There used to be a time when you might have had maybe one natural or organic product in your beauty regime. But these days, chances are you have a few more. That’s because they are no longer the anomaly – there is so much more variety out there, not to mention they’re great beauty products in their own right. In some cases they’re surpassing their non-natural counterparts.
It’s not only the products and ranges that are changing, it’s also our attitudes. Where we once laughed at the absurdity of going green, increasingly we’re trying to make more positive lifestyle choices wherever possible – and sometimes that starts with your bathroom cupboard.
So what exactly is natural? Well, it’s about keeping the ingredients as close to the earth as possible. There is no legal framework around the label ‘natural’; companies can technically use it as long as the product is at least 30% natural. There is, however, much more regulation around organic products – they must carry a logo to claim they are certified organic, which comes with a strict code of no pesticides or fertilisers and no genetically modified organisms. Phew – still with us?
Basically it pays to read the ingredient list. Most importantly, it’s the ingredients they don’t use that make all the difference. We have broken it down from top to toe to make it easier for you to find a natural product to slip into your beauty regime.
Eyes:
From left to right: Ren Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel, $48. Linden Leaves Eye rescue serum, $50. Trilogy Eye Contour Cream, $49. Rosehip plus rosehip oil skin boost roll-on, $13. Plantae Avocado Pear eye contour cream, $41.
Ren Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel
This gel cools, revives and brightens that sometimes troublesome eye area. You can wear it under or over your makeup too.
Linden Leaves Eye rescue serum
If you suffer from morning puffiness, then this one is for you. The soothing roller ball, which doles out the serum, will instantly revive tired eyes. On top of that, the organic white tea
will nourish sensitive skin, while grapeseed oil will hydrate.
Trilogy Eye Contour Cream
Trilogy’s trademarked ingredient Rosapene is mixed with aloe vera and acai to reduce puffiness and smooth those fine lines.
Rosehip plus rosehip oil skin boost roll-on
We love a roll-on because they’re so easy to navigate around the eye area. With rosehip oil as its hero ingredient, this product is great for fine lines but also any scarring or dry patches.
Plantae Avocado Pear eye contour cream
This certified organic offering is great for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It uses a blend of cold-pressed New Zealand-grown avocado pear and borage seed oils with blackcurrant leaf and pine bark complex, which works to hydrate and protect the delicate skin around the eye.
Hair:
Clockwise from left: Dr Hauschka Revitalising Hair & Scalp Tonic, $41. O&M Maintain the Mane A Daily Ritual shampoo and conditioner, $39 each. Naturgin Permanent Hair Colours, $35. Naturica Moisturising Defense Mask. Davines Volu Hair Mist, $39.50.
Dr Hauschka Revitalising Hair & Scalp Tonic
Fortified with neem leaf extract, this formula adds shine and volume, but it also works to calm and balance excessively dry or oily scalps.
O&M Maintain the Mane A Daily Ritual shampoo and conditioner
Evening primrose and macadamia seed moisturise the hair and scalp while banksia flower protects the hair.
Naturgin Permanent Hair Colours
For those of you who never thought it would be possible – there is now a natural hair colour on the market. Naturgin is leading the way with certified organic ingredients like organic lemon, aloe vera, grapefruit and shea butter.
Naturica Moisturising Defense Mask
This brand, which comes from Italy, uses volcanic spring water from beneath Mount Etna as an ingredient – so you know you are getting something special. After shampooing, apply a small amount of this product to the ends of wet hair and leave for three to five minutes. The soy protein works to protect the hair shaft, making it the perfect product if you colour your hair.
Davines Volu Hair Mist
This one is ideal for anyone who needs a bit more oomph with their daily do. It smells good too.
Face:
Clockwise from left: Oasis beauty fruit smoothie face mask, $40. Evolu Facial Serum, $65. Goodness Every Evening Cream, $24. Go-to exfoliating swipeys, $50. Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream, $58.50.
Oasis beauty fruit smoothie face mask
Is it a face mask? Is it a scrub? Well, it’s a bit of both. Papaya, pineapple, pink grapefruit and pink clay are the hydrating mask part, while jojoba beads are there to scrub away dry skin.
Evolu Facial Serum
Vitamin-rich and antioxidant-packed, this serum has everything your skin needs to restore its natural balance. With rosehip, evening primrose, apricot kernel, jojoba and neroli oil, it’s sure to give you a hydration hit too.
Goodness Every Evening Cream
Their tagline says it all: ‘Good for your skin, your pocket, and the planet.’ Honeysuckle flower extract, avocado, coconut oil and, product of the moment, chia seed oil, make this the ultimate night-time moisturiser.
Go-to exfoliating swipeys
These facial pads make life a little easier. Pre-soaked with an all-natural solution made up of lactic acid and essential oils, they work to remove dead skin cells and deeply moisturise skin. So simple, so fast!
Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream
It may feel light when you apply it, but this cream uses Vinanza grape and manuka honey to not only hydrate skin, but to keep it clean and free of blemishes.
Body:
From left to right: Ingrid starnes body cleanser, $49. Sukin Wellbeing Body Oil, $24.50. Olive Oatmeal soap bar, $10.
Ingrid starnes body cleanser
A cleanser for your body? We wondered about that one too. It turns out it’s kind of like a body wash – but better. Vetyver and bergamot oils are teamed with cocoa butter, citrus, aloe vera, camellia, rosehip, and macadamia nut. It will not only moisturise the skin, but also leave it feeling soft.
Sukin Wellbeing Body Oil
We love a body oil. Not only do they offer instant hydration, but they also help increase skin elasticity and radiance. This one contains marula seed oil, soybean oil and calendula flower extract to help soothe and regenerate skin. It’s also great as a bath oil or post shaving.
Olive Oatmeal soap bar
A bar of soap isn’t for everyone, but if you are that way inclined, try this triple-milled blend with extra virgin olive oil and natural waxes. As well as leaving you feeling cleansed, it exfoliates and hydrates too.
From left to right: Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Body Wash, $17. Weleda Skinfood for dry rough skin, $14. Frank Body Original Scrub, $15
Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Body Wash
We love how this product isn’t too overpowering. Lightly scented with green tea, it works with the cucumber to make your skin softer and smoother.
Weleda Skinfood for dry rough skin
This product is great for those stubborn areas of dryness on your elbows, hands and feet. Soothing rosemary leaf extract is used for its mild antiseptic properties while calendula flower extract and sunflower seed oil will nourish dry skin.
Frank Body Original Scrub
Roasted ground coffee, cold-pressed almond oil, vitamin E and sea salt provide an invigorating exfoliation. Great to buff away dry skin and to lessen the appear-ance of cellulite.
Words by: Sarah Murray
Photos: Getty Images, Bauer Media Studios and Supplied
