So you've switched to organic for all the right reasons.

The question is how do get rid of all the old products without continuing to hurt the environment?

Be it beauty, baby, homewares or cleaning there is the potential to do more harm than good by emptying old chemical-laden lotions down the sink or throwing polyester sheets in the dust bin.

There's one of three things you can do to tackle the task of ridding yourself of those old items that not longer fit on your organic shelf:

1. Recycle it. Find the local waste management information source in your area and ask them if you items are toxic, recyclable or can be collected. Some agencies have an annual household hazardous collection day and some collect cosmetics.



2. Reuse it. Give it to someone who wants it. Search the net for people looking for what you have. First, accept that not everyone is on the same eco wave as you. You could let them know why you're getting rid of it - you never know it may have an effect? They also might have an alternative purpose for your old lipsticks and bright eye shadows - a makeup painting perhaps?

3. Use it up. If you've been wearing your favourite perfume for 20 years it might be a little hard to throw (or even give away) despite the amount synthetic chemical you've just realised you've been spraying on your neck every day. Keep it and use it on special occasions or nights out to dinner only. If you've exhausted all possibilities then throw it out. Old products are best sent to landfill rather than down the sink through and into our water system. But throw it away knowing you did the best you could and get on with being the organic-ite you want to be. It's inevitable we'll produce some waste and the best thing we can do to reduce our output is by decreasing our input. Something to be mindful of when you peruse that dainty little organic chocolate shop (well, you can't be virtuous allll the time!)

The word ‘multi-purpose' is bliss to a busy woman's ears, particularly when it comes to the potential contents of her handbag.
Be it mums with wet wipes, spare nappy and snacks or the business exec with her Blackberry, mascara and water, all women could do with lightening the load a little when travelling from A to B... school to football practice... the office to that meeting on the other side of town.
Beyond the mobile phone, what's the most common item found in our handbags ladies? Balms, moisturisers, hand creams - stuff that revives our skin from the demands of leading a full life in the 21st century. But rather than carrying around a cosmetic counter full of lotions and potions to keep you beautiful perhaps you consider just the one.
Some of the best natural and organic multi-purpose balms these days can be used for ... well just about everything. Make up remover, lip balm, hand cream, heel-softener, body lotion, moisturiser and... lubricant? (well the new YES natural oil-based lubricant does double as a body moisturiser!).
Four of the best all-in-one balms are:
Everything Balm by Trilogy - with certified organic rose hip oil as its active ingredient is rich in Omega 3 and 6, natural super-emollients, vitamins and antioxidants. A little goes a long way. Can be used to soothe dry skin, as a massage oil, lip conditioner, and moisturising baby. The rose hip helps to minimise scarring, improve skin elasticity and reduce the signs of premature ageing.
Fragrance Free Baby Balm by Balm Balm - suitable for all skin types (particularly sensitive, hence the baby feature) this shea butter based balm is good to apply to cheeks, lips, neck, hands, arms, legs and feet - anywhere that's feeling a little dry on you or your little one.
Calendula Balm by Essential Care - the Green Beauty Bible says this balm is a "100% organic pot of wonder". Ideal for cracked cuticles, chapped skin and psoriasis this balm utilizes the medicinal healing properties of, you guessed it, the marigold flower. A great balm to use in the dryer winter months and on the kids scraps and grazes.
Facial Cleanser by Spiezia - though techinically not a balm this award-winning-beauty-buy is a make up remover, moisturizer and cleanser in one. You could also apply to lips for a little glossy moisture if need be.

We've just added a new article about parabens to our beauty pages. Visit our knowledge base to find out what's wrong with parabens and why many people these days are avoiding them in their cosmetics. Read more... 

So Organic is a small but growing company, run by a friendly team of people who all feel passionate about the environment and natural products.
We love the sense of community we feel when talking to our customers and sharing our knowledge and you tell us that you love it too.
So we've been working on a new extension to our website and called it our "Community Pages". We'll be updating regularly with hints and tips on green living and advice from our panel of organic experts.
We’d love your input too, so please email us with questions, suggestions and your own hints and tips, an ddo check back regularly for the latest news. 
Visit our community pages now.

Welcome to our new weekly natural beauty blog.  To start my first weekly blog I was asked to write about my favourite natural beauty product...what a question....my cupboards are groaning with fantastic products!

For me an amazing beauty product has to combine the holy grail; great scent, a texture I love and most important it has to count...by that I mean it has to fight for its place in my bathroom cupboard so it has to make a difference to my skin quickly.

Spring is the time we all, with luck, start blinking in to the sunlight...for the first time we see our skin looking a little bit jaded and the word brightening seems to apply.

My skin has the typical look, slightly dry, dehydrated and a bit sallow...I need help! 

Enter the John Masters Organic facial skin care range.   I have used the hair products for ages and adore them, but the skin care fell under my radar.   A customer started raving about the Vitamin C Face Serum and I decided to give it a go.  This brilliant blend has been designed to tackle the first signs of ageing but it is the brightening qualities that I wanted.

Vitamin C is known to help with hyper pigmentation and a well known antioxidant, but it is the high level of sea algae extract that John Masters highlight as their hero ingredient. I use this lime blossom scented serum at night in place of my night cream and under my moisturiser to lock in the potent ingredients.  Combine that with the nettle tea I have been drinking to boost my digestion and everyone has been commenting how well I look and asking whether I have been on holiday...a great result, and a product that really counts.

It has prompted me to look in to sea algea and seeweed to see which other of our products use this magic ingredients...I will keep you posted as to what I find out in the weeks to come.

Emma

Head of Beauty