Nature’s Best

Guest writer Lauren Langman investigates the growing industry of natural beauty products and why we should have an open mind to making the switch.

With our developing awareness of the importance of living a healthy, organic lifestyle, it was only a matter of time before we all started thinking about exactly just what goes into the beauty products we liberally apply to our faces and bodies.

By the time you finish getting ready for work each day, applying moisturiser, make-up, perfume and deodorant, you have exposed your body to more than 200 chemicals. Hey, you look and smell good, but just how dangerous is this chemical cocktail?

It’s ironic that so many people are super-cautious of what goes into their mouths and the chemicals they expose themselves to digestively, but are oblivious to the chemicals absorbed through the skin, the largest organ of our bodies.

Aveda
This classy organic brand boasts that 90% (35 tonnes annually) of their essential oils used are certified organic as are 89% of their raw herbal ingredients. Aveda stocks beautiful products that range from $20 to $100. Try the anti-blemish range, perfect for clearing any troublesome spots. Aveda also has an anti-aging range; one of the few natural beauty ranges targeted specifically at mature skins. Visit www.aveda.com.
(please note that Aveda'a older products do contain parabens. To find out more information on what ranges do include them please contact the team at Aveda)

A’Kin and Al’chemy
These Australian ranges were created by The Purist Company. Covering hair care, face scrubs, moisturisers and hand creams, they smell great and do the job at an affordable price. We like the Jojo & Corn Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub at $26.50. It will leave your face feeling smooth and hydrated and is suitable for oily to dry skin and everything in between. Visit www.purist.com.

Crabtree & Evelyn
Always a favourite in the SW office (and our famous goodie bags), Crabtree & Evelyn offers an indulgent ‘Naturals’ range that is absolutely divine and refreshing. A great pick-me-up shower treat is the Lemongrass & Brown Sugar body scrub (RRP $39.95) that leaves your skin smooth and replenished. The range has recently been expanded, check it out online at www.crabtree-evelyn.com.au.

Ere Perez
It’s rare to find quality natural makeup based on natural ingredients and pigments. The Ere Perez range features Natural Almond Oil Mascara, Natural Tinted Rice Powers and our favourite, the Natural Rosehip Oil Lipbar. Many more products are being launched this year so to keep up to date with Ere’s latest creations visit www.ereperez.com or step into your nearest health food store to see the range.

Living Nature
From across the Tasman comes this fantastic New Zealand natural range of moisturising lotions, balms and scrubs. They pride themselves on using only natural ingredients: check out the products, with prices ranging between $18 - $75, at www.livingnature.com.

So what are some of the chemicals we are exposing ourselves to in mainstream, non-natural or organic beauty products?

Preservatives (Parabens) – Well, many of us try to avoid preservatives in food and the same should go for your beauty regime. The most common parabens in skin care are Methyl, Ethyl and Butyl. Parabens have been associated with disorders such as asthma, eczema and are possibly carcinogenic.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphates – These are foaming agents and are synthetic detergents derived from coconut oil. These agents can cause irritation and have been linked to asthma.

Mineral Oil (Petrolatum) – Is the most popular moisturising ingredient in hand and body lotions, including baby creams and lotions, sun cream and lipstick. It is colourless, tasteless and odourless. Mineral Oil is used to smooth out and bind the ingredients in beauty products, as well as softens the consumer’s skin by holding the moisture in.
Propylene Gycol is another form of cosmetic mineral oil and can be found in very high concentrations of up to 50% in the above products as well as deodorants, shave lotions and foundations creams. Propylene Gycol is a skin irritant that can cause kidney damage, liver abnormalities and is widely used, as it is effective in holding moisture in the skin and is inexpensive.

Phthalates – Are rarely found on an ingredients list but are found in many health and beauty products as they are used to preserve synthetic scents. Most common products would be perfumes, fragrances, nail polish and other lacquers (including soft plastics).
Studies have shown that Phthalates may be carcinogenic, adversely affect male sperm and they increase the level of testosterone and oestrogen in humans, which therefore becomes a breast cancer risk.

Aluminium – Used mainly in lipsticks and deodorants, and has been linked to Alzheimers disease. Aluminium is used in antiperspirant deodorants to prevent sweating by coating the skin and not allowing sweat to escape. Sweat is an important process for our bodies as it releases toxins from our bodies, by applying chemicals such as aluminium to the skin; these chemicals are then absorbed through the skin to our blood and organs. Another example of absorption through the skin is smoking patches, used to prevent nicotine cravings. Aluminium could contribute to cancers, especially breast cancer as the chemical is absorbed from your deodorant straight to your underarm glands. There are many natural deodorant brand alternatives including DeoNat and MiEssence.

Below are some fantastic websites that have a wide range of natural brands you can research or buy:
www.organicbeautyworld.com.au/
www.nontoxiclife.com.au/

Or better still; make your own natural beauty treatments at home. For a website with some interesting recipes visit www.makeyourcosmetics.com/. Below is a recipe you might like to try:

Blueberry & Lemon Face Mask

Suitable for most skin types, especially for combination or oily skin. Blueberries are high in anti-oxidants and a great addition to your beauty treatment.
4 tablespoons of fresh blueberries
3 teaspoons of powdered oats
1 teaspoon of finely ground almonds
2 teaspoons of distilled water
1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
1 drop of lemon essential oil

Step 1 – Put all ingredients except for the essential oil into a blender and mix until ingredients are combined and smooth.
Step 2 – Transfer into a container and add the Lemon Essential Oil, stir to mix.

Application – Apply to clean skin using an upward sweeping motion. Spread evenly and generously over skin surface. If you have additional mix left after application, refrigerate and use by the end of the week.