Natural beauty brands have been paving the way for a more eco-conscious market for years, and with more consumers looking for organic and natural beauty products than ever before, the category is well and truly flourishing.
Whether you’re looking to reduce your environmental footprint, or are after a more transparent ingredients list, these 10 brands are leading the way when it comes to natural beauty.
Australian made and owned, Sukin offers an extensive range of naturally effective and affordable skin, hair and body care. Displaying a strong commitment to minimal environmental impact, Sukin products are certified carbon neutral and contain no sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, artificial colours, triethanolamine, EDTA, mineral oils or parabens.
At Weleda, beauty is not something that is made in a lab; it is something that is cultivated right from the earth. Ingredients are either grown in its biodynamic gardens or sourced through fair trade partnerships around the world. All Weleda products are free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colourants and raw materials derived from mineral oils, as well as genetically modified organisms. The brand was also recently chosen as the most sustainable cosmetics brand by consumers in Germany, as part of the cosmetics 2019 sustainability study compiled by Facit Research.
Glow Lab’s offering is based on solid research with New Zealand women to discover what their ultimate natural skincare range would be. The results ended in a product range that answered customer demand with scientifically-proven active ingredients to deliver effectiveness women crave in a natural product range; formulated with rapid absorption rates to remove any greasy after feel; natural ingredients and elegant, natural fragrances; free from parabens, sulphates, silicones and other nasties; cruelty-free, vegan and palm oil friendly; and proudly New Zealand made.
Snowberry was purchased by global beauty giant Procter & Gamble, a testament to the company’s innovative and effective use of natural ingredients and gold standard clinical trials. The Intensive Renewal Face Serum contains a peptide power pack called eProlex that helps to decrease sagging in ageing skin, stimulate new collagen and increase radiance.
NATRUE certified natural and organic skincare and makeup, Dr. Hauschka's products bring balance to all skin conditions, for healthy and radiant skin. More recently, the organic castor oil used in Dr. Hauschka products has now also been certified as ‘Fair for Life’, a seal used to denote products from socially responsible, environmentally friendly and fair trade sources. As well as helping to ensure a sustainable livelihood for its cultivation partners, Dr. Hauschka aims to contribute to improving infrastructures for education, water supply and healthcare.
Living Nature was founded in 1987 by Suzanne Hall, who was inspired by the healing properties of New Zealand native plants to remedy her own skin conditions. All the certified natural skincare and most cosmetics are made at the company’s purpose-built Kerikeri facility in the pristine Bay of Islands. One of the only natural brands to do a beautiful base, the Illuminating Foundation gives a light, sheer finish with gentle pearlesence. It gives your complexion a soft radiance and minimises the appearance of fine lines - Manuka Honey and natural oils give nourishment and pure minerals provide the soft healthy glow.
She’s the natural lipstick queen who has perfected the formula for long-lasting, vibrant lipsticks and pencils made from nourishing avocado oil, evening primrose oil, candelilla, carnauba wax, cinnamon and sweet orange. Plus, the canisters are made from corn resin and compost themselves within 100 days of being buried.
Trilogy was not only the first New Zealand skincare brand to achieve NATRUE Natural Cosmetics Certification in 2012 but also the first in the country to achieve carbon neutral certification in 2007. With focus on creating concentrated, effective formulas that are made with the purest plant oils and botanical extracts, they are most known for their best-selling Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, with one bottle of it sold every 20 seconds. From supporting wildlife habitat preservation to empowering women locally and globally, Trilogy also takes social responsibility seriously. Their range is not limited to rosehip oil; this year the brand launched its potent, fresh and certified natural vitamin C collection to visibly brighten and illuminate the skin.
This small skincare brand produces natural remedies for sensitive and eczema prone skin. Made in Nelson, New Zealand, peony root is the brand's star ingredient, which founders Dot and Georgia discovered was the cure for their son's own eczema. Ideal for healing all types of problematic skin, Pure Peony only uses natural ingredients from New Zealand.
All Linden Leaves products are made (many by hand) with high quality, natural ingredients and essential oil blends. Every product in the natural skincare range is certified by NATRUE as a natural cosmetic, guaranteeing no chemical nasties, irradiation or animal testing. Aromatherapy Synergy In Love Again Body Oil is perfect for use after bathing instead of a moisturiser.
Words: Aja Walter and Emma Gordon
