All Things Green and Beautiful - The Green Beauty Guide
Organic products are made from mostly organic ingredients and have been certified by the certifying organic body for that country. The standards that these certifying bodies look for differ, meaning that a product purchased in the UK that is made in Europe may not be to the same standards as a product made within the UK. There are different levels of labelling within each certifying bodies standards too. Therefore, Organic does not generally mean that no chemicals have been used to make them. Ecocert, a European certification organisation, is now recognised in 70 countries. In the UK organic certification is given by the Soil Association, who has one of the most comprehensive organic standards worldwide for health and beauty products. If you are trying to avoid chemical products go for Natural, or Chemical-Free products. These are guaranteed to not contain any chemicals.
See logos and site information below.
For further information about this, visit Absolutely Pure’s article, in which they differentiate between Organic products and Natural, or Chemical Free and how the latter two are of more interest to them.
Certifying bodies:
Soil Association (UK)
Ecocert (Europe)
USDA (USA)
Female First has a great article with some DIY beauty ideas.
Lush Cosmetics
Lush Cosmetics sell a wide range of beauty products, hair care, skincare, bath, shower etc. Lush Cosmetics are dedicated to helping the environment, along with being kinder to you. Their products ooze with goodness. (Their stores also smell gorgeous!!)
Lush Cosmetics:
- Are against animal testing.
- Use Organic ingredients from fruit and vegetables.
- Make products fresh by hand using little or no preservatives or packaging.
- Use vegetarian only ingredients.
Lush have replaced their shredded paper with popcorn to fill gift boxes, rather than polystyrene or other harmful materials. The popcorn is more environmentally friendly as it is biodegradable (please note that the popcorn is not edible).
Nothing Nasty
Nothing Nasty’s products are:
- 100% Pure.
- Free from man made chemicals.
- Ethical: Recyclable and reusable bottles, minimal and degradable packaging.
- Simple.
- Handmade in Monmouthshire, Wales!
- Not tested on animals.
- Mostly raw.
- Vegetarian.
- Mostly Vegan.
The Body Shop
Voted no.2 most ethical brand by consumers in 2007.
The Body Shop are against animal testing. They also have many Values and Campaigns that they follow and support. They also run The Body Shop Foundation, sharing some of their profits to support charities. For more information visit their Values and Campaigns site.
Boots Natural Collection
Boots range, Natural Collection is a line of beauty products made using minerals and natural ingredients.
Love Eco
Love Eco supply a wide range of eco-friendly products, which include beauty products.
There Must Be A Better Way (TMBABW)
Focusing on Pure Earth’s natural and organic beauty products, TMBABW also has more information on natural and organic products, as well as tips on different types of skin and problems such as eczema.
Love Lula
Love Lula stock over 800 natural and organic skincare and beauty products. They use only natural and organic ingredients, are against animal testing and sell mostly vegan products.
For more information on the ingredients that they use click here.
So Organic
So Organic stock a huge range of natural and organic products from many different brands. None of their products contain parabens, SLS, synthetic fragrance, mineral oil or propylene glycol. They have product specialists who are trained to give great advice about natural skin care and organic beauty products.
Absolutely Pure
Absolutely Pure are another stockist of natural and organic products.
Absolutely Pure sell toothpaste alternatives which are said to be kinder to teeth and gums. They sell a couple of products for dental care:
Dr. Bronner: Pure Castile Liquid Soap, which can be used to clean a wide range of things, including teeth. Just mix 5ml of the Peppermint soap with water in the dropper mixer bottle (purchased separately for 65p), shake then use.
They also sell Miessence: Toothpaste which contains no viscous, sticky glycerine (which coats the teeth and prevents re-enamelization from nutrients in the diet). It also contains no silica (which can harm gums and is abrasive to tooth enamel).
For a different solution, Nigel’s Eco Store sells the hyG Ionic Toothbrush. The toothbrush requires NO toothpaste, when it is used it activates Ionic power through the lithium batteries used, which cleans the teeth safely and gently. It has been clinically proven to be 48% more effective at removing plaque than normal brushing.
Nigel’s Eco Store also sell various other health and beauty products.
There is a book available which gives information on all things green and beautiful called The Green Beauty Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Being Naturally Gorgeous
by Sarah Stacey & Josephine Fairley (Author) which can be purchased from all good book stores.
There are plenty of other websites and shops which stock natural and organic products, just do an internet search.