The Green Consumer

The trend for ‘Green’ products is growing at a most incredible rate here in the UK. While the health and beauty market has, for quite some time now, been pretty environmentally-friendly the number of people choosing to buy completely natural or organic products from manufacturers who are committed to conservation of the environment.

At one time, natural and/or organic products were a niche market. Not so now though, in fact it is one of the biggest growing markets for consumer products as has seen a 200% increase in the last year. Because consumers are becoming increasingly more knowledgeable about skin care and environmental issues, this has shaped their product demands. As much as 28% of all product consumers, choose natural products.

So what does this mean for manufacturers (regardless of size)? For some, it is a case of reformulating their products lines to ensure they are free from harmful chemicals. But should more be done? Removing the harmful chemicals certainly contributes to greener skin care but should it go further to include biodegradable, recycled/recyclable packaging, choosing organically produced ingredients, reducing ones carbon footprint.

Organic? Natural? What is this?

Organic is certainly a current buzzword throughout the beauty industry and one that undoubtedly sells. However, is it confusing? I certainly think so since we all have different perceptions of organic. Many people are actually unaware that for a product to be called organic, 70% of the total ingredients must be organic. That leaves 30% that can be made up of, well… anything. In order for a product to be certified by the Soil Association, it must contain 95% organic ingredients. 'Natural’ is probably even more misleading.

For a product to have natural on the label, it only needs to contain (wait for it…..) 1% natural ingredients. What about the other 99% ?

There is no doubt about it, when it comes to making organic/natural product choices, one does have to really be on their toes to ensure you are actually getting what you are expecting.

Seen In Green

A green product manufacturer will go further than this though (as the examples below will show). Many deliberate intensely over the type of packaging they use. For a ‘green’ product to be truly green, it will come in biodegradable, recycled, recyclable packaging or from sustainable forests (in the case of new paper/card materials).

Fair Trade or Fairly Traded

Fair Trade and fairly traded goods means that producers/traders in developing countries have been paid a fair price for their goods. Goods that have been fairly traded have not exploited humans, animals or the environment and very often go hand in hand with organically produced goods.

So to be a green consumer, here are a few suggestions of the things to look for when making green product choices + a few VERY shiny examples:

Packaging that doesn’t cost the earth…

Lomond Soap use only recycled, reusable and compostable packaging to package their lovely natural handmade soaps.Incredibly reasonable in price too!! Pictured here is Lomond’s Four Seasons Soap Collection £12.00 + P&P in boxes made from recycled material

Get Natural When You Want Natural

More often than not, you will find that the independent manufacturer of natural products, who creates their products by hand, will offer far more than a measly 1%. Pictured here is a range of the most gorgeous, sumptuous scrubs, 99% (1% non-paraben preservative) from Briallen. All that natural, skin-loving goodness from only £3.65!

Organic Purity…

Beyond Organic Skincare’s entire range are certified organic by the BDAA. Truly organic AND incredibly affordable! The Travel Pack £21.60 (pictured) is a great introduction to the range and little goes a very long way.

Fair & Fairly Traded…

Cioccolatina is an excellent example of an independent manufacturer of gorgeous soaps, body butters and balms made with fairly traded/sustainable ingredients and who is actively involved in the cause. Pictured here is Karite, a creamy soap bar made with over 70% fairly traded shea butter, £3.50. Lovely!!

Ethical Business Principles...

Ruby Red Cosmetics offer the most super duper, hip and trendy, organic, natural, handmade products and have solid ethical principles (see their About Us page – a really great read). Thankfully, they are effectively spreading their ethical words to the mainstream and have featured in magazines such as Marie Claire and Vogue.

See and shop for more independant manufacturers of green cosmetics at www.fresholi.com...

Spread The Love....

"Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination" Voltaire

Never a more fitting quote for these wonderful gifts for this time of year created by Fresholi members with natural ingredients, care and oodles of imagination (not fogetting a few special offers too).



From Briallen...

*Click the 'Go To February Offers' button and enter the codeword 'freshfeb' to get these products at very special prices!

Scrub Up For Spring!

In the old Celtic calendar February was the start of Spring, the time when lambs were born and twigs started to break into bud. So it’s not too early to start getting your skin ready to face the Spring sunshine (and looking good for that Valentine date).

Face the Morning



A refreshing facial pick-me-up with gentle exfoliation from the cardamon powder, ultra-fine Scottish oatmeal and golden caster sugar and the emolliant properties of babassu, coconut and jojoba oils which ensure that your skin will remain soft and smooth all day.

Jojoba resembles the skin's natural oil and is excellent in helping balance skin conditions, by assisting to counteract acne and black heads but also aiding very dry and irritated skins.
The fragrance is from Grapefruit Essential Oil and the Cardamon spice.

Plain lightweight jar:
Available in 2 sizes:

Normal Price £6.35. Offer Price £3. 95*
Min. weight: 150g

Normal Price £3.65 Offer Price £2.35*
Min. weight: 75g



Hey Mango!

