Review and Giveaway: Episencial Natural Skincare CLOSED

It's no secret I've been a fan of SproutBaby ever since I was introduced to them last year. I mean, what's not to love? Not only do they make shopping for environmentally-friendly goods easy and enjoyable - but they individually test and hand-select each product they carry. Only those that meet their rigorous standards get their seal of approval. From feeding and diapering to bathing and playtime, SproutBaby has you covered with a "green" solution. With their commitment to excellence, you can be sure that what you purchase is truly safe and gentle for you and your family.

Back in December, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Better Body Butter from Episencial, which quickly won over our household. So, I was delighted to try out another product from the brand new skincare line: the Playful Foaming Wash.



Episencial offers high-quality yet affordable all-natural skincare for children. Featuring the instantly recognizable artwork from Eric Carle's classic book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Episencial is the first company to develop clinically-effective, newborn-safe products that support the immune functions of the skin. Their complete range of products is made exclusively from chemical-free, organic ingredients (even using fruits from the story!) and is based upon reliable formulas used by leading spas and clinics for over 30 years. Episencial goes beyond your typical "green" company. They manufacture right here in the U.S. using solar power and recyclable, sustainable packaging. With this many pros, it's no surprise the product line was founded by a mom!

The Playful Foaming Wash is a pure, hydrating hair and body wash, with the following benefits:

• Thyme oil and plant-based surfactants act as gentle cleansers
• Organic ginko biloba and calendula extract soothe skin
• Organic aloe and oat extract moisturize naturally
• Sulfate-free
• Fragrance-free. Organic orange extract provides a mild, natural scent.
• Non-irritating formula won't sting or burn sensitive skin
• Rinses off quickly
• Safe for all ages
• Bottle is phthalate and BPA-free
  

SproutBaby was kind enough to send me a week's worth of samples to try out with Nate. I can't get enough of the cute, colorful packaging, with the beloved character from one of our all-time favorite storybooks.



The scent of the body wash was heavenly. A very mild, citrus-y smell that reminded me of freshly squeezed orange juice. I also liked that the color of the gel was clear and not tinted yellow, as with some other natural brands. Just a personal little peccadillo of mine but a dingy bath product makes me feel more dirty than clean. True to its name, the foaming bath wash had a great lather, and rinsed cleanly away with no residue. Even though Mommy was a bit clumsy and accidentally spilled some water from his crown down over his face, Nate didn't cry or appear irritated at all.



After bathtime, the orange scent didn't linger as with traditional baby washes. But I would rather not slather my eczema-prone toddler in harsh chemicals just for the sake of a smell. I applied the Better Body Butter directly after bathtime and my little alligator's rough patches gave way to kissably soft skin - just how a baby was meant to feel.

Bottom line: Episencial equates to Essential in our house. I would highly recommend checking them out for all your family's bath needs. I love a company who cares about the safety of our planet and our children. With products ranging from $5.99-$14.99, they are competitively priced. Oh, and it helps that the products smell great and work just as well! I'm already eyeing the Soothing Cream and Bubble Bath.

BUY IT: You can purchase the Playful Foaming Wash (ARV $8.99), the Better Body Butter (ARV $9.99) or other Episencial products by visiting www.sproutbaby.com.

DELICIOUS DISCOUNT: See something you need right away?! Use my blogger referral code "SBBL021" to get 15% off your first purchase!

WIN IT: Episencial is generously giving one lucky reader a full-size bottle of the Playful Foaming Wash and another full-size bottle of the Better Body Butter!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Stalk SproutBaby.com and tell me another product that catches your eye. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Sign up for the SproutBaby newsletter and comment with the email you used. (2 entries!)

3.) Become a fan of SproutBaby on Facebook (1 entry)

4.) Follow me and@sproutbabyclub on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

RT @kris10chumley: Keep your baby's skin so soft with Episencial Body Butter and Foaming Wash from @sproutbabyclub http://bit.ly/dBILGb

Just leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

5.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on March 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to US only. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I was sent samples of Episencial body wash from SproutBaby.com to facilitate my candid review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely mine. Your experience may differ.