Feeling like a goddess needn’t cost the earth, hurt innocent animals or burden our bodies with toxins. Luckily, there's a burgeoning market in natural organic alternatives that equal or outperform mainstream giants. Dr Nicola Thomas, author of The GIN Lady blog, is under the influence of Green, Independent & Natural brands... she spills the proverbial organic beans.
For a long time, many of us have been campaigning for cruelty-free beauty. But ironically, even whilst the tide is turning, the EU cosmetic industry is counter-lobbying furiously in order to keep testing on animals, stating they need to do so in “response to consumer demand". In other words, they're saying animal testing is our fault!
And there’s more dirt. Many cosmetic and skincare products contain parabens, SLS and other questionable substances. We wouldn’t douse our bodies with petroleum would we? Or guzzle a toxic cocktail. Yet we do, albeit in tiny amounts, every time we primp and pamper for a night out on the tiles.
But do not fear, the answers are here. I have tried and tested many of the alternative brands on offer, and can confidently share that I’m never going back to 'traditional' products. There’s just no point, when the natural alternatives are superior in ingredients, quality and effect.
In fact, we are so spoilt for alternative choices nowadays. I’m loving the new Dr Alkaitis brand. Their organic replenishing serum is so refreshing, and plumps up my skin wonderfully. I’m very excited about this new ‘therapeutic skin food’ range.
Another ‘miracle’ product is Maia Skin Care. Their Goddess Treatment Balm (pictured above) contains no animal products, not even beeswax. Instead Maia uses avocado butters and olive wax and as such is so silky smooth. It’s easily the best beauty flash balm product around. I would definitely recommend getting online and becoming an early adopter of Maia Skin Care.
How On Earth, a gorgeous online beauty parlour stocks an impressive range of ethical goodies and showcases the amazing variety of products on offer. How On Earth’s owner’s Shona, has a great eye for products. She enthuses “I love my job. It’s a joy to work with so many fabulous products. My current favourite is Pangea Organics. Based in Colorado, this company is so committed to our health and the environment, from their product ingredients, packaging and overall ethos. Definitely worth a try!”
Palm oil is another thorn in the side of the beauty industry. A shocking expose by Greenpeace revealed that Unilever, which has a large range of beauty products, including Dove, were guilty of colossal rainforest clearance in Indonesia. Why? To make way for palm oil plantations to use in their products. Greenpeace’s campaign has been so successful, that Unilever are now taking action to prevent further clearance, even lobbying other companies guilty of the same environmental crime, e.g. Nestle, Kraft and Cadburys.
So what to do? Give the alternatives a go, and don’t buy into the mainstream giants’ persuasive advertising. Even if it’s one alternative purchase, you’ll be making a difference!
To get your hands on a beautiful natural alternative, visit How On Earth, Maia Skin Care and Dr Alkaitis. For more green, independent and natural inspiration, check out Nicola’s blog, The GIN Lady. We’re loving it!
