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Original poster

Natural/organic product recommendations

43 replies

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 09/06/2013 08:57

I'm looking for recommendations for natural or organic:
-shampoo/conditioner
-shower gel/body scrub
-face wash
-face moisturiser
-eye cream
-baby products
and off topic but cleaning and household products too!

Any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
ZaraW · 09/06/2013 09:03

Green People shampoo and conditioner my hair is dry I use the intensive one
Bentley Organics shower gel, Molton Brown or Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees face orange wash or Green People No Gunk.

Original poster
GentlyGentlyOhDear · 09/06/2013 09:10

Oh lovely thank you!
I'm a novice so will check out all of those brands.

OP posts:
Laquila · 09/06/2013 09:11

I'm also very keen on Green People, particularly their SPF15 moisturiser (Day Solution) and their aloe vera body wash. They also do a nice night cream called Fruitful Nights.

Face wash - the best thing I have ever found is a soap (bear with me...) by a company called Olive Tree. I use the French Clay one and it's basically just clay, olive oil and water, and it's brilliant, not harsh t all,, not stripping - v gentle and not moisturising. I have very sensitive, combination skin prone to spots and it's the best face cleansing thing I've ever used, and it's about £4!

I also love Neal's Yard Rose Facial Oil as a night moisturiser - not chea but worth every penny and lasts ages.

UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 09/06/2013 09:13

Naked shampoo/conditioner is available in boots, they also do a childrens shampoo.

anything by Lush! Can be pricey, but we love herbalism face wash, the shampoo bars, happy hippy shower gel, and the moisturisers are wonderful.

UnderwaterBasketWeaving · 09/06/2013 09:15

A friend bought us some Neals Yard baby bits when ds was born, it lasted most of the year, so worth the expense I reckon.

MammyKaz · 09/06/2013 09:15

I love Weleda baby products, never use anything else on DD, & DH uses because he has bad psoriasis.
Skincare - Origins, although is a bit pricey. Jason Vit E oil is fab too, I even used it when pg to stop stretch marks.
House cleaning stuff mainly Method. I don't think Ecover is up to much.

gastrognome · 09/06/2013 15:01

Dr Organic range available at Holland and Barrett is brilliant for face stuff, at least the ones I have tried. In particular the Rose Otto day and night creams and skin serum (oil) are lovely and smell incredible (if you like roses, that is). Also tried the Argan oil for the face and that was fabulous too. Really sorted my skin out a treat, and not that expensive either.

Perseis · 09/06/2013 15:15

Face (I have dry sensitive skin): Anita Grant carrot and wheatgerm oil cleanser (to remove makeup), Trilogy rosehip oil moisturiser, Lush Angels on Bare Skin (cleanser in the shower in the morning)

Body: Aleppo soap (shower, basins), exfoliating cloth. I haven't found a moisturiser I love, but I'm using Anita Grant camellia kissi oil at the moment that's ok.

Hair: A'Kin shampoo and conditioner (very gentle ones) + A'Kin lavender leave in conditioner

Cleaning products: Sonnett (I get it from greenfibres) and vinegar/bicarb (I get it from summernaturals)

Baby: haven't got that far with my planning yet (not due until Dec) but I think I'll use a lot of the above for baby...

Rattitude · 09/06/2013 15:26

I don't think Lush products would be what you are after, OP. Link to their ingredients.

I don't think Molton Brown would suit your needs.

In addition to some of the other suggestions, you could also try Purenuffstuff and Faith in Nature.

lashingsofbingeinghere · 09/06/2013 18:38

I like the Melvita range here.

The products are effective but gentle and the company is very committed to protecting the environment, especially bees!

Original poster
GentlyGentlyOhDear · 09/06/2013 20:21

Oh lots of lovely suggestions. Will definitely try the vinegar/bicarb and the French Clay soap. Will also have a look at the Faith in Nature and Dr Organic. Is Neals Yard very natural?
I do use Origins face wash, body scrub and eye cream, but was looking for things that are a bit more organic - or is that about as good as it gets?
I notice that people mention coconut oil quite a lot, how and what would this be used for?
Thanks again for so many fab suggestions!

OP posts:
patchworkchick · 09/06/2013 21:20

Pai organics for skin care is brilliant, so to is The Organic Pharmacy.

chocolatemartini · 09/06/2013 21:24

I'm currently using:

-shampoo/conditioner
There aren't any as good as Green People. I use the vitamin one.