This highly moisturising body scrub obtains its lovely colour from the Cornmeal and Mango powder exfoliants. Mango Butter and a blend of oils including Papaya Seed Oil are there to give your skin that pampered feeling.

Papaya Seed oil is high in Omega 6 and 9, Vitamins A & C and Potassium and is an easily absorbed conditioner for the skin as it contains the enzyme papain, which helps dissolve excess sebum and impurities while gently removing dead skin cells.

It can be used on oily or problem skin and is said to have antibiotic properties which may benefit skin irritations. The fragrance is from natural Mango and Lime essences.

Plain lightweight jar:
Available in 2 sizes:

Normal Price £6.35. Offer Price £3. 95*
Min. weight: 150g

Normal Price £3.65 Offer Price £2.35*
Min. weight: 75g


Karakorum

A vigorous salt-based scrub with Himalayan, Dead Sea and Atlantic salts in a base with Kokum Butter and Black Seed oil - a sumptuous and exotic scrub with a spicily fragrant blend of Essential Oils.

The Karakorum Highway between Pakistan and China is one of the world's most extreme highways and Black Seed (Kalonji) oil is recommended for muscle rubs, making this scrub eminently suitable as an after sports scrub. The oil is also said to to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.


Kokum Butter is readily absorbed and helps to reduce the degeneration of skin cells and restore elasticity. The fragrance is a special blend of warm and spicy essential oils.

Plain lightweight jar:
Available in 2 sizes:

Normal Price £7.35. Offer Price £5.35*
Min. weight: 150g

Normal Price £4.14. Offer Price £3.12*
Min. weight: 75g



From Essentially Soaps..

This is a lovely gift to give to the one you love on Valentines day. It is a delightful pink jute tote bag (that can be used again & again) decorated with a fairy (decoration may vary) & the handles are held together with a red silk rose. £14.00

Contents include:

- A red heart.
- A 50ml bottle of Luxury facial cleanser enriched with vitamin E, Macadamia nut oil, castor oil, & sweet almond oil and fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose Geranium essential oil. This facial oil is for dry, sensitive or mature skin & is best applied in the evening before going to bed. Just massage a small amount over the face & neck, wet a cloth with hot water & gently remove you will find your face is smooth & clean.
- A 10ml roller bottle of eye serum/cleanser apply round the eyes then gently wipe away with soft cotton wool to remove make up before going to bed. It has jojoba oil, avocado oil & sweet almond oil enriched with vitamin E. It is suitable for all skin types.
- A Vitamin E enriched spearmint lip balm to help keep your lips soft & kissable.
- A soft cotton face flannel tied up with a maroon organza ribbon.



This is a lovely gift to give to the one you love on Valentines day. It is a delightful pink jute tote bag (that can be used again & again) decorated with a flower (decoration may vary) & the handles are held together with a blue peg with a jewel butterfly. £14.00

Contents include:

- A red heart.
- A lovely soft teddy bear (style may vary)
- A soft cotton face flannel tied up with a maroon organza ribbon with a white silk flower attached.
- A 50ml bottle of Luxury facial cleanser enriched with vitamin E, Macadamia nut oil, castor oil, & sweet almond oil and fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose Geranium essential oil. This facial oil is for dry, sensitive or mature skin & is best applied in the evening before going to bed. Just massage a small amount over the face & neck, wet a cloth with hot water & gently remove you will find your face is smooth & clean.
- A pink heart shaped moisturising hand made soap with Olive oil, Coconut oil, cocoa butter & sweet almond oil this soap will leave your skin feeling clean & soft. It is lightly fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose geranium.



This is a lovely glittery gold box the lid is decorated with gold glitter hearts. £14.00

A little note to add that unfortunately, this lovely gift box has now sold out

Contents include:

- A rose pink heart shaped moisturising hand made soap with Olive oil, Coconut oil, cocoa butter & sweet almond oil this soap will leave your skin feeling clean & soft. It is lightly fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose geranium.
- A body puff
- Four heart shape bath melts bath melts made with luxury skin loving butters, oils rose petals & fragranced with the finest geranium & lavender essential oils.
- A 100ml pot of luxury moisturising body butter made with Safflower oil, avocado butter, shea butter & cocoa butter. It is fragranced with a blend of essential oils including rose geranium but there are other fragrance available (look at the web site to see the full range). This is a lovely creamy whipped body butter which will melt when it comes in to contact with your skin & will massage in with out leaving it to greasy.




And some fantastic special offers exclusive to Fresholi from Natroma and The Natural Soapworks...

"In these tough financial times, at The Natural Soapworks we appreciate the need to save a few pennies this Valentine’s Day. So this year we’re offering special joint pampering gifts, created especially for couples – so you can still treat each other to a lovely night in without worrying so much about the cost. So why not choose one of our luxurious gift sets, and add some wine, soft music, candles…..and enjoy!"

