The hashtag #youarewhatyoueat has just under 500,000 Instagram posts as of April 2016. There are 321,000,000 results on Google and there is an 18-episode series on channel 4. That being said, we think it is fair to say that, “You are what you eat” has gained some traction, a devoted following, and is almost certainly the basis of the clean-eating crowd philosophy.
But, what about #youarewhatyouputonyourskin. Okay, it doesn’t sound as punchy, but surely it deserves just as much attention? Our skin is our biggest organ, and according to a survey by Bionsen, a premier natural deodorant company, the average women unknowingly applies over 500 different synthetic chemicals to her skin each day! So regardless of what you are inhaling and ingesting, if you are applying those chemicals directly onto the skin, you’re practically taking one step towards health and detoxification and two, or should we say 500, leaps backwards.
The skin is like a multi-layered sponge, and those creams that you think just sit on the skin and make you glow, actually penetrate past our three main layers of skin and are absorbed directly into our bloodstream. Some commonly used chemicals actually elicit allergic reactions, disrupt hormones and in the long run can hinder the nervous system.
With this in mind, it is no wonder that the skincare and makeup industry is seeing an influx of completely natural, hypo-allergenic, organic, free-from, cruelty free, vegan products. Forget the days when natural skincare options were as riveting as a dash of coconut oil, home-made masks that end up clogging your pores and your sinks with oaty clumps and natural lipsticks that were as dry as rubbing your lips with a school eraser. The 2016 IT brands for natural make up and skincare are breaking the mould, snatching up customers left, right and centre.
StyleNest contributor, Clarissa Lenherr, has gone out on the hunt for the ultimate in completely natural products to replace the synthetic cosmetics she has been using in her daily face-making routine. After two weeks of trialling and testing, to ensure their promises ring true, she shares with you her cherry-picked natural skincare get ups!
Cleanser/Exfoliator There is a reason that Kale has become the famous vegetable of our decade! Packed full of antioxidants and vitamins, kale is both a superfood for the stomach and the skin. Kale extract offers an abundance of vitamins and minerals which when applied to the skin, offers elasticity and boosts collagen molecules. Nourish Skin Range have launched a whole line based on Kale as their superstar for this exact reason. Their Kale line includes an exfoliating Cleanser, anti-aging hand cream and an eye cream. I love their Kale enzymatic exfoliator which includes pomegranate enzymes which act on the skin to exfoliate and soften the skin, leaving a healthy afterglow, supplemented by the free radical fighting benefits of the kale and griffonia extract. The exfoliator can be used as a daily cleanser as it is light and doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils and protection, but can also be used as a mask if you are in need of a deeper cleanse. Mask Pai Skincare’s Rosehip Bioregenerate Rapid Radiance Mask is the speediest, most pleasurable, results achieving, detox we have ever managed to finish! That’s right, this Pai Rapid Radiance mask offers a complete detox of the face, enriched with with only a combination of the most natural active ingredients, omega fats and antioxidants. The mask has a distinctive formula which works to not only cleanse the face, removing pollution from the pores, but also helps to heal damaged skin with the use of exceptionally pure rosehip oil. I would recommend the mask to be used once a week and particularly if you are in need of a radiance boost before a special event, or feel your skin needs some TLC. Unlike other synthetically filled masks, the Pai BioRegenerate mask leaves your skin moisturised rather than dry and tight, and soothes redness rather than igniting it. Moisturiser – Day and Night The news is saturated with information about free-from diets and foods, but we don’t hear enough about free-from skincare. That is where Skincere comes in. The new Skincere range is entirely free from gluten, soya, dairy and nuts – perfect for those who are careful about what is consumed, both inside and out. The products have been created to offer those who have sensitive skin, or suffer from allergies, a skincare method that is safe and effective. The collection includes a cream cleanser, eye serum, facial serum and day and night moisturising creams. The day and night moisturisers are filled with delightfully natural fragrances and uplifting botanical ingredients and plant extracts, and free from any preservatives or synthetic chemicals. The day cream is light and garden-fresh, leaving the skin blooming without that greasy sheen that some oils and heavy moisturisers can deposit. The night cream is gently thicker, yet it doesn’t feel suffocating, and after a few nights using the cream, I can definitely notice the soft plumping and reduced redness in my skin. Facial Oil The Manuka Doctor Facial Oil is exactly what liquid gold for the face should feel like – opulent, aromatic and luxurious. The oil is bursting with essential oils including Manuka oil, renowned Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, Rose Hip Oil and more than six others, making this an antioxidant powerhouse for the face. From only using two to three drops a day, the oil has renovated my skin, giving it not only a incandescent glow, but also a new elasticity and vivacity. The oil is fitting for all skin types due to its hypoallergenic formula, and is suitable for those with aging skin who want to