With Memorial Day Weekend now underway, the summer of 2019 appears to now be underway. Or at least it’s now the time of year for many Americans to start grilling outdoors, opening up their pool and/or buying their beach passes. But not everyone tans well — this writer included — or enjoys sitting around under the sun. In turn, below are 20 recommendations for brands which can help make your summer more fun, comfortable and/or health-oriented.
Everyone wants great skin, and Biovène brings high-quality yet reasonably-priced masks to the market. Each of Biovene’s masks are formulated for all skin types, yet the company’s offerings target very different skin needs. The Charcoal detoxifying mask made with 99 percent all-natural ingredients — including activated charcoal — draws out impurities leaving you with a fresh firm and lifted skin and complexion that leaves skin tighter and more radiant. The Ultra-hydrating Pink Peel-Off mask also includes the activated charcoal in a similar formula but is aided by skin restoring and nourishing strawberry oil and collagen for a firm, lifted appearance and glowing skin.
OLIPOP is the first clinically backed digestive health beverage that meets consumers’ real-world taste preferences in a delicious tonic that benefits the microbiome, digestive function and metabolic health. OLIPOP contains a proprietary recipe of 8 different plant-based ingredients, boasts an advisory board headed by one of the world’s leading microbiome researchers — Dr. Joseph Petrosino, Director of the Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research — and
is available in an accessible and affordable 12-ounce can. My favorite offering from OLIPOP is the Strawberry Vanilla, which is a fresh and bright take on classic strawberry cream soda. It includes real strawberry juice, fresh lemon juice and real vanilla bean essence.
A product of the LIFEAID Beverage Co., ImmunityAid is a powerful 12- ounce blend of vitamins and nutrients recognized for their support of the immune system. It includes echinacea, zinc, vitamins A, C and D, turmeric, lemon balm, astralagus root, valerian root, ginger root and chamomile. Nutrition aside, ImmunityAid has a great orange flavor, fitting well besides other LIFEAID beverages like FitAid, FocusAid, LifeAid, GolferAid and PartyAid. In turn, you can take care of both your tastebuds and your immune system at the same time.
Trilipiderm aims to keep skin supple from head-to-toe all day long, all year round. Proven to prevent, protect and replenish dryness, Trilipiderm uses active natural ingredients and science to provide skin hydration like no other. This complete line of skincare is ultra-hydrating and made for women or men of any age to restore, essential lipids, eliminate purities and combat the signs of aging.
Live Clean is a “clean” beauty brand that consists of high-performing, gentle, yet effective products as comprised of plant and water-based ingredients that are renewable and sustainable. In turn, Live Clean’s products won’t deplete natural resources while also safe for you, your family and/or friends, and the environment. The product line includes hair care, body washes, lotions, hand soaps, and baby products.
type:A launched in 2018 yet the brand already has a cult following. In February, type:A launched two new scents, The Achiever and The Dreamer on its website, and subsequently sold out of all 5,000 units in 10 days; that was an amount that was projected to last just over 2 months. Unique in the clean deo category, type:A deodorant features a sweat-activated, aluminum-free formula that provides a time release effect for the actives, allowing a lower concentration of sodium bicarbonate — baking soda — so it glides on smooth and won’t irritate your skin. It is also 100% percent non-toxic, cruelty-free with Leaping Bunny certification, with NO aluminum, parabens, propylene glycol, pthalates, PEGs, alcohol, synthetic fragrance, gluten, or soy.
Forget what you thought you knew about hand sanitizers, and meet the multifunctional and deliciously-scented Touchland Power Mist moisturizing hand sanitizer. Packaged in a sleek, modern container perfectly sized for your pocket, Power Mist’s pulverizer spray system ensures that the fast-evaporating sanitizer formula is evenly distributed across your hands to kill 99.99 percent of harmful, illness causing germs, while the naturally hydrating ingredients keep your skin feeling soft and moisturized all day long. Touchland’s offerings are currently available in 8 scents: neutral, aloe vera, citrus, watermelon, mint, forest berry, lavender & vanilla cinnamon.
Tame The Beast is a brand known for its fellas-centric soaps, lotions and potions, as made with arousing scents and energizing properties. The team behind Tame The Beast aims to take the art of manliness up a notch with raw, natural botanicals that take an everyday boring de-funking shower and turn it into an invigorating journey of so fresh and so clean, clean enlightenment. Its Nutt Butter offering checks all the boxes: Anti-Aging, Anti-Chafing, Anti-Dryness, Anti-Sagging, yet botanically bountiful.
Simply put, Ultimate Replenisher is a healthier, advanced, balanced electrolyte drink. It provides highly-effective hydration using only clean ingredients, all 6 electrolytes and no sugar, calories or carbs. In turn, it is a must-have for healthy travelers and athletes alike.
The travel-size product section in your local drugstore might be cheap and convenient, but its virtues pretty much stop there. If you crave a wider variety of TSA-friendly options, or want to treat your skin and hair just as well on vacation as you do at home, John Masters Organics offers many of its exceptionally pure, high performing formulas in one-or two-ounce bottles. These right-sized products are packed with gorgeous botanicals that evoke dream destinations, making them even more perfect for travel. I especially like the Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist.
When it comes to your busy lifestyle, Mer-Sea understands your need for a ladies’ multitasking essential. This summer, pack light without losing options with a Cotton Tassel Wrap. This one piece can be worn as a wrap, scarf, sarong and dress cover-up. Made in India from lightweight cotton, tassels dress it up just enough to wear by the pool or over a dress. And unlike many travel wraps that need to be dry cleaned, this wrap is machine-washable — preferably in a delicate bag to protect the tassels — but can hang-dry. It comes beautifully packaged in a slim cotton bag, so Mer-Sea also travels well.
