Driven by an awareness of health, ethics, and the environment, more of us than ever are questioning what we put on to and into our bodies. As a nation, we’re shopping more consciously, veganism is at an all-time high, and we’re demanding more transparency from brands. Searches for "clean beauty" increased by 270%* over the last 10 years, and new stats reveal that experts predict the global natural and organic product market to soar to £40bn ($54bn) by 2027.**
But with beauty buzz words like ‘green’, ‘clean’, ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ used a lot in the industry, it’s hard to keep up with which are genuine clean brand beauty claims, and which are greenwashing tactics.
Tor Berry, Brand Manager from Organic Works, lifts the lid on what you really need to know about clean beauty and how you can make simple tweaks to clean up your beauty regime…
What is clean beauty?
Although there is no official definition for ‘clean beauty’, most of us in the industry would agree that it refers to products that are ‘toxin free’ and 'clean of harmful ingredients' to people and the planet and sourced in an ethical way. And there are varying degrees of ‘clean’ too, but any brand with a focus on organic ingredients and organic farming methods is certainly Clean Beauty!
Why is clean beauty important?
Clean beauty products give consumers the choice to use products that are incredibly effective but formulated without ingredients you might not want - such as sulphates, mineral oil, phthalates, parabens and synthetic fragrance.
The clean beauty movement has made great strides in empowering consumers to question what we’re putting on our skin and hair each day, and how it affects our bodies and the planet.
Consequently, reading labels and questioning ingredients is common practise and it shines a spotlight on how brands source their ingredients. It demands beauty brands to be more transparent with what’s in their products, where the ingredients are actually from and how they’re eventually formulated – which can only be a good thing.
Is clean beauty the same as natural beauty?
No, ‘natural’ refers to products which are from plant-based ingredients, whereas some clean beauty brands do contain synthetic ingredients made in labs.
However, you’ll find that a lot of clean beauty brands – like Organic Works - tend to favour natural and organic ingredients as they offer a simpler active plant-base, and a more transparent and mindful, product line up.
How does clean beauty benefit you and the planet?
SLS are renowned to skin irritants and are found in a lot in everyday beauty products, such as shampoos, shower gels and soaps due to its ability to create a rich lather. Clean beauty brands often use alternatives derived from sugar which is kinder to skin.
Clean beauty brands commit to using ingredients which are kind to the environment, sustainable and ethically sourced. For example, clean beauty brands avoid ingredients like microbeads which are known to be harmful to marine life.
Parabens are artificial preservatives that are used to extend the shelf life of products, as well as prevent bacteria growth. Commonly listed as butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben on product labels, for the past twenty years various studies have queried the effects of parabens on our bodies and the environment.
A study by the Environmental Working Group in the US revealed that women are exposed to a daily average of 126 chemicals from cosmetics, food, cleaning supplies and pollution*** – which highlights how important it is to know and question what we’re exposing ourselves to.
At present in the UK, the term ‘clean’, ‘green’ or ‘natural’ beauty isn’t regulated so it’s important to do your research before purchasing products. Here’s how to spot the best clean beauty brands on the market…
1. Always read the label:
Look out for logos or text on the products which state that they’re ‘natural’, ‘vegan’, ‘cruelty free’ and ‘organic’. It’s important not to assume that all natural products are vegan and cruelty free – always check the label or the company’s website and check out what percentages of the product is organic or made from natural ingredients. It is also worth noting if the product has been tested on certain skin types.
2. Check out the ingredients on the back: Although ingredients listings often look like another language, a quick google search will tell you what exactly is in each ingredient. For example, parabens might not be listed as ‘paraben’ in the ingredient list, but might be listed as butylparaben, methylparaben or propylparaben – if you see any of these on the label, it’s not clean beauty by my definition.
