1.  Green Beaver SLS-Free Toothpastes, Conditioning Detangler, Gentle Shampoo, and Bubble Bath

If you have been reading my product reviews for awhile, you know that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is an ingredient I avoid due to my son’s sensitivity. One area it is difficult to find products without SLS is dental care. Even Tom’s of Maine, one of the first companies to offer “natural” toothpastes, uses SLS.

Green Beaver is a new brand for me. I’ve never seen it in stores, and frankly, if I did, I probably wouldn’t pick it up because the labels is not aesthetically pleasing. Although I try not to judge books by their covers, the artist in me can’t help it.  Anyhow, I am pleasantly surprised by Green Beaver, a Canadian company you can trust!  Their low hazard scores on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep cosmetic database range from one to two.

Green Beaver avoids all the chemicals commonly found in “natural” beauty products like 1,4-dioxane, triclosan, parabens, talc, lanolin, etc. you should shun. For example:

Triclosan
synthetic “antibacterial” ingredient with chemical structure similar to Agent Orange! EPA registers it as a pesticide, posing risks to human health and environment. Classified as a chlorophenol, chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans. Tufts University School of Medicine says triclosan is capable of forcing emergence of ’super bugs’ it cannot kill. The Canadian Paediatric Society called for parents to stop buying antibacterial products, and instead use soap and water to wash toys, hands or household items.

We were sent the following Green Beaver products to try:

Gentle Shampoo 

Key ingredients :

• Formulated with the mildest plant-based cleansers
• Canadian organic raspberry and cranberry emollients help retain moisture
• in children’s hair leaving them silky soft
• Extra gentle shampoo
• Tear-free
• Rinses easily
• Non-drying
• Certified organic, nut free, gluten free, vegan, biodegradable

SLS-Free Green Apple Toothpaste and SLS-Free Zesty Orange Toothpaste

– Vegan, biodegradable, gluten free, nut free
– Star anis toothpaste is mint free thus homeopathic friendly
– Can be safely used by children
– Green apple and Zesty orange toothpastes are kids favourites

Conditioning Detangler

Key ingredients :
Cranberry and raspberry seed emollients unlock knots
and tangles for easy combing and helps providing
protection against breakage

– Light, conditioning leave-in spray
– Works well on wet or dry hair.
– Strengthens, softens and leaves hair shiny
– Non oily
– Tear-free
– Certified organic, nut free, gluten free, vegan, biodegradable

Bubble Bath

Key ingredients :
– Formulated with the mildest plant-based cleanser
– Canadian organic raspberry and cranberry emollients
moisturizes skin leaving it soft and smooth.
– Instant foaming hand wash
– Rinses easily
– Non-drying
– Certified organic, nut free, gluten free, vegan, biodegradable

Would I buy these products?  YES!  As Green Beaver says, “It’s NOT ONLY  about what they eat…An average person can absorb more contaminants from bathing and showering than from drinking and eating!”

2.  O.N.E. Coconut Water and O.N.E. Kids

Coconut water is all the rage now for its electrolytes and ability to quench your thirsty. It is great for hydrating after being sick from vomiting or diarrhea, as well as any time you need  a drink.  O.N.E puts their coconut water in handy juice boxes that make them easy to pack in kids (or adults) lunches.

O.N.E.™ is the premier, all-natural beverage company established in 2005 by Rodrigo Veloso – a visionary instrumental in creating a whole new category of functional beverage in the U.S.  Their award winning and #1 selling coconut water is fast-becoming recognized as America’s healthiest beverage for providing enhanced hydration, essential nutrition and all five essential electrolytes (calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and sodium). O.N.E.™ drinks are packaged in environmentally friendly Tetra Pak cartons underscoring the company’s deep commitment to the Earth.  O.N.E.™ is a founding member of Conscious Capitalism (consciouscapitalism.com) and dedicated to using its business platform of conscious capitalism to educate consumers about the importance of proper hydration in all stages and phases of life.  As such, it supports several nonprofit organizations – most importantly Healthy Child Healthy World (www.healthychild.org). It is also collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an initiative that supports schools nationwide in developing healthier environments with the goal of reversing the trend of childhood obesity.

