Today I’d like to share with you some of my thoughts on natural and organic skin care and make up. Its something I’ve been getting more interested in recently, especially after reading books such as Crazy Sexy Diet and a new book I have recently purchased – The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Synder (review to come!) Both books briefly discuss some of the issues with modern skin care and make up products and some of the possible side effects of using products full of artificial ingredients and synthetic chemicals.
The skin is the bodies largest organ and absorbs whatever we put on to it. When I pay so much attention to the quality of what I put into my mouth, it made me wonder why I didn’t give the same consideration to what I put on my skin. I do believe that what we eat has a huge affect on our skin and beauty, so it makes sense to support that by using products that aren’t going to negate the effects of a healthy diet!
Of the wide range of synthetic chemicals used in modern skin care and make up some research has shown that they can be irritants, release formaldehyde (which some studies show has links with cancer), can generate other carcinogens and even disrupt hormones, not to mention the ecological impact and animal welfare concerns connected to some ingredients.
‘Natural’ and ‘Organic’ branded products tend to be free from (or mostly free from) these synthetic ingredients and instead use naturally sourced and sometimes organic ingredients instead, with the belief that this will reduce our toxic load, be better for us and better for the environment.
My favourite natural and organic brands include:
Lush – I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t love Lush! I adore the smell of their shops on the high street. They pride themselves on creating products using fresh fruit, vegetables, oils and safe synthetics with environmentally friendly packing and a commitment to animal welfare. I’ve currently got my eye on this perfume set with a range of mini fragrances:
Korres – I really love the Korres brand, products come clearly marked with what ingredients they contain and if they are vegetarian and vegan. My favourite products include the bitter almond shower gel, bitter almond body milk and raspberry lip gloss:
Kiehls – Kiehls only use a minimal amount of synthetic ingredients in their products. I love their Creme De Corps body lotion which contains almond oil and is so nourishing on my skin:
Dr Organic – I like Dr Organics as a more affordable brand of natural and organic skin care. I’ve been using their Rose Otto night cream, eye cream and shower gel:
Naked Body Care – Another more affordable brand often available on a 3 for 2 offer in Boots, I’ve been using the detox shampoo and rescue conditioner:
Green People – I’ve only recently became aware of this brand as I was looking for a natural organic facial day moisturizer with sun protection:
I found this product and love it! It works really well on my skin and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy or oily. It contains hemp oil, aloe vera and green tea.
I recently placed an order with Ophelia Organics that stock a range of organic skin care and make up lines. I got this amazing facial wash:
This smells fabulous and really leaves my skin feeling clear and oil free!
Of course you can always make your own beauty products, that way you know exactly what your putting on your skin! I often make a body scrub with sugar and olive oil, as well as using the almond meal leftover from making almond milk as a facial scrub.
I am aware that the ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ labels are in danger of being used as a sleek marketing tool to cash in on the interest in natural products so its probably worth checking out each brand before you buy and looking at the ingredients lists to see if what you are getting truly is what you are looking for. The ingredients lists on some products can be really scary to read but this excellent list of which ingredients to avoid from the Green Beauty Bible site gives a clear and easy to understand guide of what to look out for.
Now, a beauty blogger I am not, these are just my thoughts and experiences on the topic. I can’t say that my skin is perfect or has dramatically improved since using more natural and organic products, but I certainly feel more comfortable avoiding potentially toxic ingredients, especially in products like moisturisers that absorb right into the skin.
What are your thoughts and experiences with natural and organic skincare and make up? I’m definitely wanting to start using more natural make up – do you have any favourite brands you’d recommend?
I’m also guest posting today over at the lovely MovesnMunchies – please go and check it out and leave me some comment love!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I love Lush and Korres! Lush has the most amazing face creams, masks and hair products I have ever used and the smell and ingredinents list is amazing. My skin and hair is looking so much better since I´ve started using organic/natural products :)
I love Lush products they smell amazing and the quality of the products is great. I’m a big fan of Liz Earle’s range. Her cleanse and polish is amazing. I’ve swapped from that as I always think its good to change up your skin care from time to time too. I’m currently using Decleor that is a brand based on aromatherapy and aromessence. I’ve been using it for a year and love it! I have more experience with natural skin care rather than makeup, but I would be interested to see how natural make up compares to the regular stuff.
*whispers* I don’t like Lush! I find the smell so overpowering! Sorry!
The only skincare brand I can use is Clinique- I have such sensitive skin and even other brands like Simple make it go all itchy, so I am always wary of trying new stuff, esp on my face.
I must admit, I don’t really pay as much attention to natural and organic skincare and makeup as maybe I could..I just tend to go for products that just work for me. Although I do really really love The Body Shop’s body butters..they are just heavenly!
I’m the same as Maria: sadly Lush’s products are so heavily fragrenced that they make me feel rather faint! Plus they really aggravate my skin, which is prone to eczema anyway. I do love them as a company and think their ethics are top notch though.
I’ve been hyper-aware of what’s in beauty products my whole life since my skin reacts to just about anything and everything. The only product I could use when I was little was Simple soap, as anything else would have me breaking out in eczema all over the place. It’s interesting that poor Maria can’t even tolerate Simple!