3. Look for brands that are actually certified: The Soil Association is the gold standard for health and beauty in the UK and ensures brands are transparent about what they put in their products. It also ensures that ingredients are sourced and manufactured ethically, and products are packaged sustainably. It is an expensive and time-consuming investment for smaller independent brands to gain a COSMOS organic or natural certification from the Soil Association but it does assure consumers that strict guidelines are being followed.
4. Look at how they package their products: For example, are they offering eco refills for their customers to help them reduce waste? What is their packaging made from? Although our packaging is made from plastic, it is recycled plastic and our eco-refills labels are made from a waste product from sugar refinery industry which would otherwise have gone to landfill. It’s hard to avoid plastic altogether but we would love to get that stage as a company and an industry. We do opt for minimum packaging and don’t invest in outer cardboard boxes or excess componentry
5. Award winning: Check if they’ve won any clean beauty or natural beauty industry awards. Judges are always independent and objective and many awards bodies change judges every year too.
Now you know what 'clean' beauty is and how to spot it in its true form, feel free to go off and live your cleanest lives!
Love,
Organic Works
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Honestly, I don’t go in big for the commercialism of Valentine’s Day and I’m slightly ashamed to admit it, but as I get older much of the gooey stuff which might have brought a smile to my face in my youth, now, not only makes me cringe; it… irritates me! However, there is this little boutique I drive by most days, a Bridal Boutique unlike any other, which has a sort of relentless optimism calling out from its beautiful blue painted bay window. It’s chic, it’s pretty and somehow it rouses the spirit of the little girl that lives in all of us, who dreams of the ‘one’, the hero or heroine of her love story.
So, as Valentine’s Day looms, rather than pen a card to anyone in my life which may be ever so slightly insincere, I would like to shine a very heartfelt spotlight on Maisie Darling – Bridal Boutique Unique, of my local market town in Lutterworth.
Maisie Darling is run by Charlotte, who is most definitely a romantic and, in my mind, exactly the template for Jane Austen’s heroines. Charlotte takes a personal approach to every soon-to-be bride who crosses the threshold, genuinely enraptured by their love story, and committed to finding them a dress which does that narrative justice. In fact, Maisie Darling is a place where you go looking for the ‘one’; the ‘one’ being the dress as you’ve already ticked that other box! I rather like the idea that you do go on this journey of self -discovery and wonderment with such a giddy partner as Charlotte.
But Charlotte’s not just a romantic, she also has extraordinary flair and style (with a background in dance and theatre), therefore she is perfectly positioned to help her companions express themselves exactly as they wish on their big day. She handpicks dresses from only British Designers, yes with elegance, tradition, and vintage in mind but also with the slightly unconventional, the individual, the plot twist if you will, in mind too!
I recommend visiting her website for that fluttery feeling of excitement - she has shoes which literally make my hands clap together in delight and longing! It’s a place for all of us; the feminist, the modernist, the blushing brides, the sisters, the mother, the friends, the Mr Darcy fantasist, the sceptic and even the eternal singleton. And if you’re lucky enough to live nearby, a ‘slow mo’ drive by of her poetic window displays is a great way to start the day!
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And then there’s the age-old question….
Do I really need a separate night cream?
Well, the truth is you can use your day cream at night but, as night creams are formulated differently, there are several significant benefits in investing in a separate night cream if you want that ‘get up and glow’ complexion.
The benefits of night creams
During the day, our skin is bombarded by a host of environmental stresses (such as UV rays, pollutants…etc), so day creams tend to be formulated to help create a protective barrier, as well as hydrate the skin.
At night, our skin works hard to repair and renew, so night creams tend to have a thicker, richer texture and are packed with nutrients that work hard to help regenerate skin cells.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have great genes on your side, most of us start to spot the signs of aging in our early to mid-thirties. We know that keeping skin moisturised properly helps keep youth on our side, and night creams are great at locking in moisture, plumping fine lines, firming up your skin and improving your overall complexion.
So, if you haven’t found the perfect partner in a night cream yet, we’ve shortlisted the very best natural night creams on the market right now….
