The Organic Beauty Box

My Favourite Organic Skin Care Companies - Green People

2007-10-21T16:21:00.001+01:00

The Green People Company was formed as a direct result of a mother’s first hand experience of trying to find an effective treatment for her daughter’s eczema and allergies. During this quest she discovered just how much living in a chemical world affects our health; eliminating all chemicals from the home was one of the things that helped to clear up her daughter’s allergies.

Green People personal care products have been in continuous development for over 10 years. Today this range of natural and organic health and beauty products that is available from Green People is made with the finest ingredients and contains no chemicals or toxins that can cause harmful effects to you body and health.

All of the Green People products are suitable for vegetarians and many are suitable for vegans.

Charlotte Vøhtz, Founder of The Green People Company Ltd., says, "Together, we can help you and your family live a truly Organic Lifestyle."The Green People team is a small group of dedicated people all working together for a healthier future and a less polluted world.

Green People Ethics

• Green People are committed to offering products that are 100% natural, certified organic and highly effective.

• They will maintain their quest for excellence, creativity and innovation at all times, and will not compromise the quality of any Green People product.

• None of the formulations or products is or ever has been tested on animals and most of the products are registered by the Vegan Society. All of the products are suitable for Vegetarians.

• Green People believes that you have a fundamental right to know exactly what is contained in the products you are buying and therefore give full ingredient disclosure on all of its products.

• They also support charities with related environmental concerns and each year 10% of its net profit is donated to charitable causes linked to 'green' or environmental issues.

> View the range of Green People products

How Toxic Are You?

2007-10-14T16:33:00.000+01:00

We're made of chemicals, we rely on them, they're the basis of life. But the wrong types, in the wrong concentrations can cause serious damage. There are around 30,000 chemicals licensed for use in the UK today. Most make our lives easier, some make our lives safer, but for others, the jury is out."

Read on to find out what Channel Four's programme 'How Toxic Are You' had to say about the chemicals found in everyday household products and your beauty care products. You may be surprised... http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/T/toxic/

My Favourite Organic Skin Care Companies - Trevarno Organic Skin Care

2007-09-30T17:48:00.001+01:00

Trevarno Organic Skin Care's aim and passion is to revive the art of mixing and blending plant oils, herbs and essential oils for their skin care qualities.

Trevarno Organic Skin Care does not use any synthetic ingredients or preservatives in their skin care products, instead they use the natural preservative properties found in many plant extracts. Even though this gives a shorter shelf life, they feel this is a fair exchange for a synthetic free and more natural product. All colouring within the Trevarno Skin Care preparations comes from the herbs that are used.

Trevarno Organic Skin Care is dedicated to using certified organic herbs, plant oils and essential oils whenever possible and each preparation is made by hand. Trevarno Skin Care is convinced that their ethos of only using pure plant extracts in all of their products offers a healthier natural alternative.

Organic Certification Trevarno Skin Care is proud to be the first and longest established organic skincare manufacturer certified by the Organic Farmers and Growers Association, which is one of Britain’s largest organic certification bodies approved by DEFRA to inspect a wide variety of organic operations in the UK. Formal certification guarantees that their organic products are always of the highest possible quality.
> View the range of Trevarno Organic Skin Care products

Home Spa Treatment - Salt Glow

2007-09-20T18:31:00.000+01:00

Creating a spa in your own home is the perfect way to pamper yourself and escape the stresses of the day!

Salt Glow
For a deep cleanse this is the perfect treatment.

Fill a cup with coarse sea salt and moisten it until it forms a sticky paste.

Take a handful of the paste and massage into your skin using a circular motion. Start from your feet and work up your body, being careful to avoid delicate areas.

Rinse the salt off with warm water.

Avoid this treatment if you are diabetic and using insulin, if you have cardiovascular problems or skin irritations.

Create an Organic Spa in Your Very Own Home

2007-09-16T16:30:00.000+01:00

Green People have launched a fabulous new organic spa range to help you do just this - Create a spa in the comfort of your own home.

They have taken their knowledge and expertise and developed an organic spa range which brings visible benefits to your hair and skin.

Key ingredients such as Pomegranate, Rosehip and Cranberry are blended with precious essential oils of Ylang Ylang, Jasmine and Neroli to ensure that you enjoy luxurious and highly effective organic products.

