Many clean and indie beauty brands are the genesis of their founder’s own need, a personal problem for which their founders seeked a solution. Not surprising, as need is the greatest driver for innovation throughout civilisation. My discovery and subsequent dedication to clean beauty however, is not so inspiring, well perhaps not on the surface. I don’t have a harrowing story which led me here. In fact, my troublesome skin seems trivial when measured against what others endure. It was nonetheless bothersome to me. Problematic enough you might say that it led me on an empowering journey of self-reflection and discovery.
Like others I quietly battled against unbalanced, hormone disrupted, breakout skin, repressing my self-conscious and daily discomfort brought about by what I now recognise as toxin sensitivity and mild rosacea. In this snapshot of my past not so beautiful beauty drawer, you will find a desperate but shameful collection of half- used, over recommended and toxin laden products that, like a bad relationship, delivered nothing but broken promises and disappointment. Yet like all unhealthy co-dependencies I persisted, new product [and promise], after each new false promise I continued. I invested in spa treatments, skin gyms and facial “therapies”. I blindly took the advice of facialists at a well-known skin clinic, emptying my wallet for peels, resurfacing, fraxel and more, leaving the clinic on every occasion looking, and feeling like I had just fallen in a fire. Each time experiencing fleeting, if any improvement for my suffering and cost.
Rock bottom and finally my turning point was micro- needling. “Oh, it’s great for congestion”, “it’s perfect for your skin”. It apparently [like everything else that had been recommended] was just what I needed. The toe-curling pain as the needle repeatedly penetrated my fragile and abused skin and the sound of my blood curdling in the hub of this torture device was sobering. What was I thinking? That was exactly it. I wasn’t! I hadn’t engaged my brain, my common sense or my knowledge. Despite knowing better, I had bought into the sales pitch. The promise of a magic bullet, a secret chemical potion and an expensive procedure that, if I paid for often enough, would solve all my woes.
I know that good health starts at home. It’s a lifestyle and a choice. It’s takes effort, dedication and care. I know that in medicine no man-made procedure, device or drug can restore the body to “new” once the damage is done. Don’t get me wrong, modern Medicine offers amazing advancements for serious disease and illness, but if I’m to be honest, it is not, nor should it be, a magic bullet for years of neglect and poor choices. Why did I believe a cosmetic treatment could be any different?
Like all of us, my past is what empowers me to make better decisions for the future. The empowered me now recognises that old drawer of toxic products to be equivalent to a diet of home delivered pizza, fried chicken and drive through burgers. While it is okay to occasionally have “sometimes” foods (I still can’t part with my collection of French parfum..…), we all know that our bodies need the majority of our food to be fresh, unprocessed produce from the earth. This applies equally to what we put on our bodies just as much as what we put in. After all, if our skin is the largest organ in our bodies, shouldn’t it be cared for in the same way as the organs on the inside?
For me, over the past two years beauty has morphed from a superficial pastime to a worthwhile pursuit of self-care. I no longer subscribe to the illusion that the cosmetic industry is so advanced or powerful it can reverse the ailments of time and abuse. I do however recognise that beauty, self-care and pampering is not simply about appearance but also essential to combating inner stress and the silent toll it takes on our bodies.
I am in awe of the spirit and motivation of Indie beauty founders. Their passion and love of the environment sees them step up and do their part to tackle sustainability and climate change in ways government officials still have not. Guided by their wisdoms, I have adopted this informed and sustainable ethos in my lifestyle and approach to consumption. In my change to clean beauty I am making fewer but more discerning choices for premium products, and even where cost may be individually more, I am spending less overall. Best of all, what I have discovered is a greater loyalty to my own personal values, bringing greater fulfilment and satisfaction than cluttering my life with blind consumerism and meaningless purchases. And my Skin? Now I am an all-natural and clean devotee, my skin is changed. It is healthier and it is stronger, but most importantly it feels better, better to be in. I feel better. In fact, I feel like me!
Indie Beauty is redefining the standards in beauty and creating a revolution. Forged by inspiring founders, it is out of my passion for this industry and the work of these remarkably talented independent scientists and formulators that The NATIVES Co. is born.
It is an exciting time for all things organic. Drawing on science and technology to gain greater understanding and insights into organic composition and botanical formulation we are reaping the benefits of access to an increasing range of quality natural and organic skincare.
Motivated by social responsibility the opportunity to bring about change, Andrew Mason, candle maker from Uaine Candles offers beautiful quality eco-friendly 100% soy wax candles that burn healthier, safer and cleaner.
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