going green

the bottom line

Let’s talk about green beauty - and no, we’re not thinking about your Halloween makeup. Green beauty, or natural skincare, is nothing new but has become increasingly popular as we become more conscious about being kind to our bodies and the environment. The labelling of ‘natural’ on products is largely unregulated, which can make it hard to sort the clean lovelies from the chemical nasties. Even some natural ingredients can be toxic, so focusing on toxin-free products that are ethically made is a great place to start. Beauty without nasty chemicals? Count us in.

first layer: what does “green” really mean?

When we talk green beauty, we’re obsessing over products created with natural ingredients that are environmentally friendly and great for your skin - lotions, creams, serums and other potions packed with plant-based, cruelty-free goodness. This could mean ingredients derived from the flowers, fruit or leaves of plants. Think of gorgeous floral hydrosols, such as rosewater, neroli hydrosol, or lavender hydrosol; nourishing oils including almond, safflower, and camella oil; and essential oils of peppermint, ylang ylang, and blue yarrow.

second layer: it’s all about the ingredients

You could say that we’re a bit obsessed by ingredients here at anokha®. While we are primarily focused on the huge range of botanicals available throughout South Asia, it doesn’t stop there. The ingredient has to be safe, to both the consumer and the environment. It also has to have documented clinical efficacy – which means that it does what it claims. It can’t be in limited supply; we’re not going to source anything that is at risk of being depleted, which is why we’re moved from Indian sandalwood to Australian sandalwood for our ayurvedic pitta facial oil. The cultural and spiritual significance of many of these ingredients is an extra perk.

third layer: adding green beauty to your skincare regimen

Starting a natural skincare regime can be as easy as swapping in a few consciously-formulated products that feel great on your skin. If you’re not sure of what’s au naturel and what’s not, read the labels. As a rule, avoid products that are tested on animals or contain parabens, sulfates, petrolatum or artificial colors and fragrances.

cleanser: Opt for a cleanser made with natural ingredients that removes makeup and impurities but doesn’t strip your skin of its natural goodness at the same time. All skin is unique, and so the type of cleanser you choose will depend on whether your skin tends to be dry, oily, acne-prone, or sensitive. We are big fans of cleansers of the oil and cream persuasions.

toner: Cleansing can change the pH level of your skin - a toner will help to rebalance pH levels and also pick up anything that escaped your cleanse, including excess makeup and oil. Choose a toner with hydrosols, botanical extracts, and - always - a preservative to prevent growth of bacteria and fungus. Once skin is prepped and primed by the perfect toner, it’s ready to absorb the goodness from a lovely natural moisturizer or serum.

moisturizer: Proper hydration makes for healthy looking skin - which is why the right moisturizer is key to a glowing complexion. Look for naturally derived ingredients like hyaluronic acid - this hydrating agent delivers moisture to plump the skin without clogging pores and is capable of holding 1000 times its weight in water. Think of it as a positive form of water retention.

A little plug:

Every pot and bottle of anokha is crafted with carefully selected and clinically studied ingredients that will help you to feel and look naturally beautiful.

All this and more at www.anokhaskincare.com .

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