I’m the first to admit that I’m no Eco warrior – I wear leather, I eat meat (I’ve even been known to visit McDonalds from time to time) and although financial constraints mean that we rarely have more than one or two holidays a year, we usually travel by air when we do go away. Increasingly, however, I find myself buying organic and/or locally sourced food produce and, having worked in the fashion industry, I prefer to buy my clothes from retailers who (at least claim to) have measures in place to ensure a sustainable supply chain.
Recently, after reading this post on The Everyday Spa blog, I started questioning what’s in the products we use on our skin and hair. As luck would have it, I came across the post at the same time as my shampoo and other beauty paraphernelia were running out so I decided to try some brands that don’t list any of the nasties in their ingredients.
The shower gel and body lotion from REN (which incidentally means ‘clean’ in Swedish!) are gorgeous and last for ages. Since its launch in 2000 REN has become a cult favourite amongst beauty editors and consumers and is now available in department stores, pharmacies and spas in over 50 countries around the world. The brand uses only 100% plant and mineral derived actives and is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients such as synthetic fragrance, petrolatum, sulfate detergents and parabens.
I have written previously about Estelle & Thild and I cannot recommend their products highly enough. While the Bergamot shampoo does not lather as much as my regular shampoo, it left my hair feeling clean and smelling delicious. The Baby & Child shampoo has been a big hit with the kids – again, as with the REN products a little goes a long way.
The products are a bit more pricey than what you’ll find on the high street (particularly the supermarkets) but as I don’t use a huge number of hair and skincare products, I can live with that.
So now, over to you – do you ever look at the list of unpronounceable ingredients on your shampoo or shower gel and wonder what on earth you are putting on your body? Or are there, in your view, more important things to worry about?
A Spoonful of Style 
While there are more important things to worry about, I enjoy the challenge of finding personal care products that make me happy. Often, “clean” or “organic” products are happy-making products in that they do the job and smell and feel lovely. I’m not convinced that all products with unpronounceable ingredients are detrimental to my body and I don’t see my decision to purchase such products as morally superior, it’s just that if the product itself is superior (in scent, texture, outcome, etc.) and I have the means to splurge, I’m grateful and fortunate to do so 🙂
Thanks for your comment. I agree wholeheartedly. X
I check when I use something on Zoárd but not for myself. I think I am already very, very healthy. One thing less to think about I guess. Equals laziness?! 😛
xoxo, Eszter
http://kukolina.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/i-am-eating-meat-again-after-17-years/
Lazy, you? Never! Great to hear from you, I will pop over and catch up on your blog in a second. Hope Zoard had a fab birthday! X
I like the natural trend, but I feel that the GMO food we are putting into our bodies is much more harmful than hair care. But I love reading all the reviews, I’m just not super worried about chemicals. After all, I breathe in air filled with pollution. How can that be any better 🙂
~Anna
I agree. I think maybe because the air is so full of pollution and we can;t control that, it is nice to have some control of what we put in (and on) our bodies and the products we have in our home. X
Awesome post. I really love using my REN products every day as well as the couple of other brands I’ve discovered that are equally vigilant about what they put in to their products. Initially it was a bit of effort to unearth brands that are free of chemical nasties but, once you’ve done that initial research, there’s no need to think twice about what to buy when you run out of something. Easy peasy.
Thank YOU – it was your post that opened my eyes to it and inspired me to try seek out ‘purer’ products. Which other brands have you tried? I got some REN shower gel and body lotion for Christmas but my shampoo is almost running out (my husband keeps using it as well!) X
You are so welcome. I’ve found a few great brands that I love using. I’m not sure how widely available they are but I use Eco Store products for cleaning my house and washing my clothes, dishes and hands, http://www.ecostore.co.nz/. I’ve also tried San Ceuticals products which are really lovely, http://sansceuticals.com/collection/ And also Kevin Murphy for my hair care, http://www.kevinmurphy.com.au/home.php I hope you find something you’ll like, somehow it feels so much nicer to use things you know are completely good for you. Thanks so much for the shout out too. X
Very informative!
Thank you. X
Well I wear leather as well & I admit I love it . And nothing feels better on the feet like a good pair leather shoes.
Love my leather jackets equally.
But l’ m going to say that although I do agree that it is very important to pay attention to what eat & wear & save energy e.t.c, the fact is we can hardly control everything .
I came across Fair Trade several years ago & since then I buy only fair trade products as far as I can & I do have started to avoid meat since some time & changed my cooking habits. I’m not a100% veggie yet but 99% & I do feel better than ever .
My daughters have noticed the change as well.
Less chemistry is better definitely & no animal testing extremely important.
It is a long way still to go .
Well done on changing your eating habits! I would like to try to that as well (I was a veggie in my teens and early 20s) but my husband is a real ‘meat and two veg’ person so as a compromise we eat only organic meat/fish (and not loads of it as it is more expensive) and hardly any red meat. I think that because we can’t control everything it is nice to be able to control the things that you can in terms of being a more responsible consumer. Everyone has to make their own choices but I would rather spend a bit more on fewer products that I know have been responsibly sourced. X
You said it. Quality instead of quantity. And usually the organic products are fair traded as well.
Concerning men & veggies , it is a fact I think that we women are more conscious of our body and health issues. 🙂 enjoy your weekend. xx
You too. Are you spending the weekend in Germany or the UK? Xx
In Germany , in a sunny Germany with high temperatures!
A real wonder, all the windows are open and warm sun rays are flooding the house .
Unbelievable . xx
Sounds fab, make the most if it! Xx
🙂