Caring cosmetics
A growing farm to face movement reflects the demand for natural beauty
Forty minutes from the centre of Adelaide CBD lies a picturesque farm that produces organic plants that can influence how healthy and hydrated your skin feels. The farm, owned by natural skincare company Jurlique, is the main source of the herbs and flowers (chamomile, calendula, liquorice, rose and echinacea, to name just a few) with which their products have been made since 1985. The farm is so popular, it runs tours so people can learn about biodynamic farming as well as the philosophy behind their products.
Much like the slow food movement, which promotes the protection of biodiversity and the use of local, seasonal and sustainably produced food, the rising demand for ‘slow beauty’ shows that there’s comfort in understanding where your skincare comes from; that it’s picked and produced in as natural a way as possible.
Natural beauty is a trend that’s growing worldwide, as we seek more transparency about what we’re putting on our skin.
“Local sourcing and production of ingredients will become essential in the years ahead, strengthening the idea of local pride – not just with brands and manufacturers, but with consumers, too,” says Vivienne Rudd, director of Innovation and Insight, Beauty and Personal Care at Mintel, a market intelligence agency.
Just ask Tracy Schembri from the Olive Oil Skincare Company. The majority of oil used in their products is sourced from a grove of over 110,000 olive trees in Hillston, NSW. The olives are picked and processed and the brand’s handcrafted soaps and soothing balms are made on site. “Strong awareness of the efficacy of natural products as well as rising concerns about chemicals is definitely driving the market,” Schembri says of the increasing demand. “Consumers are making cleaner, greener lifestyle choices for themselves and their families.”
A more natural and sustainable production process is another important aspect of the slow beauty way. In South Australia, Jurlique’s Natural Beauty Plant, which was opened in 2017, improves their environmental performance with solar power production, low voltage lighting and efficient temperature controls. Even the materials used to build the plant were recycled, lowmaintenance or locally made wherever possible.
Another local company, Organic Nation, has a ‘soil to skin’ philosophy that means they make it their mission to understand how their farmers and suppliers grow their produce so they can guarantee the sustainability of their certified organic products and are able to track their ingredients from beginning to bottle.
The natural products we crave for our daily skincare routine are becoming easier to find as more companies make use of Australia’s native ingredients. For example, the Jojoba Company uses jojoba grown on a sustainable plantation on a farm in Yenda, in the Riverina district of NSW, and P’ure Papaya Skincare relies on an enzymerich hero ingredient that is – unsurprisingly – papaya, grown organically in Queensland.
Just as we are encouraged to slow down and breathe deep in our frantically busy lives, our skin can clearly benefit from the same treatment. Products that are based on traditional herbs and ingredients offer gentle and chemical-free options while giving our skin the care it needs.