Episencial Cheeky Salve (review)

I was given the opportunity to try out Episencial's Cheeky Salve recently and review it for the (Un)Babyshower. Since receiving the product, I've put it through various tests from before I had my little one up until now.

First, a bit about the product!  The description on their web page claims the balm is "great for chapped lips, dry cheeks, cracked nipples, acne bumps, cradle cap, and all-over first aid". It is edible and unscented, and is safe to use from birth. It says the uses are for face, lips, and bums.

The very first time I used this product was for what would be the diaper-area.... if I wore diapers. In my 9th month of pregnancy, I decided to try and shave a bit. You know, just to tidy up. Well, apparently that gigantic stomach of mine prevented me from seeing all that well. The only thing I successfully accomplished? A nasty razor burn. Since this product is safe for "all-over first aid" and is marketed for irritated skin, I decided to give it a try on razor burn. It worked great! (thank goodness... it hurt!)

The next test for the product was that patch of skin between your upper lip and nose. I had a lot of sickness while pregnant, and my nose was seemingly permanently dried out, as was the aforementioned patch of skin (since my last cold, actually). It hurt a lot. I tried applying the salve there and just inside my nostrils where it was super dry and cracked as well. It helped tremendously and the skin FINALLY healed up.

I also tested this out on the horribly cracked skin on my knuckles. I was trying so hard to STOP GETTING SICK during my pregnancy that I washed my hands seemingly 24/7. My knuckles were so cracked it wasn't funny. Again, this helped them heal up nicely (and I then applied the Episencial Soothing Cream after they were healed!), and they haven't been cracked since.

I've also used the product on sore nipples and chapped lips. It performed as mentioned before: remarkably!

I am very impressed with this product. It definitely is scent-free (since I actually put this IN my nostrils, I think it's safe to say I would have figured it out if it wasn't!), goes on smooth and clear, and does a fantastic job of healing up dry skin (and razor burn!). I would highly recommend the product to anyone in need of a healing balm!

is great for chapped lips, dry cheeks, cracked nipples, acne bumps, cradle cap and all over first-aid, naturally. Edible, unscented, allergy tested and designed to enhance skin immunity for maximum relief, prevention and healing protection - See more at: http://episencial.com/shop/cheeky-salve-natural-organic-lips-face-babytime-dry-skin-care-product-store.html#sthash.NONjggGw.dpuf

Episencial packages their products in containers that are recycled, food-grade, non-leaching, with no residues of dioxins, BpA, phthalates, or other xenoestrogens. Need more? They use botanical, sustainably farmed, and certified organic ingredients. The products are also manufactured under solar power. They also use all natural ingredients, many of which are organic. Go check out their ingredients to learn more about what they use in their products and why these products not only prevent damage and sooth damaged skin, but also support skin immunity!

To learn more about who Episencial is and what they believe, visit their About Us page.

Disclosure: I receive sample(s) for the purpose of testing and review. These opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. 

Episencial 3-step system review & giveaway!

With the summer sun growing seemingly hotter by the day, many mothers are looking for a natural sun screen to protect both them and their little ones. This is how I found Episencial. Episencial makes natural products for your whole family, and is great for those with skin sensitivities. The company was kind enough to send me their 3-Step System for review. This 3 pack contained their Soothing Cream, Playful Wash, and Sunny Sunscreen.

The first item we used was the Sunny Sunscreen since it has been very sunny and my little Bobble loves playing outside.  The sunscreen doesn’t really have much of a smell other than normal “lotion” smell. It’s not strongly scented like when someone walks by you in the store and you get a sudden whiff of sunscreen. (That actually happened to me this morning!) The sunscreen rubbed in very easily, and it didn’t leave you feeling (or looking) oily or greasy. I liked that I could apply it to my son and not rub it in all the way (so his skin was still white from the sunscreen) to make sure I didn’t miss any spots, but that it rubbed in super easily once I was done applying it. We’ve tried this sunscreen while just playing outside, while playing in the hose, playing in a kiddie pool, and playing in a big pool. Here in the Midwest, we’ve been pounded with scorching hot temperatures and sun, so when I saw the SPF on the Sunny Sunscreen was only 35, I was a tiny bit concerned. I’d been using higher SPFs for our little one, but hated the chemical-laden products. Now I’m wondering if that higher SPF was even necessary as none of us have gotten burned (or even dried-out skin!) since using Episencial’s Sunny Sunscreen. Not one burn! Very impressive!