Thanks to Pixel Eyewear, you can safeguard your eyes while wearing stylish frames. Pixel Eyewear provides breakthrough lens technology that filters 50 percent of blue light and up to 95 percent at the strongest wavelengths, all without the yellow tint. Its lenses also contain nanotechnology that reduce smudges and repel water and dust. For comfort, each lens has an anti-reflective coating, eliminating computer glare and reducing the stress on your eyes.
Most performance socks have the same boring black and white style. Founded by a marathon runner, My Soxy Feet’s socks provide support, fit, and performance, combining high-performance fabrics with bright colors and positive messages. The brand’s socks come in a variety of sizes and styles, and are especially popular with female endurance athletes. They carry a seamless toe for comfort and stay snug on feet all day. As an added bonus, each pair has an inspirational message written on it, such as “Set Goals” and “Crush ‘em,” and many My Soxy Feet styles have charity affiliations connections to charity.
Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash
As noted earlier, this is an ideal time of year for barbecues, cook-outs and all sorts of outdoor feasting. There’s now a better way to wash your fruits and vegetables and protect your family from pesticides and other contaminants, thanks to Arm & Hammer Fruit & Vegetable Wash. The product safely eliminates more than 90 percent of pesticide residue while also washing away wax and soil with just a spray and rinse. Using pure and simple ingredients — including baking soda, lemon oil, and salt — this wash is scientifically proven to clean 4x better than water alone. Furthermore, it is vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
Speaking of effective cleaning, launched before Earth Day 2019, ThreeMain is a new brand known for making eco-friendly cleaning products. ThreeMain puts non-toxic household cleaning products at your fingertips in stylish, reusable aluminum bottles, delivered by subscription, straight to your doorstep. Created by tech giants turned sustainability advocates, ThreeMain uses every day natural ingredients that kill virtually all germs on contact. Using refillable aluminum bottles and recyclable refill pouches, ThreeMain uses 80 percent less plastic than traditional household cleaners. In partnership with the Rozalia Project, ThreeMain donates 3 percent of all sales to clean and protect our oceans; during all of April 2019, ThreeMain donated 6 percent of sales to the Rozalia Project.
You can trim fat like a pro with Qwik Trim. This Made in the USA brisket and meat trimmer slices through fat and silver skin quickly and easily, thanks to its high-quality stainless steel blade and a sturdy handle. Qwik Trim’s design allows you to make parallel cuts while keeping one hand on the meat for improved safety. Perfect for both novice and professional cooks alike, while also dishwasher-safe.
88 Acres uses the tag of “making more from less.” The brand relies on wholesome ingredients for its comfort foods, so its on-the-go seed bars and seed butters manage to be full of protein, body-boosting minerals and antioxidants, and healthy fats. My favorite bar of what I tried was the Chocolate Mocha Seed Bar; the Ginger Apple Seed Bar was also delicious. Of the Seed Butters, I especially enjoyed the Vanilla Spiced Sunflower Seed Butter. However, prior to meeting the fine folks representing 88 Acres at the recent Editor’s Showcase in New York, I had never observed watermelon “butter” before. All offerings from 88 Acres manage to be USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified, kosher, gluten-free, vegan and nut-free.
Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter Company has partnered with the National Peanut Board to roll out an entirely new category with the introduction of its new frozen snack line, Wholly Rollies – Frozen Protein Balls. This wholesome ready-to-eat snack is a satisfying, nutritious and delicious bite sized snack featuring only 5 ingredients. From traditional jars to single-serve pouches, Crazy Richard’s offers convenient options for lunch boxes or to toss in a bag on-the-go. Crazy Richard’s is known for its extra creamy peanut butter, as well as its Crunchy Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, Cashew Butter and Peanut Butter Powder.
Plant protein in any meal, anywhere, anytime. Sought out by vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians and healthy living consumers alike, Protein Toppers easily add 15 to 17 grams of plant protein. Portable, great for grab-n-go and ready-to eat, Protein Toppers offer simultaneous premier nutritional benefits, taste, texture, crunch, and convenience. They can be added to soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, stir-fries, smoothies, yogurt, sides, stand-alone snacks… you name it. Protein Toppers — which are non-GMO, gluten-free, low-carb, low-calorie, nut-free and high in fiber — are currently offered in the following varieties: Tri-Soy Medley, Pepita & Soy-Pea Medley, and Garbanzo & Soy Medley.
Health science company Healthycell recently launched a breakthrough brand of micro-gel supplements called Bioactive Gel, replacing old-fashioned tablets and capsules. Bioactive Gel applies advanced absorption technology, delivering extremely small micronutrient particles that can be rapidly and effectively absorbed in the digestive tract. Healthycell’s first product with this technology is Bioactive Multi. Expertly formulated by physicians and nutritionists, Bioactive Multi offers a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals, plus phytonutrients, botanical antioxidants and prebiotics in highly bioavailable forms for anyone seeking a solid nutritional foundation. This pill-free multivitamin is enjoyed straight from a single-serve gel pack, or it can be added to a drink, blended into a smoothie or even mixed into yogurt for a gut-boosting prebiotic and probiotic blast. Made in the USA, of course.
Didn’t get your cup of coffee in before heading to the beach? Eat Your Coffee is a delicious line of caffeinated snack bars, made with real ingredients like dates, oats, and nut butter. Taste aside, each bar contains a full cup of coffee – about 80mg of caffeine – from organic, fair-trade coffee. Its flavor offerings include Fudgy Mocha Latte, Salted Caramel Macchiato, and Peanut Butter Mocha. In turn, you have a multi-purpose snack that you can easily take on the go.
