any organic/natural skincare experts out there?

[RonSwansonsBestFriend]

My mind is blown, I've been converting to all products (household and personal products) over the last year and I have just started reading the ingredients properly.

I've been trying to check and cross reference all the products i use and would like to use and I'm just super-confused.

Is there a brand/brands (available in the UK) out there that are truly free from all nasties? Or is that impossible, unless you make all your products, use fresh and don't store?

Thanks.

Oops, meant to say I've converted to all organic products.

I quite like the detail oriented beauty blog. She has a 90/10 philosophy (90% natural 10% natural) and reviews lots of natural beauty products.

It really depends on what your budget is and what your skin is like. Some can live perfectly on just Virgin Coconut Oil or Almond oil that multitask as cleanser/moisturiser and need little else. I'd love to be able to use only organic products for my skin but it just doesn't meet my specific needs unfortunately. There are a great bunch of brands out there but a lot of false marketing too. I used to use Ecover for years for the household and handwash but recently it came to light they weren't as eco-friendly as claimed.

Anyhow, Weleda is great for personal skin care at reasonable prices. Dr. Hauschka has some great products too and cost a bit more. I like some of Pai Skincare but it is pricier (their rosehip oil is a great bargain though). Top end, MV Organics is brilliant. Aurelia Probiotic Skincare has a few great products too (love their cleanser, midnight oil, body oil, and if you have fairly normal skin the moisturisers are good too) but again not the cheapest. The only organic SPF I've ever liked (and it's really tough to get this as 'clean' as possible) is from John Masters Organics.

It really depends what you class as "nasties". Neals Yard, Weleda, Lavera, Organic Pharmacy and Dr Haushka are pretty good and readily available, but the things I avoid could well be different to yours. There's generally a compromise to be made tbh, otherwise as you say we'd be making our own daily and frankly I don't have the time or commitment to the cause for that. Naturisimo.com holds loads of brands in one place so might be worth a look.

I used Dr Haushka and was so pleased with nearly everything but it blocked my pores badly, even with using a toner and a Corsyx blackhead power.

Am currently using Lavera face wash, Green People moisturiser and a Dr H or Neal's Yard shower gel. Avalon Organics hair stuff.

I was using baby oil after each shower (religiously for 20+ years) and I've just been educated on how petroleum effects the body!

What's wrong with Ecover?

It's a bit much to translate fully (from Dutch) but what it comes down to is that the largest supplier to natural stores here stopped selling them because it contains petrochemical ingredients, it's not genetically modified-free, has artificial fragrance and/or colorants, is not certified by Ecocert or Ecogarantie, and it's less than 95% natural but supposedly their plans to heavily invest in synthetic biology (an extreme form of genetic engineering) as a more sustainable alternative to use algae extract instead of palm and coconut oil is what damned them to eco hell apparently. Only one organic supermarket chain is still willing to sell them here as a result. It might just be an "I'm so much greener than you!" argument and that more players mean it's got left behind by the competition but I was surprised by the inclusion of petrochemical ingredients and artificial fragrances/colorants so happily made the switch to a brand (Sonett) that scored well on all of the above points.

If you like baby oil look at cottonseed oil as an alternative. Look for NAÏF Soothing Baby Oil, they have it in Boots. I don't think it's organic but it's free from controversial ingredient and cottonseed oil based.

Read up on Neal's yard. Their rose beauty balm is the best product ever, I love their rose shampoo and conditioner and their frankincense skincare is amazing.

Liz Earle

I've just looked at Neal's Yard cleanser ingredients, there's still some chemicals in there. I think there's citric acid in there?

I'm not entirely sure what's definitely to be avoided, other than some very obvious sounding ones, parabens, SLS, formaldehyde etc

Panoxephanol (sp) is one supposed to be avoided as is alcohol - and that apppears to be in lots of organic stuff?

Which product has citric acid? I've never heard that before. Look at the EWG website for information on who uses what, why and what the concerns are.

Neals Yard are great but there are so many things you can make yourself at home. JUst google alternatives, you will be amazed what you can make for yourself! I make my own skincare and am just venturing into home and garden alternatives. Just discovered that Orange Oil and apple cider vinegar mixed together make a good alternative to toxic weed killer! Ahh, it's the good life for me!

Citric acid is also found in oranges and lemons!

Maybe read up on what you actually mean by 'nasties' before you judge products?

Liz Earle isn't 'natural'
Lavera is German & made to a very high standard. Neals Yard is also what it says it is - up to you if you like all those essential oils though. I'm sick of them.
Pai is excellent, & l agree that the rose oil is fantastic value & of superior quality.
I use method & vinegar around the home.

op neals Yard have no chemicals that can harm you.
Actually some might say that parabens & Sls type ingredients are nothing to fear either.
I don't like petroleum based products & l can understand you looking for an alternative.
Lavera 'all round' cream is gorgeous, you can use it on face & body.

Citric acid is lemon juice isn't it?
Or at least a derivative?

Oh, Organic products will have to have something to preserve them- otherwise you will end up with mouldy/rancid face cream. Much worse for you than a paraban.
I've been researching this for over 10 years. - it used to be a 'bit of a thing' for me.
That is why l keep thinking/posting things l've learnt

One thing to look out for is that "natural" products tend to be loaded with essential oils for fragrance, which aren't really all that good for your skin.

My naturopath had me change to Pai, Antipodes, etc products and my skin got worse. Skin patch testing at the dermatologist revealed a limonene allergy (not that uncommon) as well as a reaction to fragrance generally. I'm now using Cerave, Oilatum and other unfragranced products for much happier skin...

One "natural" maker I do like is Green People - I have to use their unfragranced line but they are generally really nice products.

Ren also gives me a horrific red, itchy face due to its "natural" fragrance - I caved and took a sample away with me on a business trip this week as I couldn't be bothered decanting another cleanser. Never again, I've learnt my lesson...

Yes, that has reminded me. Green People are wonderful. I. Love most of the shampoo & conditioners.

Everything is made of chemicals, OP. Which ones are you aiming to avoid?

I really don't know! I'm just trying to be as 'clean' and toxic free as possible.

I understand that chemicals are necessary but i want to lower the toxicity in my household as much as I can.

I guess I've gone over to Eco products in quite a big way, so I suppose I'm doing quite a lot already.

We lived in London for years in a highly polluted area, I've always been a cleaning warrior so I must have inhaled a fair few chemicals in my time and am just trying to right that.

I never r

Start again.....I've never looked at the contents of products in the past but starting to do so and researching a bit has made me a bit

I've just discovered thebalm make up which is reasonable earth/body friendly but still a bit fun.
I also like the goodness, a'kin, moo goo, Dermaveen. However I'm in Australia so aim for local products to reduce air miles.
Ohh and butter London nail polishes are good.