Bubble bath isn't an essential skincare product in the way that say, toothpaste is. But it makes bathtime fun for little ones, and feels luxurious and relaxing for adults. But before you pour a capful of bubble bath into the...
Because of its cheerful yellow and orange flowers, calendula is a popular addition to home gardens and lawns. But did you know that this gorgeous herb is also a valuable medicinal plant? For centuries, people have been using calendula (Calendula...
All plastics labeled “biodegradable” are degradable. And all “compostable” plastics are biodegradable. But not all “degradable” plastics are compostable or biodegradable. Confused? You’re not alone. You see these terms a lot. And it's hard to know the difference, so you might...
Isn’t it ironic that something created to protect us from life threatening illnesses may actually harm us? Take sunscreen, for example. You should use it every day. And you should put it on thick enough that it actually protects us...
Some babies don’t need nappy rash creams at all. Some need them at every nappy change. No matter what your baby needs, here's how to choose a non toxic nappy rash cream. Why do you need to use a nappy...
This is the next instalment in our ongoing series about chemicals often found in home and personal care products. Here, we make an assessment of ingredients, so you can make informed choices about the products you buy. Today, we’re looking...
Our bodies need magnesium for all sorts of things like muscle and nerve function, regulating blood sugar levels and blood pressure, as well as making DNA, bones and protein. Studies by the US Department of Agriculture showed that nearly half...
Baby wipes are something that you use an awful lot of when you have a baby. But what exactly is in those wipes? If you don't know, how do you know what to choose? Disposable baby wipes are basically made...
I've been examining a LOT of baby wipes recently, as I update our Baby Wipes Cheat Sheet. Although baby wipes manufacturers have cleaned up the ingredients in recent years, we're not there yet. There are still bad ingredients in baby...
I've written about preservatives in skincare before. But I had a query this week about which preservatives are okay, so I thought I'd write you a quick guide. EcoCert, the international organic inspection and certification body, approves a number of...
I had a question about the safety of super absorbent polymers last week. I've been asked this question before. So, I thought it was time to write a post about it in case anyone else was wondering. What are super...
Many laundry detergents promise to make your white clothes whiter than white. How do they do this? Using chemicals called optical brighteners. What are optical brighteners? Optical brighteners are chemicals that absorb ultraviolet light and reflect blue light. This helps to hide...
