My Top 6 Australian Organic Beauty and Personal Hygiene Products

October is Australian Organic Awareness Month so I thought it would be a good idea to join in and spread the word about organic beauty and hygiene products. Our skin absorbs everything we put on our skin which then ends up in our blood stream. It has been said that the average woman puts up to 515 synthetic chemicals on her body every day - that is a lot! Here are my favourite Australian Certified Organic beauty and personal hygiene products. I highly recommend them all. Please comment or email if you do decide to try them and let me know what you think.

~ People for Plants Day Cream, Eye Cream & Lip Balm ~

One of my best friends originally recommended People for Plants to me when my skin was at its worst and I've been using their products ever since. I love that their packaging states what percentage of their products are certified organic - something I think that should be legalised if a brand is going to label themselves as organic. The above products are what I use daily and love. Go to their website here to purchase and find out more.

 ~ Kosmea Organic Rose Hip Oil ~

I've always had dry skin, especially when I get out of the shower. Kosmea's Organic Rose Hip Oil contains essential fatty acids which are perfect for rehydrating skin after a night time shower. Rose hip oil also helps reduce scars, damaged skin, stretch marks, wrinkles, and burns. To buy, go to Kosmea's website here.

~ Zuii Organic Blush, Eye Shadow, Lip Gloss & Lipstick ~

Can I just say, out of these four Zuii Organic products, my favourite is the blush. When I have it on I feel like my skin is glowing and so silky. At the moment this is the only lipstick colour I have purchased but I will definitely be buying a couple more colours soon. The lipstick looks best with the gloss over the top, I personally think the lipstick is too dry on its own. Head to their website here to purchase. Ps I am currently looking for an organic foundation that works for me (long lasting and not too many oil ingredients), please let me know if you can suggest one in the comments.

~ Black Chicken Organic Deodorant Paste ~

I love this deodorant! It's 100% natural (no aluminium - win!) and does the job unlike some other natural deodorants which still leave you smelly and self conscious. Black Chicken deodorant paste is perfect for men and women. The only downside is that you apply it with your hands, but that's nothing soap and water can't fix! Buy it here.

~  Riddells Creek Organic Toothpaste & Mouthwash ~

I've only recently started using organic toothpaste and mouthwash and so far I'm pretty happy with it. Of course it tastes different but it's free from the nasty chemicals commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes contain. Choose from either mint, lemon or herbal flavour here.

 ~ TOM Organic Pads ~

Ladies, are your sanitary products made with chemical free, unbleached cotton? If you're using some of the major brands on your grocery store shelf the answer is most likely no, or I don't know (I didn't know until about a year ago). TOM (Time Of the Month) Organic make tampons, pads, liners and more recently nursing pads from 100% certified organic cotton making them the healthiest option for your body. Find them in Woolworths and Coles or go to their website here.

Happy shopping! xx

(All my own images)

10 Uses for Coconut Oil

1.  Moisturise skin.

I use coconut oil on my face at night. I also dab some around my eyes and onto my lips. Tip: do not apply coconut oil any later than an hour before bed, this will ensure it has soaked into your skin and less will up on your pillow.

2. To cook with.

Use coconut oil instead of normal cooking oils. It’s great for stir-fries and cooking diced chicken to add to summer salads.

3.  Use instead of butter.

I spread coconut oil onto my toast most mornings. It tastes great with honey or just on its own.

4.  Remove make-up.

Warm a 5c piece size of coconut oil in your hands and dab onto your face. Wipe it away with a wet face washer. Why not clean your make-up brushes too while you’re at it.

5. Massage oil.

Warm coconut oil in your hands and massage away. This will double as an all over moisturiser.

6. Prevent stretch marks.

Rub onto pregnant belly to prevent stretch marks.

7. For your hair.

Run coconut oil through your hair, leave for an hour and rinse. It will moisturise and soften your hair with its fatty acids.

8. Clean your shower.

Use a cloth dipped in coconut oil to wipe away shower scum. Great for chemical free cleaning!

9. Sooth itchy skin.

Coconut oil can sooth itchy skin when applied to effected area. It can also help improve eczema.

10. Sooth a sore throat.

Have a teaspoon of coconut oil in a cup of tea or on its own to sooth your throat. Doing this regardless of a sore throat can help boost energy too.

Benefits of coconut oil:

• Antibacterial
• Aids with anti-inflammatory
• Improves digestion
• Its fatty acids help improve energy levels
• Boosts immunity.
• Keeps skin strong by preventing sagging and wrinkles when applied to the skin.

When buying coconut oil make sure it is certified organic (no nasty chemicals), cold pressed (in its most natural state), and raw (if possible). I recommend Loving Earth Raw Organic Coconut Oil (pictured below). You can find coconut oil at your local health food store.

8 Reasons to Drink Green Tea!

Green tea is my favourite herbal tea. I didn't like it at first but now I love it. I drink it in the morning (after a glass of water - to rehydrate after sleep) and usually an hour or so before bed. It is a part of my daily ritual and is something I look forward to. 

Drinking organic herbal tea is a great way to relax, warm up, and refresh for the rest of the day (as well as the reasons listed above). 

If I ever feel peckish at night I try to have a green tea instead of going for chocolate or chips, and why wouldn't you when it has so many great health benefits?!

The other good thing about organic tea is that you can buy it in the supermarket as well as health food stores, so it is very accessible and affordable. 

Why Should You Go Organic?

Wondering why you should switch to buying organic?

First of all, what does organic mean?

According to Kris Abbey’s book ‘Going Organic’ an organic product is grown or produced without the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, growth hormones, or stimulants.Therefore, organically grown or produced product has been done so in the most natural way possible.

So, why should you buy organic?    

•  Organic products are free from chemicals, pesticides, hormones, and any other kind of nasties.
• Organic products are better for the environment; this means there are less chemicals going through our soil and waterways.
•  Organic farms are run, not by machinery, but by people. This is one of the reasons organic product is more expensive.
•   It tastes better and contains more nutrients.
•  And of course it is healthier!

Tip: To be sure the organic products you are buying are actually organic, look for certification on the packaging (like the image above, if you live in Australia).

It is also important to check the ingredients; unfortunately it is okay for brands to label their product as organic, even if only one component of the product is organic. For example, a tub of yoghurt is labelled organic but the ingredients indicate that only the berries in the yoghurt are organic.