Down To Earth Organics

People For Plants Face Oil Review

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 03:38:00 +0000

With my blossoming penchant for face oils and a passion for organic argan oil products, it goes without saying that as soon as the new People For Plants Face Oil was available I would be one of the first to get my hands on it.

The People For Plants Argan, Pomegranate and Milk Thistle Face Oil is an elegant combination of certified organic nourishing oils, skin healing botanical extracts and potent herbal antioxidants. Deceptively rich, this face oil is best applied to moistened skin, with the organic macadamia oil making this formula so much more nourishing than using just organic argan oil alone. The smell of this oil is that only of the natural oils, making it suitable for those sensitive to fragrances or essential oils. Fabulous for dry skin, this is definitely great for those who spend their winter days in air conditioning or whose skin needs a natural moisturising boost.

At well under thirty dollars, this little bottle of liquid gold will keep your skin moist, nourished and hydrated during the winter months, it also works a treat as a long hair oil boost for long locks.

People For Plants is a new Australian Organic skin care range that is currently being promoted by Jamie Durie. The brand boasts a bevy of natural skin care products containing certified organic ingredients, the range is free from your usual gamut of chemical nasties including parabens, sulphates and propylene glycol, plus they are Australian made and cruelty free.

To see our full range of People For Plants products visit Down To Earth Organics.

Natural Henna – Information For Beginners

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:12:00 +0000

For some people, trying henna for the first time may seem a little scary, but using natural henna in your hair is actually really simple, rewarding and a bit of fun.

Using natural henna for colouring hair has been around for centuries, Natural Henna is a great alternative to modern chemical hair colours, it actually coats the hair, conditioning and protecting each hair individually. Unlike some chemical hair colours, henna does not damage or strip your hair, it adds colour to it and of course is the best way to colour your hair without chemicals.

As with all hair colours, it is suggested to do a patch test to ensure that the colour is suitable for your needs, I would suggest doing this with some hair from your hairbrush a couple of days before your henna day. To find out what colour to expect from your henna mix a ½ teaspoon of the powder with a tiny amount of hot water and the hair from your hairbrush, leave for a few hours, rinse and observe.

Once you have chosen your henna colour, (view our Colora Henna Colour Chart here) it is best to set aside a good few hours to apply your henna. In winter especially, I would suggest doing it in the afternoon so that you can have a sit out in the sunshine and make best use of the time that you will be sitting, relaxing and letting the henna do its thing. Good things take time, so have a good book, some emails to catch up on, some journaling to do or maybe just enjoy a glass of wine. Enjoy having some relaxing time in your back yard or balcony with a dollop of henna on your head; it sure beats a couple of hours in a salon with smelly chemicals.

Remember that henna is a naturally derived hair colour, it looks like greenish brown ground up herbs, mixed with water is looks like chocolate cake mix and it has a wonderful earthy smell. Be prepared - henna also will colour anything that it comes into contact with, so make sure that you cover your floor with newspaper, wear some old clothes, use some old towels and most importantly use gloves. It is also a good idea to use some pawpaw ointment around your hairline to prevent the henna colour from staining your skin. It is a good idea is to have someone to help you with colouring your hair, a friend with a sense of humour and some skill with applying hair colour will make the process easier and more fun, but is not essential.

Just like everyone has their own secret recipe for making spaghetti bolognaise, using the same basic ingredients, the same goes for using henna, everyone has their own little tips and tricks, it all just comes down to experimentation and experience. View our How To Apply Henna article for a step by step guide and practical suggestions for applying henna for the first time.

As a cautionary note, it should be mentioned that if you consider colouring your hair with henna, you will need to grow out the colour as it is quite difficult to remove once it is on. Choose your henna colour carefully, use our Colora Henna Chart to find the best colour for your hair, it makes sense to say that trying to colour light blonde hair with black henna will produce some discouraging results – think before you henna. Also, for those with more than 20% grey hair, it is advised that you use the Colora Henna Crème as this has added coverage for greys. Lastly, as henna will coat and not strip your hair, do not expect henna to lighten your hair, you can only go darker and healthier with henna.

Overall, henna is by far the most natural way to colour your hair, it also conditions and strengthens your hair so it is excellent for long hair or those wanting to grow out a shorter style. See our How To Apply Henna article next week for a step by step guide and practical suggestions for applying henna.

Happy hennaing!

Down To Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

Natural and Organic Fragrance Free Products

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Tue, 28 May 2013 22:12:00 +0000

When you start to delve into the world of fragrance free or unscented products you might find that instead of finding your skincare or haircare products have less ingredients in them, they may actually have more ingredients in them. In some instances, what you will find is that many main stream commercial products disguise the fragrances or scent of a particular product by using addition chemicals to mask the odour. Obviously for people who have chemical sensitivities or allergies, this can cause more problems due to the increased exposure to chemicals. It makes sense, with the wealth of chemicals, toxins and pollutants in our environment today, it is no wonder that so many of us are trying to reduce our chemical and toxin exposure in our home environment.

Finding truly unscented and fragrance free products that are both natural and chemical free can be challenging, which is why at Down To Earth Organics we have created a separate category for those who want to reduce their chemical exposure and use natural unscented products in their home.

Unscented and fragrance free products can be useful in many different situations: mums and bubs tend to be a little more sensitive to scents. Many essential oils are not suitable for pregnancy, breastfeeding and newborns – fragrance free skincare products provide an easy solution to caring for baby’s sensitive skin. People with topical skin sensitivity can also benefit from using unscented or fragrance free products, using fragrance free laundry detergent and dish washing detergents can also be great for those with dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema (but doesn’t necessary get them out of doing the dishes!). Some medications can put additional stress on the body and the immune system, people undergoing chemotherapy or other drug treatments may find fragrance free skincare and cleaning products a useful substitute for chemical laden products.

