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 looks lovely! My teen daughter is very fair and is having breakouts and irritation. I’d love to try something more natural for her! Such a cute package!

  2. I’ve been meaning to make something along these lines for a few years now, this looks much easier. 😉

  3. Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. What an adorable family – I love this story. Thank you for the opportunity! We’ve had a horrible time finding sunscreen that actually works that isn’t chock full of chemicals I can’t begin to pronounce. This sounds like a much better option. 🙂

  22. We were just at the beach today and I found myself wondering if there was a better all-natural sunscreen out there. Perfect timing, thanks for the recommendation!

  23. This is wonderful, I struggle with sunscreen choices for my family. Luckily I am darker skinned and do not burn easily, but I have a fair skinned son and husband that need constant protection. Hope I win this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

  26. I wonder how much postage is to Australia. I tend to skip the sunscreen because of the chemicals but it’s not always an option with our harsh sun down here. I love the short and simple ingredient list!

    • Hi Maggie, I changed the International shipping to $10.00. If this turns out to be higher than what it comes out to at the Post I would be happy to refund the difference. Thank you for your interest!

  27. Wow, another giveaway! I always struggle with buying sunscreen and determining what is not harmful. This looks perfect!

  28. Natural sunscreen is right up my ally. I have super sensitive skin and anything greasy makes me break out. This looks like a great product.

  30. I love this idea! I’ve been buying the expensive natural stuff, but this is even better.

  32. 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!

  33. We are usually wearing long light clothes. It was easy when girls were small, but know they want to wear short tops, shorts, skirts… and I’m always worried. I would love to try this sunscreen! Sounds perfect. Thank you!

  34. I just “liked” them on Facebook too. I’m so excited to hear about this new company. Thanks!

  35. Oh, I’d love to try this out on my 2 year old. She has the same problem as Beatrix – even the “natural” sunscreens that are supposed to be gentle for kids seem to irritate her face.

  40. I would love to try this for my family. We spent the day at the beach yesterday and, while spending the whole time making sure my kids were safe from the sun, I am burned. heh.

  44. This sounds wonderful! I’ve been looking for a new sunscreen for my little ones.

  46. How wonderful! I can’t go anywhere near the water without sunscreen, and even then I sometimes burn!

  48. Amazing! I am pregnant and work outside, and I’ve been concerned about this too! Thanks for letting me know about this company.