Pure & Simple Beauty products with environmental benefits.

When beauty products are top performers and kind to the planet, the feelgood factor is more than skin deep, writes Elisabeth King.

Natural skincare, make-up and haircare has come a long way, with today’s products delivering results to rival their mainstream counterparts. Formulas that are free from nasties are just the beginning, however. Consumers also want to know that companies are doing their bit to reduce landfill and carbon emissions, and are implementing sustainable practices in packaging, manufacturing and supply chains.

Try these eco buys for size:

1 Karen Murrell Natural Lipsticks ($30 each) and Natural Lip Pencils ($27 each)

Launched in 2008, this line-up of lippies is packed with avocado and evening primrose oils to moisturise and protect lips, plus cinnamon to plump and a hint of sweet orange for fragrance. Beeswax and naturally derived pigments extend wear and prevent feathering.

Available in 20 on-trend shades.

2 Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Day Cream ($69)

This luxurious moisturiser contains many of the same biodynamically grown plants and herbs as its cousin, the best-selling Herbal Recovery Gel, plus a new hero ingredient: Japanese cedar bud extract. It claims to boost radiance, help reduce the appearance of fine lines and reinforce the skin’s barrier function.

3 Aveda Shampure Thermal Dry Conditioner ($35)

Designed for use between washes, this fine-mist spray with organic jojoba and sunflower oils delivers all the benefits of a conditioner without the need for water. Can be used alone or in tandem with Aveda Shampure Dry Shampoo ($30).

4 Scout Cosmetics Daily Revitalise Cleansing Crème ($40)

Cruelty-free and produced from sustainable sources, Scout Cosmetics’ Super Food skincare range is based on a potent blend of organic extracts from Australian native plants with known skin-repair properties, namely desert lime, Davidson plum and kangaroo apple. This rejuvenating cleanser also contains papaya extract to exfoliate, lemon myrtle to deep cleanse, coconut oil to dissolve make-up and rehydrate skin, and Kakadu plum to protect.

5 Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil ($80)

Launched by model Miranda Kerr in 2009, Kora Organics embodies her belief in the benefits of organic products and sustainably sourced ingredients. Noni, an antioxidant-rich fruit from the South Pacific, features heavily in the Kora Organics range. This potent, fastabsorbing oil is a blend of certifiedorganic noni extract, with pomegranate, rosehip and sea buckthorn oils to nourish the delicate skin of the face and neck.

6 Dr Hauschka Foundation ($69, not shown)

The pioneering German natural skincare brand is marking its 50th anniversary with an 83-product make-up collection. Biodynamically grown medicinal plants and other natural ingredients form the core of the formulas, which were developed with professional make-up artists. This foundation comes in seven shades, has light-to-medium coverage and teams mineral pigments with hydrating botanicals, including macadamia and pomegranate, which your skin will love.