Let’s celebrate Organic September

Happy Organic September! Every year, the Soil Association leads a month-long campaign celebrating organic practices. Whether you’re doing it for the planet, for animal welfare or just for your own wellbeing, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

What does organic really mean?

There’s no single element that defines organic farming – rather, it’s a whole system of principles and methods. Many people believe it means using no pesticides whatsoever, but that isn’t quite true.

The use of toxic chemical pesticides is prohibited, along with the likes of growth hormones and GMOs. But certain natural alternatives, like spearmint oil or citronella, are permitted under certain circumstances.

Typically, organic farmers will use compost or manure as a natural fertiliser, along with methods like crop rotation.

What are the benefits?

Food that’s been produced organically is generally thought to be healthier and tastier than non-organic, but the benefits run a lot deeper than that. Organic farming results in healthier soil, greater biodiversity, and better conditions for farm animals.

Pollinators particularly thrive on organic land. The declining bee population is one of the most serious issues we currently face as a species, with pesticides and herbicides being a leading cause – organic farming is helping to fight it.

Organic beauty

Beauty products are one area where organic ingredients are especially important. In addition to environmental concerns, it’s natural to be wary about what you’re applying to your skin, and beauty products often come with a long, daunting list of mysterious ingredients.

Organic ingredients are typically more recognisable, and they also tend to be safer for people with allergies. It’s no wonder that people are being drawn to organic cosmetics in greater and greater numbers.

Our offers

At Natural Collection we’re committed to bringing you the highest quality organic products all year round. But it wouldn’t be Organic September without a few special offers. Here are just some of the deals we’re bringing you:

Buy One Get One Half Price on the entire Aloe Dent and Aloe Pura ranges, to take care of your skincare and dental hygiene needs.

20% off all Weleda and Dr Organic products.

All Organyc products come with a free sample pack of Cotton Pads with Wings – or buy something from our makeup or cleanser categories and receive a complimentary pack of Natracare makeup wipes.

So, it’s easier than ever to be environmentally conscious when shopping. Get involved today.

How to tell if your herbal hair colour really IS natural or not

It’s Pure shine a light on the realities of whether your hair colour really is natural or not. Read on to find out exactly what to look out for.

The trend towards natural beauty products

Over the past few years, many people have switched their beauty regimes to natural. This includes everything from lipstick to moisturiser, and especially hair dye. Thousands of monthly searches for terms like ‘natural hair dye’ are fuelled by concerns over allergies, hair and scalp health, as well as the environment.

It’s great that so many people are seeking healthier and more eco-friendly hair colour. However, it can be difficult to understand what is truly “natural” and what is simply “greenwashing”.

The reality of store-bought hair dyes

75% of UK home hair colour purchases are made in major stores and supermarkets. But how many brands sold by major British stores are all natural?

The answer is none.

All the hair dye brands on the store shelves contain some artificial chemicals and most of them contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a known irritant and allergen.

It’s Pure hair dye ran a survey with a nationally representative panel and found that up to 31% of people who had purchased hair dye from major British stores thought their product was natural. Sadly, even most British health food stores do not sell truly natural hair dye. The only place to buy truly natural hair dye in Britain is online.

It’s Pure hair colours are sold online at Natural Collection.

Certification: The key to truly natural products

The only way to be sure a product is truly natural or organic is to look for some kind of certification. It’s Pure is certified by the Soil Association, which means that every ingredient that can be grown organically (without harmful pesticides and herbicides), must be organic.

Some It's Pure ingredients shot from above.

The remaining ingredients are also subject to the strictest rules: no GMO, no harsh preservatives, no artificial fragrance, and no other harmful chemicals.

The illusion of natural products

It may look natural using green colours on the packaging, pictures of leaves and flowers, and statements like ‘inspired by nature’ or ‘free from ammonia’. These elements make the product feel entirely wholesome. However, even if your product comes in recycled packaging or is vegan, it doesn’t make it natural.

It is better for the planet to choose those options, but if your focus is hair dye ‘made with’ natural ingredients, that isn’t enough. The only way to tell for sure is to know your ingredients.

