Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of what they put into their bodies. It started with a desire for foods without chemicals, especially for their children, whose little bodies might react adversely even to small amounts of artificial ingredients. Then people clamored for cleaner air and water— to the point where we’re paying upwards of $6 for a liter of bottled water! Now there is a growing concern over chemicals in our cosmetics. What, exactly, are all those hard-to-pronounce ingredients in our skin cream, shampoo, soap and more? That is something consumers are asking more and more, as they turn to products made with oils and extracts from nature.
[soft skin]
>> Acure Body Lotion: Lemongrass + Moroccan Argan Oil
This cream, which is softening and moisturizing, is vegan, paraben free, sulfate free, cruelty free, gluten free and has no synthetic fragrance. All these features put it squarely in the ‘natural’ category. The scent is light and lemon-y, thanks to essential oils of rosemary, lavender and lemongrass.
$10 at Whole Foods
[don’t forget the hair]
>> Andalou Naturals: Lavender & Biotin Shampoo
The first body care company to be 100-percent certified free of GMOs, these products include Aloe Vera as the first ingredient, which is known to increase and retain hydration levels. The lavender oil is calming, and the biotin is a B vitamin that creates stronger hair.
$10 at Whole Foods
[the short list]
>> Kind Natural Artisan Soap: Bulgarian Rose
From our own local soap purveyor in Webster Groves, this bar smells amazing and lists only a handful of ingredients, mostly olive, coconut, palm, sunflower, soy and geranium oils, goat milk and shea butter. It’s softening and dreamy-smelling in the shower. And Kind products were included in celebrity gift bags at the Emmys! Way to go!
$7 per bar at Whole Foods
[squeaky clean]
>> Nourish Organic: Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser
This one’s a gentle cleanser that washes impurities without drying or irritating the face. The vitamins enrich, and the cucumber acts as an antioxidant. Technically ‘unscented,’ it does have a ‘green’ odor from the watercress that takes some getting used to. After all, we’re spoiled by all those odoriferous—and artificial— perfumes in commercial products.
$14 at Whole Foods
[the eyes have it]
>> MyChelle Dermaceuticals: Fabulous Eye Cream
Especially for this most sensitive of facial areas, you want something mild and ‘clean.’ Using Edelweiss plant stem cells, this cream inhibits collagen breakdown, purporting to reduce wrinkles after only 20 days. Hyaluronic acid, long recognized as beneficial for the face, firms the skin.
$30 at Whole Foods
Photo by Bill Barrett