small things

Summer’s Butterbean

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I met my good friend Summer when we were in college at the University of Georgia.  She and her husband were our neighbors and close friends.  We welcomed our first babies together and sadly parted ways soon after, venturing out into the “real world.”   We’ve stayed friends through all the years and throughout our friendship, I have learned so much from Summer.  She taught me to cook by sharing made from scratch meals with us, motivating me to try to do the same (Jonny and I survived largely on frozen tortellini and tofu dogs in college.)  Summer introduced me to the concept of “all natural” in everything from birth to deodorant to what we put in our bodies.  She was also the first person to teach me how to knit.

When Summer told me that she had created an all natural sunscreen for her family it just made sense.  She shared that she was thinking of starting a business and I told her that I’d be her first customer.  I only wish she had created this sunscreen sooner.  Beatrix has very fair skin and we have to go to great measures to protect her from the sun.  Because of her sensitive skin we have struggled to find an effective sunscreen that doesn’t irritate her face.  Butterbean has a great consistency and a gentle fragrance derived from it’s natural ingredients rather than the strong scents typically associated with sunscreen.  Butterbean protects Beatrix’s skin without irritating it.  My whole family uses it now and loves it.

Rather than ramble on, I’ll let Summer share the story of Butterbean with you herself (and you can also visit her on her blog):

The idea for making my own sunscreen started about a year and a half ago when I was pregnant with my fourth baby. We were at the beach and I started thinking about the sunscreen I was rubbing into my baby belly. I had read about the dangers of chemical sunscreen and decided to try something better. The result is Butterbean (and a baby girl named Emerson)!

Butterbean has been a family venture–my husband, Thomas, does the art, my kids, Noah, Lydia and Tabitha help stick on the labels, the baby has inspired the baby butterbean design due to the little curl on top of her head. We all have tested the sunscreen at sports events, pool, and beach in order to bring you effective and natural protection from the sun.

I believe in small, local, and organic—things that are healthy for people and the environment. I hope you will find that in our products!

We use organic coconut oil, organic and fair trade shea butter, non-nano zinc oxide, local beeswax, and apricot kernel oil. These ingredients protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun while moisturizing and nourishing the skin. Butterbean has an SPF30 and is water resistant.

 

Summer has offered to share Butterbean with two Small Things readers.  She is offering:

-one 3 ounce jar of Buttterbean to one winner and

-one 7 ounce jar to a second winner

For a chance to win, leave a comment on this post.  For a second chance, “Like” Butterbean on Facebook and leave me a second comment letting me know you did so.

Comments will close and the winners will be randomly selected on Monday, August 6.  The winners will be announced within this post.

Catherine wins the 7 oz jar:  “I am so excited to try this. I am constantly looking for a sunscreen that will not break my skin out… or be so pasty it looks like a blob. I always revert to rashguards… Thanks, Ginny for informing me about it! and Thank you, Summer for being inspired to help your family and others be healthy! Anyone who knows there are two types of glands in my armpit… and can help with my “jogger-behemoth” smell… will have my order… LOL. YEAH!
Sorry, no Fb… Great blogs like this and 6 blessings of my own have me too busy.
Many blessings!”

Teri wins the 3 0z. jar:  “Oh I love this….just what family needs:)”

 

Thanks Summer!

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This stuff looks GREAT! I hate slathering my kids with all those chemicals to go to the pool.

  2. Cute family. Love red heads. Awesome giveaway! We could definitely use this. Thanks for the opportunity.

  7. This would be perfect for my sensitive skinned pale children. We’d love to give it a try! Thanks for the opportunity!

  8. I’d love to win this sunscreen and give it a try. Especially on my extremely fair little guy. We usually do most of our outdoor activities after dinner since the sun effects him so bad. And I love the name of the sunscreen 🙂 It is very cute.

  12. Would love to try this on my children(3, 5, 7) My youngest has the fairest skin, even more than me. We often call her albino:) Thanks for the giveaway.

  13. This is great…I have actually stopped using any kind of sunscreen on myself or anyone else because of the garbage in it. I would love to try it out!

  14. Love! I hate sunscreen because it is so chemical. I normally avoid the high sun times and just go without. We are making our annual beach trip and we will need sunscreen, this is the answer!

  16. Oh I so want this…so much that even if I win I’m also going to buy some. I have two very fair skinned children, go figure when the other 5 tan even with sunscreen & look like someone else’s children. And of the 7, 3 have sun screen sensitivity/allergies!! As does my cousin. I liked it on FB too!!!

  17. Oh, how I wish they were in business 8 years ago. My son is so sensitive to the sun, his fair complexion is just fragile. I would love to win this to try on him.

  24. Would love to try this myself on my fair skin. Thank you for letting me know about it.

  28. This is so great. I always feel bad putting sunscreen on my kids, they hate the smell and the way it feels. Sunscreen is so important, it’s nice to know there is a healthier option!

  30. Oh goodness. *swoon* I must have this! I also have a fair-haired little one with sensitive skin. I’ve tried so many things to beat this Florida sun. I’m definitely giving this one a try next! Thank you!

  31. My 17yod is allergic to every chemical ingredient and additive there is- a chance to try Butterbean would be wonderful!

  33. This sounds amazing! I’ve been looking for a natural sunscreen for my little guy (and myself, really). Thanks for sharing.

  38. I would love to be entered! We have a pool, so my kids are outside ALL day during the sweltering NC summers… plus, they play sports. I’ve always worried about sunscreen! +JMJ+

  41. Wow Butterbean sounds amazing and just what I need for my very fair skin. I have already had 1 dangerous skin cancer removed from my leg over 17 yrs ago now and 2 more freckles that were starting to change so I think a sunscreen with an SPF30 and is all natural would be wonderful. Here in Australia we do suffer from a very hot summer which I rather dislike so I try to keep out of it as much as possible. It made me happy to know also that your product is a total family affair too.

  44. This sounds like an answer to prayer. My 4 YO is super sensitive to sunscreen and recently Grama put hers on him and he broke out in hives for two days. Even if I don’t win this give-away I pinned your product so I can order some for him. Congratulations on making a family business and good luck!