Organic Surge Citrus Mint Conditioner. Courtesy of Organicsurge.com

In tough times, people are naturally inclined to spend less. Yet as Leonard Lauder (former CEO of Estée Lauder Companies) accurately demonstrated through his Leading Lipstick Index, the cosmetics industry actually prospers during financial turmoil. Subsequently dubbed the ‘Lipstick Effect’ (following the explosive sale of lipstick post 9/11), this trend has fascinated economists and beauty experts alike. 

In this most recent recession, it is hair and skin care sales that are truly thriving, as people forego expensive spa treatments and weekly trips to the coiffeur in favour of DIY pampering. Not only, but people are increasingly turning to organic beauty products, signaling a growing consumer awareness as to our inextricable link to nature.

With organic beauty products rising in popularity, so too has the market rapidly expanded. Some products, although claiming to be ‘natural’, only effectively incorporate a handful of organic ingredients, and others are packaged in exorbitant amounts of fancy plastic. Thankfully, however, there do exist some nature-friendly beauty brands that are more responsible than others–here are some of our top picks.

Weleda originated in Switzerland almost 100 years ago, and is now a leader in holistic health and beauty care.  Although the brand boasts spas in New York, Paris and Tokyo, Weleda is committed to fair trade and to growing its own organic ingredients. Beauty products range from toothpaste and deodorant to hair and skin care, whilst separate lines for men and babies are also available.  Glass packaging is often favoured over plastic, ensuring the product remains as chemical free as possible.  The Sea Buckthorn Body Oil is incredible for rejuvenating tired skin, and the Skin Food Cream nourishes rough, dry patches of skin.  Weleda also offers homeopathic medicine for everything from minor cuts and bruises to cancer, reinforcing its commitment to beauty and wellness from the inside out.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company specializes in handmade bath and body care produced with 100% natural ingredients.  The Pumpkin Patch Soap is ideal for sensitive skin and is specially made to soothe skin problems such as eczema.  The company’s website is also a fabulous resource, as it provides customers with a list of potentially harmful synthetic ingredients commonly found in skincare products, as well as warnings against marketing tactics that often mislead consumers.

Award-winning Organic Surge hair and skin care uses 99% naturally derived ingredients.  While you should be careful not to equate ‘naturally derived’ with ’natural ingredients’, Organic Surge products replace countless of harmful chemicals with essential oils.  This inexpensive line from the UK is nonetheless a more conscious alternative to some drugstore brands that continue to use synthetic ingredients such as petroleum and, worst still, continue testing on animals.  The Citrus Mint Shampoo and Conditioner will leave you so refreshed that you will gladly forego the snooze button in favour of your shower every morning.

Seaflora Wild Organic Seaweed Skin Care and Eminence Handmade Organic Skincare are both available at leading spas worldwide and online. They hail from the West Coast of British Columbia and Hungary respectively, yet these two eco-brands have much in common.  Both use hand-harvested, indigenous ingredients so as to minimize the impact of production on the environment, and also use responsible packaging. The Eminence Soy Blueberry Body Wash is rich in antioxidants, whilst Seaflora’s Oil-Free Seaweed Body Polish does wonders for dull, tired skin, especially if followed with the Laminaria Body Lotion.  For damaged areas, particularly face, neck and chest, the Potent Seaweed Serum is unrivalled. 

Although one’s body is one’s own, the world is ours to share – something our choices should reflect. Every (wo)man deserves a little luxury, and with the increasing availability of exceptional natural products at reasonable prices, indulging has never been so guilt-free.