When You Should Really Insist on Natural Products – Sigourney’s Edit

And For The Family…

Again – it’s all about the pump pack here, and something that’s kind on your purse (particularly when your five year old decides to paint the mirror with it.) Try Sukin Hydrating Body Lotion, Buddy Scrub Sweet Orange & Lavender Body Lotion, or Endota Spa Organics Hand & Body Lotion.

For Cleaning Products…

It’s actually terrifying how many questionable ingredients are in household cleaners – from phthalates (which are particularly dangerous to pregnant women and young children) to noxious odours and hormone disruptors. Where possible, I’ve switched to natural cleaning ranges like Murchison Hume (I love their Dish Soap) and Bondi Wash Bench Wash. Where possible, I just wipe my benches with a mixture of water and a little bit of white vinegar. For tough stains on benches and pans I’ll sprinkle it first with baking soda. I’ve even been known to make surface sprays out of Dr Bronner’s Castile Soap (see the recipe here) which is a miracle cleanser for everything – body, hair, delicates and even the dog.

Babes In Arms…

When I massage Lulu’s adorable chubby little legs or tend to Max’s playground injuries I’m always shocked at how flawless, how porcelain and delicate their skin is – compared to my leathery old hide! When Lulu was a wee baby I was a big fan of Jurlique Baby Bubble Bath.

For both kids, we’re completely in love with all-purpose balm Pommade Divine – (see our recent story on it here) it’s great for bruises, scratches, insect bites, burns and weird rashy things and I love the clove scent.

Max gets eczema so I’ve been using Moo Goo Eczema & Psoriasis Creamon his itchy spots (their shampoo is fantastic on my dry and sensitive scalp, too). At night, I give Lulu’s room a spray with Milk Baby Nighty Night Spray and spritz her sleeping bag (I just got a Liberty Print one from Louelle, how gorgeous is it?) with Hanako Therapies Happy Baby.

When she’s sick I also burn the Oil Garden Bamboo Ultrasonic Vaporisor with Breathe Easier oil or Sound Sleep Oil.  These are amazing – I have one in our room, too.

When Detoxing Your Beauty Routine

When I’ve been pregnant, breastfeeding, detoxing or just feeling like a break from the enormous roster of products that I test for my job (nope, not complaining!) I’ll reach for organic skincare from Vanessa Megan, Ayu Natural perfume in Souq and Nude By Nature Mineral Makeup (I actually use the new Luminous Sheer foundation even when I’m not detoxing, it’s that good).

Anti-Ageing Skincare and Makeup

When it comes to serious anti-ageing ingredients, it’s hard to find the concentration I need in organics, so I’ll reach for a range that has the science behind it minus the nasties. Sometimes it’s not about what’s in a product so much as what they leave out, and there are some great brands these days who are more conscious of not using parabens, SLS and mineral oils in their products.  Alpha H have incredible vitamin serums (see my review of A, and E here), Synergie Minerals Makeup (I particularly love the Uberzinc Moisturiser) and Ultraceuticals also have excellent formulations.

Getting Handy With It

When it comes to germ removal – especially during flu season – I won’t cut corners on handwash and sanitizer, but where possible I steer clear of highly chemical-laden formulas. An interesting thing to note is that the United States Food and Drug Administration banned antibacterial handwashes in domestic situations because the claims that they’re better at removing germs than plain old soap and water are unfounded. So, with that in mind, I steer clear of the often drying antibacterial handwashes and go for something nourishing and gently fragranced like Grown Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang Handwash (it helps that it also looks great on my kitchen sink). One of my favourite handbag sanitisers is Jurlique as it doesn’t dry my hands out. For Max’s lunchbox though we use the hardcore Dettolstuff, can’t afford to muck around there!