The crunchy chest rub I love

My husband thinks I’m a little over-the-top at times, asking if I’m going to treat pink eye with a solution of apple cider vinegar and crushed sage root applied with an organic cotton reusable cotton swab (ha! this is a totally made-up remedy—please don’t try it at home!), but I stand by my pickiness when it comes to products we stock in our household. This is our tiny, delicate, perfect daughter’s health at stake!

As a general rule, I look for products that list ingredients I recognize—and the fewer ingredients overall, the better. I know the lotions and creams I rub onto my daughter’s squishy arms and legs will be absorbed into her skin and find their way into her bloodstream. And I know that anything I apply to her hands or face will likely make its way into her body directly through her mouth. (That’s just the nature of having a child who has never met an object she didn’t immediately want to eat.)

In my months as a mom (and years as a magazine editor), I’ve researched brands and companies that uphold the highest standards when it comes to safe, effective products—and I’ve become loyal to the few that do. High on the list is Maty’s, a family-owned company that makes a baby-safe chest rub our family loves.

A combination of traveling, child care and changing seasons has left my daughter sniffling and congested on more than one occasion, and the vapor rub consistently provides welcome relief. (Plus, the application process is far more soothing than wiping and sucking her nose, which is still necessary, but less pleasant.)

I love that rubbing a little on her chest or feet helps her feel better, and I get such peace of mind from knowing that Maty’s doesn’t use petrolatum (aka petroleum jelly, which can suffocate skin) or hydrogenated oils (which don’t fair well after manufacturing and processing). Instead it incorporates antimicrobial oils like dill weed, coconut and coriander, as well as calming oils like chamomile, lavender and patchouli.

When my daughter is sick, I’d do anything to make her feel better—as rapidly as possible, please. It’s too sad to watch her suffer! But I’m glad a quick fix doesn’t have to come at the expense of her long-term health—and my husband is glad my “crunchy” remedy works.

This post is sponsored by Maty’s Healthy Products, a brand committed to helping you rethink your medicine cabinet with whole food health alternatives.