Natural Beauty

There is so much confusion surrounding organic beauty that I don’t even know where to start.  Different international accrediting bodies have different standards so what might be allowed by the Soil Association might not be allowable by the OFC in Australia.  Likewise, “you out there” seem to be moving away from pure organic products but instead, you seem to want products that work – who’d have thought, eh?  So, here’s a selection of “natural” products that I think will tick your boxes and two others that I give a standing ovation to – read on to find out why.

 Weleda Skin Food

Created in 1926, long before petrochemicals began to find their way into women’s cosmetics (gosh, don’t start me off on that one) this is an enduring “must have” to help dry skin.  62% of the plant ingredients in this range are cultivated in organic or biodynamic environments and they don’t use artificial preservatives.    In short, people whom care about what goes into their product and how it’s made.

Price: £5.95 for 30ml

Stockist: weleda.co.uk

Green People Daily Aloe Shampoo

West Sussex, we need to gather this brand to our bosom as it is based in West Grinstead.  Organic shampoos are difficult to make as we consumers don’t understand shampoo with low foam and so presume they don’t work.  In reality, this shampoo will do the job very nicely thank you and will even foam a little to keep you happy whilst being very gentle on your scalp.

Price: £9.95 for 200ml

Stockist: greenpeople.co.uk

Dr Hauschka Facial Toner

This is a certified “natural” range, but what we do know is that it is celebrity-adored.  Looking beyond this, the word “anthroposophical” crops up (as it does with Weleda) and this is all about how the products are made – in short holistic, respectful of life, in harmony with life.  Plant based, this toner lives up to its reputation.

Price: £22.47 for 100ml

Stockist:            drhauschka.co.uk

Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser

Soil Association approved and 99.9% organic this is a great product.  Use it in the same way you might use other solid cleansers, massaging into dry skin before removing with a hot damp cloth.  I’d be tempted after to use a micellar cleanser or regular toner afterwards to ensure that all traces of make up/grime are gone, but it’s not necessary.  This will not only cleanse but feed your skin with lots of good stuff – not many cleansers can do that.

Price: £29.95 for 70ml

Stockist:            theorganicpharmacy.com

Peony Gold Juniper Exfoliating Crystals

I love this brand for admitting that they are organic and natural by default!  The company chose to base their brand on the healing properties of White Peonies, but as a protected flower these are grown in very carefully controlled biodynamic environments and so the supply is, by default, organic.   This exfoliator mixes peonies with Gold Juniper to create a blend that detoxifies, eliminates dead skin cells and stimulates skin cell renewal

Price: £20.00 for 15mg

Stockist:            peonyskincare.co.uk

Avene Micellar Lotion Cleanser

Micellar water is one of the newest style cleansers and contains small oil molecules in spa water to lift dirt, make-up and oil from the skin.   I’ve been testing this product and I love it.  It could be a toner as it has the same type of feel so it takes a bit of getting used to but it’s packed with Avène Thermal Spring Water and soothing alpha-bisabolol to leave the skin clean, soft and soothed.   

Price: £12.50 for 200ml

Stockist:            Boots.com