Would I buy these products? Maybe.  I would prefer to purchase the organic version, which I was not sent, and I do have concerns with the tetra pak.  I can’t recycle them where I live, and we have great recycling centers that take just about everything else.

3.  Eco Nuts Liquid Laundry Soap

Laundry soap, like beauty products, is another area my son’s sensitive skin can react. Natural laundry products not only are better for our health, they are better for our environment. The grey water from our washing machines eventually returns to the earth.

Eco Nuts is the laundry soap for you if you are leading a plastic-free life! Amazingly, it contains only three ingredients: “Soapberry extract, vegetable glycerin, Potassium Sorbate (food grade preservative)”.

• Take Care Of Your Skin – Your Body’s Largest Organ
• Say NO to Plastic Jugs
• Protect Yourself and Your Children From Harsh Chemicals
• Soap Nuts Are The Greenest Laundry Detergent on Earth
• Eco Nuts™ Are:
• Biodegradable
• Hypoallergenic
• Perfect for Sensitive Skin, Allergies, Eczema, Psoriasis
• Nut Allergy Safe!
• 100% Natural and Free From Manmade Chemicals
• Beneficial For Septic and Gray Water Systems
• Sustainable
• Fragrance Free
• Reusable
• Vegan Friendly, Vegan Approved
• Certified Organic By EcoCert and USDA at the Source

Would I buy this product?  Maybe.  It is probably the greenest laundry detergent I have come across, especially with the metal packaging; however, the price is prohibitive if you have to do tons of laundry like me.  At about 30 cents a load if you buy the larger size, it doesn’t sound like much money but it is a lot more than the nine cents a load I currently pay.  Sometimes it just comes down to economics.

4.  Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle with Silicone Sleeve

I love Lifefactory bottles! Glass is definitely the best material for drinking bottles, and the silicone sleeve makes these bottles easy to grip and protects them from breakage.

• Designed to grow with your child, the included clear cover can also serve as an easy to hold cup, twist on the solid cap (sold separately) and use your bottles for storing juice or snacks, perfect for a lunchbox or traveling
• Bright colored silicone sleeve (patent pending) helps to protect the bottle from breakage and provides a great gripping surface and tactile experience during feeding
• Bottle and sleeve can be boiled or put in the dishwasher together. Can also go in the freezer, making breast milk storage simple.
• Silicone Sleeve (with measurements), Stage 2 Silicone Nipple (3-6 month)
• Bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalate, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) free, silicone sleeve is non-toxic and free of plastics, silicone nipple is non-toxic and latex-free, plastic ring, plug and cap are FDA approved

Would I buy this product? Absolutely YES! We actually own three Lifefactory glass water bottles and fight over who gets to use them. We have broken one, but we are rough with our water bottles. I love the ease of just tossing them in the dishwasher, and I love that we can put any beverage in them without worrying about metallic taste.

5.  Keepin Fresh Stainless Steel Bento Box

Storing leftovers or packing school lunches can be hard without resorting to plastic containers. BPA-free or not, plastic is not the best for food storage. Designed by InnoBaby, Keepin Fresh has a unique solution:

 Why Keepin’ Fresh™ Kids Stainless Bento?

It’s Easy To Use!  It’s Easy To Wash!

• BPA free protective sleeve reduces temperature transfers to keep little hands from hot or cold foods, keep contents fresher by minimizing temperature changes, and prevent dents to stainless
• Four hinged airtight lid is easy to snap open and close even for the toddlers.
• Perfectly portioned stainless bento is easy-to-wash with its removable stainless body from the protective sleeve.
• Locking lid with airtight silicone ring seals in the freshness and preserves the fresh taste to satisfy all taste buds
• Available in 15 oz size
• Freezer Safe
• BPA-, Phthalates-, PVC-, Lead Free

It is not entirely plastic free, but it does make stainless steel a bit cuter with the decorative protective shell. The plastic lid is also easier for little hands than some of the stainless steel lids I have seen. It is a nice hybrid of food storage options.

Would I buy this product? Probably not. It is better than all plastic food storage, but it is not completely plastic-free, which is what we aspire towards when it comes to food and drink storage.

Disclosure:  The products described above were sent to us as free samples.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews.  The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.