Another advantage to natural unscented skincare and hair care products is that it gives you the flexibility create your own personalised natural products, this is great for people with a creative flair for using essential oils. You can create your own individually scented natural skincare product with organic essential oils, without the fuss of creating a whole new product from scratch.

Natural and organic fragrance free and unscented products are also a great solution for the whole family; it can eliminate the necessity to purchase a separate skincare or haircare product for everyone in the family, so everyone is happy!

To check out our range of natural and organic unscented and fragrance free skincare, haircare and cleaning products go to Down To Earth Organics – Your One Stop Natural andOrganic Shop.

Best Natural & Organic Skincare Products for Under $25

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:32:00 +0000

A common misconception with natural and organic skincare is that you have to spend big bucks to get a great skincare product. Fortunately, at Down To Earth Organics we have put together a group of our five favourite natural and organic skincare products under $25 - tried, tested and loved by us, in no particular order:

Sanctum Soothing Cream Cleanser in a generous 150g tube this subtly sweet scented cleanser will keep your skin clean and refreshed for ages. A great cream cleanser for sensitive skin, dry or mature skin, the formula is simple, effective and non-drying, so you don’t need to layer on your moisturiser afterwards.

Kosmea Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil 20mL, this wonderful healing oil, with it’s natural earthy scent and warm amber colour is a great addition any skincare routine. Only a few drops massaged into moistened skin before bed gives you glowing dewy skin in the morning. Add a drop or two to your favourite natural moisturiser for extra nourishment for your skin, works great for scar healing too.

Avalon Organics Daily Moisturizer Lavender 50mL, this silky smooth moisturiser is a surprising winner in our eyes. With somewhat humble packaging, this natural face moisturiser is light and non oily and best compared to your favourite cream coloured blouse – classic, goes with everything and great for any occasion.

Renew Purifying Facial Exfoliant 150mL, with it’s unique bamboo extract and invigorating botanical extracts, this facial exfoliant earns extra points from us for ingenuity. Perfect for skin that tends to get a little more oily, yet gentle enough for sensitive skin as a once to twice weekly treat.

Sukin Antioxidant Eye Serum 35mL is another one of Sukin’s great economy buy natural skincare products. When it comes to value for money, this eye serum has much to offer. Really a cross between an eye gel and a serum, this soothing and cooling formula is great for tired eyes, after a day sitting at a computer monitor or a night out on the town. Light and silky, this is eye formula can be compared to some of it’s more expensive counterparts, and still come out on the top of the pack.

So, there you have it, five beautiful natural and organic skincare products that won’t break the bank. Look fabulous and keep your skin clean and healthy – naturally.

Check out our full range of natural and organic skincare products at Down To Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP.

Managing Dry Winter Skin With Natural Moisturisers

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:34:00 +0000

Cool dry air, hot showers and indoor heating can wreak havoc on skin that tends to dryness. Finding a good natural moisturiser for dry skin can be a challenging, but over the years I have tried some great nourishing moisturisers that do a wonderful service for my somewhat challenging skin.

Two of our best natural moisturisers that I have found for hydrating and nourishing skin are Weleda Skin Food and A’kin Unscented Replenishing Body Moist; both high on my favourites list in the winter months. The WeledaSkin Food is one of those products that has actually been around for quite some time, just a quick glance through the ingredients: lanolin, beeswax and almond oil you can tell that this product packs some serious emollient punch. For me the Weleda Skin Food is a fabulous treat for dry hands, especially after a day out in the garden, for a real treat use it at night on your hands with a pair of cotton gloves over the top to really help with the softening qualities of this natural moistuiser.

The A’kinUnscented Replenishing Body Moist is packed full of fantastic nourishing ingredients like organic avocado oil, certified organic shea butter and Australian macadamia oil – almost good enough to eat. While one of the bonuses of this A’kin moisturiser is that it is Australian, this natural unscented formula is also great for sensitive skin and also if you want a moisturiser that won’t overpower the scent of your preferred fragrance. I have found this product really suitable if you tend to get dry skin on your legs after shaving, a great all rounder really, and because it is unscented it is a suitable moisturiser for men too.

Naturally, minimising hot showers and using indoor heating only when necessary can reduce the environmental triggers contributing to dry winter skin, and it helps to keep your energy bills down too! Also, make sure that you are nourishing your body from the inside out by staying well hydrated, if you find it challenging to drink water in the winter months you can substitute with herb teas.

Visit Down To Earth Organics to view our full range of Natural Body Moisturisers.

DownTo Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

What Ingredients Go Into Natural Face Moisturisers?

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:00:00 +0000

There are four main elements to organically based moisturiser products; the humectant, the emollient, the emulsifier, and the actives.

An humectant is a naturally occuring substance which helps keep skin moist by helping skin cells to draw water in. Common natural humectants include aloe vera, honey, vegetable glycerin, and oat extracts.

An emulsifier is the ingredient that stabilises the moisturiser and gives it its even texture. Common emulsifying ingredients include beeswax, soy lecithin, castor oil, and cetyl alcohol.

An emollient is an ingredient that softens and relaxes the skin, by slowing the evaporation of water. Natural emollients include almond oil , coconut oil, shea butter, argan (Moroccan) oil, beeswax and cocoa butter are all frequently used.

