This is just a quick post. I have had a lot of people ask me what I recommend for make-up and what I use for sunscreen.

First, I want to be clear that if there was any possibility of Garden Girl producing an SPF face product I’d do it in a flash. Unfortunately, it is prohibitively expensive for us to do it and here’s why – the FDA has to approve a specific formula because it would be considered an over-the-counter drug.

But believe me, I share in your frustration. I cannot find a face product that I feel good about using. There isn’t one that has ingredients that are even close to what I would want to use.

Which brings me to mineral make-up. I use mineral make-up everyday now because the minerals not only make your skin look flawless, but it has the added bonus of having sun-blocking minerals. So it’s a great safety net.

The make-up I have been happiest with is www.everydayminerals.com. They offer a great free trial kit (you pay only for shipping) and then their full-sized products are very reasonably priced. I love the powders, however some of the brushes haven’t been great and the lipstick seems to dry out my lips so I am still seeking a lipstick (lead-free, of course!) I definitely think they are worth taking a peek at!

So what do I use for sunprotection aside from mineral make-up? I have resorted to Blue Lizard either SENSITIVE skin or BABY (none of the others – as they contain nasty Oxybenzone). Baby and Sensitive are actually the same product – just different names. It does contain parabens which I usually avoid like the plague, but it only has Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide – and it doesn’t stink, it has no added fragrance, isn’t terribly sticky/gooey like some others, and generally does a great job. It was also on the list as one of the best when EWG reviewed sunscreens last summer. So until I find something better (and believe me, I’m looking for suggestions!) – this is what my family will be using all summer.

So check out Blue Lizard – it is available at CVS (and I’m guessing Walgreen’s as well). If enough people were interested, I would consider offering it on my website as well. Let me know!