The majority of us are becoming much more educated about how what we put into our bodies has a pretty major impact on both our looks and, more importantly, our health.
The thing is, though, that what you put on your body matters too, and, ultimately, ends up inside you. Your skin is your body’s single largest organ, and whatever chemical-filled soap, cream or scent you lather on your skin, your body absorbs. Which is all sorts of worrying when we know that many of these artificial chemicals have been linked to some pretty severe health problems.
The good news is that there are currently some really amazing natural beauty products out there, and, as more and more consumers are jumping on the clean product bandwagon, more producers will continue to create products that not only deliver results for your skin, but that are also kind to your body, health and the environment.
Want to swap to natural beauty products? Here are 10 of our current favourites that are all pretty much worth their weight in gold:
1. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm
Burt’s Bees are not just great for baby products, they are also quickly becoming one of our favourite brands for beauty buys too. This lip balm is, in my humble opinion, an absolute handbag staple that will keep your lips kissably soft – without a single harmful ingredient. Oh, and it smells divine too.
Available from all good health food stores nationwide.
2. Restorative Day Cream from Burren Perfumery
If you have yet to hear about the gorgeous Burren Perfumery, located in the Burren, Co. Clare, boy have you been missing out. This family-run, Irish company make perfumes and cosmetics using only natural and organic ingredients, and everything is made by hand, on site, in the Burren. Oh, and if you fancy a day-trip to Clare anytime soon, this place is so worth a visit.
We have currently fallen head over heels in love with the Restorative Day Cream, which is formulated to boost skin’s elasticity and radiance. Oh, and the overly gorgeous packaging and knowledge that we are supporting such a lovely Irish business is a big plus too in our book.
Available from Burrenperfumery.com
3. Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse from Elemental Herbology
This whole line of British good-for-your-skin beauty products are all utterly dreamy, but if we had to pick one, the Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse make our skin feel clean, fresh and so glowing that we sometimes don’t feel the need for foundation anymore.
Available from Space NK
4. Santorini Shower Gel and Body Milk from Korres
I first fell in love with products from Korres on an island-hopping trip to Greece years ago, where I (having been good and packed light) suddenly found myself sans a lot of toiletry essentials. Then luckily I stumbled upon this gorgeous little chemist on the island of Symi and came out – an hour later – laden down with a ton of beauty goodies from Korres. Worth every penny (and backache, having to cart it around in my rucksack).
This Greek skincare brand has its roots in Athens’ first ever Homeopathic pharmacy, and today offers a myriad of natural & certified organic skincare and haircare ranges.
I can vouch for every single product I have tried from this brand (their sun care range is now a must every summer), but having to pick one, this shower gel and body wash duo from the Santorini Vine range smells beyond divine, and in an instant transports me back to the smell of sea, salt and sunshine in the Greek isles…
Available from Debenhams
5. Weleda Skin Food
It is not surprising that this has become an absolute cult product, and one that plenty of celebrities claim they cannot leave the house without. This rich cream will in an instant transform dry hands, scaly legs and rough skin on your feet. It will soften cuticles too, and I have even used it in a very thin layer on my face at night when my skin has been in dire need of moisture – and woken up with soft, nourished and glowy skin.
Available from good chemist and health food stores nationwide
6. Carrot Butter Cleanser from The Organic Pharmacy
Cleansing is the most important part of maintaining and achieving beautiful skin, and having tested a lot of different cleansers over the years; it takes a lot to impress me these days. I was, however, more than a little in awe having tried the Carrot Butter Cleanser from The Organic Pharmacy, and have since bought it many more times.
This gorgeous balm-like cleanser is free from any artificial preservatives, colorants and fragrances and enriched with antioxidant-rich carrots, as well as calendula, cocoa butter, chamomile, and St. John’s Wort. Apply it on dry skin, massage your face so that the balm slowly melts into your skin, then rinse off using a damp, hot muslin cloth.
It is pretty much like having a mini facial at home in your own bathroom every single night. Which is never a bad thing.
Available from Theorganicpharmacy.com
7. NailKale Superfood Base Coat from Nails Inc
You guys, now you don’t have to stop at eating kale, you can even use it on your nails too. This little gem of a product will keep your nails strong and healthy, it will nourish your nails and keep them from staining too, a great thing if you are a fan of darker shades of nail polish.
Available from Nailsinc.com
8. Multi-Action Youth Serum from Estelle & Thild
Last year I went to a press launch in Stockholm and was introduced to the amazing Swedish – and all-organic – beauty brand Estelle & Thild, and have since become a bit of an addict, to be honest.
My latest discovery is this high-tech serum, which I swear has evened out my skin tone and really made my skin feel super-hydrated in the space of a few days.
And I am not alone in my serum crush, by the way. Beauty editors across the globe are all currently in agreement on this one thing: To really super-power your skincare regime, you need to invest in a serum. What sets serums apart from regular face creams is that they are so concentrated, they have the power to work much deeper into your skin, where they can set to work invigorating and repairing oxidative damage for a younger, brighter and more radiantly glowing complexion. Which, you know, is what we all want, no?
Available from Estellethild.com
9. Balancing Rose Mist from Kora Organics
I am normally not a huge believer in beauty products released by celebrities (don’t get me started on celebrity perfumes!), but having tried this truly gorgeous face mist from Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics, I might have to change my tune.
This spray has now become a must-have on my desk, for when my face feels positively dried out from staring at a computer screen, and I have started to bring it whenever I am going somewhere by plane too, as just one little spray makes my skin feel so refreshed and re-hydrated.
Available from Netaporter.com
10. Very Gentle Moisturising Cream from Trilogy
I have long been a fan of Trilogy’s products and love their simple philosophy of creating natural skincare products that work.
My latest discovery is this lovely day cream, infused with natural spring water and soothing Calendula, as well as a plant derived Hyaluronic Acid, to help hydrate and smooth even the most sensitive skin.
Available from Arnotts as well as selected pharmacies and health food stores nationwide
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