promote flexibility and smoothen out irregular skin tones. Our secret tip? Add to your daily moisturiser for a subtle boost and apply four drops at night for an enriching warmth. Tinted Moisturiser This is not just another tinted moisturiser. Green People’s new DD moisturiser includes the power of Plant Stem Cells from the Sea Fennel plant, better known as Samphire, a sea vegetable which is the new craze in natural anti-aging solutions. When added to your skincare, this little green stick plant harvests intense hydration, skin cell renewal and antioxidant protection. The moisturiser gives a natural radiance to all skin types, balancing out red patches, evening out skin tones and covering up blemishes. The remarks I have received since using the moisturiser have been unanimous – my friends and colleagues are convinced I am sneaking away on holiday every weekend! The moisturiser keeps me looking bronzed and radiant without that fake orange tinge and blackhead syndrome. This is the perfect moisturiser for those who are looking for an entirely natural, gracefully light, SPF containing coverage that doesn’t clog, block or cake. Eye Serum An eye serum that is hydrating, rejuvenating, nourishing and totally natural all for the price of £8.99? Yeap, Dr. Organic’s Hemp Oil Intensive Eye Serum is one of the best priced eye serums on the market, with the added bonus that its ingredients are plant based! The eye serum contains olive leaf extract which has been clinically proven to have strong anti-aging and anti-wrinkle effects and the Jujube Seed Extract promises to support the slowing down of cellular skin aging. However, the serum is not only targeted for anti-aging skin, it also works on de-puffing fatigued eyes and diminishing dark under eye circles. This DR Organic serum is a perfect addition to your daily skincare regime and is a girl’s saviour on those tough mornings when the beauty sleep department has been less than satisfactory! Concealer Nude by Nature is new to our makeup bags, but oh-my is their stuff pretty! These Aussie products are bringing glamour to the world of natural make up, with rose gold packaging and beautiful detailing. Their concealer is by far the best natural product we have sampled. The creamy, liquid emulsion is heavy on coverage but light on finish, camouflaging even the most fatigued eyes. Suffering from purple bag syndrome, I trialled the concealer on a moody Monday morning, and the result was bright, puff-free, fresh as a daisy eyes to tackle the day. The concealer is also ideal for covering blemishes, puffiness and red patches. All of the Nude by Nature products are enhanced with vitamins, natural oils and fruit extracts to boost antioxidants in the facial cells, leading to an overall increase in vivacity and natural beauty. Foundation ILIA is the supermodel of the natural make-up brands – elegant packaging, trend breaking colours and state of the art formulas alongside unparalleled performance, has sent them to the top of their league. Their super slick branding and packaging (which is all organic!) has won over many non-natural make up wearers, and is even a favourite of the popular Miss Deliciously Ella. Each of their products is made with a minimum of 85% organic ingredients and all are entirely vegan. Of all the ILIA make up products we have used, their Vivid Foundation has to be our favourite staple. The foundation contains coconut oil which gives the skin a freshly nourished appearance that lasts all day. ILIA have also added a secret ingredient from the forests of Chios, a Greek island, which they claim is what gives the foundation that pore reducing result. The foundation glides on lightly and can be delicately built up to offer full matte coverage or blended with a moisturiser to offer just a hint of radiant luminosity. Bronzer and Powder The winner of last year’s Best Foundation by The UK Green Parent Natural Beauty Awards, the Inika mineral foundation powder and bronzer duo are unsurpassed when it comes to coverage and finish. Start your habitual beautification with the mineral foundation powder, that only needs a dusting to achieve that flawless, photo-ready canvas. The powder is made from 100% natural ingredients, including Titanium and Zinc Oxide, which provide a natural SPF coverage. The powder is suitable for those who suffer from red-tainted skin conditions or break outs, as the formula is pacifyingly gentle. The Inika bronzer isn’t your run of the mill glow with a bit of glitter. The bronzer itself offers ample coverage to be used alone as a tinted powder. Combined with the Inika mineral foundation, it kisses all the right places with a touch of radiance, bestowing that fresh of the boat tan or that contoured catwalk cheekbone. Lipstick and Lipgloss Forget that clumpy, lack lustre reputation that many natural lipsticks and lip-glosses have developed. Benecos lipsticks are formulated with a blend of Sunflower oil, Beeswax and organic Jojoba – a far cry from those unreadable chemicals you can find on the spine of your lipsticks. Our favourite for spring is their shade of Peach, which serves up a subtle summer shimmer and fights off any chapped lips that may still be lingering from the cold winter months. For a day to night transition, I have been topping their lipstick with a hint of their nourishing Flamingo pink lip gloss to vamp up our pout with some truly natural glossiness.
Kale Enzymatic Exfoliator
Pai Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask
Skincere Day and Night Cream
Manuka Doctor Facial Oil
Green People Tinted DD Moisturiser
Dr Organic Hemp Oil Intensive Eye Serum
Nude by Nature Perfecting Concealer
ILIA Vivid Foundation
INIKA Mineral Foundation Powder SPF15 and Bronzer
Benecos Lipsticks
