Regular readers should know at least two (some cheeky rogues might claim more ā not mentioning any names…) things about me:
1. Iām highly interested in ethical and sustainable practices.
2. Iām rather health conscious.
(or a greenie and a health nut as my mum chooses to label)
Both food and travel are currently booming with options to satisfy my sensibilities. Make up and skin-care however, leave much to be desired. Read the label of anything in a tube these days and the extensive list of chemicals is enough to make even Marie Curie squirm.
At a recent spa visit I discovered World Organics ā a range that is ethically produced and internationally certified as organic. The line is 99% vegan and the lady who shared the products with me was so confident in their quality that she even insisted theyāre edible! Some of the make-up items such as the lip products require beeswax for consistency, but World Organics have even sourced organic beeswax – which I can’t imagine can be an easy feat!
Divided into two lines, World Organics offers a spa quality luxury brand and a healthy every-day use collection in River Veda and The Organic Skin Co. Iāve tried a few items from each category and am convinced that Iāve found a near perfect fit.
River Veda
Everyday Honeysuckle Moisturizer (60ml, RM175) is lightweight and designed to minimize pores and promote even skin tone. Amla berry and turmeric are used to balance oil production, and the cold pressed oils of rosehip, evening primrose and jojoba, hydrate and clarify. I have combination skin and found this cream ideal for my skin type. Iāve been blessed with reasonably clear skin most of my life and do take care of it by avoiding the sun, eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise. In my late 30s however I began getting blemishes, which my dermatologist labeled as āmature (ugh!) age acne.ā It meant being much more selective with facial creams, and Iām pleased to find this one (without the use of nasties), with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and sebum balancing properties, just right.
Apart from age lines, my biggest skin complaint is darkened skin under my eyes. Replenish Eye Revival Cream (15 ml, RM 140) is made with rose attar and shatavari especially for this delicate area. It claims to decrease puffiness and dark circles, so Iām willing to give it a try.
With a long history of cancer in my family and a growing up with a good public awareness campaign on the dangers of over exposure to the sun, Iāve been a daily user of sunscreen since my late teens. Shock horror (!) however when I learned last year that all of those years of ābeing goodā may have actually done more damage than benefit. Turns out that all sunscreens are not created equal, and an overwhelming majority of whatās on the market contains toxic chemicals that absorb into the bloodstream! I read that mineral based creams such as zinc, which provide a physical block rather than chemical reaction, were actually much better but the image in my mind of zinc is colourful striped noses and cheeks (Aussies will know what I mean). Iām overjoyed to find World Organicsā Rejuvenate Day Star SPF 30 that is a zinc based cream, smells beautiful (no! not that fake coconut smelling garbage ā a natural light lavender that is much more appealing) and will do more good than harm! Be forewarned however, as it does not contain any distasteful petrochemicals or micro plastic beads, you need to give it a bit of a rubbing to spread out ā a minor inconvenience when you consider the alternative.
Around the same time I discovered the evils of chemical sunscreens, I too came across the wrongdoings of antiperspirants and deodorants. I switched to a crystal roll-on (Cancer society approved), but found it a little messy, as the head must be wet first and then rolled. World Organics has developed a healthy and convenient system in their Rejuvenate Roll-On Crystal Deodorant, soā¦ Iām happy with that too!
The Organic Skin Co.
After recently learning that, what I had previously considered my trusted 100% vegetarian make-up brand had been sold out and taken over by an industry giant, I was stuck in a quandary over what to buy. Too self-conscious to go without make-up, but also very aware of the devastating effects of unsustainable palm oil production and accumulation of chemicals in our ecosystems, left me feeling uneasy. Now however, with the World Organics range of make-up, my moral sense is once again at ease.
Mascara (RM199) is BioGro Certified and the organic ingredients are said to encourage lashes to grow longer and thicker over time. My first thought was that the brush looked very clean. Upon application however it produced a silky dark coating of each individual lash. I found it similar to the effect of an eyelash tint. Although for evening wear I usually like something a bit bulkier, this non-gluggy formula is perfect for day use.
Cream Blush (RM90) goes on just as smoothly and even though the colour in the tub didnāt at first look as though it would match my skin tone, it blended in and left my cheeks appearing naturally rosy.
Eye Shadow (RM110) is another product Iām quite fussy about (being so close to the eye and all!). World Organics pressed mineral eye shadow comes in a good range of colours and brushes on with a smooth sheen.
Lastly Iāve sampled a couple of Lipsticks (RM99), one in a neutral colour ideal for daywear and a brighter red great for the evening. Both go on evenly and last a number of hours before needing to reapply them. Again I find it comforting that theyāre fee of parabens, nanos, bismuth oxychloride, gluten and talc, and too appreciate the recyclable bamboo case.
Iām sold! World Organics has a warehouse in Malaysia and so products ordered on line at www.worldorganic.com.my arrive to your door within a matter of days. Samples can also be found at Energy Day Spa (where I first discovered the range) so you can get a feel for the products before you purchase.
For the ladies… š
Mostly yes… but you they do stock a few items for men – moisturizer and shaving cream – even the sunscreen, if you use it, is a good bet.
I’ve been using natural cosmetics and household cleaners for years now, and it’s great to see new products and brands. Will have to try out this NZ brand and the shop, ordering from abroad is often quite hit and miss. Have to say though that even within the natural/organic cosmetics the jungle of ingredients and certificates is quite confusing for a consumer!
Right! And… marketing companies are so clever with their use of ‘natural’ and so on in the labelling. As this line is BioGro certified you can even type in the identification number on the site and they tell you exactly which farm each item came from.
Pourquoi – Moi??
I am the most avid fan of your spas and cosmetics – well maybe a bit.
Your dear mother probably recalls a certain Monica Jnr. rolling in Aussie
mud wrestling with rogue (young) “mickey” bulls – I doubt my imagination – vivid as
it can at times be – think of a more than 2 month old young “Mickey”.
Now to matters other:
Uluwatu – I can well imagine the homes there! The Suharto family still pull many strings.
As for accounts in Indonesian Rupiah – they are rather breathtaking but one Indonesian
Rupiah is the equivalent to 0.0001 AUS$.
Now off to have my mudpack – joking.
You should try Vanicream Products. Rochester, Minn, USA, Mayo Clinic sanctioned.
Cheers
El Colin Cordobes who has to report that a somewhat belated February seems to have let us know that it still exists! In other words – “PHEWSVILLE Like”.
Excellent Information,I Like Your Lipsticks and Skin Care Products,really great information..
Remember well the Zinc cream on the nose and cheeks caked thick!
The makeup look good and thanks for the link..will visit.
i’ve not heard of world organics, so this is a great introduction to them and their work! š
Yes, say no to palm oil!
Save our orangutans!
Excellent beauty review. Great information…I think I saw this brand here in Geneva!!! I will have a closer look. Thank you so much.
Excellent information, I like your Lipstick and skin Care products
Can you share with me which lipstick you bought and and hows the verdict?
I don’t recall the exact names of the colours now as this article is two and a half years old and the lipsticks are long gone. Those colours you see in the pics though as perfect for my skin. Loved them.