Winter skincare: top ten eco picks

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Winter eco skincare
Clean, green beauty products for the holiday season
 

Weleda's Skin Food

This multi-tasking and heavily praised 100 per cent organic 'Skin Food' has been around since 1926. A intensely replenishing skin repair cream for dry patches (on the face and body), it can be used as a protective cream in harsh weather and is excellent for anyone regularly out-of-doors. It's probably too rich to use everyday but a good SOS to keep handy.

£6.95 (75ml)

Available from www.weleda.co.uk and from health food stores and supermarkets around the UK. Find your nearest stockist using the store locator here (at the bottom left of the page).

Spiezia Organics' cleanser

This balm-like cleanser is wonderfully aromatic, containing a blend of organic essential oils including eucalyptus, clove and clary sage.

After a long day (or night), take a small amount, rub onto your fingertips and gently massage in circular movements onto your face. To feel the full benefits leave on for 2 minutes or longer as it decongests clogged pores and gently removes any make-up (including eye make up) and pollution from the day. One pot lasts for months.

£21.55 (50ml)

Order online from www.spieziaorganics.com or 0870 850 8851
For UK stockists click here

Trevarno's Sunset Salve

An intensive night treatment salve, formulated with blended oils to nourish the skin. It contains oils of jojoba, sesame with carrot oil, olive infused with camomile, plus wheatgerm, cocoa butter and beeswax, all blended with essential oils of ylang ylang and sweet orange.

£10.50 (30ml) or £15.50 (60ml)

Available from www.trevarnoskincare.co.uk or via mail order on 01326 555977

Bamford's Organic Lip Balm

Yes, at £12 it's pricey, but it will see you through the cold, chapped winter. Infused with pink grapefruit, peppermint and arnica it's tasty, stimulating and healing and, along with its nourishing base of shea butter, it is ideal for both cold weather and nights out. 100 per cent organic, it has full certification by the Soil Association.

£12 (15ml)

Available from Liberty, Bamford stores, or online

Bentley Organics' body lotions

This Soil Association-certified range of bodycare includes a 'Balancing' body lotion with pomegranate and lemon to stimulate and purify, helping to leave skin feeling smooth and refreshed. The 'Calming' body lotion contains aloe vera hydrates and softens tired skin, maximising the calming and conditioning effects of the Chamomile and Lavender.

£3.90 (250 ml)

Available online and at selected retails. See here

Loofah soaps 

Available in lemon & honey or fragrant lavender & honey combinations, these handmade soaps contain organic vegetable glycerine, essential oils, herbs, honey, sodium olivate, shea butter and vitamin E, and can be used to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise in one step. The Egyptian-sourced loofah acts as an excellent exfoliator, while the blend of essential oils and goat's milk nourish and protect the skin.

£13.50, or £2.75 for guest soaps

Available from the Yorkshire-based ella georgia boutique shop and online at www.ellageorgiajewellery.co.uk

Neal's Yard's Geranium & Orange Massage Oil

A massage with aromatic oil is great for de-stressing, improving circulation and a general feel good factor - even if it's just for 10 minutes. Try this soothing and uplifting blend of geranium and sweet orange essential oils, combined with almond, wheatgerm and organic olive and sunflower oils at home for a cosy night in.

£10.50 (100ml)

Available from Neal's Yard stores and online at www.nealsyardremedies.com

MADARA's nourishing body cream

This rich cream deeply hydrates and softens your skin. It contains Baltic seaweed, plantain, calendula, chamomile and sea buckthorn. MADARA comes from Latvia, in the Baltic region, which has managed to preserve many unblemished and wild places, as well as a diversity of flowers and grasses that are used in MADARA products. The brand is certified according to the international ECOCERT standard.

£15 (150 ml)

For stockists: www.madara.co.uk/en/where-to-buy/

Pai's Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream

This delicately scented natural moisturiser has strong regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in anti-oxidants and Omega 3 & 6, the chamomile and rosehip work together to soothe and protect sensitive skin. It is free from parabens, propylene glycol and artifical fragrances.

£22 (30 ml)

Available from www.paiskincare.com

Green People's Vita Min Mask

A vitamin bursting, revitalising mask for normal, tired and mature skin. Made with seaweed and avocado, it contains antioxidants to protect against cell damage and is gently soothing to sensitive skin. Use as often as you like or when skin needs a boost. Scented with delicious mandarin and fairly traded bergamot oil. 92 per cent certified organic.

£10.75 (50ml)

Available at www.greenpeople.co.uk or at Whole Foods or Waitrose stores nationwide.

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Matilda Lee is the Ecologist's Consumer Affairs Editor

Laura Sevier is the Ecologist's Green Living Editor

 

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