face and hair care products questions

[sunnysandiegan]

I was out running errands today and decided to look for a few products, not that I need to buy any right now...more research oriented.

First, I was at Trader Joe's. They carried a few brands: TJs, Avalon Organics, Dessert Essence, and maybe another one (?). One of them specifically listed: "No parabens, sodium laurel/laureth sulfates [whatever the exact term is], or grapefruit seed extract." What is wrong with GSE??? Do you use any of the brands listed? Do you like it?

Then, I was at Rite Aid (drug store within walking distance of my house). They carried: Alba, Avalon Organics, Jason, and a couple more that I have forgotten now. Do you use any of these brands? Do you like it?

Lastly, for today LOL, I was at Albertsons (supermarket next door to Rite Aid). They carried similar brands as Rite Aid and I didn't take note of the prices. They had more brands, but only a couple items in each category. Rite Aid tended to carry the whole line, or so it seemed.

I accidentally bypassed the exit for Henry's (whole food market) on my way home, but we usually shop there more often than the stores I was in today. I have noticed they carry Alba, Avalon Organics, Earth Science, Kiss My Face, Jason, and some others I am not recalling at the moment. Do you use any of these? Do you like it?

I am most interested in buying products in person, at least until I know I like them. I live in a big city, so it shouldn't be too hard to find them fairly close. I'm not quite ready to go the honey or oil cleansing or other homemade body care routes, but I'm not opposed to trying them later. I am into homemade in many areas (cleaning, food, crafts, gifts, etc), but I am a self-described toiletry queen and I love those brands y'all would cringe over. :

Thanks for any product help and shopping tips!

[sunnysandiegan]

Oh, Tom's of Maine is available in plenty of places, too, and so is Burt's Bees.

[hmkrueger]

I've been looking and evaluating the stuff I use/have used on this website:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

I'm a recovering cosmetics junky The one thing I really would recommend trying is the raw honey for washing your face. I have tried lots of stuff, from the more affordable to some spendier stuff I bought w/ gift cards and the raw honey really really is fantastic.

[moderngal]

Read the labels... Jason and Kiss My Face still use parabens and other not so natural ingredients.

I like some Avalon Organics lotions and soaps. And I think Alba makes pretty good products, too. My personal faves right now are Aubrey Organics and Burt's Bees. I know some people have issues with Burt's since they were bought by Chlorox, but I think they are still making a good product and I haven't found better ones elsewhere.

[mommy13]

Originally Posted by hmkrueger

I've been looking and evaluating the stuff I use/have used on this website:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

I'm a recovering cosmetics junky The one thing I really would recommend trying is the raw honey for washing your face. I have tried lots of stuff, from the more affordable to some spendier stuff I bought w/ gift cards and the raw honey really really is fantastic.

Wow Thank you for that web site. It was very helpful in my quest to buy more natural products!!!

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by moderngal

Read the labels... Jason and Kiss My Face still use parabens and other not so natural ingredients.

I like some Avalon Organics lotions and soaps. And I think Alba makes pretty good products, too. My personal faves right now are Aubrey Organics and Burt's Bees. I know some people have issues with Burt's since they were bought by Chlorox, but I think they are still making a good product and I haven't found better ones elsewhere.

Thanks!

In some further research, I found out Alba and Avalon Organics are owned by the same company. So is Un-Petroleum. I have a lip balm by Un-Petroleum and like it. I also have a lotion by Alba and haven't tried it, yet.

Where can I find Aubrey Organics in person??? Got any ideas??? That's the one I keep seeing mentioned here on MDC, but haven't seen in a store yet...

[tulip4me]

Where can I find Aubrey Organics in person??? Got any ideas??? That's the one I keep seeing mentioned here on MDC, but haven't seen in a store yet...

I've seen them at Whole Foods & Sprouts.

[pixlee]

I've used Aubrey Organics and they are as natural as you can get. You can find them at Whole Foods like the pp said and Wild Oats. You can check out their website and see their products at www.aubrey-organics.com

[TefferTWH]

I bought the whole face line by KMF that was appropriate for my type and found that it was hit or miss whether it would work or not for me. I do think it's because it's not natural and when I was having a bad skin day, it just made it worse. That said, I have severel skin problems and use completely unnatural Philospohy because it works and I fear the consequences of change!