The Playful Wash is a 2-in-1 shampoo and body gel. I decided to test this on myself since Bobble doesn’t really have much hair to test it on and my hair is VERY thick. I loved the scent of the Playful Wash immediately. It was a subtle orange scent (it has tangerine oil in it) that didn’t overpower you at all. I am very sensitive to scents, and I quite often find myself sneezing at anything and everything… even my deodorants! I have found that natural scents don’t really aggravate me, and this held true with the Playful wash. Episencial doesn’t use fragrances, just fruit juice extracts. I thoroughly tested out the wash, using it every way possible. This includes shaving, washing, and using it as my shampoo. Normally I use shampoo and conditioner. My hair is gets difficult to comb or brush if I don’t use conditioner, but it tends to get greasy looking fairly quickly too. I was pleasantly surprised that my hair was so soft and shiny, and no tangles! While my hair is short now, it still can be difficult to comb if no conditioner is used. Thankfully, this was not the case! I also put no styling products in it and let it dry to see what my hair did. It looks soft and shiny… just like if I used conditioner! I can’t guarantee this would be the case for all hair types, but this mama is definitely pleased with how it turned out for her! As for the shaving and body washing, it did a great job. I really didn’t have any issues. I had no razor burn, no dry skin, no weird/itchy feeling (I sometimes get that with body washes)… just a nice, refreshing wash with a touch of orange in the air.

The Soothing Cream test was my absolute favorite. That may be, of course, because I talked my husband into massaging my legs and back with it after my shower! Hehe. That aside, it was great. It’s a full day later and my legs are still feeling super soft and smooth. It didn’t leave any oily or greasy feeling, and the extra lotion washed off my husband’s hands very easily. The Soothing Cream doesn’t really have a scent either, so it would be great for use at work where you could be around people with lots of sensitivities (or if you have sensitivities yourself!). The Soothing Cream is also non-staining to cloth!

I also took a sample of the Soothing Cream to a coworker that has lots of sensitivities. She commented how soft her hands felt after using it, and a while later commented that she loved how soft her hands were even after she washed her hands. It’s definitely a winner!

The above is a smear of sunscreen (left) next to the lotion (right).

If all this fantastic stuff about these 3 products were not enough, Episencial goes and makes it even better by packaging their products in containers that are recycled, food-grade, non-leaching, with no residues of dioxins, BpA, phthalates, or other xenoestrogens. Need more? They use botanical, sustainably farmed, and certified organic ingredients. The products are also manufactured under solar power. They also use all natural ingredients, many of which are organic. Go check out their ingredients to learn more about what they use in their products and why these products not only prevent damage and sooth damaged skin, but also support skin immunity!  From what I’ve tried, I’ve fallen in love with these products, and the lengths the company goes through to be green and offer natural products makes me love them even more. I would love to list pros and cons on these products for you, but I couldn’t find any cons. The only thing I might want to change is offering a Soothing Cream with the same lovely orange scent that the Playful Wash has!

These products are only a couple of the products that Episencial has to offer, so head on over to their page to check out everything else! You can shop by product or shop by skin concern.  The products are for ages 0+, so they are safe for everyone in your household, including your newborn.

To learn more about who Episencial is and what they believe, visit their About Us page. You can purchase your own 3-step system for $30 (saving $5!) on their web page, or you can enter to win one below.  Episencial was also nice enough to offer my readers a 20% discount at their store if you use the code EPIFLUFFY, and they have free shipping on orders over $45. Happy shopping!

Surprise! Episencial is going to offer a SECOND 3-step system to one of my readers! Enter to win in the new rafflecopter form below!



 a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I receive sample(s) for the purpose of testing and review. These opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Thoughts Of Fluff is not responsible for shipment of the prize(s).