It’s

It’s
refreshing to discover a totally stripped-back, natural
beauty product which does more than just smell delicious. Recent
months have seen a host of new options hit the green beauty market,
each one offering peace of mind as well as efficacy. These small,
independent brands have shifted the spotlight from glossy marketing
campaigns to ethical roots and sustainable processes, with results
to rival the big beauty players. Here’s our rundown of the brands
to know now.

Kypris

Holistic skincare brand Kypris is named after the Greek goddess
Aphrodite, who rose from the foaming waters of the Cypriot
coastline and entranced locals with her beauty. There’s something
mystical about the brand’s supercharged skincare – these products
are as natural as can be, yet there’s powerful science behind them.
The moonlight catalyst serum, for example, uses herbal ingredients
to mimic the brightening effects of retinol, but with none of the
redness or peeling. Fermented pumpkin enzymes encourage cellular
renewal, while biometric EGF – a vegan, non-GM peptide of epidermal
growth factor (excuse the jargon) – works to plump fine lines as
neroli calms the skin and prepares the nervous system for
sleep.

Maria Nila

While the virtues of natural skincare are widely extolled, it’s
more difficult to find a haircare brand that follows the same path.
Swedish brand Maria Nila raises the bar with its socially
responsible standpoint: their products are 100% vegan, free from
sulphates and parabens (chemicals used as preservatives in
cosmetics) and recognised by both PETA and Cruelty Free
International. The products are manufactured in Helsingborg,
Sweden, enabling the company to keep a close eye on working
conditions and monitor exactly what goes into every bottle. The
range is sizeable, and there’s a category to suit every hair type.
For frizzy textures, the true soft line is loaded with argan oil to
hydrate and smooth, while structure repair line is ideal for
distressed tresses, with algae extracts to strengthen damaged
strands.

Madara

This super-natural skin and body brand draws on wealth of unique
plants that grow in the forests of Latvia. Due to the country’s
long, bitter winters, these plants have developed the ability to
thrive in harsh circumstances, cultivating a remarkable amount of
active substances. Every Madara
product is crafted in accordance with the international ECOCERT
standard, produced using sustainable methods, and never tested on
animals. The brand’s founder, Lotte, was shocked into action when a
chemical-based cream upset her complexion, spurring her to create a
skincare line that is not only organic, but entirely safe for the
most sensitive of souls. A highlight is the Time Miracle Cellular
Repair Serum, which contains sea buckthorn, bilberries and horse
chestnut to lift and define the facial contours. Birch juice is
used instead of water, increasing the potency and resulting in a
seriously powerful concoction..

Bottega Organica

When it comes to organic beauty products, Bottega
Organica is as pure as they come. The brand is developed by Dr
Andrea Alimonti (winner of the prestigious Josep Steiner cancer
research award) and based on a select few ingredients, dubbed
‘natural inhibitors of senescence’ which are proven to slow the
ageing of human cells. Each product is exclusively formulated using
botanical serums and floral spring waters, as well as Bottega’s own
extra-virgin olive oil. All plants are wild and grow on organic
soil at the brand’s farms in Liguria (Italy) and upstate New York,
while every formulation is 100% sustainable, organic, and
vegetarian. The star ingredient is a rare form of sage, salvia
haenkei, which clinical trials showed to improve skin elasticity,
luminosity, and texture – a true powerhouse. In the brilliant
restorative mask, it’s blended with soothing chamomile and wild
carrot to produce an instant lit-from-within glow, while the
extra-nourishing face formula includes vanilla planifolia, a potent
antioxidant.

A.S. Apothecary

A.S.
Apothecary is the baby of Amanda Saurin: a plant grower,
gatherer, distiller and crafter of fab beauty products. Making each
concoction in her small-batch distillery in the South Downs
National Park, Saurin follows a ‘seed to skin’ philosophy which
sets the standard for slow beauty, using only traceable ingredients
from trusted local growers. Rich and indulgent, the facial serum is
a stand-out for any skin type, combining antioxidant rose-hip with
blemish-soothing arnica and calendula to help heal acne scars.
Another stand-out is the mineral powder, a double-duty formula
that’s loaded with hebridean kelp to decongest and heal blemishes.
Mixed with the geranium cleansing water, it becomes a nourishing
mask and when combined with cleansing oil it transforms into an
active exfoliator – multi-tasking beauty as its very best.