Four of the best natural night creams:
1. Organic Works - Renewal Night Cream, 50ml - £21
Winner of the Best Night Cream at the Global Make-up awards 2021, Organic Works’ Renewal Night Cream gets to work whilst you sleep so that your skin feels nourished, soft and hydrated when you wake.
Packed with a host of organic plant powered ingredients - including lavender essential oil, green tea, grape seed oil and vitamin E – it works hard to repair and rejuvenate cells, as well as soothes, brightens and firms up your skin.
Perfect for all skin types, it also contains shea butter – a rich emollient and anti-aging powerhouse that’s known for its ability to boost collagen production to lessen the appearance of the already existing wrinkles and fine lines.
Deeply moisturising and replenishing for all skin types, with a rich blend of avocado, almond, and wheatgerm oils, it works overnight to soothe, protect and nourish your skin.
3. Liz Earle, Superskin Nourishing Night Cream, 50ml – £34
Firms and brightens the appearance of skin while you sleep. This overnight cream is designed to even the look of skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while you sleep.
Powered by ingredients expertly selected for their efficacy including brightening Persian silk tree extract, pomegranate flower to smooth, plus restorative buriti fruit and a trio of borage, rosehip and cranberry seed oils, this botanical blend also rehydrates and nourishes, locking in moisture to support skin’s overnight rejuvenation process for firmer-feeling skin.
4. Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream, 60ml - £34.99
The Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream is nature's anti-ageing by night, beautiful skin by day! This natural night cream features calendula oil from marigold petals, highly regarded throughout history for its repairing properties. Active Manuka Honey soothes and moistens your skin, while potent antioxidant Vinanza Grape helps neutralise free radical damage.
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OW’s Top tips to a Greener Black Friday:
This can be a tough one to resist. But why don’t you make a list of things that you actually need, and then hunt it out, rather than trawling through various lists adding spontaneous buys to your bag? This is a great way to cut down on what you actually buy, while still making the most out of Black Friday.
Flat pack your cardboard for more space, and remember that bubble wrap is not only non recyclable, but it will contaminate the rest of your bin! However, if your products do come with some, try to save it so you can reuse it when it comes to wrapping your own presents.
For example, Glasgow Business Owner Resin and Be Thankful has made a list of eco-friendly small businesses which you can buy from on her instagram. But there are plenty of articles going around for you to find exactly what you need! A little bit of research really does go a long way.
We all do it. It is so easy to forget your reusable coffee cup and/or shopping bag. Try leaving these kinds of things by the door or with your coat, for that last minute reminder.
You can either do this by supporting businesses with superior green credentials (like us!), or you can even look to buy things that make your home more eco friendly. If you want more ideas on how to be more sustainable, take a gander at this.
Here at Organic Works, we are doing a Greener Black Friday, where we are offering you real deals which are backed by our green credentials:
Happy Greener Black Friday!
Love, Organic Works
Lavender often takes us back to visiting elderly relatives, with floral curtains, and if I mention Bergamot you might just be like, “Er.. looks like a misshapen lime to me.”
So we’re here to fight the corner of these two heavyweight fragrances, to dust off traditional stereotypes, and tell you why they feature so prominently in OW products...
]]>Lavender often takes us back to visiting elderly relatives, with floral curtains, and if I mention Bergamot you might just be like, “Er.. looks like a misshapen lime to me.”
So we’re here to fight the corner of these two heavyweight fragrances, to dust off traditional stereotypes, and tell you why they feature so prominently in OW products.
