Cruelty-Free & Good For You

There has been a lot of talk in regards to beauty products that are cruelty free, environmentally friendly and yet, still nourishing to your hair, skin and body. Making the shift from something you have trusted for years towards a new product can be daunting. Where do you start? Which product will work best for your skin type? How do you know this new product won't make you breakout or smell like patchouli, or worse, unpleasant body odour? How do you achieve the same result without spending a fortune?

Well, look no further than below!

I have listed some staple items that every lady has (or should have) in her bathroom in order to maintain impeccable hygiene and a radiant glow...that won't break the bank even when you're saving.

Natural Instincts

I have only been using the Foaming Facial Wash and Body Lotion from the Natural Instinct range and so far I am very pleased with the results. I have combination skin, and the face wash manages to take off all the excess oils that may accumulate on my T-zone throughout the day yet manages to keep the hydration in my skin. I've found that since using this face wash, my skin has become less oily in the T-zone area. The cost of this product is very decent too! I've found that most chemists stock this brand and seem to have the most competitive prices.

The Body Lotion from this range is smooth and silky. My legs just drink it up! It also isn't too thick or sticky, so my skin feels like it can breath throughout the day/night and not have random pilings of fluff stick to it either in bed or at the office. Yes Please!

All the products in the Natural Instinct range are committed to the Natural Ingredient Standard; meaning they guarantee that all their products are formulated with the finest plant-derived ingredients, certified organic extracts and pure essential oils. None of the products in both the adult or baby range contain sulphates (SLS and SLES), petrochemicals, propylene glycol, paragons or PEGs. There are no artificial colours or fragrances, harsh detergents, silicones, animal derivatives or mineral oils added to their face, body, hand, hair, sensitive or baby product ranges.  Natural Instinct is not tested on animals, is vegan friendly, proudly made in Australia, grey-water safe and made of recyclable packaging.


Eco Store

I have been lathering my way through the various body wash scents from Eco Store and I love them! Each bathing experience has been a burst of calming scents that make shower time more soothing.

Eco Store was started in 1993 by Malcolm Rands and his wife in the basement of their eco-home in New Zealand. It is a principals-based company which promises their products are healthier for you, safer for our environment, packaged in the best materials available, labelled with a full list of ingredients - so you know exactly what you are putting on your body or bringing into your home, concentrated to save you money, not tested on animals, and GE free.


Al'chemy Haircare by Purist

The haircare products from the Al'chemy range are beyond fantastic!! For a natural product, it's amazing how it is able to give the same results to my hair as salon shampoos, but without all the nasty chemicals. Purist uses the power of active botanicals in order to restore or maintain skin and hair to their natural conditions. Each ingredient is carefully selected and tested for how they best combine with each other and for their compatibility with the skin and hair. Their philosophy is grounded in the belief that all things are best for you and better for the earth in their purest form. They are vegan and cruelty free, and use only recyclable packaging in order to help reduce their carbon footprint on the Earth.


Sukin

I have been using various Sukin products for over two years now and they never fail to impress me. Decently priced and a proud Australian brand, Sukin is dedicated to offering the ultimate in natural personal care. Free from the myriad of harsh chemicals used in many products on the market today, Sukin products do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), synthetic fragrances, animal derivatives, harsh detergents, propylene glycol, artificial colours, triethanolamine, mineral oils, EDTA or parabens. The Hydrating Serum and Rose Hip Oil are two of my favourite products from this range, and I use them when my skin needs a little moisturising boost! The facial scrub also works a treat as my weekly exfoliate and is suitable for sensitive skin types.


Body Crystal

The deodorants for the Body Crystal range are the best natural deodorants I have ever used! During my pregnancy, I was being really strict about not putting any harsh chemicals on or in my body as I did not want any of those artificial ingredients travelling to my baby via osmosis through my skin or lymph system. I was in my third trimester during the peak of Summer and had not yet found a natural deodorant that did not make me smell worst than I was if I just went natural. Finally, I found Body Crystal in the beauty isle of my local Coles and decided to try it. Success!! The Botanica roll-on managed to keep me smelling fresh all day, whilst being heavily pregnant and in the height of the hot season. Body Crystal produces the finest quality crystal deodorant products, as well as being environmentally friendly and not tested on animals.


Thursday Plantation

If you have a nasty sunburn or zit - Thursday Plantation Aloe Vera or Tea Tree products are what you need! 100% Australian owned for forty years, Thursday Plantation believe in the power of pure plant oils to restore your skin. Therefore, their range does not contain synthetic parabens, sodium lauryl, sulphate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES), or harsh detergents. All of their products are also free from animal testing.


Tip: For a cooler sensation on your burnt skin, put the tube of Aloe in the fridge before use.


All of the above products are available at Mrs Flannery's or selected pharmacists.

Want More?

A fellow contributor to the Move Eat Heal site that I write for recently wrote an article on organic beauty products and their benefits. She also included a few of her favourite products, some of which are not listed above. It is a very insightful read and will help offer you more information if you are deciding to make a switch to 'go green'. Please check out her article here and enjoy educating yourself on becoming the change you want to see in the world.