Rosehip Oil
This is one of the most prized ingredients for maintaining skin health. It is rich in fatty acids and is widely used for its anti-wrinkle and tissue regenerative properties.

Cranberry Oil
Is packed full of precious nutrients including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and vitamin E. Together with high levels of natural antioxidants they have protective and anti-inflammatory actions.

Pomegranate Oil
Has excellent skin nourishing properties and is high in anti oxidants which help against free radicals which can damage the skin. It moisturises, nourishes and balances the pH of your skin. Regular use has shown to reduce the signs of premature skin ageing, keeping your skin beautiful and smooth.

These products work in harmony to rejuvenate, relax and pamper both your body and mind.

View Green People's New Organic Spa Range

The Truth About You, Your Cosmetics and the Environment

2007-09-10T20:43:00.000+01:00

93% of British women use cosmetics in some shape or form on a daily basis, making us one of the highest users in Europe.

As a nation we spending over £5bn a year on these cosmetics.

On Average women can use up to 20 different products as part of their daily routine.

This information booklet is vital reading if you are one of the women who uses cosmetics, so put aside 5 minutes and read through this very informative and easy to read research.

http://www.wen.org.uk/cosmetics/reports/cosmetics_norefs.pdf

Celebration of All Things Organic

2007-09-02T19:40:00.000+01:00

September 1st - 16th 2007 is National Organic Fortnight

To celebrate this national event Kaniker Natural Health Centre are offering a 10% discount on all of their natural and organic skin care and organic cosmetic products.

So why not take this opportunity to replace your old skin care products with healthier alternatives that are full of natural ingredients and made without the use of harmful synthetic ingredients.

Browse the shop for the full range of organic and natural skin care products

To find out what else is happening around the country to celebarte all things organic, visit The Soil Association website.

Natural or Organic - What is the Difference?

2007-08-29T18:55:00.000+01:00

Natural by definition, is different from organic.

Organic means that the ingredients that go into your product were grown, harvested and produced without the use of harmful chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides, as these tend to remain accumulated in the plant or animal by-product.

By choosing organic you are ensuring that the product you are using contains purer, more vital ingredients, just as nature intended.

Natural products simply use plants as part of their ingredients, these are not necessarily from organic sources.

But as always read your labels as often these ingredients are added as a marketing ploy and are used in such small amounts as to be useless.

When choosing organic or natural ingredients, ensure you buy from reputable company's, not those fuelled by fashion, and when buying organic skin care, look for those who have been certified as organic.

Is Green Beautiful?

2007-08-25T17:47:00.000+01:00

The answer is undoubtedly - 'YES'.

People are now starting to realise that organic beauty products can actually perform better than conventional ones.

They not only reduce the allergy and health risks that occur from synthetic additives, chemicals and colourants but organic ingredients have a high nutritional and vitamin content that actually feeds the skin.

Organic beauty products can also produce much better results in terms of anti-ageing and skin repair than high-tech ingredients made in a laboratory.

Organic beauty products have moved on in leaps and bounds from where they were a few years go and now there are a number of ranges that offer a wide variety of textures to suit all skin types and genuinely incorporate the benefits of plant ingredients.

Our favourite brands are Trevarno Organic Skin Care and Beyond Organic Skin Care.

Would You Like Kissable Lips All Year Long?

2007-08-22T18:59:00.000+01:00

During the winter our lips can tend to dry out fastest leaving them in need of intensive protection and moisture, whilst the summer can heat them and leave them feeling sore. But all is not lost; for soft kissable lips all year round, follow our simple10 step plan:

Avoid licking your lips or biting the skin on the surface of your lips as it strips them of their natural oils, making them dry out faster.
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
In some cases sensitive or chapped lips could indicate sensitivity to an ingredient in your lipstick or toothpaste, so try switching products.
When outdoors use a lip balm to protect your lips from the elements.
Add a base coat of lip balm before applying lipstick, especially during the dry winter months for extra protection.
But avoid mainstream lipsticks while lips are recovering as the artificial ingredients them can further irritate chapped lips.
Apply lip balm before going to bed to help to moisturise lips while you sleep.
Never use a product that contains petroleum as it can cause photosensitivity and strips the natural oils from the skin and actually cause chapping and dryness, it can also cause premature ageing.
Choose a product that is organic, natural and full of nourishing and healing ingredients.
Because your lips can make you feel sexy, treat your self to our favourite nourishing lipsticks. View our favourite range of certified organic lipsticks.