The actives are the ingredients which give the moisturiser its special therapeutic properties. These can include everything from botanical extracts, herbs and essential oils to naturally derived vitamins and minerals. Utilizing the unique qualities of these actives ingredients in natural skincare preparations often gives rise to the product itself is often named after its active ingredient.

When choosing the moisturiser that is best for you, consider your skin type and the level of moisturisation that you require. Down to Earth provides detailed descriptions for each product; browse the ingredients and the product description to check that it is right for you.

Click here to view our range of natural moisturisers at Down To Earth Organics.

Down To Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

Ere Perez Natural Jojoba Oil Eye Pencil Review

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 07:31:00 +0000

It wasn’t too long ago that I had, for the most part given up on finding a natural eyeliner that was suitable for my sensitive eyes. I had grown tired of eyeliners that scratched, broke, irritated my skin, or simply wouldn’t draw. My eyeliner drought recently ended when I decided to treat myself to another attempt at using a natural eyeliner, I decided to give the Ere Perez Natural Jojoba Oil Eye Pencil a whirl, and this is how it went:

Ere Perez Natural Eye Pencil draws on with first application, does not scratch, scrape or drag, has not irritated my eyes and actually looks good when I apply it (now that is saying something!). Surprisingly, I found that this eyeliner actually stays on all day, doesn’t smear all over my eye and is simple and easy enough for me to remove with my regular natural cream cleanser.

I did find it challenging to find the little hidden sharpener in the lid of the pencil – the lid has a lid of its own, but once I sorted that out it was all fine.

The only real problem I have with this Ere Perez Natural Jojoba Oil Eye Pencil is that I didn’t discover it earlier!

I found the brown Ere Perez Natural Jojoba Oil Eye Pencil goes great with Zuii Flora Certified Organic Eyeshadow in chestnut with a smear of Ere Perez Natural Rosehip Oil Nude Lipbar – perfectly natural, perfectly easy to apply.

Click here to view our range of natural mineral make-up at Down To Earth Organics.

Down To Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

Review: Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:05:00 +0000

Three weeks into my tube of Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator by fabulous NZ natural skincare brand Antipodes and my skin in is glowing, fresh and more youthful looking. This gentle exfoliant makes use of tiny jojoba beads and soothing, healing oils like calendula and carrot oil to create a rich creamy face scrub that is even suitable for the most sensitive skin. Also, the use of earthy essential oils like sandalwood and cedarwood make using this product an absolute delight for the senses.

With my highly sensitive and reactive skin, I was initially very cautious when I first started using this product. I found that using a large pea-sized dollop and very gently massaging into my skin worked perfectly to achieve a nice clean glow. Even for my tending to dry sensitive skin I found that I am able to use this product 3-4 times per week without any issues. I would suggest that those with more oily skin could use this product more vigorously and even more frequently to help with breakouts as the after effect with this product is slightly drying to the skin.

Overall, I would suggest this is one of (if not the) best natural facial exfoliants I have used, I would recommend this for normal to oily and young skin types, but also find it gentle and soothing enough for more mature skin or dry, sensitive skin types. My tube will definitely last me well into the new year and keep my skin glowing and fresh for the summer months!

On the packaging:

“Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator with 100% pure avocado oil, marigold flower, tonka bean and sandalwood.

Offer your skin a new life with this beautifully effective, extremely gentle Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator. Avocado oil and jojoba beads marry to lift away lifeless skin, leaving a fresh complexion that feels reborn. Healing calendula oil works to nurture and repair, while carrot seed extract helps clear and revitalise skin's surface. Exotic essential oils of sandalwood, sweet orange and tonka bean calm and balance your skin's appearance.

Directions for use: Gently blend Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator into moist skin at sunrise or whenever your skin calls for a new life. Rinse well with warm and pure water.”

Click here to see the full ingredient list for Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator

Down To Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

The Benefits of Using Chemical Free Natural Cosmetics.

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 05:30:00 +0000

It has been estimated that the average woman absorbs a whopping two kilograms of cosmetics every year, and on an everyday basis, a woman could be smearing 175 chemicals on her skin. Of the estimated 82, 000 ingredients used in personal care products, it is said that one in eight are chemicals that are potentially hazardous to our health. Many of these hazardous chemicals in cosmetics are known carcinogens, pesticides, industrial chemicals, reproductive toxins and hormone disrupters. When we look closer at many of these chemicals in cosmetics, we can find chemical plasticizers, degreasers, and surfactants that would ordinarily be used to keep concrete soft, clean our cars and reduce surface tension in paints … and then we put it on our skin!

While many cosmetic products may seem harmless, especially since it is really only small amounts that are applied to the skin, it is the cumulative effect over several years of use that is difficult to gauge the effect of and would be considered in terms of a ‘slow poisoning’.

Obviously, by choosing to use chemical free natural cosmetics you are reducing the ingestion of a plethora of hazardous or carcinogenic substances, many of which would be banned substances if there were more stringent controls in the cosmetics industry. For those with sensitive skin or a tendency to skin breakouts, natural cosmetics offer a sensible solution without compromising on quality.

Many natural cosmetics also contain botanical extracts such as calendula and aloe vera that can help to improve the condition of the skin and allow the skin to breathe and function normally. Many women do find that after switching to natural cosmetics they do not need to apply as much product to conceal imperfections due to improved skin condition and texture.

Due to the reduced reliance on chemically made ingredients, natural cosmetics offer a great eco-conscious option for the environmentally aware woman and you can be assured that all natural cosmetics available at Down To Earth Organics are made ethically and are cruelty free.

