KEY POINTS:
1 Trilogy Intensive Lip Treatment
$16.90 for 7ml
This Wellington-based company is serious about the environment with carboNZero certification. Their mantra: "maximum effect on skin, minimum effect on the environment." The blend of rosehip, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, rosemary, sage and peppermint in this balm keeps lips in good working order. Compulsory for winter.
From selected department stores, pharmacies and health stores.
2 Snowberry Nourishing Exfoliator
$65 for 75ml
This local skincare company wanted to create a range that works, is safe and is as natural as can be, hence no lauryl sulphates, petrochemicals and so on. Instead, this uses cultured coral and pearl, jojoba beads and shea butter to remove dead skin safely and leave skin looking a whole lot better.
From Smith & Caughey's.
3 Dr Hauschka Regenerating Day Cream
$135 for 40g
Dr Hauschka is a holistic German skincare company that not only grows it plants organically but also biodynamically, so the ingredients have more vitality. This is suited to mature skin, protecting and fortifying it with raspberry seed oil, avacado oil, shea butter, red clover, horsetail and rose petals. Lovely on sensitive skin, although the naturally occuring fragrance is an acquired taste.
From selected department stores, health stores and pharmacies.
4 Organic Surge Pure Extracts Gentle Cleanser
$18 for 200ml
For "happy-ever-after skin" step this way. Founder Alan MacKenzie never understood "why I couldn't buy a natural skincare range in my local supermarket at an affordable price". This uses a blend of 99 per cent naturally derived ingredients and certified organic extracts to cleanse skin using chamomile, lemon oil and green tea. What's more, this UK-based company does its bit for African orphans, donating to charities that create scholarships in schools and provide the necessities of life. The Organic Surge Happy Soaps are made by Cinnabar Green, a farming collective in the foothills of Mt Kenya. Organic Surge make no profit from the soap. All the products are $18.
From selected pharmacies, health and beauty stores. For stockists ph 0508 734 446.
5 Antipodes Resurrect Facial Toner
$35 for 100ml
Wellington outfit Antipodes is all for connecting with nature. This is from the Certified Organic range. A fragrant toner in a convenient glass (no less) pump spray, it's a blend of purified water, lavender, sage and chamomile. Good on dry, stressed skin or when you're in need of a little spiritual revival.
From selected department and health stores and pharmacies.