At Last A Genuine Organic Make-Up Range

2007-08-20T19:12:00.000+01:00

We are very excited to welcome a new range of totally organic cosmetics to the UK.

For a while we have been looking for a range of make up that is free from chemicals and toxins, yet wonderful to use.

Unfortunately, those organic brands that I have tried before have left me a little disappointed, but when I tried NVEY I knew we had found a brand that I would be confident to recommend to others.

Nvey Eco products are:

Paraben Free

Many are Preservative Free

Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS) Free

Propylene Glycol Free

GM Free

Also Nvey Eco products are:

Not Tested On Animals

Have No Petroleum Based Ingredients

Contain No Talc

More information on Nvey Organic Make-Up

View Nvey Eco Organic Make-Up Range

Hope in a Bottle, Is That All You Are Buying?

2007-08-20T18:53:00.000+01:00

As long as cosmetic companies can sell us 'hope in a bottle' they are on to a good thing. A cream that promises that your wrinkles will disappear, give your firmer skin or that will make you more attractive seems like a good investment.

Of course we may not believe the sales pitch, but we give it a go as there is always hope. But do they actually cost us more than the money we hand over for them?

Is a potential allergic reaction or a contribution to cancer really worth the risk?

In her book A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, Ruth Winter M.S. points out that there is actually no toxicity information for around 56% of ingredients used in the manufacture of cosmetics, 28% have less than minimal information and for only 2% is it possible to do a complete health hazard assessment!

The truth is that when most people suffer from a reaction with a particular product they will not report it and just discontinue its use. So we may never really know the true extent to which these products are affecting our health.

Use this guide check out the products in your cosmetics.

Browse our recommended shop for safe organic and natural alternatives for your skin care.

The Life of Your Skin

2007-08-19T15:07:00.000+01:00

In your 20’s
During your 20’s skin renewal is at its best. Your complexion should be at its best and stabilised after your teenage years.
If you are of good health your skin should be clear and only need a basic skin care regime.
Avoid using soaps on your face as they can strip your skin or natural oils leaving it dry and be sure to moisturise regularly.
It is important to pay close attention to your neck, throat and hands and ensure that you are using a suitable eye cream.
If your skin is still prone to being oily, it could be that your hormones are still stabilising, so use oil-free skin care products.

In your 30’s
During your 30’s your skin renewal begins to slow and fine lines and wrinkles can become more prominent. Your skin care regime should now start to include exfoliating twice a week and an eye cream should be used twice a day.

In your 40’s
During your 40’s the skin starts to lose its natural ability to retain moisture, which can lead to dry skin. You should use a rich moisturiser morning and night.
Fine lines, wrinkles, broken veins and dull skin can start to become more of a problem, make sure that you use products specifically designed for this type of skin. Products containing Rose are particularly beneficial for these conditions.

In your 50’s
During your 50’s your skin renewal can have decreased by as much as 50%, the skin can’t retain as much moisture and the skin becomes less resilient to external influences. After the menopause the skin can become much drier and thinner. Use moisture rich products, including a cream cleanser and avoid alcohol-based toners and ensure that you use specialised products for your eyes and your lips.

Your Daily Skin Care Routine

2007-08-19T14:48:00.000+01:00

We all wash our faces everyday, but what should you be doing to make the most of your skin. Well the answer really is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

1. Cleanse,

2. Tone,

3. Moisturise.

Why cleanse your skin?
It is important to cleanse your skin each morning and each might. Start by selecting a good quality natural facial cleanser. A facial cleanser will help to clear away all impurities that your face picks up, but without drying out your skin.

How to cleanse your skin.
If you are wearing eye makeup, remove this first. Then apply your natural cleanser with your fingertips, using gentle upward and outward movements. Rinse the cleanser from your face using warm water.