Natural mineral cosmetics offer a great range of options for those who like to be a little more creative with their face paint, Claytime Australia and Zuii Certified Organic have a fabulous natural eyeshadows made from plant and mineral derived ingredients. Our range of Ere Perez Natural Cosmetics offers great quality products that will fast become your favourite essential makeup items. Check out Ere Perez Natural Almond Oil Mascara that WON Best Beauty Product in Green Lifestyle Magazine’s Green Lifestyle Awards earlier this year!

Click here to see our full range of natural and organic cosmetics at Down To Earth Organics.

Not tested on animals, no petrochemicals, no parabens, no talc, no GM ingredients.

Down To Earth Organics – YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure Linked With Thyroid Problems in Pregnancy

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:54:00 +0000

According to a new study by researchers in Berkeley, California, bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-like compound has been linked to changes in thyroid hormone levels in pregnant women and newborn boys.

In this study, the researchers analysed the bisphenol A levels in the urine samples of 335 women during the second half of their pregnancy, the thyroid hormone blood samples taken from the mothers during pregnancy and from the newborns within a few days of birth.

The researchers found that with increased exposure to BPA during pregnancy, total thyroxine (T4) blood levels would decrease proportionately, suggesting a hypothyroid effect. In newborn boys, increased exposure to BPA was linked to a significant decrease in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), suggesting a hyperthyroid effect.

Several studies in recent years have linked lower thyroid hormone levels to delays in cognitive and motor development in children. It is also suggested that even small changes in thyroid levels, even within the normal range may still have an effect on thinking skills, behaviour and growth.

It was interesting to note that the studies did not show any link with BPA and newborn girls, suggesting the presence of higher levels of a BPA metabolising enzyme as found in previous studies with animals.
Due to the increased sensitivity of pregnant women to chemicals and toxins in the environment, and the vulnerability of fetuses to this exposure, avoidance of bisphenol A during pregnancy of paramount importance both for pregnant women and those wishing to conceive.

While complete avoidance of bisphenol A is a challenge in today’s ‘throw-away’ society, conscious reduction of exposure can be achieved through the use of BPA free food storage containers and drink containers in the home.

Here at Down To Earth Organics we have a great range of BPA free baby bottles, water bottles and food storage containers designed to keep your body free from chemicals such as bisphenol A, PCBs, leads & phthalates.

To see our range of BPA Free Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups, and Cutlery & Storage Options click here.

To see our range of Eco Lifestyle Water Bottles, Stainless Steel Storage options and Re-useable Coffee Cups click here.

DOWN TO EARTH ORGANICS - YOUR ONE STOP NATURAL AND ORGANIC SHOP

My Affair with Antipodes Scientific Organic Beauty Skincare Range

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 02:55:00 +0000

It all started rather innocently about a year ago after I had run out of my regular eye moisturiser. We had just introduced a few organic skincare products from New Zealand brand Antipodes Scientific Organic Beauty at Down To Earth Organics and I thought it would be good to try one of these new products myself. I decided to try the Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream and was immediately taken by the texture and luxury of this product, not only was it smooth and hydrating, but it didn’t irritate my temperamental skin and seemed to keep on working all throughout the day.

It wasn’t long after trying the Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream that I sought out my next product in the Antipodes range. I had run out of my regular natural moisturiser with SPF and so too had our shelves at Down To Earth Organics. I had a kayaking adventure to plan for in the next few weeks and I was without a moisturiser with sunscreen, so I found a perfect excuse to invest in the Antipodes Immortal Performance Plus Moisturiser with SPF15. Over the years I had tried several similar natural moisturisers with SPF, and while finding them effective, I rarely found a natural product that I really enjoyed using. The Antipodes Moisturiser with SPF15 definitely ‘ticked all of the boxes’: it was light enough to wear under make up, effective enough to keep me from getting scorched on my kayaking adventure and gentle enough not to flare up any skin issues. It was around this time that I realised my relationship with Antipodes Organic skincare products was really starting to go ‘somewhere’.

My next investment was Antipodes Natural Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser, a decadent and charming cream cleanser that would be suitable for even the fussiest skin. I have since used this cleanser once or twice daily and have found this product treats my sensitive skin with humble respect without compromising on effectiveness.

My new found interest in Antipodes Organic skincare products however, has not gone unnoticed by my partner, he is beginning to see a pattern with my choices of skincare products, and the shiny amber glass bottles with green labels are ever so quietly starting to take over our bathroom. Of course I have plans for my future relationship with Antipodes Organics skincare; it won’t be long before I will need a new night cream and facial exfoliant, so the Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator will be closely followed by the Avocado Nourishing Night Cream in the next few weeks. Although I have had my eye on the Hosanna H2O Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum, it will be some time before I work through my current fabulous serums, so that part of the affair may have to wait until next year!

To view our range of Antipodes Scientific Organic Beauty Skincare range, go to:
Down To Earth Organics
Your one stop natural and organic shop

Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel Review

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 06:03:00 +0000

Always the guineapig for self-tanners, I am the first to admit that while others were in the queue to get their tan-able skin, I was busily stocking up on freckles and fair skin. It seemed obvious that when we discovered Sukin was bringing out a sunless bronzing gel, I would have the most suitable pasty legs to trial the new self tanner in house at Down To Earth Organics.

For the last ten days or so I have been sporadically using Sukin’s new Sunless Bronzing Gel. The first thing to notice with the packaging is the relatively short list of ingredients and lack of chemical nasties such as artificial and synthetic fragrances, EDTA, parabens and animal derivatives. Also as an added bonus, Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel is100% Australian owned and made and 100% carbon neutral!

When using the gel, the first thing that I noticed was the consistency, likely due to the high aloe vera content, it seems a little more runny and glossy than other self tanners that I have tried. While this does take a little to get used to, it actually makes even application a little easier. Sukin has also added a couple of essential oils to the formula giving it a nice pleasant citrus-y smell.