The Natural Soapworks offers a wide range of luxurious goat’s milk soaps, bathing and skincare products. They have recently launched the NATROMA skincare range offering light but highly concentrated cream and lotion products, with botanically enriched formulations that provide lasting hydration and genuine skin care benefits.

"We have several Valentine’s gift sets, so please visit our websites for further details: www.naturalsoapworks.co.uk and www.natroma.co.uk "

For now, here are a few ideas to whet your appetite…
NATROMA OFFER - quote: ‘FRESH VAL’ in the coupon box at NATROMA checkout for a 10% Discount off your order

NATROMA

Fabulous Facials:

£21.50 The individual products would normally cost £23.95 - so this kit already enjoys a 10% discount with FREE gift wrapping. Use your extra Fresholi coupon and it comes to just £19.35!

This kit is presented in an elegant ivory box, decorated with red organza ribbon and heart decorations, and includes:

· His and Hers Facial Cleansers (2 x 25ml tubes)
· Chamomile Hydrolat Toner (50ml)
· His and Hers Clay Masks (2 x 20ml tubes)
· His and Hers Moisturisers (2 x 5ml pots)
· 2 x muslin cloths

This is a lovely way to treat your partner – give them a salon style facial! This is a special kit since it previews some of our new facial products for male customers! This kit comes will full instructions on how to use our lovely Natroma facial products, which are handmade with luxurious organic ingredients including: hydrolat flower waters, botanical oils, rosehip, echium and arctic cranberry botanical extracts, rhassoul clay (the fabulous spa clay which suits all skin types), D-panthenol and aloe vera. What better way to show you care?

THE NATURAL SOAPWORKS OFFER - Quote: ‘FRESH VAL’ in the notes box at the Paypal checkout and receive a free Valentine’s bath bomb with your order


The Natural Soapworks – In the Mood Kit: £9.95

This kit includes:

· Natural Soapworks Sensual Valentine’s Day soap (essential oils including: ylang ylang, rosewood and sandalwood) and a scrunchie.
· Heart shaped bath bomb with a luxurious blend of sensual essential oils (including ylang ylang, sandalwood and frankincense), with pretty botanical decorations. This year we’re making a variety of designs for Valentine’s Day - decorated with rose buds, enriched with organic rooibos tea, full of rose petals, marbled with powdered rose, or enriched with exotic Monoi de Tahiti. These are decadent bath bombs, and each one will be uniquely patterned….just perfect for sharing.

· Lips Silk – our fair trade cocoa and shea butter lip balm.
· His and Hers massage hearts - made with cocoa and shea butters, enriched with apricot kernel and coconut oils and featuring two luxurious sensuous blends – with sensual frankincense, patchouli and ylang ylang for her, and seductive sandalwood, vetiver and frankincense for him. They’ll melt in contact with the skin, so are perfect for a luxurious massage!

" This decadent kit will leave the skin feeling soft, delightfully scented….and well, the rest is up to your imagination! "

The Natural Soapworks – Valentine’s Soap 2009 £3.25

"Our rich and creamy Sensual goat’s milk soap, is a firm favourite with both sexes. It’s naturally coloured with turmeric and rosehips, and contains a sensual blend of essential oils including ylang ylang, rosewood, patchouli and sandalwood. It contains a luxurious blend of botanical oils including organic sustainable palm oil. We continue to promote the importance of responsibly sourcing palm oil, in support of Borneo Orangutan Survival – BOS UK. (Remember to watch Orangutan Diary 2 which will be screened by the BBC in March)."

Poor Man's Sandalwood

This is how amyris is often described and personally, I don't think that it does this essential oil much justice at all. Also known as West Indian Sandalwood, I do think that amyris has many qualities in its own right.

Native to Haiti, this small. Bushy tree is also cultivated in other tropic regions of the globe. It is often confused with Sandalwood Mysore but Sandalwood Amyris is less tenacious than mysore.

It is commonly referred to by the locals as ‘candlewood’ because the wood is good for using as torches (the oil content of the wood keeps it burning for long periods). The wood also makes excellent furniture wood.

The essential oils is extracted by the steam distillation of the wood and branches and the oil yield is considered good

It has a top/middle note. Bares many similarities to mysore and hints rosewood. It is a little less sweet than mysore with a musty, woody body. It is often compared to mysore but amyris is lovely aromatic note useful in perfume blends in its own right.

Amyris blends harmoniously with many other wood oils, such as cedarwood and compliments the fresh notes of oils such as lavendin and citronella.

Although non-irritant in most cases, it is best used with care in the first trimester of pregnancy

Thought to be antiseptic, balslamic and a sedative.

Amyris offers a very economical alternative to mysore and it is a key perfume component in many perfumes and cosmetics. Used frequently as a fixative in soap.

Amyris is available from Fresholi...