Organic Skincare: Which products and why

Shake up your beauty regime with our pick of some of the best natural and organic products around. 

If you have sensitive skin (or even if you don’t), choosing a natural or organic cleanser is a great idea. Free of preservatives, fragrance and alcohol, which can dry out and irritate the skin (especially when you consider you use it twice a day), they still offer the same ultra-cleansing benefits to remove your daily build-up of make-up and grime. We love Neal’s Yard Remedies Power Berry Facial Cleanser, £14.80, which packs a potent antioxidant punch (including acai berries, goji berries and rosehips) and is formulated with plant-based detergents and aloe vera to provide skin-softening nourishment without any harsh chemicals.

Oils are a mainstay in many regimes, are the perfect way to dip your toe in the natural skincare market and are ideal for soothing irritated or inflamed skin. One of our favourites has to be Rodin’s Olio Russo Facial Oil, £96 (at cultbeauty.co.uk) – the shining star in creator Linda Rodin’s all-natural range of luxury oil-based products. Formulated with a blend of 11 essential oils and nothing else (including jasmine, neroil and argan), the products moisturise and nourish the skin beautifully leaving it dewy, plump and perfectly primed for make-up.

Free from artificial ingredients and any chemical nasties, Spiezia Organics’ range of products are not only certified organic but help improve the soil fertility and sustainability of the natural resources used. The Organic Intensive Moisturiser, £42.95, allows skin breathe despite being rich and luxurious, while still working on hydrating and brightening your complexion (that’s thanks to the carrot oil). A little goes a long way too, so you only need a pea sized amount every night. 

Finding a shampoo that cleans efficiently and lathers well, but without the usual chemical sulphates was an impossible find – until now. Liz Earle’s Botanical Shine Shampoos and Conditioners (from £8.50) do just that and are free from SLS-SLES (the foaming agents that are traditionally used in hair care), which can irritate sensitive scalps. The range, which now includes treatments too, are packed with botanical ingredients like shea butter and red algae extract to improve shine, manageability and the overall health of your hair. Think of them as the hair care equivalent of the brand’s infamous Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.

If you don’t want to put synthetics or artificial ingredients on your face, you might want to think about applying the same philosophy to your body care too. John Masters Organics is a brand that believes caring for the planet and our bodies don’t have to be mutually exclusive – the range uses specially grown and harvested organic and natural ingredients from expert farmers all over the world. One of our favourites includes the Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Milk, £18, which hydrates dry skin and soothes with a blend of aloe vera and arnica.