small things

Summer’s Butterbean

_DSC0838

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

  4. As an Esthetician and Skin Care Intructor, and also mom to two fair skinned little girls, I’m always looking for new options in sunscreen. I would love to try this!

  7. This is just what we’ve been looking for……my youngest has very sensitive skin and every sunscreen we’ve tried makes him break out. Thanks for the chance to win!

  11. The littleones need sunscreen protection as well that is safe for them . would love to have!!

  13. So fantastic. I always feel a bit apprehensive rubbing sunscreen on my little ones. They need it with their fair skin but those chemicals always make me cringe. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  14. Oh my! I would love this sunscreen for my little “butter beans”! I researched sunscreens myself for hours on end…because of fears of the DNA altering chemicals. We live in a tropical climate…it would be used well…and often. 🙂

  15. Sounds like something I really need to try. I just am so sensitive to all sunscreens, even the non-chemical ones!

  17. How cool. My daughter and I both have super sensitive skin and burn easily, so we’re constantly on the lookout for a good sunscreen to protect our skin on these hot, sunny Florida days.

  24. I’d love to try this out. I’m always looking for safer sunscreen and this sounds like a winner! Thanks for the great giveaway.

  33. This Irish family could really use this sunscreen! I’d love to have a family-business alternative to the large scale “natural” producers. Thanks!

  35. For decades people have been using zinc effectively to ward off a sunburn. Shea butter is very moisturizing and it sounds like you have created the perfect natural combination. It’s a cute name, too.

  41. Liked on FB! Really tyring here…een the natural sunscreens we buy at the health food store irritate us so this would be wonderful!

  44. Oh my! I am very excited about this. All the chemicals makes me nervous, so this a breath of fresh air.