-shower gel/body scrub
Faith in nature is nice and isn't too expensive. My favourite is Green People again but can't justify using it every day as it's expensive.
-face wash
Dr Hauschka

-face moisturiser
Dr Hauschka

-eye cream
Weleda Rose

-baby products
Weleda Calendula are lovely

Cleaning and household products:
Ecover laundry liquid smells wonderful and works ok.
Ditto ecover toilet cleaner- love the smell, does the job
Method wood floor cleaner is fab.
Method stuff generally is lovely except I didn't get on with the glass cleaner.
Used to get Earth Friendly washing up liquid until I realised it was being flown in from the states. Bit ridiculous on the air miles.

EMUZ · 09/06/2013 22:06

I like the boots botanics cleansing balm and the hydrating day cream. Their shampoo and conditioner are nice too
Oh and dr bronner liquid soap - I use it for general cleaning and showering

highlandbird · 09/06/2013 22:36

It'd recommend weleda as well, I use the wild rose day and night moisturiser, and the calendula baby stuff which is great for not aggravating DS' eczema. I'd also recommend burst bees baby shampoo it smells amazing!
Pure nuff stuff is another good one, they do lovely soaps, shampoo bars and face wash and all very natural.

Grockle · 09/06/2013 23:52

Great thread. I've just ordered some of the Faith in Nature things from amazon - free shipping! I know Amazon has it's own ethical issues Confused

HystericalParoxysm · 10/06/2013 00:14

Green people shampoo and conditioner is definitely the nicest. In fact their whole range is the nicest smelling. All Bentley organic stuff makes me retch (disclaimer: I am pregnant). I use witch hazel as cleanser.

VerySmallSqueak · 10/06/2013 00:26

I love Ecover washing powder.

I am currently using the Faith in nature Jojoba hair conditioner and the Dr Organics aloe vera shampoo - both very good.

Neals Yard stuff is lovely.

I use a spray in leave on tea treehair conditioner for the DC's (good to discourage nits).

I use coconut oil by warming it in my hands and running through my hair (wrap in a towel for a while) before shampooing sometimes. I also warm and use on my calves.

I sometimes use almond oil on my hands and face.

And I make a mix of water with a few drops of lavender oil and tea tree oil in a mist sprayer to use as a fabric and air freshener.

Zhx3 · 10/06/2013 00:41

I'm currently using the mature skin moisturisers from Mother Earth in Grasmere. A little bit goes a long way, and they are gentle but moisturising on my skin. Lovely scent too!

ZaraW · 10/06/2013 05:13

Rattitude interested in why Molton Brown wouldn't be suitable as I thought they were it's the main reason I use them.

Molton Brown were the first company in the UK to list its ingredients, make soaps using pure vegetable oils and commit to never test on animals. They use as many natural ingredients from sustainable sources as possible. Their iconic bottles are made of PET1 plastic, the most environmentally friendly plastic & are fully recyclable.

Allthingspretty · 10/06/2013 08:12

theres a neals yard moisuriser free with one of the magazines at the monent if you are a fan. would save you some money

JazzDalek · 10/06/2013 08:50

dr bronner liquid soap - I use it for general cleaning and showering

Seconding this, it's multi-purpose and brilliant. I always have a big bottle on the go for handwashing and general cleaning.

And don't discount Lush...they do use (very small) amounts of synthetic preservatives in the liquid products, but generally not in the solid ones. The Angels on Bare Skin cleanser someone mentioned above is a hero product of mine and completely natural, as is their Ultrabalm, which is a Vaseline substitute comprising exactly three ingredients (organic jojoba oil, candelilla wax, rose wax).

I also second the recommendations of Neal's Yard and Dr Haushka - both great, but pricey.

I would also suggest you look into going back to basics and using pure oils and butters for skincare (www.akomaskincare.co.uk has a huge range); you can also make your own household cleaning products using things like lemon juice, vinegar, bicarb and essential oils. I don't know much about this as I'm more of a dabbler than fully committed, but there are websites devoted to it.

JazzDalek · 10/06/2013 08:55

Oh yes, Weleda, several people have mentioned them and they are right - great and fairly inexpensive Grin

www.amarya.co.uk would be worth a look, as organic / natural beauty products are their bag. Free delivery. I used to get their monthly beauty box, which was a great way to try things.

JazzDalek · 10/06/2013 08:55

Dammit

www.amarya.co.uk
www.akomaskincare.co.uk

Rattitude · 10/06/2013 09:33

Zara, about Molton Brown, here is a link to their FAQ where they state that their products are NOT free from parabens and SLS.

Personally, I would either avoid them or check the list of ingredients for each individual product very carefully.