Browsing: health

Winter weather causing you grief?  Do you have chapped hands and face from harsh winds and plummeting temperatures?

Fear not, natural and organic skincare company, Herbfarmacy will come to the rescue – with their luscious range of herb-based products, all homegrown here in the UK!

Read the rest of Herbfarmacy to the Rescue for Dry Winter Skin »

It hasn’t passed our notice here at EthicalSuperstore  that two of our most popular blog topics have been regarding the poignant question of ethical beauty products – skincare, hair care, make up and make up removers that don’t cost the earth are right up there at the top of many peoples’ priority lists.

Whether it’s a guilty secret or one of your greatest pleasures, everyone loves to pamper themselves every now and again. This might involve a quiet moment with a book or an indulgence in your favourite sweet treat rather than a face-mask or a luxury body scrub, but for myself personally, I enjoy nothing better after a hard day than enjoying a nice hot bubble bath, beautifully scented and wonderfully relaxing.

With so many different beauty and skincare products on the market it’s often hard to know which way to turn. We all know by now that we ought to avoid phalates, sodium lauryl sulphates and other nasties (worryingly still found in many mainstream brands of skincare and cosmetics), however where do you go from there? Do you buy natural products, or only opt for those with certifiably organic ingredients? Do you stick to vegan-friendly pampering, or is it more an issue of avoiding animal cruelty that is at the top of your list?

But there has been one glaring omission in the market which has puzzled me on several occasions. One type of pamper product that has been conspicuously absent from both specialist and supermarket shelves is Fairtrade Labelled skin treats – up until now.

We are delighted to be able to unleash Fairtrade Labelled Bubble & Balm onto our shelves today – this delightful new ethical skincare range has been developed in conjunction with the Fairtrade Foundation, and is set to transform my own pampering sessions, as well as do great things leading the march in the world of cosmetics.

Bubble & Balm looks great in its stylish silver pots and bottles, and each potion and lotion smells fabulous too. But much, much more than this, the message given by the Fairtrade Mark is that the producers working alongside Bubble & Balm are getting a great deal, which says a lot both about the company, and about the people who buy these products and support this Fairtrade cosmetic pioneering first.

Whether it’s Fairtrade Shea Butter sourced from a producer co-operative in Burkino Faso, or Fairtrade Cocoa Butter from a small-scale farmer co-operative in the Dominican Republic which tempts you first, these products give you the best of both worlds – these moisturisers, body oils and bath salts are naturally produced, using natural ingredients, and come with the world’s leading Fairtrade Certification too.

We’d love to know how you find Bubble & Balm, and what your take is on expanding the Fairtrade Labelling system to cover an ever-growing range of products. Will Fairtrade Labelling for skincare and pampering products change your priorities when you’re making your own purchases? I know it’s certainly something which will change my habits.

So next time you have a ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall…’ moment, take a moment to think about it…who IS the fairest of the all???

Nvey Eco Selection Box

The party season is almost upon us and we all want to look our best; however as the cold weather draws in, memories of summer holidays and healthy looking sun-kissed skin are but a vague memory. We’ve all heard the clichés and deep down we know that beauty is only skin deep, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be looking after it – after all, your skin plays a crucially important role in protecting all that’s inside from all that’s on the outside.

According to the Green Beauty Bible, as many as 63% of us have sensitive skin. This is partially due to the chemicals in our environment, an enormous global issue to be addressed internationally. However the other significant contributing factor is the sheer number of chemicals that we consume voluntarily ourselves, rubbing, massaging and dusting them into our pores in the guise of moisturisers, concealers, lipsticks and eyeshadows to name but a few of the culprits.

The cruel irony is that a huge majority of the beauty and skin nourishing products on the market today sold to improve our skin are in fact packed full of chemicals and synthetic ingredients which just aren’t good for us. After much negative press coverage, the majority of more savvy cosmetic companies have realised that paraben-free products are the way forwards, however it shouldn’t stop there.

Read the rest of Natural beauty, healthy skin »

Lawrence and his beets

When approached by a team of professors heralding the benefits of his beetroot juice, Lawrence Mallinson from James White Drinks was skeptical. However, his drink could be just what is needed to offer a natural alternative to lower blood pressures…

Read the rest of Beetroot Juice and Blood Pressure »