Why Natural Products are better than Synthetic Ones

Many cosmetic products of high-street brands contain a large percentage of non-active ingredients like water (which often makes up at least 70% of the product) or cheaply produced synthetic ingredients used to improve texture, feel, fragrance or preservation. Such ingredients comprise mineral oil, petrochemicals, vegetable oils, synthetic or plant emulsifiers, synthetic fragrances or colourants, preservatives and parabens. The amount of active ingredients in these products is a negligible 0.5% to 6%.
Many natural and organic products, however, offer high levels of active plant extracts and ingredients – as high as 90% or more. Instead of water, they might, for example, contain aloe vera (products by Green People are a good example), whilst mineral oil is replaced with natural oils (e.g. almond or olive oil) and synthetic fragrances and colours are substituted with plant extracts and essential oils. Another benefit of higher concentrations of active ingredients is a more economical usage, as smaller amounts suffice.

© Manuela Hübner, 2009

Manufacturers/Suppliers of Bodycare Products & Cosmetics

All of these suppliers claim to use natural and/or organic ingredients, yet this is no blanket assurance that all of their products are safe. Even with these products, it is best to check the ingredients lists. Products from all of the suppliers below are stocked in most health food stores and can also be purchased online.

Alva Naturkosmetik (German company http://www.alva.de/)
Alviana Naturkosmetik (German company http://www.alviana.de/)
Avalon Organics (http://www.avalonorganics.com/)
Desert Essence Organics (http://www.desertessence.com/)
Dr. Hauschka (http://www.drhauschka.co.uk/)
Faith in Nature (http://www.faithinnature.co.uk/)
Green People (http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/)
Jason (http://www.jasoncosmetics.com/)
Jo Wood Organics (http://www.jowoodorganics.com/) - perfume, bath & body
Lavera (http://www.lavera.co.uk/)
Living Nature (http://www.livingnature.com/)
Logona (via http://www.beautybazaar.co.uk/)
Nature Babycare (www.naty.com) – some products even available from Boots
Neal's Yard (http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/)
P.A. Aromatherapy Oils & Skincare Products (http://www.paaroma.co.uk/)
Pure Nuff Stuff (http://www.purenuffstuff.co.uk/)
Sante (via http://www.beautybazaar.co.uk/)
Simply Soaps (http://www.simplysoaps.com/)
Urtekram (http://www.urtekram.dk/)
Yaoh (http://www.yaoh.co.uk/ )

Personal Recommendations

See article "Manufacturers/Suppliers of Bodycare Products & Cosmetics"

for relevant website links.

Face Cream:
- Weleda Baby Calendula Face Cream (what's good for kids can't be bad for adults!): quite rich hence good for dry skin, especially in winter. Available from any health food store.
- Green People 24 hour protection with Aloe Vera: not quite as rich as the above, is more easily absorbed and smells great.

Shampoo:
Urtekram shampoos have the fewest ingredients and are the mildest (especially the Camomile shampoo) - no itchy or dry scalps or other skin reactions. The ingredients are all 100% natural and ca. 10% of them are organic. Available online or, if you happen to live in Cambridge, from Arjuna on Mill Road.

Hair Gel:
The natural Styling Gel by Sante smells heavenly and better than any other hair product I have ever used. On top of that, it doesn't leave any residue in your hair. Being natural, it obviously does not offer the indestructible, brick-like hold of synthetic products, but it adds definition to short hair.

Conditioner:
The Seaweed Conditioner by Faith in Nature has the fewest ingredients and, unlike some other Faith in Nature products, it contains no aggressive ingredients. Available from most health food stores as well as some Oxfam shops and, if you happen to live in Cambridge, from Arjuna on Mill Road.

Perfume:
I had to hunt high and low for a natural and organic perfume that didn't smell like air freshner for the bathroom or like a herbal tincture, but finally I "struck oil" with Usiku by Jo Wood Organics (http://www.jowoodorganics.com/collections/organic-eau-de-toilette/products/organic-eau-de-toilette), which is also available as body dew. It is not overpowering like so many conventional perfumes and just lingers lightly on your skin.

Shower Gel:
Citrus Shower Gel by Avalon Organics is pretty good. Unlike some of the other Avalon shower gels, it does not contain any dodgy ingredients, and you need relatively little for a good wash, so it lasts quite a while. Two German brands are also very good: Alva Shower Gel "For Him" and Alviana Shower Gel Lemon or Rose.

Toothpaste:
Hollytrees natural fennel-flavoured toothpaste is the best (available from Neal's Yard); it does not leave you with a chalky/pelty feeling in your mouth like other natural toothpastes. If you are not too keen on fennel, it is also available with a minty flavour.