Although I am no expert, I have found that building a tan slowly with several applications works best for me so I don’t end up splotchy or streaky. I found with this product that two light applications within a few hours worked best for my skin to achieve a light tan, a third application can get quite a rich darker colour, which would really be up to personal preference.

The aloe vera in this formula also makes the application quite soothing without being sticky, and I can imagine in the warmer weather this will be quite therapeutic on a hot summer day. After a week of using this Sukin self tanner I found the colour would fade without streaks or blotches and once daily application seems to keep the colour looking natural without going overboard.

The overall colour of this self tanner also seems a bit darker than some other products that I have used, perhaps due to the caramel ingredient in the formula, I didn’t find this to be too much of an issue with light applications, and actually had the advantage of making the product go that much further.

For cost and value, at well under $20 this is a bargain, 200mL should last me through a greater part of the summer, and the soothing moisturising properties of the gel makes it so much more enjoyable to re-apply after showering. Definitely a great buy for those wanting an Aussie tan without the sunburn.

To find out more details about our Sukin Sunless Bronzing Gel, visit
Down To Earth Organics – your one stop natural and organic shop.

Spirulina - An Introduction

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:13:00 +0000

Some may call me a veteran on spirulina, others may just say I'm a bit 'green', either way I have been using this glorious green stuff in some form for nearly 20 years! Often referred to as a blue-green algae, spirulina is technically a cyanobacteria or a blue coloured bacteria, but, unlike other forms of bacteria, spirulina contains chlorophyll and uses the sun as an energy source in a similar way to plants and algae.

Historically, spirulina is believed to have been consumed as a food source by the Aztecs until the 16th century and also grown in Central Africa. Today spirulina is grown and harvested in many locations throughout the world in alkaline lakes, given the correct conditions it is fast growing and relatively easy to harvest.

Spirulina is considered to be one of the most nutritious and concentrated food sources on the planet, a majority of the interest in spirulina is around it's natural protein content. Often containing around 60% bioavailable, easily absorbable plant based protein, spirulina is considered to be a much better source of protein than most animal forms of protein, including red meat.

However, it is not just the amino acid profile (proteins) that make this whole food remarkable, spirulina is also abundantly rich in minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids. It is this unique combination of nutrients that categorizes spirulina as a 'superfood' in our western society, a nutritional saviour in third world countries, and a nutrition-packed food for astronauts and earth dwelling humans alike.

The health benefits of this wholefood spirulina are many, in brief, spirulina is a great food source for vegetarians, pregnant women, nursing mothers and the elderly. Spirulina is great for balancing blood sugar levels, beneficial in Type II diabetes and associated cardiovascular issues. It is supportive for brain function, liver, eyes and immune system. Spirulina is also of benefit for those with cholesterol issues, excess weight or low energy.

Ultimately, a daily dose of spirulina is a great equivalent to synthetically manufactured nutritional supplements, for those travelling or with less than optimal diets.

See our full range of spirulina here at
Down To Earth Organics - your one stop natural and organic shop.

Hungry For Change DVD Review

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:23:00 +0000

Hungry For Change - Your health is in your hands.

This latest release DVD from the makers of “Food Matters” is informative, educational and entertaining. For many who already lead a natural, healthy lifestyle, the information contained in the DVD will confirm and cement your views on healthy eating. However, for a majority of people who have veered off the path of healthy living, this film provides insightful information on how commonly consumed processed ‘foods’ are contributing to the declining health in western countries.

As with their previous documentary “Food Matters”, “Hungry For Change” encompasses a combination of interviews with health professionals & testimonials from health advocates, intertwined with the fictional tale of an average woman living a standard mainstream life. We follow the journey of this woman who, for all intents and purposes is living a normal life, however is not feeling optimal health due to her less than healthy lifestyle choices.

Specifically, this film looks at weight loss (or weight gain) issues and addresses the influence of diet drinks, monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, artificial colours, flavours and sweeteners in processed foods and how they are influencing the overall health of western society. During the course of the documentary, suitable alternatives to processed foods are provided to encourage the viewer to take greater responsibility for their own health and to move away from the marketing incentives of denatured processed foods.

Snippets of wisdom from health experts like Dr Alejandro Junger, Joseph Mercola and Dr Christiane Northrup are seamlessly intertwined with interviews with healthy eating advocates such as Jon Gabriel (“Gabriel Method”), Kris Carr (“Crazy Sexy Diet”) and Australia’s own Joe Cross (“Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead”). Refreshingly, there are no products that are being marketed, no brands being pushed and no gimmicky sales pitches.

Ultimately, “Hungry For Change” is the kind of documentary that you will go back to and watch a few times, just to refresh your passion and motivation for living a healthy life and choosing nutritious foods. I would recommend this film for anyone who feels that they have lost sight of their health/weight/life goals and needs some gentle persuasion to refocus their journey towards a healthy & happy life.

For the month of August 2012 www.downtoearthorganics is selling this latest DVD Hungry For Change at 20% off the recommended retail price. Get your copy here while we still have stock!

Down To Earth Organics – your one stop natural and organic stop

How Supermarkets Are Regaining Control Over Consumer Choices.

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 22:41:00 +0000

While many of us do our best to ensure that a majority of our purchases are local, ethical and environmental, ultimately, finances and necessity (read convenience) overtakes our cynicism and we end up buying our organic chickpeas from a major supermarket chain.

