At So Organic we are always looking for innovative organic and natural brands that really deliver.  We were delighted with the new Evolve Range, after trying it we all became addicted to the great fragrances and amazing textures.  Developed by Laura Rudoe to be accessible yet desirable, the range seeks to make green living the norm not the exception.  Laura knows her stuff she developed the gorgeous Nude natural products and spends a huge amount of time and energy sourcing rare and unusual ingredients to use in her products.

The ranges uses masses of food based ingredients some of which are based on superfoods like goji berries and pomegranate, great on your plate and also on your face!  Our hero products are the amazing Skin Glow Body Cream, a natural gradual fake tanner which leaves skin super soft and radiant, use it to prolong your summer tan.  The Gentle Cleansing Melt can be applied to damp skin morning and evening, it removes dirt and make up gently, skin never feels tight and we noticed it really improves skin long term.

It is not just what goes in to her products that Laura is proud of, her packaging is made from old milk bottles in the UK and is fully recyclable, they also look great in the bathroom, are light enough to take on holiday and to the gym. Organic is certainly evolving!

Foaming agents help emulsify oils and hold them in suspension, so that dirt and grease can be washed away. Detergents are used in shampoos, shower gels and body washes, they are surfactants which means that they lower the surface tension of water, making it more able to interact with oil and grease, thus enabling impurities to be easily rinsed away.

However, strong detergents like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) can strip away too much of the skin's natural protective oils, leaving it dry or irritated.

Those with sensitive skins should really consider whether much of their sensitivity is caused by these harsh foams and avoid them altogether. Babies and children’s skin, which is much more vulnerable than adults can often become dry and inflamed if used frequently.

These foams are also non biodegradable in the water supply,  ending up in rivers and the sea.  We really do not know the long term effect of this but it seems such a shame to damage our wonderful sea life for a foamy bath!

At So Organic we only sell products that combine specially chosen plant based detergents from coconut or sugar so that they complement one another, giving an effective yet skin friendly cleansing action.  They do not foam as much as the synthetic detergents but still give a nice foam, so you can wallow in your bath with a clear eco conscience.

At So Organic we have had a busy 9 months.  As I am sure you have noticed we have been building a new website with more customer focused features and giving you even more information on our ever growing range of products.  Our regular newsletters contain fantastic offers from our suppliers and tips and ideas to help you live a more holistic lifestyle, if you have not signed up yet we really recommend it.

Our little shop in the market in Greenwich has been transformed in to a glamorous new eco lifestyle store in a more central location, many of our most loyal customers have made a special trip to see us and have not been disappointed,

if you want to try a new shade of lipstick or get expert advice on your skincare routine we are always delighted to help.

The launch of our treatment rooms in our airy basement was a huge effort but has proved incredibly popular,  finally you can get natural and organic treatments in luxurious surroundings from a pedicure using natural nail varnishes to a facial using your favourite natural products. All this and our towels and cotton wool are all organic too.

Behind the scenes we have been trying hard to improve our Customer Services with a new computer system and strict targets to improve our service to you, let us know how we are doing.

Finally we have been reviewing our range of products, we have been researching the latest brands to give you the very best in the ever growing organic and natural market place. Some brands have been replaced with new and improved ranges using the latest ingredients and techniques but only after extensive testing by us, we only recommend and stock the products we truly believe in and so those who make it through our stringent criteria will really perform for you.

We have lots of exciting plans for the future so watch this space.

It’s a fairly accurate assumption these days to say that most corners of the world have been touched by the eco effect. Whether you agree, disagree or choose to ignore what´s happening to our planet you´ve at least heard about it in some shape or form. Mexico is no different. The latest in eco developments is underway in the hotel resort paradise of Cancun.

Phase one of this beautiful 5 star resort is already complete so bookings are being snapped up before you can say ‘may I have an organic margarita por favour?’  Why? Well to begin with it is the epitome of luxury and in the location to boot situated 30 minutes drive from Cancun on a clear tranquil beach amongst jungle and ancient Mayan ruins.

I was lucky enough to take a tour of the first complete part of the resort the Hacienda Tres Rios and it lived up to all expectations.

As you enter the resort you are greeted by a beautiful light reception, with stylish Mexican décor and white baby grand piano. Being a 5 star hotel you can dine or receive room service 24/7. With twelve restaurants in total in the Hacienda alone you will not be stuck for choice. There is also a business theatre, patisserie, theatre, spa, gym (including top rate yoga classes) and equestrian and polo centre. The resort covers 150 acres of land. It has 18 rivers (filled with fish) in total with three main ones that snake around the resort and lead into the ocean. You can take a kayak or canoe out for the day and paddle around these beautiful rivers and also get a unique view of the resort. The forest has a number of exotic wildlife like the toucan, cougar, peacock, parrots, flamingos, deer and monkeys. The long-term vision of Tres Ríos includes a marina and yacht club, a convention centre, an equestrian centre, and a fully developed nature park. But how is it eco friendly? The buildings are quite discreet and are only up to three stories high. The rest rooms use ocean water cleaned by one of the local native plants that is able to extract naturally the salt from the water to clean it for usage. Thought the soil is too sandy to grow their own produce on site (explains why the coconuts are only small) the resort does buy local and their meat, I´m told, is organic. The resort is one of the only in Cancun that does not use plastic straws or cups which are excessively used in the hotel filled region.

The ecology mission of Tres Ríos is “to be the leading model for sustainable luxury tourism in the Mexican Caribbean, to guarantee the enduring, intelligent and responsible use of the property’s jungle, mangrove, dune and marine ecosystems and to guarantee the long-term preservation of the ecosystems’ environmental functions, flora and fauna.” One of the wonderful things they´ve done for the region already is reforest 10,000m2 of mangrove, planting more than 50,000 mangrove trees of three varieties. The developers of this plush resort last year donated all of their profits for October to the second biggest killer in Mexico, Breast Cancer. I’m not sure if they advertised the slip slop slap sunscreen to their sunbathing guests but it’s a good start isn’t it? On arrival you can request at the concierge a tour of all the eco features of the resort so that you know exactly what your eco heart and green dollars are buying. For more information about the hotel visit www.haciendatresrios.com

The bergamot orange (botanical name: Citrus bergamia) is a cheery small fragrant fruit that grows in warmer climates of the world including Italy, Argentina and Brazil.

In foodstuff bergamot is used to flavour Earl Grey tea as well as confectionary and of course marmalade. Often used in perfumes (over half of all women's perfumes in fact) it has a wonderful ability to combine with other scents.

Roughly 100 bergamot oranges will produce 3 ounces of bergamot oil. With this mind, think of all those orange fields needed to create the world's perfumes? From a therapeutic perspective bergamot has been used by indigenous peoples as a herbal remedy for malaria. Today, aroma therapists may use it to treat depression, stress, acne, nervousness and digestion issues.

Fresh, light and uplifting bergamot essential oil is a handy oil to have around the house, especially during winter to bring a little cheer and warmth into the home through the nasal senses. Some great organic products that contain this cheery citrus oil are the Garden Mint & Bergamot Hand Lotion by Neal's Yard Remedies and the New Parent Instant Revitaliser by Natalia.

You can also buy your own wee bottle of bergamot essential oil to add to your bath, oil burner or hanky for a quick and easy pick me up.