Myths about natural hair dyes

There is a myth that all hair dyes are unnatural, stemming from the idea that hair ‘needs’ certain ingredients to ‘take’ colour. This isn’t true. There’s nothing wrong with using ‘chemicals’ in beauty, as all ingredients could be classed as chemicals in one way or another.

The It’s Pure range

multiple boxes of it's pure hair dyes on a table

The It’s Pure range includes an organic clarifying pre-colour treatment made of organic minerals and essential oils. This treatment helps remove residue, silicones, and build-up from your hair. If used before dyeing, it helps the henna naturally bond with the hair much more strongly, giving a more vibrant, richer colour.

Harmful chemicals in mainstream hair colours

Mainstream hair colours use chemicals that change the hair shaft and can be damaging. These include:

PPD

PPD is used to darken the hair. In some cases, you can develop contact dermatitis reactions to PPD. Alternatively look for indigo, which comes from a plant and is a natural way to darken the hair.

Ammonia

This gives mainstream colours that eye-watering smell. It’s used to alter the outer shaft of the hair to allow the colour molecules to penetrate the hair. Instead, choose a natural, herbal colour that works by staining the hair’s pigment, like Henna which comes from the leaves of the Henna plant.

Other harmful ingredients to avoid include Tetrasodium EDTA, Resorcinol and Ethanolamine.

The truth about lightening hair naturally

If a hair dye claims to be able to dye your brown or black hair blonde, it isn’t natural. You simply cannot make your hair lighter without using bleach (hydrogen peroxide). There are no ingredients in nature that can take the colour out of your hair.

Cassia, an Ayurvedic herb used in several It’s Pure dyes, can enhance and colour blonde hair blonde, but it cannot lighten your hair.

It’s Pure: A truly natural choice

It’s Pure offers a range of certified organic, 100% natural, herbal hair colours. The ingredients are sourced ethically and are blended in the UK. They can’t lighten your hair, but there are 9 beautiful colours that will give you your natural colour or darker. Plus, the nutritious ingredients will boost your volume and shine!

Embrace spring with Waft’s floral fragrances

As spring blossoms around us, it’s time to freshen up your space with Waft Air Fresheners. And here’s some exciting news, we’re currently offering a special discount of 15% off!

The essence of spring in every spray

Step into spring with the enchanting aroma of Waft Air Fresheners, crafted with care from blends of pure essential oils and flower waters, boasting an impressive 98.5% organic composition. Among these exquisite scents, Waft Rose stands out as a customer favourite, and it’s not hard to understand why.

Waft air fresheners

More than just a scent

Roses have long been cherished for their enchanting fragrance, evoking memories of childhood gardens and romantic gestures. But did you know roses hold a plethora of positive connotations?

From happiness to joy and gratitude, the significance of roses runs deep. Aromatherapists have long praised the soothing properties of rose essential oil, known for its ability to induce calmness, alleviate stress, and promote better sleep. The psychological impact of rose fragrance is profound, uplifting our mood and filling us with optimism and happiness.

Spring into action

As spring blooms around us, it’s the perfect time to refresh our surroundings and awaken our senses. So why not treat yourself to the luxurious experience of Waft Air Fresheners?

Whether it’s to enhance your home ambiance, create a tranquil atmosphere, or simply indulge in a moment of sensory delight, let the captivating scents of Waft envelop you in a fragrant embrace.

A bouquet of scents

Waft offers a diverse range of natural air fresheners, including Lavender, Geranium, Lemongrass, and Orange. Each one approved by the Vegan Society, ensuring that your commitment to cruelty-free products aligns with your desire for a fragrant environment.

Don’t miss out on the 15% off special offer* – indulge in the essence of spring with Waft Air Fresheners and transform your space into a sanctuary of serenity and delight.

*Offer ends 23:59 Sunday 28th April 2024.

How can I be sure that my beauty product is natural or organic?

Our friends at Salt of the Earth explain what to look out for.

Did you know that your skin is the largest organ in your entire body and that what you put on it is likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream?

Alarmingly, any beauty product can be labelled as organic or natural as there is no legal standards for the use of the term. Therefore, even if it only contains 1% of natural or organic ingredients or materials, it means that it can be called organic.

Water isn’t organic

This may come as a surprise but water cannot be organic. That means that a beauty product such as roll-on deodorant which may contain lots of water, would only have a low percentage of organic or natural materials.