If we rewind a few decades to the 1950s and beyond, consumers had little or no choice when it came to consumable items; the store keeper chose the brand and allocated a price for our purchases. This relationship between the consumer and store keeper all changed when somewhere in the 60s when the supermarket was introduced and consumers we permitted to browse the isles for products. Consumers could themselves select what they wanted, a turning point in the control of consumer choice.

These abundant choices continued through to the present day where we no longer use a basket to carry our groceries, we need a tank sized trolley to cart our purchases to our self-serve checkout. We have endless choices for any item that consumes our attention and we well and truly have control of our choices. Or do we?

Our supermarket roller coaster ride has been spent for many of us with our eyes wide shut. While some may have been quietly hoping for the dynamic range of choices to be minimised (do we really need an entire isle dedicated to soft drink?), for some of us we are now becoming cognisant to the fact that we really have not been in control of our choices for some time now.

Like the evil sister that quietly studies and entices our boyfriend until she finally covets his affections right under our naive nose, supermarkets have been studying our purchases (loyalty cards), understanding our preferences (stocking organic chickpeas) and providing us with incentives to spend more (how many times have I spent $28 on groceries and found myself disappointed that I didn’t spend enough to get my fuel voucher?).

How could we not have seen this coming? Obviously there have been some big monopoly decisions that have occurred in order to manipulate the general course of events, but I suppose it really started when some of the big guys realised that the idea of a supermarket or no label brand was attractive to the consumer. I remember in the 80s when the supermarket brands were originally shelved near the ‘Homebrand’ and ‘Black & Gold’ budget brands, until that is, they did their research and realised that there was more money to be had in eliminating competitors’ brands from the shelves and stocking their own products.

For me, this really all came to crisis point when I realised that the organic chickpeas that I had been unashamedly purchasing from a major supermarket chain was no longer available. I tracked down my cherished brand of organic chickpeas at a local independent grocer, only to find that their price was more than double what I had been purchasing them for. I also realised that a huge majority of natural and organic ‘healthy alternatives’ that you could previously purchase in supermarkets have been replaced with identical supermarket products. Granted, these products may well come from the same farms and be manufactured in the same factories and simply packaged differently, who really benefits here?

Being both a consumer and a small business owner myself this really made me realise that some of my purchases as a consumer were not in line with my beliefs as a small business owner. As we grow and learn, each of us begins to understand the value of how even our smallest purchases influence our global economy. Ultimately it is up to us as consumers to support small independent businesses, to allow ourselves to sustain and relinquish control of our choices and enable small businesses to remain as an integral part of our economy. As I learn to make more conscious and aware choices with buying natural, organic and local products from independent small business I hope this will somehow influence others to do the same.

Choose natural, choose organic, choose local.

Mohdoh Mouldable Aromatherapy Review

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 07:23:00 +0000

Mohdoh is one of the most innovative healing products currently on the market; it combines aromatherapy with colour therapy and play therapy. I have had a couple of pots of Mohdoh sitting on my desk for the last few weeks, unopened and waiting patiently for me to play with them.

Originally designed and manufactured in the UK, Mohdoh Mouldable Aromatherapy products have already won Best New Non Food Product of the Year for 2010 and 2011 at the Natural and Organic Show in the U K. Mohdoh utilises a non-toxic dough base as a carrier for natural essential oils chosen for their therapeutic properties.

As the dough is kneaded, essential oils are not only vaporised and inhaled, but also absorbed through the skin. The concentration of oils is controlled to ensure that Mohdoh is both safe and effective. Specific colours are used for each formulation selected to balance the energy centres that may be out of harmony within the body. The synergistic effects of touch and smell have been shown to be very effective in treating a number of stress related complaints and the tactile nature of the dough has in itself a soothing, calming effect.

So, today I finally opened my very own pot of Mohdoh Mouldable Aromatherapy - Think, I was initially attracted to the yellow colour, and the uplifting mix of essential oils – rosemary, basil, rosewood and palmarosa.

After playing with my Think Mohdoh for a few minutes I was surprised with the level of detail that has been researched and tested with the design of this product. The blend of essential oils is aromatic enough, but not overpowering, the pliability of the dough is perfect for massaging the hands and the texture of the dough allows for the release of the essential oils, but does not leave your hands sticky or slimy. I particularly liked the perfect quantity of doh per container that you can put back into its pot and use another time – good for another three months.

What I really like is that this therapy is totally non-invasive, suitable for children, the elderly or as a gift for someone that may already have everything. I still have the uplifting scent of my Mohdoh Think on my hands as I type. Such a perfect 'at work, at home or at the office' therapy that you don’t need to have any special training or instructions to use – just squeeze and play!

Take a peek at our range of Mohdoh Mouldable Aromatherapy Products at our Down To Earth Organics online store:

Think - Stimulates and improve concentration
Travel - Relieves travel anxiety and nausea
Calm - Relaxes those constantly on the go
Breathe - Provides comfort from coughs and colds
Sleep - Aids restful sleep
Quit - Helps you quit smoking
Slim - Helps lose weight
Headeez - Helps lto relieve headaches and tension
Unwind - Gently calms and relieves worry

For more information on Mohdoh products see our article “Mohdoh Mouldable Aromatherapy FAQ” at Down To Earth Organics

Ten Reasons to Choose Organic

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:26:00 +0000

At times it seems that choosing organic isn’t always the easiest option especially when we are surrounded by an abundance of choices at the supermarket. The following list provides some health, economic and environmental reasons to choose organic and inspire us to make better choices now for ourselves, the environment and for future generations.

