Sun babies of the world, unite in good cheer!

My sun baby & future pipeline champion.

Finally. Finally. Finally! I've been waiting to say this, but my sunscreen is finally for sale in my etsy shop. Being a full-time mom (of two very active young beings), as well as a freelance graphic designer and owner/operator of two businesses leaves not much time for getting new ventures off the ground at breakneck pace. I'm more like a snail. But slow and steady wins the race. Right?

So, without further adieu, I present to you …
SURF'S UP, BRAH!

All natural sunscreen and after sun skin care - 2 in 1!
And can I get a shout out for Folly Beach? I'm sporting some FB stickers in this shot. 

Don't you hate that most all natural sunscreens leave you super pasty? Not this one!

You get to choose your SPF factor. I can make SPF 10+, 20+ or 30+. And each ingredient is super yummy for your skin (and wrinkles and suppleness and touchability and sexiness!). The difference between my concoction and other homemade versions is that mine uses all organic ingredients! (Some ingredients don't come organic). Even those "natural" sunscreens on the market have questionable ingredients. Be kind to your skin. Nourish it. It's the largest organ you've got! No grody toxins, chemicals, alcohol, petroleum, titanium dioxide, PABA, parabens, dimethicone & fillers. Because I shy away from toxins, each batch is sold in a 4 oz glass jar with a metal lid. I like earth. A lot. I'm kind of her love slave.

There are 3 available scents: "smells so good you want to eat it (but please don't)" Orange Dreamsicle (citrus notes with vanilla undertones), Chillaxin' (lavender highlights with an earthy baseline) or Unscented (which still has an earthy scent because oils from mother earth just do. You can blame the carrot seed oil!).

WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S IN IT? 
Here you go!

SESAME OIL: Contains vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, fighting free radicals and oxidation that come with sun exposure. It contains lots of skin loving acids that act as an emollient moisturizer for your skin. It even slows down skin aging with sesamol, which is an antioxidant that prevents the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. It also detoxifies & repairs damaged skin cells. How's that for a super power?!

COCONUT OIL: Is antibacterial, antiviral & antimicrobial, thanks to it's lauric acid. It's full of medium chain fatty acids that act as a loving barrier to your precious bod. Plus it's uber moisturizing because of all its fattiness!

SHEA BUTTER: Is super healing for the skin. It's full of vitamins and nutrients that treat blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, stretch marks...you name it! It's packed with antioxidants like vitamin E, polyphenols and phyotnutrients, making it  an anti-inflammatory an soothing to your skin.

BEESWAX: Acts as a protective barrier on the surface of the skin while still allowing the skin to breathe. It also is what makes this sunscreen water resistant!

ZINC OXIDE: Is an extremely broadband UV protector. It's extremely stable on the skin, as well, no matter how long you are baking on the beach. I use only non nano zinc oxide so it does not get absorbed into your blood stream. It stays put on top. On top of being a die hard UV protector, it also is an excellent wound healer and sunburn soother. How's that for a triple threat?!

CARROT SEED OIL: Has an insane amount of antioxidants that shield your skin from environmental attacks! Those same antioxidants help prevent and repair skin damage from sun, smoke, poor diet and a harsh environment. Beta carotene and vitamins A&E work to nourish dry and aging skin and can reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It's SPF factor is one of the highest out there! It's earthy aroma is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and exhaustion. Now that makes for an even more relaxing day at the beach.

RED RASPBERRY SEED OIL: Is high in vitamins A & E and essential fatty acids which all help to repair and condition the skin (fountain of youth?). It also contains linoleic, alpha linolenic, and oleic acids which help reduce the damaging effects of free radicals on the skin, while pumping the skin full of moisture. It is shown to help prevent rash, eczema, and other skin lesions, while boasting major anti-inflammatory properties. Raspberry seed oil also act as a broad-spectrum UV-shield, helping to protect skin from the damaging rays of the sun.

IF YOU'RE STILL LISTENING AND WANT TO PURCHASE, PLEASE CLICK THIS EXTRA LONG AND OBNOXIOUS LINK THAT I'M TYPING AND NOW WANT TO KEEP TYPING JUST BECAUSE I'M EXCITED AND AM DANCING MY LITTLE CELLS AROUND INSIDE MY BODY, WHICH IS NOW PROTECTED FROM SUNBURN. BOOYAH.