First off, let’s address the Elephant in the Room – some people just plain do not like the smell of Lavender. There’s no convincing them, not with Jasmine, or Rose, not in a hand wash or a lotion – it’s a hard no! Fear not we hear you & OW has you covered with their Award Winning and Nominated Scent of the Year 2021 Bergamot wash lines! Bergamot is a citrus fruit plant, which has more of a zesty aroma.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Bergamot Essential Oil was believed to stimulate and re-balance the flow of vital energy within the body. Don’t eat it though, as the raw fruit itself is highly sour, yup, worse than lemon! As a skincare ingredient, however, it certainly packs a punch; OW Bergamot Hand Wash won Best New Natural Product 2020 at the London Beauty Awards in 2020 and OW’s Bergamot Shower Gel was highly commended for the 2021 Natural Health Beauty Awards.
Lavender on the other hand, which blooms in late Spring and Summer (yay for the bees), has been used for over 2500 years in cooking, remedies & healing, and hygiene practises (in fact, the name is derived from the Latin verb ‘lavare’, meaning, ‘to wash’). The Ancient Greeks used it to fight insomnia, and the ancient Egyptians used it for mummification.
Lavender is widely used all over the health & beauty industry and the good people at OW use it wherever possible, because it’s super kind to your skin and wonderfully relaxing to use, especially in the evening. And because Lavender is also great for soothing inflammation, OW even have their Lavender products clinically tested so that it is suitable for the most sensitive skin and, also perhaps more importantly, it is tested for eczema prone skin too– making it a family essential!
All OW products (no matter the main ingredient) have serious clean beauty credentials. OW products contain a minimum of 98% naturally derived ingredients, are cruelty-free, are completely biodegradable, and the packaging is recyclable. OW have also joined the refill revolution and offer 1 litre refills in both fragrance wash lines, saving OW fans & customers money, and helping to tackle the plastic waste issue, albeit in small steps!
At OW there is no compromise on clean beauty – you’ve just got to pick a side – Bergamot or Lavender – your call, they’re both great!
Which OW Team Are You? Ps – the bees vote Lavender!
]]>Sometimes you just feel like you’ve been rocking the same look for way too long, and you’re bored by your own reflection - then you know it’s time for a change. New clothes, a new skincare routine, maybe even time to give the hair a good ol’ chop and dye - well, that’s what we’ve been up to at Organic Works! We’ve been squirrelling away in the background, and now are extremely excited to be able to release OUR BRAND SPANKING NEW LABELS!
Like a good make-over, we wanted to make a subtle change to reflect the most important aspects of our brand. Did you know that every OW product was made here in the UK? Well, it is! We were founded in Scotland and are extremely proud of our Scottish heritage, which is what we wanted to reflect on our packaging, as well as celebrating our hero ingredients of Lavender and Bergamot (look out for the next blog post where we go into detail about why we love using these two ingredients).
We think our new packaging reflects our ethics of being clean, honest and effective, and we really hope that you like them too! Do let us know your thoughts.
Love,
Organic Works
]]>English weather is like being in an on-again, off again relationship. A few days of glorious heat had us all out in our shorts and t-shirts, only for the central heating to be turned back on a week later! But fear not! I have it on good authority (the weather forecast) that the sun will be back. And when it comes back, we will be prepared and we will look after our bodies. Here are some top tips to enjoying the hot weather safely:
As well as the things we know about (sun damage, sunspots, premature aging), did you also know that UVB radiation appears to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, according to the World health Organization? Exposure to UV can alter the activity and distribution of some of the cells responsible for healing.
A handy tip is to not wait until you’re outside to apply - SPF takes a good 20 minutes to sink into your skin. Better yet, put on your sun cream before your clothes so as not to miss any areas.
If you are using a body lotion as well (we’d recommend our Lavender Body Lotion), make sure you do this first. As a rule of thumb, sun cream should be the last thing to go on. If you find it too much of a faff to apply two layers, some brands combine their moisturisers with an SPF. Our friendly stockists of OW Big Green Smile sell a few versions.
It’s summertime. When else can we get away with living out our boho chic fantasies by wearing oversized hat, sunnies, shawls and the like?
Beaches. The perfect place to spend those hot summer days. However, you need to be extra cautious in these areas, as water and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of causing some damage.