1. We avoid chemical pesticides, fertilisers, herbicides and livestock additives such as steroids and antibiotics when we choose organic. Trace amounts of these chemicals are ingested or absorbed into our bodies when we use non-organic products, the cumulative effect of these chemicals can have a deleterious effect on our long-term health and may contribute to the increased incidence of chronic diseases in modern society.

2. Choosing organic we are naturally avoiding genetically modified foods, many of which have unspecified effects on our health and the health of the environment. The potential negative effects of GM farming include the growth of ‘superweeds’, the killing of beneficial pest species and the creation of new viral diseases.

3. Organic farming practices are more beneficial for the environment, using techniques such as crop rotation, biological pest control and irrigation management which reduces issues such as soil erosion.

4. Because organic foods and products are grown in naturally fertilised soils and often have a longer growing period, the nutritional, medicinal and therapeutic value of organics are far greater than those grown rapidly with chemical fertilisers.

5. Taste! Yes, many organic foods taste much better than foods grown conventionally and then kept in cold storage for months. Unlike many conventional products, organic foods and products are vital, vibrant and alive and many of us can sense, feel and taste it too.

6. Although on the surface, choosing organic often seems more expensive, long term, buying organic is actually much more economical. When choosing organic you often avoid many of the hidden costs associated with pesticide regulation, hazardous waste disposal and environmental damage associated with conventional industry.

7. Pesticides used in conventional agriculture can have some dramatic effects on aquatic life and the ecology; organic farming significantly reduces the amount of chemical runoff and residues which are currently going into our drinking water, waterways and coastal areas.

8. Save energy with choosing organic; there is a significant amount of energy expended by conventional farming practices with the manufacture of synthetic fertilisers and mass production. Organic farming is often still labour based, with many labour intensive practices such as hand weeding, green manure and crop covers which use time tested methods that consume fewer fossil fuels.

9. Protect future generations: the average child is said to receive four times more exposure than an adult when consuming foods treated with common pesticides. Also, choosing organic for our children means avoiding food additives, artificial flavours, colours and preservatives that may contribute to learning or behavioural difficulties.

10. Local farmers markets are the perfect place to choose organic, this gives us an opportunity to learn more about the organic food or product that we are purchasing, we learn about where it has come from and thus have a greater connection to its origins.

Follow Down To Earth Organics on Twitter @dteorganics where you can find out about local farmers markets and other community events where you can find local, natural and organic produce all around Australia.

Choose natural, choose organic, choose local.

How Safe is My Fabric Softener?

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 22:34:00 +0000

Until recently, my organic cotton towels have never been treated with fabric softeners; I have grown accustomed to having towels that give an invigorating, but gentle exfoliation when using them.

One of the main reasons for my aversion to fabric softeners is simply the toxic and un-natural character of them. The purpose of these liquids is to make fabrics softer, less static and easier to iron, this is usually achieved by coating the fibres of the fabric with a chemical compound that lubricates and changes the electrical charge of the fabric. While this may seem fairly harmless, many of the chemicals used in everyday commercial fabric softeners are released over a period of time, are often in contact with our skin, inhaled and have the potential to cause numerous side effects with our health and the environment.

Some of these chemicals commonly found in fabric softeners effect the nervous system, causing headaches, mood swings, memory loss or irritability. Some people may experience skin irritations or rashes, breathing difficulty or eye irritations when using fabric softeners. Many of the chemicals commonly found in fabric softeners are also known carcinogens linked with several forms of cancers.

From an environmental perspective, many of the chemicals found in fabric softeners are derived from petrochemicals and are not biodegradable, therefore causing unnecessary pollutants to be added to our waterways.

Fortunately in Australia, there are now a few companies that produce natural fabric softeners that contain only natural ingredients, natural fragrance and are biodegradable.

Search here to find our range of natural fabric softeners that are free from known carcinogens, phthalates, chloroform, artificial fragrances or any of the other nasties that are found in your regular fabric softeners. Each of the natural fabric softeners that we have in our Down To Earth Organics store has a full ingredient list that allows you to have peace of mind when choosing a natural fabric softener for yourself and your family.

In my household we now treat natural fabric softeners as we do chocolate – it is not something that is deemed as necessary for survival, but it is nice to have on hand for an occasional treat, the best types are always natural and organic.

For more information on the chemicals found in commercially available fabric softeners, read our article: What Chemicals Are in My Fabric Softener?

Down To Earth Organics – Launch of New Website Design

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 07:30:00 +0000

There is nothing like making use of a rainy public holiday to launch the new layout for our Down To Earth Organics website! We have performed a major, much needed overhaul of our website to improve ease of navigation through the site and make browsing a little easier on the eye.

Our online store has blossomed from humble beginnings in 2007 and has proudly evolved into one of Australia’s largest online stores stocking well over 1000 natural and organic skincare products, natural cosmetics, BPA free baby bottles and accessories, eco cleaning products and everything in between that you need to maintain a natural, organic, healthy & eco friendly lifestyle.

Obviously one of the new features that we will be resurrecting is our online blog where we will be posting articles on what is new in natural and organic skincare, hair care, health and eco cleaning, plus reviews of natural and organic products as well as articles about how to reduce your impact on the environment.

For those of you who have known us for a while know that we like to add the odd special treat into your order and have the occasional day when we offer free postage throughout Australia. This week, with the launch of our newly made-over website we are offering free postage throughout Australia until Sunday afternoon. To access this free postage, just add the code ORGANIC into the field: “redeem coupon” when you reach the shopping cart and the postage fee will be automatically subtracted from your cart (offer valid until 17^th June 2012).