If you are ordering a sunscreen off etsy, but wish to pick it up instead, please use this coupon code to avoid shipping: LOCALPICKUP44107

A FEW NOTES & DISCLAIMERS:
• Due to the nature of some of these oils, this sunscreen may start to liquefy in high heat. Don't fret! It won't hurt it. 
• Natural oils have a shelf life. Please use within 8 months. Store in the fridge for a longer shelf life.
• This sunscreen has not been laboratory tested for the exact SPF factor. The SPF is my best guestimate based on the ingredients I use. I make no warranty about the effectiveness. 
• Sometimes people can be sensitive to certain topical ingredients, even though it's rare. Please use common sense and test on a small patch of skin before heavy use. I ask that you do your own research about the ingredients of this product. I do not claim to prevent, treat or cure any disease/condition with this (or any) product. Any and all information I have stated regarding the ingredients was gathered online and is free information to the public. I did not create any statements. I only relayed information. 
• Please, always use common sense when spending time in the sun. Before sun exposure, spread evenly and massage thoroughly over skin. Reapply every few hours or as needed and after prolonged swimming.
• Always check with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. And always check with your or your child's doctor before using any new products.
• FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

With love & extreme gratitude,
NovaNalu

Sun Goddess

Sandy Beach, Hawaii.

Well, it doesn't quite feel like summer here in North East Ohio, even though it's mid-July. However, the sun is still there, and she's kickin'! I don't know about you, but I'm a sun worshiper. Sure, I live in NEO, but I am convinced that I was an island girl in my past lives ... all of them. And I know that I will be living coastal again soon. It's my destiny. I feel it in my bones and every cell. I can't hear the word "California" without the mournful feeling that I left half my soul there and need to get her back asap.

Meanwhile, as I manifest California (I'm open to Hawaii too, just throwin' that out there) into my reality, I like to take advantage of the short but gorgeous summers here on the lake. I'm a firm believer in seizing opportunity, even if you aren't in your complete destiny yet. This whole ride needs to give me butterflies in my stomach. So, I often escape to the sandy (and rocky) shores of Lake Erie.

Water = Life, even lake water ...

I have a favorite spot that I discovered (thanks Mom!) after ... 9 years of living here? We just found it this year. Waterfall on one side, big body of water on the other, strip of sand in the middle. Paradise? Close! Probably as close as you can get in the midwest. Just when I thought I couldn't live here another second, something this beautiful popped up and gave me a little bit of relief. Isn't it nice when the universe does that for you? Gives you a little cushion ... a little "you've been good, here's a treat."?
Isn't she a pretty little treat?

My oasis, sanctuary, church, meditation room & sanity. Not a bad life for a log.

Same log, looking out to the lake. He picked a great spot to lay to rest. 

In this incredibly confusing and distracting time of social media, oversharing, chaos, corporate greed, video gaming, spending beyond our means (for things that will just end up in a landfill); it's imperative for our existence to delve into nature ... to sit, listen, release thoughts, cleanse the mind, forgive, forget, breathe and just simply BE. Be one with it. Feel yourself a part of it. Listen to the waves and allow them to pull the anger/hurt/resentment from your mind and visualize them washing away forever. Let go. Feel the sun pulsate through your veins. Nature has a life-force. Nature is a life-force. Sometimes we get so caught up in "having to do this" or "that" or "work" or "clean" (or anything that distracts us from what we really are) that we forget the most essential part of living. We don't have to wait for vacation to relax. We deserve to relax daily. Take 5 or 10 minutes even. My 2 kids are attached to my hip, but I take them. I want them to grow up immersed in this. 

There's a healing power to connecting to the earth that regrounds and recenters us. In life, there is nothing we HAVE to do, other than be HAPPY. And there's nothing more important to do, than be happy. It's the most essential thing to pass on. And sometimes, even a short skip to a special spot, a few times a week, can release the stress that binds us in this daily grind.

Man oh man, I do get distracted easily. I actually came to announce the unofficial  release of my sunscreen, arriving in just under 2 weeks from today! But, like I do, I got caught up in the eb and flow of my thoughts, which ran away with me! I've had so many people come to me asking which brand of sunscreen was the "best" or "safest" for their crunchygranola skin and their kid's skin too. So, I decided to take my recipe to the masses. It's probably no secret that conventional sunscreens are laden with problematic ingredients (not to mention the recent "news" on the dangers of the spray stuff!!!). I'm not here to knock anyone down, but you can read the long list of sunscreen ingredients and their effects on your body by clicking here to EWG's website. I always reference EWG for anything I put on my body or on my precious kids' bodies. After trying several brands of "natural sunscreen" for years, I found that I just didn't love that I couldn't rub them in nicely. Not to mention some still contained things that I was just not 100% comfortable with. So, coming soon (in "unscented" for tots; "dreamcicle" or "chillaxin" for us big kids), at an etsy shop (or pick up) near you ...