Skincare for a Clean Conscience: 5 Local Brands You Should Know About
Skin. It’s our biggest organ. This means it’s pretty damn important, but for some reason we often don’t seem to put too much thought into what we’re using on it. When you consider that 60% of everything you lather on your skin is absorbed into your bodies, it can be pretty alarming to know that almost all conventional beauty brands contain some sort of synthetic chemicals, fragrances and preservatives, which are also proven to be endocrine disruptors, skin irritants and potential carcinogens!
In the last few years, the organic skincare market has exploded as people have started to realise the importance of their skincare decisions. As a result, there are tonnes of new brands and cool start-ups doing the right thing and popping up to support the demand for safe and natural skincare products.
I absolutely LOVE these 5 standout local skincare brands that are focused on cruelty free, natural beauty!
“Our philosophy is that your skin is better off with products that only contain the quality ingredients it needs - nothing less, nothing more.”
Dr. Roebucks was dreamt up by 2 sisters from Sydney, who suffered as children from severe dry skin and eczema. With 2 doctor parents heading up the household, they managed to come up with a one-of-a-kind formula by removing skincare ingredients, instead of adding them. The sisters are animal advocates, so no bunnies (or roos) are ever harmed in the making of their products.
Why do I love this brand? Aside from the obvious, this brand has named their products after iconic Aussie places or phrases. Check them out!
100% free from sulfates, parabens, synthetic colours, petrochemicals and fragrances, cruelty free, vegan – shall I continue? The Amperna range is super gentle – it has been designed for all skin types and has been tested on eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea and acne prone skin.
Why do I love this brand? I love that this brand differentiates themselves with the use of their active probiotic complex. With the skin our largest organ, it’s so important to keep the bacteria in balance, and this ingredient does just that!
Botanicals by Luxe is ethically sourced using only sustainable, natural and skin safe ingredients. Australian made and owned, the range is filled with botanicals, plant extracts and active components. The owner teamed up with a cosmetic scientist to formulate a natural, yet still active range. It’s a nature-meets-science kind of approach.
Why do I love this brand? This brand is made in small batches. I just think there’s something so ‘homemade’ about that. Oh, and they have $6 flat rate shipping!
To survive in some of the harshest places on earth, Australian native botanicals intelligently store high concentrations of antioxidants and vitamins. Retreatment Botanics captures these active compounds to deliver extracts with the highest concentration of antioxidants and vitamins. They also have a wellness spa near Byron Bay where you can go to indulge yourself (and to try out their products of course).
Why do I love this brand? Founded by Olivia Newton John, this brand also supports her ONJ Cancer and Wellness Centre. Enough said.
This brand hails from our closest neighbour, New Zealand (I mean it’s close enough to count as local, right?). They are an innovative, scientific, organic beauty brand which sources ingredients locally and extracts them from raw plant ingredients.
Why do I love this brand? Antipodes certified organic products have their ingredient percentages on the labels making it abundantly clear what we are using on our skin. The products also come in recyclable packing, so you can save the environment and your skin at the same time.
For me, this statement sums up precisely what is important to consider in terms of skincare: You don’t have to compromise your ethics in order to achieve glowing skin. Basically, if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin.
Know of other local brands supporting green and natural initiatives? Please let me know in the comments below. I love supporting brands who are producing ethically made and chemical free products – help get these on my radar!
Dara x