BEAUTIFY: Au Naturelle

With the surge of all things natural and organic in fashion, food and even furniture, it seems only natural (ahem) that beauty follows suite. The main issue with products full of chemicals is that anything you put on your skin (or even your hair!) is absorbed into your blood stream within seconds, and a bloodstream full of chemicals you can’t even pronounce is not the way forward. With more and more organic and natural beauty brands popping up, we thought we’d give you the low down on the best ones around.

Top of the list: Pai, Oskia and Ole Henriksen. Formulated with sensitive and allergy-prone skin, Pai carefully selects ingredients with proven remedial and skin soothing properties and free of irritating chemicals and alcohol. Each product is unique (and amazing) and our favourite of the bunch is the Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil – which suits every skin type and is the ultimate multi tasking product. It conditions, soothes, helps breakouts (by boosting the skins natural healing process) and improves elasticity. And all this for £20, you can’t go wrong.

In the last few years some incredible technological advances in the science of natural skincare and natural ingredients, and no longer does using ‘natural’ mean that you are compromising on efficacy. And that’s just what Oskia does: create products that work whilst being all natural. Just try their famous Renaissance Mask and try and not be blown away with the results. It packs a punch with boosting radiance, increasing cell turnover and leaves your complexion smooth and illuminated.

Ole Henriksen was a surprise discovery for me as a ‘natural’ brand- and that goes to show just how effective these products are. Full of alpha hydroxy acids (yes, those are natural AND good for your skin!) plus a load of nourishing and remineralizing vitamins and botanicals help to hydrate the deepest layers of the skin, the Invigorating Night Gel will make waking up with bright & luminous skin the easiest trick in the book.

Another all natural overnight treatment is the V-Cense Revitalising Night Cream from REN, who promise to use only 100% plant and mineral derived actives and is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients- and the proof is in the pleasure and performance of their products. As you know, we’re big fans.

A Hydrating Super Mask that works wonders- even if just left on for 10 minutes. Oh, and it’s all natural, smells divine, lasts for days (and highly addictive). In fact, all of Willow Organic’s products work whilst targeting ageing and sensitive skin.

Words and photography- Emma Hoareau