With my hands getting beat up all the time, I get really happy when something comes across my desk that is reparative and restorative to my hands. Green Goo is a new women-owned brand to me; one that makes plant-based first aid and body care products using all-natural and homeopathic ingredients. Considering I need products to be used on open wounds or compromised skin, I was intrigued by how simplistic the formulas were and curious how they would work for me.
Green Goo prides themselves on the fact that they infuse fresh and dried herbs in organic oils, instead of relying on pre-made extracts made by others. Not to mention, each ingredient was carefully selected for its healing, reparative, or protective properties, and sourced from organic farmers whenever possible. (most ingredients are organic*, not all). They also succeed in avoiding unnecessary ingredients, like petrolatum, parabens, phthalates. And while I have no issues with things like petrolatum or even lanolin, I appreciate them keeping their blends simple and to the point
Green Goo was kind enough to send a nice assortment of their salves to try. I have a few products of theirs in larger tins (and see they even offer larger sizes in jars), but these sticks have really become an integral part of my day because of their convenience. Each one glides onto the skin easily without force and keeps my hands mess-free because of the packaging!
Free To Breathe Salve
Available at greengoo.com & amazon.com
I’ve been keeping this one on my nightstand. Not for when I’m sick, but living in AZ means I’ve developed allergies and the drier air means I am congested more often than I’m used to. Eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, and rosemary are the key components in this salve, offering soothing relief from feeling stuffy while sleeping. Having this in stick form means I can run it all over my nose and underneath (and even my chest) so I breathe in the light scent from this salve. I appreciate that the lavender is not overwhelming in this one because I usually shy away from anything lavender, but this one is good.
Solar Goo SPF 30
Available at greengoo.com & amazon.com
I have my favorites when it comes to sunscreen, but I always welcome another mineral-based option into my home. Green Goo’s Solar Goo has made its way into our family pool bag. In there we keep hats, sunscreens, and all our sunscreen in one convenient spot to prepare for the pool. Stick sunscreens like these have been a favorite to use on Zoe because she can apply it herself under supervision. Forget trying to convince my daughter that any of our lotion sunscreens can be put on her face, she just won’t do it. But a stick version is an easy sell, and I’m all for it. My five-year-old diligently applies this creamy stick sunscreen to her face and chest and can rub it in mostly all by herself. Mineral sunscreens can be prone to leaving behind a white cast on the skin because of the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, but when I apply this to my hands I don’t really see anything when I massage it into the skin. You might see it a little more on my daughter’s face since she is a bit more heavy-handed but nothing crazy.
Skin Repair Salve
Available at greengoo.com & amazon.com
The Skin Repair Salve stick is an interesting one. I generally use this on the palms of my hands where I develop calluses that sometimes rip. It’s got an interesting blend of herbs like yarrow (an astringent), helichrysum (anti-inflammatory), chamomile (soothing), and aloe vera to reduce inflammation while leaving it soothed. I like this one a few days after a hand injury when it’s begun to heal but not fully. It’s hard to wear bandages on the palm of your hand so keeping a wound “covered” with this gives me some peace of mind. The labeling also suggests using this for puffy under eyes and wrinkles but I think it’s better intended the way I am using it.
Dry Skin Salve
Available at greengoo.com & amazon.com
Skin feeling a little dry? The dry skin salve stick is a good option for any of those smaller areas that get dry and uncomfortable without a little extra moisture. Think snagged cuticles, the cracks of your nose or mouth, or even your elbows. The stick version makes it so easy to apply some extra moisture to those areas of need with no mess. Calendula and Chamomile are known for their calming and soothing abilities, but I also appreciate they included antioxidant and vitamin-rich elderflower to the equation because those small little uncomfortable spots no longer have a hang-out spot in the back of my mind.
First Aid Salve
Available at greengoo.com & amazon.com
If you have seriously irritated skin (think sunburn, a bad scrape, or even an over-scratched mosquito bite then their first aid salve is here to help! It’s similar to the dry skin salve in that it contains calendula and chamomile for soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits, but it also contains yarrow (an astringent to draw out “the bad”), comfrey (moisturizing), Myrrh (antibacterial), and st. John’s wort (promotes circulation) to really create a well-rounded ointment to protect and help skin heal.
Each of the Green Goo Salves I tried are moisturizing without being messy and best of all, doesn’t have that overpowering scent to it that some other natural-based products have. To be honest, all of them, except the solar goo and free to breathe sticks smell like nothing to me. The only one to have a distinguishing scent is the sleepy time congestion one. That’s a win for me!
The sizes of the sticks are ample, but again, they have larger tins and jars if you need more. I like being able to keep a stick near my work area so I remember to apply throughout the day. I can’t remember those things during busy workdays but having a small size on my desk helps. If I see it, I’ll use it. It’s that simple.
I also love that they have things for baby and pets too. When my daughter was an infant, I became ultra-aware of what was being used on her skin, and had I known his brand back then, I would have probably used them where needed. These days. The pet first aid salve looks like a good item to have handy when you have a curious and energetic dog.
Have you tried anything from Green Goo before? I’m kinda curious what their toothpaste with chlorophyll is like!
You can find their products at greengoo.com and amazon.com
