Love green, the sole South African importer of 100% natural skincare products, Spiezia and Balm Balm, says it’s time for South African consumers to catch up to the rest of the world when it comes to caring for our bodies. Research shows the average woman applies over 200 chemicals to her skin daily via the skin care products she uses.
Furthermore, according to love green founder, Sue Rowan, “As much as sixty percent of these chemicals are further absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in chemical traces throughout the body tissues and even in secretions such as breast milk!”
Over the years, the increased amount of chemicals found in skin care products has caused people’s skins to become more reactive to environmental and internal allergies, hence an upsurge in conditions such as eczema.
“The risk of cancer and hormonal imbalance have also increased as a result of the presence of carcinogens and endocrine disruptors which are exacerbated by ’penetration enhancers’ that alter the skin structure and allow chemicals to penetrate to its deep layers,” she says. Even ‘organic and natural’ products still contain harmful preservatives, emollients, surfactants and solubilisers.
In response, the use of parabens (para-hydroxybenzoate) as preservatives in beauty products have been banned in Europe along with 1100 other chemicals. In both the USA and Canada, a list of over 23,000 chemicals that have never been tested for safety are being reviewed for use, but so far only nine chemicals have been banned from cosmetics. Even in countries where companies are required to list all ingredients on the labels of beauty products, this is of limited benefit to consumers without in-depth pharmacological knowledge.
“My advice is, if you can’t pronounce it; don’t put it on your skin!”
Going back to nature when it comes to skincare is proven to hold a variety of benefits, says Rowan. ”Natural and organic products have now developed to the point that organic products are outperforming traditional skincare brands, which is amazing because there has always been this notion that ‘Green is nice, but does it work?’”
Furthermore, as the way that 1100% organic products are made tends to be more environmentally friendly than those that use hazardous chemicals, the positive impact of ‘going green’ in the beauty department reaches much further than just one’s skin.
”It’s all about making choices that not only contribute to one’s own health, but that also contribute to the wellbeing of other people and the world we live in,” concludes Rowan.
Spiezia is the original 100% organic skincare brand, having helped to pioneer Soil Association Accreditation for beauty products in the UK. All Spiezia products are handmade in Cornwall, UK, with care and passion using only the highest quality of pure and natural certified organic ingredients. The entire product range can be used on all skin types, including those with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis etc. as well as during chemotherapy.
Recommended selling prices range from R140 to R800.
Balm Balm is the UK’s leading 100% Organic Skincare Company. Endorsed by the FSC, Soil Association, Leaping Bunny and Carbon Neutral Company, Balm Balm is a beautifully simple balm product that includes lip balm, face balm, baby balm, foot balm and hand balm. Balm Balm has picked up numerous awards from Britain’s leading natural bodies, notably for their baby balm, lip balm and Rose & Geranium face balm.
Recommended selling prices range from R65 to R280
STOCKISTS
Spezia
Fruits & Roots, Bryanston (011) 463 2928
Lemon & Lime Beauty Salon, Beyers Naude, Johannesburg (011) 794 6023
Organic Living, Constantia Mall, Cape Town (021) 794 5078
Wellness Warehouse, Kloof (021) 480 9500
Scarecrow Organics, Tygervalley Shopping Centre, Cape Town, (021) 994 3996
Balm Balm
Eastgate Health Shop, Eastgate Shopping Centre, Bedfordview (011) 615 6796
Greenlands Health Shop, Parkhurst (011) 880 9044
Organic Living, Constantia Mall, Cape Town (021) 794 5078
Organic Emporium, Johannesburg (011) 704 0786
Wellness Warehouse, Kloof, Cape Town (021) 480 9500
Yan Health, Bedford Centre, Johannesburg (011) 616 6338
The Good Stuff, Cavendish Square, Claremont, Cape Town (021) 674 4380
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