challenge in July:

5 Days To A Clean, Green Beauty Routine ?

In this challenge, you’ll learn simple tips that you can start right away to look better, feel great & improve your health by detoxing your beauty & personal care routine without giving up glamour ? It will be fun, sign up here!

It runs this week but you can still participate & reap the benefits. I’ll send the videos & info to everyone who signs up so you can access & peruse at your leisure 🙂 

 

By Leave a Comment

Get Glowing ~ 4 Tips For Radiant Skin

Guest post by Naomie Pierre       

  • Keep Things Shaded

Most of us have heard by now that it’s smart to use sunscreen and stay out of the sun for long periods of time when possible. However, experts are finding that avoiding sun all together can be harmful. It actually does the body good to take in a little sun each day, you’ll get a natural dose of vitamin D. Morning exposure has the least harmful rays. The sun’s rays are strongest between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. So, try stay out of the sun during those hours or seek shade and wear a hat. It’s also important to use sunscreen that does not contain harmful chemicals.

 

  • Avoid Smoking

We know that smoking cigarettes is one of the worst things you can do for your health but it’s also one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Taking in the heated, chemically-infected air of a cigarette dries out the skin, makes the skin appear aged and adds to the creation of wrinkles. Smoke decreases blood flow to the exterior layers of the skin which takes away important nutrients and oxygen. In addition, the components that aid in youthful, tight skin – collagen and elastin – are also destroyed by smoke. Another way that smoking wreaks havoc on the skin is by the same facial gestures being done over and over again as required by a repetitive habit like smoking. These facial gestures will eventually become wrinkles.

Healthy, vibrant skin helps us feel better about ourselves and more ready to face the world head on 
  • Be Kind To Your Skin

Despite what many facial cleansing companies might tell you, it’s actually very damaging to the skin to wash it too frequently. It is also harmful to use water that is too hot, soaps that are too strong (they strip oil from the skin), or to dry with too much gusto. Instead, pat your skin dry, use mild cleansers without toxic ingredients and be sure to moisturize every day.

  • Eat Plenty Of Fruits And Vegetables

Mother Nature’s resource for vitamins is one of our great friends when it comes to helping our skin shine. By eating organic vegetables and fruit, you are aiding your cells in staying healthy and being able to fight off pollutants, sun damage, free radical and acne outbreaks.

Naomie Pierre covers lifestyle, health, beauty, skincare and women’s health topics for My Doc Hub, a trusted online doctor reviews and medical information website.

By 1 Comment

How To Find Safer Sunscreen Protection

I love the smell of Coppertone… brings back fond memories of my childhood. Oooh and baby oil… I’d slather that stuff all over my body in hopes of achieving that deep dark tan. If we only knew! Not only were we damaging our skin but that pleasant smell of Coppertone is a highly toxic synthetic fragrance.

file9151265810349In my post, You Know The Sunscreen You’re Using Is Toxic, Isn’t Time To Make A Healthier Choice? I detailed the harmful chemicals that most sunscreen brands contain. Because the FDA does not conduct any safety testing on sunscreen, we consumers have to be savvy about what we use. It’s infuriating, we’re trying to protect ourselves from skin cancer but the damn sunscreen itself contains carcinogens. So what the hell are we supposed to do?!

Don’t worry, there are alternatives. There are brands that offer quality sunscreen without the harmful chemicals that get a good rating on the Environmental Working Group sunscreen report. Look for products that have zinc oxide made without nanotechnology. Zinc is a physical barrier against the sun’s rays that does not get absorbed by the skin. The sun’s rays break down chemical sunscreens and you have to reapply them frequently. The physical sunscreens do not break down so they protect your skin from the sun longer.

prod_sunCollection

SPF 15 & 30, sunscreen stick and lip balm with SPF 15

California Baby and Badger are good but they do leave a white film on the skin (which my 11 year old won’t tolerate!) , UV Natural is good but a bit greasy.

I like Solar Protective MoisturizerSPF 30 by Devita Skin Care. It’s good for us gals because it contains hyaluronic acid which gives a little anti-aging boost.

I know sunscreen sprays are convenient and easy to use but they are especially harmful because we inhale the ingredients as well as absorb them.

Protect Your Health, Protect The Environment

Lake Arrowhead 009Avoiding sunscreen with toxic ingredients is not only important for our health, it’s important for the environment. After we slather ourselves with it, it washes off into the ocean harming sea life. According to a study conducted by Environmental Health Perspectives in 2008, these chemicals are killing the coral reef.

Research shows that octinoxate, oxybenzone, parabens and camphor derivatives kill hard corals which could have a negative impact on biodiversity and reef ecosystems. Help inform your friends – tweet this, share it on Facebook & send it to friends, especially those with kids. No one should use sunscreen with harmful chemicals and with all the safe alternatives, they don’t have to.

By 3 Comments

5 Natural Ways To Care For Winter Skin

Guest post by Lee Ann Buttery

As the temperature outside is steadily dropping, we must adjust our skin care regimen
accordingly. Perhaps you haven’t been the kindest to your skin this past summer (i.e.,
marinating yourself under the sun’s cruel rays…yikes). Hopefully, that was not the case,
but whether you were skin and sun savvy or not, the changing climate does affect the skin
and it is imperative to transition your skin into more winter-ready products.

Swap Sunscreen For…
Absolutely nothing! Sunscreen is a must all year round, every day- regardless of how cool or cloudy it gets outside. It is crucial to wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Moreover, choose a sunscreen that contains a physical barrier like zinc oxcide, not a chemical barrier and natural ingredients such as green tea or aloe. The ultraviolet radiation is still there, rain or shine, summer or winter. It’s a skin sin when people assume that sunscreen is only needed for beach or summer days.

Exchange Lightweight Moisturizer For…
A slightly heavier formula. The colder months can be drying to the skin and a richer
moisturizer will help keep the skin hydrated and healthy. Try one that contains natural,
good-for-your-skin moisturizing ingredients such as seaweed or avocado oil. If you
experience serious dryness, consider switching your night moisturizer to night cream
products specifically formulated to battle the effects of colder weather and dry heat.

…

Read More