Super Naturals

Posted: Tuesday 16 August 2011 03:25pm

Remember when the most important question you asked when buying an organic skincare product was – how natural is it?

A significant amount of the lotions and face creams we put on our skin are absorbed, so it’s still an important query. But with many leading natural skincare brands charging prices close to those of prestige moisturisers and serums, women are also looking for visible anti-ageing results.

Mintel Beauty Innovation, one of the world’s leading beauty research companies, has even coined a new description for organic skincare that performs as well as its technology-driven competitors – Nu Naturals.

That’s why you’ve probably noticed many Australian and international skincare brands falling over themselves to convince you that their products are packed with clinically proven ingredients from antioxidants through vitamins and essential fatty acids.

It’s not a hard sell, though, in spite of the fact that many women still don’t believe that natural skincare really delivers the anti-ageing goods. All those “beauty from the pantry” articles that have been given a new lease of life on the internet are partly to blame. And, make no mistake, there are plenty of what the cosmetic industry call “salad dressing” moisturisers on sale everywhere.

But don’t forget that nature is the best scientist, says Will Evans, founder of The Purist Company, one of Australia’s most successful natural skincare companies.

Many of the ingredients used in high-tech skincare are also derived from natural sources from skin-brightening Vitamin C to Pro-Xylane, L’Oreal‘s “green chemistry” molecule, that features as the hero ingredient in many of the multinational’s brands from Lancome to Giorgio Armani.

The crucial issue to watch out for when it comes to organic skincare is bio-availability, says Evans. When choosing a naturally-based moisturiser or serum, look for a high percentage of natural active ingredients that are proven anti-ageing performers – from rosehip oil to omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids.

“Human intervention is important, too” he says. “The best anti-ageing organic skincare is a blend of the latest technology, advanced delivery systems and effective ingredients”.

Here are 10 of the best natural wonders that are as good for the environment as they are for your skin:

1. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate, RRP $59; (02 9931 8888).

Anything that promises to plump facial contours and restore the skin’s appearance by 85 per cent overnight is good news. But this silky serum is also 99 per cent naturally derived (squalane, primrose oil, Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids) and is biodynamically formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural oils for optimal repair.

2. A’kin Rose de Mai Anti-Oxidant Day Creme, $37.95 (1800 631 283)

An encapsulated time-release system releases the goodies – Vitamins A, B5, C and E and alpha lipoic acid and Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids – for 12 hours, providing long-lasting hydration and round-the-clock protection against skin-damaging free radicals.

3. Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream, $58 (adorebeauty.com.au).

Jennifer Aniston is a big fan of this German brand that has developed a cult following worldwide. The first Dr Hauschka biodynamic gardens were planted over 40 years ago and this classic bestseller has been popular for almost as long. Formulated to regenerate and restore skin functions, Rose Day Cream features organic rose oil, rosehip oil and avocado extract. A godsend for anyone with dry and sensitive skin and mature skin with a tendency to redness.

4. L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cream, $139.95 (loccitane.com.au)

Crammed with organically-grown Immortelle oil from Corsica, this light-textured cream has quickly become L’Occitane‘s best-selling anti-ageing product. Long used as a soothing and healing remedy in southern France, Immortelle helps to stimulate collagen production, boost microcirculation and protect against free radical damage. Also in the mix is myrtle essential oil to pump up vitality and radiance.

5. Kosmea Eigth Natural Wonder Revitalising Facial Serum, from $39.95 (kosmea.com.au)

This South Australian skincare brand has built up a formidable reputation in Australia and overseas for its Skin Clinic Certified 100% Organic Rose Hip Oil. For anyone suffering from dehydrated skin, this fast-acting serum combines rosehip oil with hibiscus extracts to pep up a healthy glow and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

6. Jurlique Purely White Skin Brigtening Day Cream, $65 (jurlique.com.au)

More than 60 per cent of skincare launches today are whitening and brightening products. Uneven skin tone has become the new “wrinkle” and for a fast, all-natural solution to dull skin tome look no further than Jurlique‘s Purely White range. All of the products in the line-up – Cleanser, Mist, Essence, Night Treatment and this daytime moisturiser – contain the highest levels of the brand’s VITABRIGHTKX complex. A blend of kakadu plum ( with over 50 times the Vitamin C content of oranges), licorice extract, black elder and willow bark, over 75 per cent of women who used the product regularly reported an improved evenness of skin tone. While 80 per cent said their skin looked younger and smoother.

7. Botani Rescue Acne Cream, $24.95 (botani.com.au)

Many women in their 30s and 40s suffer from adult acne caused by stress and declining hormone levels. But they don’t need abrasive anti-acne products made for teenagers that dehydrate the surrounding skin. Aussie brand Botani offers a top-notch range of treatment-focused, 100 per cent plant-based skincare, including this botanical cream that boasts a 99.9 per cent kill factor rate for acne-causing bacteria in 30 minutes without drying out the skin and making it susceptible to photo-ageing.

8. Juice Organics Nourishing System: Nourishing Cleanser, $22.95 (juiceorganics.com.au)

There’s no point using a great anti-ageing moisturiser if you strip your skin of its natural oils during the cleansing process. This soap-free cleanser is certified organic and contains the added skincare benefits of anti-oxidant-rich white grape juice, soothing aloe vera and calming botanical extracts such as calendula and chamomile.

9. Trilogy Sensitive Skin Very Gentle Moisturising Cream, $37.95 (trilogyproducts.com)

Not all natural or organic skincare products are good for sensitive skin. There’s no need to take the risk of irritating your complexion when you pick this caring moisturiser. Specifically created for easily reddened skin, it uses plant-derived hyaluronic acid to hydrate, chamomile and evening primrose to calm and antioxidant green tea to fight off ageing free radicals.

10. Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Line Smoothing Eye Cream, $44.95 (burtsbees.com)

Australians were among the first to discover this popular US-based skincare brand which claims its products “average 99 per cent natural ingredients”. This lightweight eye cream is enriched with antioxidant pomegranate and para cress to reduce the appearance of fine lines and rejuvenate sagging skin.

by Elisabeth King

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