With still more features and improvements in the pipeline for www.downtoearthorganics.com.au hope that you will enjoy our new easier to navigate website and visit us in the future for more updates and information. If you have any comments or opinions on our new website layout, please contact us at contactus@downtoearthorganics.com.au we hope to be hearing from you in the near future.

When is a natural insect repellent not an insect repellent?

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:28:00 +0000

In recent months many of you would have noticed that there seems to be a dwindling supply of natural insect repellents available on our website, this can be attributed to a crack-down on ‘natural insect repellents’ by the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority). As the name suggests, the APVMA is a government body established to centralise the registration of all agricultural and veterinary chemical products on the Australian market.

So what does the APVMA have to do with natural insect repellents?

According to the APVMA, an ‘agricultural chemical product’ includes any substance or organism used to destroy, stupefy, repel, inhibit the feeding of, or prevent pests on plants or other things (including us humans). This means for any manufacturer of a product that makes claim to any of these properties (natural or otherwise) is required to register their product with the APVMA before they can make statements like: ‘Contains natural botanical extracts to help repel biting insects’. Registration of a product with the APVMA is a lengthy and costly process, taking several years and potentially 100s of thousands of dollars.

The outcome of this crack-down by the APVMA has meant that many manufacturers of natural insect repellents have simply chosen to take their product off the market. However, there have been a handful of manufacturers that have taken the ‘mozzie by the proboscis’ (so to speak) and have simply chosen to re-label their products to avoid making any claims to ‘repel insects’. The following products are available on our website www.downtoearthorganics.com.au they have been creatively re-labelled to allow the continued supply of these great products on the market. Please support the manufacturers of these products so that Australians can enjoy the benefits of the outdoors without having to douse ourselves in toxic chemicals:

Mozzie F.O. Natural Insect Repellent has now been re-labelled as: Mozzie F.O. Natural Skin Lotion .

Lemon Myrtle Fragrances Natural Insect Protection is now called Lemon Myrtle Fragrances Antiseptic Topical Spray.

& Cherub Rubs Scatterbugs is now Cherub Rubs Skin Guard.

Why use natural sunscreens?

noreply@blogger.com (Down To Earth Organics) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Although from media advertising, it seems imperative that Australians become more sun-conscious, often the effects of chemicals in conventional sunscreens can pose additional threats to our health and well-being. Medical research is now uncovering some the negative effects of chemical UV-absorbers in conventional sunscreens:

Octyl-methoxycinnamate (used in 80-90% of sunscreens):

produces free radicals (singlet molecular oxygen) known to be toxic to cells.

when tested on mice, approx. half died, using a lower concentration than most sunscreens.

showed oestrogenic effects in lab tests making cancer cells grow more rapidly and triggered developmental abnormalities.

Benzophenone-3 / Oxybenzone:

can be measured in urine after topical application of sunscreen.

inactivated important antioxidant systems in the skin (the skin's natural protection system).

76-80mg per hour absorbed of chemical through the surface of the skin.

At Down to Earth Organics we have several natural sunscreens: one of our favourites is Soleo Organics Sunscreen - voted number 1 eco sunscreen by Elle magazine and No. 1 by the Environmental Working Group:

completely free from chemical UV-absorbers, chemical preservatives, titanium dioxide and parabens.

a cosmetically appealing product that is bursting with organic botanical extracts, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to protect and nourish the skin.

Avent To Stop Selling BPA Bottles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Avent is soon to stop selling baby bottles containing BPA in Australia, this us huge news from the biggest baby bottle maker in the world. Hang on, its not news until they release it...oops.

Top 10 Foods to Fight Wrinkes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:34:00 +0000

Along with maintaining a healthy attitude towards life, staying active, proper cleansing and a diet packed full of fresh, natural and organic wholefoods, the following foods contain many of the best plant based ingredients to maintain healthy, glowing and wrinkle free skin.

Acai Berries - the best Superfood on the planet, wrinkle fighting from within gets no better than this
Apples - have good wrinkle fight power and can also prevent heart disease
Goji Berries - contain such elements as vitamins, carotene, zeaxanthin which are all effective on wrinkles
Kiwi Fruit - packed full of vitamin C, 1 cup gives you 275% of you daily requirement
Organic Tomatoes - powerful because of lycopene, which attacks skin damaging free radicals
Capsicums - red in particular, like tomatoes, also contain lycopene & zeaxanthin
Carrots - 1 cup of raw carrots contains over 600% of you RDA of vitamin A
Brussels Sprouts - contain whats called phytonutrients that optimise your skin cells'
Garlic - great for reducing skin inflammation, and very good at helping to repair acne and other skin irritations
Flaxseed - also great for helping to reduce skin inflammation, good for menopause

Lavera Natural Self Tanning Lotion

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:10:00 +0000

Well, autumn is here and no doubt your tan is fading. If this is the case and you are a lover of organic and natural ingredients you must give Lavera Self Tanning Lotion a try. Lavera Self Tanning Lotion will not last as as it's chemical filled brethren but you will go out knowing you will not turn yellow and that if a mozzie lands on you it will survive.

BPA - have your say

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:10:00 +0000

As most of you know - the media has recently drawn attention to the dangers of Bisphenol A (BPA) in bottles. This attention created immediate hysteria - we literally have 100's of concerned mothers ringing us - frightened that they may have caused irreparable damage to their babies by feeding them with bottles that contain BPA and also angry that no one, including doctors, pharmacists and midwives have ever informed them about the dangers of this chemical.

Sadly, once the media hype dies down and the issue no longer has attention, a whole new generation of new mothers are again oblivious to this terrible situation, where in Australia, there are hundreds of baby bottles on our shelves, causing potential harm to our babies.

How does this make you feel?