5 Organic skincare balms for a chemical-free routine
It’s Organic September – and it’s not just about what we eat. Beautifying ourselves in a chemical-free way is as important as eating organically.
“If we care about what we put into our bodies, the same should apply to what we use on our skin,” says Lou Green, Head of Organic at Neal’s Yard Remedies, pioneers of natural skincare.
There are plenty of brands creating small-batch skincare with quality farm-fresh, organic ingredients. A lot of the best ideas grow organically too. Writer and author of Bella Figura: How to Live, Love, and Eat the Italian Way (Bloomsbury, £14.99), Kamin Mohammadi, splits her time between London and Tuscany. “The Italians gave me a passion for good local produce,” she explains. So, she’s putting the cold-pressed olive oil from the family olive groves to good use. “It’s the first press of the young olives, making it richer in squalene, polyphenols, antioxidants and nutrients than regular oil. It’s very good for the skin,” says Kamin.
It’s the main ingredient in a hand-made balm she mixes at her kitchen table, combining it with coconut oil from Bali, organic beeswax from the Cotswolds and lavender essential oil from Greece. Originally made for friends and family, Kamin’s Magic Balm quickly found its way into the famous (and smooth) hands of Liv Tyler and Kylie Minogue – and an ever-widening circle of fans.
“It works for everything: rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, cracked heels, scars, insect bites and sunburn. I use it to melt off my make-up, I mix it with Epsom salts to use as an exfoliator, and I moisturise all over with it. One pot has replaced all my previous beauty products,” says Kamin.
As a teenager struggling with adolescent skin, Guy Morgan also began making his own skincare. Today, his organic line features oils, cleansers and masks. “My reason for going organic was not only the health benefits, but because cultivation minimises the environmental impact,” he says. The Facial Treatment Balm is made from certified organic rosehip and raspberry seed oil, rose otto oil, jojoba oil and shea butter. He recommends applying it to “slightly damp, cleansed skin at night to provide an extra hit of hydration”. It’s one balm, with many benefits.
These brands – big and small – prove we don’t have to compromise on packaging or performance to have an organic beauty regime.
ila Body Balm for Feeding Skin and Senses, £51
Guy Morgan Dagger Rose Facial Treatment Balm, £45
Montamonta x The London Honey Co. All-Purpose Balm, £10
Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm, £40
Read more from BALANCE on rejuvenating your beauty cupboard
