I recently had an extensive clear out at home and I’m not talking about finally tackling my three over-stuffed wardrobes, nope this was entirely about beauty products and ruthlessly removing anything not boasting good, wholesome, natural ingredients. It was a move to make sure that what I’m putting on my skin reflects what I’m putting inside via nutrition. As a vegetarian of over 35 years, I’m careful about being healthy (ok, apart from my chocolate habit) and above all, cruelty-free. This has been a long-time passion of mine and I remember being given some birthday money when I was in my early teens and dragging my Mum all the way to Oxford to the original Body Shop store to stock up on fabulous natural products; Cucumber cleansing milk, Orange Flower Toner, Adzuki bean scrub. The store was a chequered floor, rustic mecca and back then The Body Shop really felt authentic and game changing. I’ve adhered to my principles ever since, but recently I noticed some products promising age-defying miracles creeping in, hence the purge. As Beauty Editor Kate mentions below, there is a certain vogue for natural and eco beauty potions, which is a positive in that it means more people will discover them. So many great brands bursting with fabulous naturally derived ingredients. Worth a try? I’d say so. Hence I’m handing over to Kate to give you the low down on some great buys to try. I’ve been test driving them all, and from the Korres Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturising & Brightening Cream to the Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil both just a click away on asos.com – well, my skin’s aglow and I’m hooked. Without further ado…
The Stylish Stuff muse Alona, boasting the kind of glow and healthy skin we all yearn to lay claim to.
Beauty Editor Kate Turner says;
“These days, the terms ‘organic’,‘natural’ and ‘eco’ are bang on-trend, and hey that’s no bad thing. We’ve never been so aware of what we put into and onto our bodies. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and will absorb minute amounts of whatever you apply to it. Although experts continue to debate how worried we should be about certain synthetic (man-made) chemicals – and more research is needed – it’s enough to make beauty companies think more carefully about their ingredients. I’m sure most of us would skip the synthetic stuff wherever there’s a natural alternative. According to the Soil Association, sales of organic health and beauty products rose by a whopping 21.6% last year alone. The problem lies in trying to work out which products really deliver on their promises. Let’s be honest: efficiency matters too. Every other press release I receive is another new ‘organic’ beauty range and I can’t help but feel that some are just using a lot of words that they know will appeal to a green conscience like yours and mine. How to make good choices?
In general, ‘natural’ skincare means products containing ingredients derived from the natural world (plants, minerals…) with no synthetic compounds. ‘Organic’ means ingredients grown without pesticides or synthetic chemicals. But unlike the food industry, there is no legal standard for a beauty product wishing to give themselves these labels. Any product can call itself organic if as little as 1% of the ingredients are certified as organically produced. Crazy!
If you want to make the most earth-friendly purchase possible, look for the Soil Association symbol, the gold standard of organic beauty in the UK, which ensures the product contains no artificial colours or fragrance, silicone oils or GM ingredients. Buying into organic also helps create healthier soil and protect wildlife for generations to come. In truth, this is still a tough bar to reach and prices reflect this but Neal’s Yard Remedies, Bamford, Green People and Pai are all gorgeous brands that make the grade.
Organic isn’t practical for everyone but lucky for us, there are plenty of non-organic brands out there that also harness botanical ingredients that are great for your skin and free from chemicals that you may prefer to avoid (personal faves are REN, Liz Earle, This Works). Natural brands also tend to adhere to eco-friendly standards that I can really get on board with – things like no animal testing and recycled packaging. You simply have to take each brand on their own merits. Check out their ethics, brand statements and ask around for what really works – most of my best skincare finds have been via friends.
And don’t think the big guys are somehow to be mistrusted. Clarins, L’Occitane and Origins are all good examples of brands powered by nature with a solid commitment to earth-friendly practices. The well-financed research labs of these large companies results in some seriously cutting edge products.
Best of all, online shopping has made it easier, quicker and cheaper to get your hands on some of the best stuff. I’m totally buzzed that I can get a speedy delivery of Cowshed and Korres along with new trainers from Asos.
