“But wait!” I hear you say.  “You don’t have kids.  Why review organic mom stuff if you don’t have kids?”

Because kids or no, these products are amazing. In fact, the lotion is probably the best – organic or not – that I’ve ever used.

Erba Organics Baby Lotion

To get the full effects of this lotion, I decided to use it all summer.  It’s a tricky season: your skin seems damp with sweat, but you’re still more at risk for dehydration than at any other time.  Most lotions can’t handle these two problems together: they’re either too thick and sticky for muggy weather, or so insubstantial that they don’t really moisturize. But Erba Organics found the balance:

• It has a thinner texture than most lotions, and soaks in quickly – after application, I can go right back to whatever I’m doing.
• It’s so smooth it’s almost silky, and after a few minutes I couldn’t even feel it anymore – just smooth skin.
• It’s great for sensitive skin.  That includes hangnails and papercuts, which never turned red or itched after applying this lotion.
• The smell isn’t too strong: a light lavendar and chamomile make this lotion earthy and relaxing, but not overwhelming.
• It’s aloe- and shea butter-based, so it feels cool on irrited and sunburnt skin – perfect for summer days at the market or the shoreline.

I am absolutely floored by how well this lotion has performed over the past few months.  Erba Organics lotion does everything right: it’s made with 85% organic ingredients, only costs $13 for a 4oz. tube, and does exactly what I need it to.  It has done so well, in fact, that it has replaced all of my other go-to lotions.

Mommy-to-be Organic Milk & Oat Bath

Do you ever, ahem, get itchy?  Apparently, when soon-to-be moms’ skin stretches, it can itch like crazy.  A friend even told me that when she was pregnant, her entire body itched for months.  This certified USDA organic bath additive is meant to sooth itchy bellies – and anything else that needs to be scratched.

Now, I’m not pregnant, but I do get itchy from time to time.  Between summer camping trips, lakeside living the occasional swim, I’ve got at least one or two bug bites at any given point during summer.  Add those typical itches – from sweat, hair products, allergies and that tag I should have cut out of my shirt months ago – and I’ve got more than enough reason to test this stuff out.  Besides, who needs to be itchy to enjoy a luxurious bath?

For some reason, upon opening the package I expected to find eighteen ounces of mushy, smelly goop.  Instead I found a soft, fine powder mixed with substantial chunks of sea salt.  It didn’t really smell, either…not until I mixed it into the bath.

The first thing that hit me was this: oatmeal cookies.  The two main ingredients – oat kernel flour and nonfat dried milk – not only soften skin, but also add a subtle scent of something delicious.  It was totally relaxing, and a perfect compliment to the hint of lavendar that wafted out of the water.

Erba Organics website says that their Milk & Oat Bath is not only good for itching, but also for tired muscles.  Now, any bath can be relaxing, but after climbing into this warm, creamy mixture I distinctly felt…melty. Is that weird?

When I finally got out of the tub, the bath stayed with me: my body was covered in a fine, soft powder that left me feeling and looking incredibly smooth.  That added smoothness had an unexpected effect: my body and clothes looked and felt better. Light materials like silk and satin seemed to flow off my limbs, and the heat didn’t seem as unbearable as usual. And it lasted all day!

Erba Organics just started selling at Metropolitan Market and Pharmaca in Seattle (no shipping costs? sweet!) but if you don’t live in the area, you can still get their products online at ErbaOrganics.com.  If you’re in need of a new lotion or just want to treat yourself, give them a try.  Whether or not you’re a mom, I think you’ll love them.

Tags: Awakened Options: Organic, organic bath products, organic lotion, sensitive skin