Newsletter

The green beauty buys that won’t put you in the red

— by Suzanne Duckett

 

If I had the time and the money, everything in my house would be organic or green or upcycled or recycled. The reality is that from food to personal care products, it’s impossible to be squeaky clean (or should that be squeaky green?) especially at the moment with the cost of living crisis. The good news is over half of British consumers (51%) believe the actions and choices they make can be a positive force for change. A poll by the Soil Association says 64% of us are looking for products with recyclable packaging. It’s definitely the little marginal gains that remain important and replacing unsustainable, non eco things one at a time really is the way forward even when we’re strapped for cash. Here are a few of my beauty treats that won’t break the bank or the planet.

 

 

The squeaky clean shampoo

The Klorane Botanical Foundation develops programs to protect ecosystems around the world while also discovering natural ingredients for hair care. Klorane Anti-Pollution Detox Shampoo, £9.50, was born out of brilliance using aquatic mint to purify water polluted by heavy metals from an old mining site in France. The success of planting aquatic mint on the banks of the river and using the root inside filtering columns has made it the star ingredient inside this shampoo for city dwellers because it removes 97% of polluting particles from scalp and strands. As I say, brilliant!


The nurturing mask for curls

The Body Shop was at the forefront of the green beauty movement moons ago – 40 years ago in fact, thanks to their phenomenal founder the late Anita Roddick. Champions of ethical sourcing, supporting communities, and Community Fair Trade programme, the Body Shop is the ultimate high street heroine. Their Jamaican Black Castor Oil Intense Moisture Mask for hair, £15, containing Community Fair Trade Shea Butter is a winner, created in collaboration with a group of people with varied curls and coils, from all over the globe including Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, the UK and US.


The universal multi-tasker

Weleda have been growing plants organically, ethically and sustainably for their down to earth beauty staples for almost a century. The whole range is certified ‘Zero Plastic Inside’, plus, as of October last year all their products were certified climate neutral. Skin Food, £14.95 is still my top favourite brimming with soothing wild pansy, calming chamomile and healing calendula to nourish dry, rough skin everywhere from dry rough patches on the face to cracked elbows, hands and feet.

The starter kit

Nourish London is a sterling British organic skincare brand with scientifically developed, highly effective, organic, vegan & cruelty-free skincare powered by natural ingredients. This nifty Healthy Skin Starter Kit is a great way to give a few products a two-in-one hit and a steal at £8


The divine, gentle cleanser

Pai Rosehip cleansing oil, £33, shifts make-up, stubborn SPF and daily grime fast but oh so gently leaving even the super sensitive skins soft, clean and non irritated (clinically proven). It doubles up as an eye makeup remover melting away stubborn eye make-up with ease – no rubbing, no stinging, just effective and kind to all. A little goes a long way.


The spoiling face and body lotion

A slight splurge this one, but one of my tried-and-tested favourites. La Eva Rosēum Face & Body Lotion, £28, is a soothing, balancing moisturiser that leaves the skin feeling nourished. Thanks to restorative rosehip, moisturising almond, shea cocoa butters and vitamin E. Infused with organic essential oils including rose geranium and petitgrain, it smells like a bush of roses that have just bloomed. A fabulous gift, too (if you can part with it).


Ace accessories

I really like UpCircle, a little upcycling upstart that repurposes things like coffee grounds and fruit stones into sustainable beauty products. My best buy though is their washable Cotton and Bamboo Makeup Remover Pads, £9.99, a super swap from disposable cotton pads (seven in a pack).


The dazzlingly good sunscreen

Caudalie brought awareness to the fact that each year 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen pollute the oceans and end up in coral reefs worldwide. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the biggest factors, literally, found in around 3,500 sunscreen formulas and they cause fatal coral bleaching. Their Vinosun Protect High Protection Cream SPF30, £26, is biodegradable, non-toxic to the marine eco system and also contains skin-friendly goodies too, including antioxidant-rich polyphenols from grape seeds and Vitamin E. Gold star to you Caudalie.

 

Suzanne Duckett (another member of Generation Jumpsuit!)

 

Suzanne Duckett is a health and beauty journalist, author, and founder of Onolla.com (an acronym for Online Now, Offline Later) where she shares her extensive knowledge and a selection of tried and tested beauty products.

That’s Not My Age is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Keep Reading

We are Generation Jumpsuit

  If I had the time and the money, everything in my house would be organic or green or upcycled or recycled. The reality is that from food to personal care products, it’s impossible to be squea…