No, not GRR Martin’s next novel, but a simple method for sun protection. The shadow rule indirectly determines the sun's altitude by observing the length of a person's shadow during the time course of a day. Therefore, when a person's shadow is shorter than the person is tall, the intensity of UVR from the sun is more likely to cause sunburn.
Even if you're not in the sun, keeping your skin safe is still super important! Spending a lot of time in the sun can dehydrate you. A good moisturiser is just the thing to rehydrate the skin. Finally, don't forget to drink water all throughout the day!!!
The skin is our largest organ and protects us from so much. Take care of it so that it can do its job. Happy safe sunning!
]]>"hand roasting by the sea to unlock the flavours farmers worked so hard to develop."
We've curated a selection of speciality grade coffee from fully traceable routes, hand roasting by the sea to unlock the flavours farmers worked so hard to develop. With just one ingredient, it's so important we can be confident the farmers are growing coffee responsibly, using farming techniques which consider the impact on the local environment.
We make every effort to source coffee beans, through ethically conscious supply chains, where mutual profit, fair pricing and positive social impact are key.
This is why the opportunity to collaborate with our friends at Organic Works fits so well, a shared emphasis on our impact on people and the environment, without neglecting the feeling of the cream on your skin, or for us, the taste of our full flavoured, smooth coffee.
We are so excited to be able to share a cheeky taster of a HICS signature blend with OW fans. We hope each sip will wisp you closer to a dreamy island breeze!
Love & thanks,
Alicia & Sam
HICS - coffee hand roasted by the sea
]]>What are the superpowers of Lavender Essential Oil?
The use of lavender essential oil is related to reducing stress and anxiety, acting as a natural calming agent. This is one reason why it is such a good ingredient in night-time routines, to relax you before bed.
Our Renewal Night Cream includes lavender essential oil – perfect for a calm night’s sleep.
Lavender’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a staple for those with inflamed skin. The soothing effects help with pain relief from inflammation. A great treatment for people who suffer with eczema and dry skin.
Our lavender products have been clinically tested and are suitable for eczema prone skin, try out our soothing Lavender Hand & Body Lotion for gorgeously moisturised skin.
Lavender essential oils help stimulate the top layer of skin by promoting blood circulation, this reduces wrinkles and smooths out skin. It also protects the skin from harmful, harsh UV rays from the sun! Giving you a rejuvenated look free from damage.
Lavender essential oil works to kill off bacteria, which can help stop new and heal existing acne breakouts. As we said previously, it helps soothe inflammation and redness when put on your skin and more crucially it also unclogs pores!
Lavender can help heal, by promoting skin tissue repair. If a wound has already healed, it can be used to reduce existing scars too.
]]>Wrapping paper is a HUGE part of this waste, throwing away around 108 million rolls of wrapping paper yearly! Although most of this paper can be recycled (yay!), a lot of it can’t, especially when it includes metallic bits or glitter.
Here at Organic Works, we think eco-friendly packaging is so important, it reduces our carbon footprint, whilst also looking great!
Our Top Tips:
Super easy and cheap alternative that doesn’t require a lot of effort and can be made beautiful with ribbons & bows - Et Voila!
(Just be careful with the headlines on this one!)
2. Reuse:
Do you ever get given a gift in such a nice bag that you never want to throw it away? Keep it! Re-use it the next time you give a gift away, throw away with wrapping paper completely and just use a gift bag. I think sometimes the bag looks so much better than wrapping anyway!
3. Invest in reusable bags:
Lots of brands have come out with gorgeous fabric gift bags recently that can be used over and over again. We love The Hessian Shack on Etsy who sell some gorgeous hessian gift bags, they're one of our top choices for an eco Christmas! If you would like to know any more about the brand, check out this link.
