natural/organic skin care advice! also a question about soap nuts vs ecover

[lunavix]

Dh and I want to use more natural/organic products but are debating over products. I've seen the neals yard/green people products but they are pricy - is there anything similar but cheaper?

Also we want to use natural stuff for clothes washing, we tried and liked soap nuts, but is the ecover stuff in any way preferable?

You could try Dr Hauschka products: www.drhauschka.co.uk or things from Crabb & Wylde Botanicals www.cwbotanicals.com - I use products from both.

sorry, I can't get the link thing to work

I don't know about soap powder, though!

the Bio D stuff and soda crystals are regarded as the most env friendly by some - a lady I know runs a shop called Who Cares (no ecover in sight!) and she is really on the ball - you could email her at ChristinaGiles at surefish dot com - all the products she stocks are thoroughy investigated and scrutinised for env impact, fair trade, who the product is owned by etc - so no heinz, proctor & gamble etc allowed - she would be able to give you some really good avice.

We've just started using eco-balls.. ..uses activated oxygen or something. No soap used, cost around £35 but should last 1000 washes. Even taking into account lying marketing types (myself included) you can assume around 500 good washes.

We've used them for a month or so now and are noticing that the washing is softer, we can use lower temperatures (30C on everyday type washing) and don't need a rinse cycle because there's no soap to wash out.

here

I really rate Green People, it is pricey but a little goes a very long way and one tube of baby wash or salve lasts an incredibly long time. I've tried other brands but always go back to them.

I believe Ecover aren't 100% the best (I think the products themselves are fine, but they have got a bit big), but they aren't far away. From my pov the fact I can get them in the supermarket is a big plus - with three under five I just don't have the time to seek out specialist suppliers. I intend to try eco-balls once I no longer have vomiting/poo covered babies to deal with!

I have been using only organic products for years, and have tried them all. My favorite is the "Made from Earth" products. You can actually understand all the ingredients in the products - they are actually real fruits and juices.

My favorite daily product is the Vitamin Enhanced Firming Serum, and for my body, I use the Holistic Honey Lotion. Uses 100% organic honey.

I highly recommend them in your search for organic and natural products! This is their website: www.MadefromEarth.com

I use Neal's Yard as well as making my own. I really rate a company called Naturally Thinking. They are based in the SE. I buy ingredients from the to make my own but they also have a range of ready made products.

www.naturallythinking.com