I think beauty products have improvIed in recent years with tighter regulations on the use of animal products and a ban on animal testing, but I agree that slathering ourselves in chemicals can’t be a good thing.
I mostly use Body Shop products but ever since the company was sold I’m a bit more skeptical of them: I just wish other things didn’t irritate my skin so much! However, we use the same shampoo/conditioner :) You don’t need rescue repair half as much as my thinning mop does though!
Thanks so much for this post: it’s an aspect of ‘healthy’ living that few people touch upon and there are some really interesting brands there that I shall have to keep an eye out for.
xxx
Thanks for the post – this isn’t a topic that I know an awful lot about. I love Lush, but that’s mainly because it smells so darn good and the staff are really helpful (and good at making me spend money!).
A lot of these brands seem pretty accessible, so I might consider swapping a few of my products. I would definitely like to experiment more with making my own skincare products.
Great post!
I only use natural beauty products, and as few as I can.
For make up I use Dr Hauschka. I try to use as fewq skin products as possible, and usually just clean my skin with water.
For shampoo, shower gel, shaving cream and such i have been using Aubery, which I really like!
Origins do some really great products. They use organic plants and natural essential oils, no parabens or ingredients like that and no animal products. They have a tinted moisturiser called Vitazing and it’s amazing! I seriously swear by it and I use it every day instead of a full foundation. Their moisturisers and face washes are also wonderful.
I’m useless with make-up so I’m usually as organic as they come – au naturale! As age creeps up on me though I will definately be looking into some of the aforementioned products x x
What a great resource for natural and organic beauty care! I admit that I don’t put as much attention into my beauty products as I do into my food, and a lot of what I use isn’t exactly natural or organic. I think part of the problem is that I just haven’t been able to find any brands that do as good of a job as most of my favorites… at least when it comes to makeup.
With skin care, I definitely try to be as natural as I can. I make scrubs and face/hair masks from honey, oatmeal, egg whites, avocado, olive oil, rosemary… and a lot of the time I use coconut oil as a moisturizer :D
I’ve always struggled with imperfect skin… I still get breakouts, even though I’m in my 20s! ARGH! So frustrating. I do eat a lot of avocado and healthy fats, and I think that’s helped. I also find if I eat less dairy, my skin tends to be a little better!
My fave natural skincare products are by Liz Earle. Honestly, they’re amazing!!! I reviewed them on my blog last year (http://welshgirleats.com/2010/01/07/great-skin/).
Love, love, love. x
Happy Monday!
Oops, it’s now Tuesday. Happy Tuesday! :)
I use REN as it has no parabens but I was given kiehls body lotion which isnt bt I’ll finish it off
Great post Laura! Off to look at those books now. Just to say you can buy ground rice v cheaply and its a good scrub that doesn’t dissolve – I mix it into showergel. Also you might like the website mypure, great products, good prices and low cost postage along with fab customer service.
Amy @ThenThereWere
Lenna – glad you to hear that you’ve had a good experience with natural products!
Jemma – yes I’ve used liz earle too and loved it, never tried decleor but have heard of it. Like you I don’t know much about natural make up but I’m interested in finding out more!
Sarah – yes me too, I’d really like to try using coconut oil as a moisturiser for example
Maria – haha, yes I can see why the smell might be a bit too much at times! I’ve heard very mixed reviews of clinque, I wasn’t a fan to be honest but I guess it goes to show what works for some people doesnt for others!
Nicky – I love those body butters too!
Jessica – some of the unscented lush products are amazing, I have a facial cleanser which is so so mild and has no scent – I think its the soaps and bath bombs that are super fragranced. I’m the same with the Body Shop since it was taken over.
Ragnhild – thanks I’ll definitely check out Dr Hauschka!
Leigh – yes I have used origins before – I have their zero oil toner and daily exfoliator which I love, I just wish they weren’t quite so pricey!
SJ – I wish I could go make up free but I’d look so washed out!
Amanda – yes that’s what I’m afraid of with the make up side of things, I can’t be having with mascara all over my face or eyeshadow rubbing off. I’m interested in experimenting though.
iheartveggies – I’ve certainly noticed an improvement in my skin since reducing dairy too!
Sarah – yes I’ve just Liz Earle too! I must try them out again :-)
FattoLean – I love the REN bath rose oil!
Amy – I will be on the lookout for ground rice – I’ve also had a look at the mypure site, it looks great, thanks for the tip!
I love Korres! And I can’t get enough of LUSH, it’s pretty pricey, but I think it’s definitely worth it.
yippee – i’m so glad to be back online again so that i can check out blogs – and so chuffed to read this post! more people should definitely be getting into natural skincare and makeup :)
do check out my youtube channel /alissaevelyn as it’s pretty devoted to natural beauty. but for starters, try plain rose water as a toner, dr hauschka cleansing milk (pricey, but worth it!) and almond oil as a moisturiser twice a week. oh, and Une makeup (which is sold in boots) is really good :)