Why tone your skin?
Using a toner refreshes the skin and helps to refine the texture of your skin. It also removes any final traces of your cleanser.

How to tone your skin.
Soak a cotton wool pad with toner and then when wipe gently over your skin, using an upward movement and avoiding the eye area.

Why moisturise your skin?
It is important to replenish moisture that has been lost from the skin. This moisture can be lost due to things such as the weather, pollution and air conditioning.
You will need to choose a skin moisturiser dependant on your skin type and the time of year. You will probably find that you need a lighter moisturiser for your skin in the summer months.

How to moisturise your skin.
Apply your moisturiser gently with the tips of your fingers and smooth on to your face and throat using upward circular strokes. When using a specialised eye cream ensure that you apply it before your moisturiser. Use only a small amount of eye cream and pat it gently on to this delicate area.

Back to Basics... What's Your Skin Type?

2007-08-19T14:35:00.000+01:00

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It provides the first form of natural protective defence to bacterial, fungal or any other substance that may try to invade you.
The skin is made up of several layers and it can take around 15 days in younger people and up to 45 days in older people for the base layer to move through to the outer most layer. This outer most layer is the layer of skin that you can see. To know if a particular skin care product has actually had any affect can take this full cycle to show any results.

The skin is regarded as a person’s life - “they tried to save their skin”.
Because the skin is so vital to us it is important to look after it correctly, the following advice is provided to try and help you to make the right choices in your daily skin care regime.

Identifying Your Skin Type

Answer the following questions to try to help you identify the type of skin that you have. This will determine which products will be most beneficial for you to use.

1. How often do you experience blackheads or spots?
a) Frequently
b) Sometimes
c) Not very often

2. Describe the size of the pores of your skin
a) Large and obvious
b) Only noticeable in the T zone area (around the forehead, nose and chin)
c) Hardly noticeable at all

3. Does your skin ever feel tight or dry?
a) Not very often
b) Sometimes
c) Frequently

4. Do you ever have flaky skin?
a) Not very often
b) Sometimes
c) Frequently

5. Shortly after cleansing does your skin ever appear shiny?
a) Frequently
b) Only in the T zone
c) Not very often

For each ‘a’ you give yourself 1 point
For each ‘b’ give yourself 2 points
For each ‘c’ give yourself 3 points.

What your score means:
5-10 points – Your skin is normal to oily. The lower your score the more prone to oiliness your skin will be.
11-15 points – Your skin is normal to dry. The higher your score the more prone to dryness your skin will be.
This should help you to decide which skin care products will be most suitable for your skin type.

Isn't it Time You Became an Organic Beauty?

2007-08-19T13:57:00.000+01:00

People are often concerned about the food that they eat, they choose organic produce because not only does it taste better but you can be sure that it doesn't contain any unnecessary and harmful chemicals or pesticides. But have you ever considered what you put on your skin.

It’s a fact that your body can absorb up to 2kg of chemicals a year just from the products that you put on your skin.

Times Are Changing

The good news is that due to growing public awareness and companies that are interested in more than just profit, a number of cosmetic companies are now making a greater range of natural and organic beauty products. This ensures that consumers don't have to compromise on performance in order to avoid toxic chemicals. There are wonderful body creams, relaxing soaks and even organic shampoos and conditioners. They come packed full of natural and organic ingredients and avoid the use of chemicals that are linked to health issues. If you are concerned or confused about what to look for, check your current products for these toxic ingredients.

However, be aware as to be labelled organic or natural a product only has to contain a small amount of the substance for it to be marketed as such. In fact it can still be full of hazardous chemicals, so start reading your labels.

Allergies

The term ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ on a beauty label can mean that the ingredient contains up to 100 different substances, this can be difficult if you are sensitive to a particular ingredient. In fact these synthetic fragrances contribute to one third of all allergies to cosmetics.

The Environment

By choosing organic and natural products you will also be helping the environment, as not only are chemicals not used in the making of the product but our waters stay cleaner too. Shampoos, deodorants and perfumes contain chemicals called phalates and when you wash them off in the bath or shower they go down your plug hole, into the drains and end up in our streams, rivers and the sea. These phalates have been linked to reproductive problems in a variety of aquatic animals.

So all in all it makes perfect sense to become an organic beauty.