Natural Beauty
Sunday 24th February 2008 by Elizabeth Richards
We have the organic produce in the kitchen and eco-friendly homewares in abundance but what about the bathroom and dressing table? How much thought do you give to the products that you layer on your body, apply to your face, rinse through your hair?
From parabens (the infamous preservatives) and mineral oils to chemical sunscreens and harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulphate, many modern beauty products contain chemicals that can irritate the skin and potentially be disadvantageous to health.
Whether you’re looking for cosmetics or skincare, luxury bath and body or plain and simple hair care, finding products that are gentle and safe to use is now a doddle. The new generation of natural beauty products combine powerful natural extracts and organic ingredients with sophisticated styling while cutting out synthetic preservatives, colours and fragrances wherever possible.
Exciting stuff indeed but it pays to shop around: it only takes one certified organic ingredient for a product to be given the organic tag so check carefully. And choose companies that embrace the eco lifestyle with recyclable packaging, carbon offsetting programmes, Fair Trade agreements and no animal testing. Give in to the goodness with our pick of the best!
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth starter kit, £11.50
The star of the show from one of our favourite natural skincare companies, this cleanser is a dream to use and gives astonishingly good results in a matter of days. Massage into dry skin then polish off using the supplied muslin dipped in warm water. Instant and effective: we’re hooked for life.
Available at www.JohnLewis.com 
Origins Organics Nourishing Face Lotion, £31
This 95% certified organic lotion is part of the brand new line of organic products from premier beauty brand Origins and includes shea and cocoa butters (processed without chemicals) to soften and hydrate skin. A blend of essential oils preserves the product while coconut and vegetable oils protect against moisture loss.
Available at www.Origins.co.uk
Neals Yard Organic Melissa Hand Cream, £11
Crammed with a host of organically produced ingredients (too many to mention here), this fragrant cream is quickly absorbed to leave hands feeling softer, smoother and more comfortable. Perfect after gardening, before bed and during the day: massage in thoroughly to boost circulation and soften ragged cuticles.
Available at www.NealsYardRemedies.com
REN Seaweed and Sage Body Wash, £13
Revive a sleepy head with this morning-friendly shower wash made with seaweed extract to tone and essential oils – geranium, rosemary, sage, cypress – to sharpen the mind and refresh the body. REN’s environmental policy is sound and they only use the highest quality ingredients, avoiding both the well and lesser known chemical nasties.
Available at www.RenSkincare.com
Dr Hauschka Rosemary Body Oil, £16
Chase away any lingering winter blues with this stimulating body oil which brings warmth and comfort to chilled skin and a stressed mind while boosting concentration and even reducing the appearance of cellulite. Apply after a bath or shower but not before bed as the stimulating properties may disturb sleep.
Available at www.DrHauschka.co.uk
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