Confusion over beauty products

[tutu100]

I have been trying to use beauty products that are ethical, good for my skin and hopefully not too bad for the environment.

I have exzema so have quite difficult skin. I have found some products in Lush which I love, but contain paraben which I normally try to avoid.

Now am I ok using these products as although they contain parabens, they have little or no packaging and use mainly natural ingredients and also Lush isn't (as far as I know) a huge company such as L'oreal. Or should I really try to find something without the parabens because of the effects they may have on me.

Gosh this ethical living is a minefield isn't it.

is there anybody out there?

Hi, it's difficult finding products that don't cost loads but don't contain nasties either. I've found (surprisingly) Tesco's bnatural range very nice - very well priced but containing no parabens, SLS etc. Waitrose/John Lewis also have a good range of products. The Naked range which is available at Boots is also very nice and not too pricey. Janey Lee Grace's site www.imperfectlynatural.com is a really good resource and their forum is quite active too if you need any particular recommendations. There's a lot of websites, e.g. Pure Nuff Stuff that sell lovely looking organic stuff but I'd rather see and smell the products, I also hate paying for postage especially for toiletries as it seems an odd way to buy them iyswim.

Thanks for the suggestions. I like to loook and smell products to. In fact that was what I found great about Lush was they gave me some samples so I could check if it suited my skin before buying the full size. I like to buy stuff from the shops as I'm too impatient for mail order!

I'm going to have a look on janey's site. Thanks again for your reccomendations.

Ren skincare

Dr Hauschka

I'm trying to do the same, tutu (although don't have sensitive skin issues).

So far I've liked Tisserand and Faith in Nature because they are relatively cheap, ethical and free from nasties.

the stuff they do here is great - have been using for four years now and get stuff for DH and DD too
Not cheap but so worth it.

to quote :-
We don't use:
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulphate, Parabens, Lanolin, Synthetic Fragrances, Colourants, Petrochemicals, Ethyl Alcohol, PABA-sunscreen, Formaldehyde, Urea, PEG's, DEA, TEA, irritating emulsifiers, harsh foaming agents, or any unnecessary synthetic additives common in many of today's health and beauty products.

I found I didn't get on with dr haushka either. I tried the faith in nature moisturiser in a pump and really liked it to start with but after a few days it started to irritate my skin which again was a shame cos it smelt gorgeous.

I tried the Faith in Nature Shampoo and Conditioner but I have really dry hair so didn't really do the trick. Now trying Naked hair products to see if they're better. Also for little ones, www.halogb.com/ Horns and Halos is really well priced, available in all supermarkets and is free from nasties.

dr hauschka rosa creme is a life saver, transformed my horrifc dermatitus/acne.

agree that tescos bnatural range is very good

however I guess tescos isnt the small company you were hoping for

Thank you everyone who replied. I have bought the naked shampoo and conditioner to try out. They are 2 for 1 at Boots at the moment.

I also dug out my Dr Hauschka mini kit to give it another go. So far it seems very good. Last time I tried it I used the quince cream and I definately do not get on with that. This time though I'm using the rose cream and it seems to be ok at atm.

If anyone has any other reccomendations I'd love to know. Thank you again though.

I've been using Green People stuff recently and I really like it - I have the SPF15 day lotion and Vitamin Fix lotion and will definitely be buying them again.

(just saw that mylovelymonster already mentioned them but I'm definitely a convert so a second vote from me!)

I've recently discovered that Waitrose do an own-brand range of organic skin care. I am currently using their moisturiser and I really like it - my skin feels much softer and looks clearer. It is very good value - £4.99 for a pot, but it is quite 'thin' I find that I have to put 2 layers on iyswim. I suffer from psoriasis so I have to be careful what I put on my skin and the patch I have on my face is shrinking since I started using this moisturiser.
Other than that Faith in Nature are good.

I've changed all my skincare over to more natural products and loved Spiezia. I used their cleansing balm, toner, daytime moisturiser and night cream. All lovely, but £££! Their moisturisers are oil based and I have combination skin and was a bit but am totally converted - my skin has never been clearer. I love knowing that I'm not smoothering myself in chemicals. Still to find decent shampoo though... think I will try Faith in Nature after recommendations here.

When the cleanser and toner ran out I tried Akamuti - their Sweet Orange Cleanser and Orange Blossom Toner which are just as good and alot cheaper.

When the Spiezia daytime moisturiser and night cream run out I'm going to try Trevarno Revitalising Oil and Sunset Salve which look very similiar to Spiezia - but easier on the pocket!

I've recently found this website where you can get products from loads of good suppliers in one place and for one postage charge here

Bumping this thread as Ive been thinking about this today.

I get some skincare stuff from the Body Shop and also from Neal's Yard.

Does anyone know if Burts Bees is a responsible range?

Also, today I bought some make up brushes called Eco tools, strap line "earth friendly beauty". It was £14 for a 6 piece set.

The brush handles are recycled aluminium and bamboo, which is highly sustainable, the bristles are cruelty-free and they come in a hemp pouch.

www.parispresents.com/BAMBOO_6_Piece_Brush_Set_p/et1206.htm

This is Ethical Consumer's rating of skincare companies. The higher the score the better (to state the bleedin' obvious!).

full report here www.ethicalconsumer.org/FreeBuyersGuides/healthbeauty/skincare.aspx

Faith in Nature moisturiser 15
Organic Blue body lotion 15
Honesty Skincare 14.5
Dr Hauschka Moisturising Day Cream 14
Green People skincare 14
Neal's Yard skincare 13.5
Weleda skincare 13
Lush moisturisers [A] 10.5
Clarins skincare range 9.5
Aveda skincare products 6
Clinique skincare system 6
Estee Lauder skincare 6
Origins skincare 6
Body Shop skincare 5
Boots Botanics skincare 5
Boots skincare products 5
Neutrogena skincare 5
Biotherm skincare 4
Lancome skincare products 4
L'Oreal skincare 4
Nivea skincare 4
Vichy skincare products 4
Dove skincare products 0.5
Oil of Olay skincare 0

Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil has really helped my dry skin, and has improved DD's excema.

Green People - as already mentioned - great, DD1 who has eczema has no problem with their stuff. Weleda is also good and a little bit cheaper than Green People - their Seabuckthorn body wash is gorgeous.

Thanks for that list, dubh.

I had a good browse in Neal's Yard on Fri evening, they have some gorgeous stuff and I hear good things about their Frankensence (sp?) gift range.

Gift range? Skin care range!

Sorry, mind still on the ethical Christmas thread!

SkaterGrrl, The Body Shop are owned by L'oreal.

I have some toiletries (bath stuff, moisturiser) called Dr Organic I bought in Holland & Barratt.

They also do skin care but haven't tried it.

I'm so glad I found this thread as I've been trying to rid my home of as many chemicals as possible. I started with cleaning products under the sink and am now getting to grips with my bathroom. So I am now using almond oil and coconut oil as body moisturisers, bought a flouride free toothpaste and ditched the aluminium deodrant. Any recommendations for shampoo?

Ethically for Lush I would google the rolling 5 year rule

Its a minefield I find not washing easier