4. Arts and Craftsy option:
If you’re a crafty person, you could have so much fun this year with your gift-wrapping ideas! :
Founded by Lynn Shipton in 2015, ChemoGiftBags started as an idea of how to provide some comfort and assistance to men and women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer in the Thames Valley area, and has since become an amazing reality, bringing many people happiness in an incredibly difficult time of their life from people who really care:
“Many people go through cancer feeling isolated and alone and having no one to care for them in their times of need. It’s a very daunting time and this project is what we are trying to do, by providing a bag with items that has been hand packed with thought and care.” (Lynne Shipton, ChemoGiftBags Founder)
ChemoGiftBags include various natural items donated by both the public and businesses often including Organic Works; anything from a shower gel to a handcrafted blanket. They are always looking for donations, anyone can donate as long as it is non-harmful, natural as possible and might put a smile on someone’s face. There are endless ways to help; just contact them on Facebook or by email lynne.shipton@chemogiftbags.org to get your ChemoGiftBags journey started.
Inspired by ChemoGiftBags and their dedication to helping people going through chemotherapy, we have released two new Organic Works Body Duo’s at a special price for this month (£21), with our signature fragrances, Lavender & Bergamot, in a shower gel and a hand & body lotion to soothe your skin, with natural ingredients and subtle fragrances to relax your senses. For every Body Duo sold, we will donate one product for you, to ChemoGiftBags. As well as a whole bunch from us of course.
]]>So, how can we minimise the mask effect?
When you wear your mask, you’re effectively sending your mouth and chin area to a sauna for the day. Your hot breath circulates inside the enclosed space and creates warmth and moisture on the surface of your face, allowing harmful bacteria to penetrate the skin and cause breakouts and clog pores.
Top Tips while wearing your mask – we've got you covered:
….......and finally, don’t forget your night cream which can help the skin prepare for another day of mask wearing!
]]>I love small batch skin care, I love that independent companies like Organic Works not only dedicate a lot of time to handcraft products to really give us the best from mother nature but also that it feels curated for me, it feels personal, when so much of the beauty world feels the opposite of that.
What does Small Batch mean?
Small Batch Skincare & Beauty is literally the opposite of mass manufacturing – in every sense. For us, not only are our products made in smaller amounts, often hand poured, packed one at a time and sold in small quantities because quality assurance is key, but also our whole commercial process is undertaken by our small team of three people! With our lovely, family run manufacturing partners we take care of everything from producing, packing, marketing, selling and all the creative leg work and co – ordination in between and yes sometimes we need a helping hand and reach out to brighter minds but the point is ‘our money’ goes into our products – we let the quality and credentials of our products do all the talking!
Why should I switch to buy small batch skincare and beauty – especially as small batch can be more expensive:
“One word: FRESHER!! Freshness is what we’re all about!! We don’t store tonnes of ingredients, so our products are made with the freshest plant based and natural ingredients we can source. We don’t pack our products full of preservatives (other than some natural ones) because we don’t need to! We also don’t store products when they are made for long periods of time. We try to sell in small quantities to like- minded businesses and manufacture according to demand. Our products are rich essential oils to naturally prevent bacteria, protect fragrance and nourish our skin! Yes sometimes essential oil based products can be more expensive than the supermarket – take hand wash for example. I have paid £1 many times for hand wash on my kitchen sink and its great – I’m not trying to dismiss great value products, but when I can afford to; I use our hand wash which I know is organic, with essential oils to protect my skin (especially as it’s more important than ever to wash my hands at every opportunity) and I know because of its oil rich ingredient base, it really does last a very long time (better value than it may seem )- so for me it’s the absolute best choice.”
Is 'Made in the UK' an important a message at the moment?
Actually I think it’s so important. Where things are made – it’s about so many things; the environment, business practices, identity politics and so on. Look we know the consumer is ‘smarter’ than ever before particularly in these matters; people really do care, how and where what they are buying is made. I won’t lie – it’s hard to be a British Manufacturer right now, it can be costly and challenging but I think it’s a smart decision and we are certainly very proud to be Made in the UK.
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