The way I see it: If you can find a product that makes you look prettier, happier and healthier using goodness straight from the earth, well – why wouldn’t you? Here’s a complete skincare routine that does exactly that (happy face and planet guaranteed):”
CLEANSER: Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm, £40 (asos.com). This award-winning cleanser is worth every penny. The luxe mix of essential oils, natural waxes and algae feels indulgent and leaves skin insanely soft and perfectly clean.
TONER: Cowshed Chamomile Refreshing Toner, £17 (asos.com). Full of lavender and chamomile essential oils, this calms and refreshes skin prior to moisturising. Close your eyes, spritz and you’re in Babington (home of Cowshed!)
MOISTURISER: Korres Wild Rose Moisturising Cream, £20 (currently £10 on asos.com) everything you need in a daily moisturiser plus skin-brightening wild rose oil and natural sunscreen. Rich and soft and smells like a crazy-expensive spa treat. You’ll look forward to using this.
TINTED MOISTURISER: This Works Energy Bank Sun Flash, £28 (asos.com). What a neat, modern solution for our stressed and sun-starved complexions. A cocktail of skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, energising vitamins and caffeine plus natural caramel for a sun-kissed glow.
SERUM: Liz Earle Superskin Serum, £48 (uk.lizearle.com) the whole Superskin range is gorgeous and this serum goes big on building collagen and fighting fine lines (especially great for dry/dehydrated skin). Pricey but one pump goes a long way.
(PS. A Stylish-Stuff -Shelly fave – this night time version (below) slathered on every evening is a wonder potion.)
OIL: Trilogy Rosehip Oil, from £16.50 (asos.com). Rosehip oil is extremely high in essential fatty acids and clinical trials have shown impressive results on fine lines, wrinkles and scarring. It’s well tolerated by oily skins – a real texture-changer for acne/ex-acne sufferers.
MASK: Origins By All Greens, £32 (origins.co.uk) A foaming super food clay mask you say? Props to Origins for bringing a mad idea to life. Now I’m obsessed with this deeply green mask that rids my skin of dirt and pollution without that horrid squeaky-dry feeling you’d expect from kaolin clay. Added spirulina, spinach and green tea ups the vitamin quota.
EXFOLIATOR: Dr Organic Manuka Honey Face Scrub, £6.29 (hollandandbarrett.com). It’s hard to beat Dr Organic for affordability and choice. I love their Manuka Honey range, including this satisfying, skin-softening scrub.
EYES: REN Beauty Shot Instant Brightening Eye Lift, £30. (asos.com). Proving that natural beauty can perform at the highest level, this lifts and tightens the eye area better than most premium doctor-led brands I’ve tried. A small but brilliant anti-ageing hit.
LIPS: Dr Paw Paw Original Balm, £6.95 (lookfantastic.com). A multi-purpose balm made from fermented Paw Paw, one of nature’s finest healers. My fave non-greasy lip balm – fab on cuticles and split ends too.
WIPES: Yes to Cucumber Facial Wipes, £4 (asos.com) Look beyond the dodgy name – this brand has high standards and a charitable heart. And ace products! These wipes feel like stroking your skin with fresh, cooling cucumber. Love ‘em.
EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Eye Makeup Remover, £11 (nealsyardremedies.com). Yes, it exists…an organic, effective, non-oily, gorgeous-smelling potion that melts all makeup in its path without stinging.
SOAP: Dr Bronner Organic Rose Castille Soap, £5.99 (asos.com). A simple, eco-friendly pure soap that foams beautifully thanks to a high coconut oil content. The perfect face-and-body wash to stash in your shower.
Oh and PS. Some other The Stylish Stuff favourites include;
For a litte hydration during the day – Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner £8, (feel unique.com)
For hands – Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream £14.50 and Revitalising Hand And Body Wash £6 (balanceme.co.uk) are saviours for outdoor hands.
In your bath – THIS ticks all the boxes, essential oils aplenty and skin so soft post bath. A personal favourite. Olverum Bath Oil £36.95 (house of fraser)
Fashion Director Shelly Vella
Beauty Editor Kate Turner
Photography Geoff Waring
Make up Ruby Hammer
Hair Tim Crespin
Model Alona at Established
Still life photography Shelly Vella