Brand Story: Zao

Zao create premium certified organic, 100% natural, vegan, cruelty free, sustainable and refillable makeup.

Zao makeup is owned by Cosm’Eika France and was co-founded in 2012 by four friends, David Reccole, Phillipe Donnat, Yvan Rouvier and Salima Macozzi Reccole. All four friends love nature and are passionate and conscious of the impact of consumption on the environment.

This is where the idea of Zao came from. The brand was created to align with the strong values of its owners where there was a passion for creating the first rechargeable makeup brand. It was important that the products were 100% natural and because of this they were also certified organic by Ecocert.

Continue reading Brand Story: Zao

How Mineral Sun Cream Protects your Skin

We all know that it’s important to get out in the sun as much as possible to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D and increase seratonin levels. It’s equally important to use sun protection every day to stop your skin absorbing harmful rays and to protect against burning whilst reducing the risk of skin disease or cancer.

You can protect your skin by covering up as much as possible while outside and seeking the shade. It’s also important to use sunscreen every day to limit the damage done by the sun. It’s a common myth that people with darker skin don’t need to use as much or any sun cream – this is absolutely not the case as sun cream is the only thing that can protect your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Mineral sun cream is a great way to protect your skin if you prefer products with fewer ingredients. Regular sun cream is made with ingredients that protect your skin by absorbing the suns rays, whereas mineral sun cream reflects them. Mineral sun creams are made with zinc oxide and titanium oxide, and offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays – which is something you definitely want from your sun protection.

Traditionally people didn’t like using mineral sun cream because it left white residue on their skin. This isn’t the case anymore, advances in technology have meant the mineral particles can be just as effective at a smaller size and are no longer visible.

If you want to give mineral sun cream a try, have a look at our ranges from natural beauty brand Green People, Alba Botanica, We Love the Planet and Shade for some zero waste options too.

Brand Story: Milly & Sissy

Milly & Sissy produce a range of unique powdered beauty products where you simply need to add water to activate them.

Milly & Sissy was founded by good friends Milly and Sissy who both have a passion for animals and the environment. Milly has had a career working in the health and beauty industry and has lived abroad in Asia and Europe. Sissy lives in the Midlands with her family and growing number of animals which includes sheep, guinea pigs, dogs, cats and horses. Combining their passion and talents they were able to create the Milly & Sissy brand. They are always looking for ways to improve our way of living that will have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. They believe that every single person can make a difference based on the small changes that we can make to our lifestyles.

Their aim is to try and reduce our negative impact on the environment.

Continue reading Brand Story: Milly & Sissy

How to Build an Organic Summer Night Skin Care Regime – Green People

Charlotte Vøhtz was a pioneer for the organic skin care industry when she launched her beauty brand Green People back in 1997, but it was on turning 50 that she started to formulate her signature Age Defy+ by Cha Vohtz range, to address the needs of mature skin.

Here she guides us through the most effective organic ingredients for building a natural, anti-ageing summer night skin care routine.

Continue reading How to Build an Organic Summer Night Skin Care Regime – Green People

Ethical Christmas shopping guide – Great gifts for her

Here at Natural Collection we’re all about the holiday season. We also sympathise with those among you who are absolutely useless at Christmas shopping – me being one of them. Personally, I’ll just ask for links to things people want and that’s that, but really, there’s nothing surprising about being bought something you specifically asked for.

Thoughtful gifts are the best ones, and luckily we’re stocked up to the gills with thoughtful, ethical gifts for her that’ll help spread the cheer on Christmas morning. Here’s a breakdown of just some of the items that would make a great pressie for that special girl (be it your friend, girlfriend or even your mum). Continue reading Ethical Christmas shopping guide – Great gifts for her

How Important is Sun Protection?

The weather might not know it yet, but it’s almost Summer! I know it’s true the temperature doesn’t really get very high here in the UK, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays! If your sun care often slips, learn why it’s important here. Continue reading How Important is Sun Protection?

Summer Skin Care Tips

As the weather changes, so too should our skin care routines. What is good for your skin in the cold months isn’t necessarily beneficial in the summer. Using natural, organic skin care products is so much better for you as there are no potentially harmful chemicals in the products that will be absorbed into your body. Continue reading Summer Skin Care Tips

Natural care for dry skin

We have a handy guide to caring for dry skin, courtesy of our friends at Green People. For people with dry skin, sometimes using an everyday moisturiser isn’t enough, no matter how rich the ingredients are – I have personal experience with this, and know that caring for dry skin can be pretty time-consuming, and upsetting when nothing seems to work. One of my favourite brands, Green People were actually formed by founder Charlotte Vøhtz when her young daughter Sandra was battling skin allergies and eczema. Continue reading Natural care for dry skin

MADE SAFE by Natracare

Back in February, Natracare became the first Brand with MADE SAFE™ certified pads, tampons, maternity pads and nursing pads. This is a new certification to show which products are made with ingredients that are safe for you, and when you look at what’s in a regular pad or tampon you realise just why the MADE SAFE™ certification is important. Continue reading MADE SAFE by Natracare