Summer is upon us and with it comes showing off more skin. It’s time to bring out the self-tanners, scrubs, lotions, creams and all the rest, so you can look gorgeous in that new sundress and strappy sandals.

While the economy may be putting a damper on your usual beauty budget, here a few natural and organic skin care options for under $20 that will do the job just as well as those pricier products.



Dr. Bronner Peppermint Liquid Soap ($14.99; 32 oz.) with organic peppermint oil will cool you off and leave you with a tingly, clean feeling.

This completely natural, gentle soap is packed with organic ingredients, and touted as an “all-in-one” product that can also be used as a household cleaning product, laundry soap and even toothpaste! You can dilute the soap with water for added savings.

On the bar soap side, Purple Prairie Botanicals offer an exquisite and affordable selection of handmade soaps without sulfates or parabens.

Two favorites in the Essential Oil Bar Soap range ($3.99; 4 oz.) are Lemongrass Oatmeal  with a refreshing scent and a touch of oatmeal to soothe dry skin and sun burn, and April’s Garden with a lovely floral and earthly blend of rosewood, ylang ylang and sage.



For a delightfully fruity fragrance that’s perfect for a sizzling hot day, try 100% Pure Fresh Squeezed Strawberry Lemonade Organic Juicy Shower Gel ($15; 16 oz.), which is 100% natural and vegan.



Exfoliation is the key to shedding your dry, winter skin, as well as prepping your skin for treatments such as waxing and self-tanners.

Uniquely fragrant V’tae Cherries Body Buff $16; 23 oz.) smoothes with sea salts and scents with tart cherry extract, acacia, cardamom, anise and amber.

For a citrusy fresh sloughing experience, try Woodsprite Organic Body Sea Salt Glow in Grapefruit Mint ($16; 8 oz.), which has finer grains of salt for a gentler and smoother exfoliation.


Nubian Heritage Coconut and Papaya Shea Body Lotion’s ($12; 13 oz.) heavenly tropical aroma will transport your senses to an exotic island oasis, while softening with a host of organic ingredients including shea butter, coconut oil, papaya enzyme and comfrey root  – minus the parabens and synthetic fragrance.



Hugo Naturals Cucumber Geranium Body Butter ($12.99; 4 oz.), with shea butter, jojoba oil, almond oil and vitamin E, will cool down your skin while imparting a soft floral aroma. This ultra hydrating product does double duty as an effective hand and foot balm.

Carol’s Daughter Mango Mélange Body and Bath Oil ($20; 12 oz.) with a sweet, succulent aroma of fresh mango, leaves your arms and legs silky and sexy.

To keep lips moisturized while out in the sun and heat, try Alba Botanicals Pineapple Quench Lip Balm ($3.49; .15 oz.); the juicy flavor is delectable, while organic coconut oil and apricot oil nourish your pout.


For a hint of pretty peachy sun-kissed color, opt for Yes to Carrots C Me Blush Lip Tint in Sunshine Coral Sunshine available from DrugStore.com for $4.49; .09 oz..


Lastly, don’t forget the sun block – your skin’s best defense against wrinkles. Desert Essence Organics Age Reversal SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen ($15.99; 3 oz.) offers both UVA and UVB protection, as well as the anti-oxidant punch of pomegranate and grape seed extracts.



So now you can get out there in sun and glow, with the added satisfaction that you don’t have to drain your bank account for must-have summer beauty potions.