As a result, products labelled as organic or natural could still have lots of synthetic ingredients and have a low amount of natural or organic ingredients.

Certified organic

The exception to this is the certified organic products. These are products that are natural and organic but also guarantee environmentally sustainable sourcing and production as well as only containing natural ethos ingredients.

cosmos natural certification infographic

Infographic explaining which products don't have natural certification

With natural cosmetics rising at a fast pace, many are forgetting what it means to be natural. This has led to lots of misuse and confusion of the word and amplifies greenwashing. It also presents an issue to customers who are purchasing these products with little ways to know if the product is natural or organic.

So, to be sure, only products with independent certifications to a recognised standard guarantee that the product is genuinely organic or natural. Make sure to look out for COSMOS Organic or COSMOS Natural next time you’re shopping.

Salt of the Earth

All Salt of the Earth UK manufactured deodorants and foaming hand washes are certified as COSMOS Natural through the Soil Association. This means you can be assured their products are truly natural and free from harmful chemicals.

Products with this COSMOS Natural certification:

  • have been assessed against a rigorous, third-party standard
  • don’t contain any harmful ingredients

Products with the Soil Association COSMOS logo guarantee:

  • NO animal testing
  • NO GM ingredients
  • NO controversial chemicals
  • NO parabens and phthalates
  • NO synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances
  • NO synthetic micro plastics
  • NO harmful effects to marine life nor the wider environment when washed down the drain
soil association cosmos natural logo

This certification evaluates the entire supply chain for its environmental footprint. It involves scrutinising packaging materials and mandating the use of exclusively non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products in manufacturing facilities. Licensees are required to implement an environmental management plan aimed at minimising waste through reduction, reuse, and recycling.

To uphold these standards, all licensees undergo a rigorous yearly inspection.

Don’t be greenwashed by organic and natural claims; look for a reputable certification logo – such as COSMOS, or alternatively, ECOCERT or NATRUE which have strict certification standards too. These certifications offer a consumer guarantee for buying genuine organic and natural cosmetic products.

Shop Salt of the Earth products.

Thought’s AW20 Inspiration

Thought’s mission is to ‘live more thoughtfully’. They are committed to offering more considered choices and exist to show that there are more sustainable ways to live, dress and be. Thought continue to be leaders in slow fashion by producing classic, timeless pieces that have been designed to last.

Their AW20 collection is made up of timeless pieces that are modern, high quality and seasonless. Thought want their collections to form the foundations of any person’s wardrobe in a beautiful, yet functional way.

For this collection, they have delved into the hidden corners of women’s history for inspiration and shaped their collection around women who celebrated nature and created a legacy that can be viewed and admired today.

Continue reading Thought’s AW20 Inspiration

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

Brand Story: Olive Branch

Olive Branch is a Greek company that produce a range of products using classic Greek ingredients with a unique touch. Their olive oil is made on their family farm located in South East Crete. Not only that, they also make chunky olive tapenade, Greek mezze dips and a big range of marinated olives and antipasti.

Olive Branch was founded by Maria Koinaki. Born and raised in Crete, Maria’s family owned olive trees and as a child Maria would help with the annual olive harvest which involved hand picking fresh olives and helping her father take them to the local olive mill.

Growing up surrounded by olives, Maria decided to turn her father’s olive oil into a brand. She knew that everyone used olive oil out of the knowledge that it is good for you, but no one knows why; Maria wanted to change that.

Continue reading Brand Story: Olive Branch

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: Bambu

Bambu was founded by Jeff Delkin and Rachel Speth. For nearly 20 years Bambu’s mission has been to reduce the use and reliance on plastic by providing people with beautiful, non-toxic products made from nature. Bambu produce a range of affordable and earth-friendly products for the kitchen and home such as utensils, bowls, straws, trays, cutting boards and many more. All their products are both distinctive and contemporary and made from renewable materials.

Bambu’s products are made in China where all materials are sourced locally. They also work with local woodworkers, weavers and stitchers to hand make their products. Bambu’s products are handcrafted so that they are safe and durable that will last and can withstand even the toughest use.

Continue reading Brand Story: Bambu

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