Archive copy by Jenni Baden Howard

The increasing demand for products that pamper, from top-to-toe, incorporating natural ingredients that have been ethically sourced is reflected in many of the most exciting ranges available at Boots. The much-loved Botanics collection, for example - developed by Boots beauty experts in collaboration with a team of scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - contains super-effective plant extracts harvested from sustainable sources. Meanwhile, the delicious-smelling star ingredients in the Boots Mediterranean range are mostly organic and sustainably sourced, as are the super-nourishing Brazilian oils and butters in the fabulous new Amazon Forest products. Sitting alongside such sought-after, back-to-nature beauty brands as Origins, The Organic Pharmacy, Naked and the beautiful new care by Stella McCartney skincare range, it’s a line-up that makes Boots a one-stop shop for look-smell-and-feel-gorgeous products with a conscience.

Pure genius

Far from being viewed as quaint and ‘olde worlde’, many of the brands currently creating the biggest buzz in beauty are focusing on the potent skincare benefits of natural ingredients such as plant extracts. ‘There is a whole body of scientific literature relating the phytochemistry to the practical use of plants in beauty,’ says Boots beauty ingredient expert Julia Haywood. ‘However, the quality and make-up of active extracts can vary greatly, depending on the supplier, plant source and extraction method. The research we do in conjunction with the authentification carried out at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, means that we can be assured of using of the best quality and most efficaous extracts available. Coupled with Boots’ expertise in formulating products, this makes a huge difference.’ A case in point, the recently launched Botanics Sensitive Skin collection features Sweet Gale from the Scottish Highlands, renowned for its natural anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, and soothing Marshmallow extract, extracted from the root of the plant. The Soothing Cleansing Lotion (£3.99) has already earned ‘hero’ status.

Similarly, Origins’ bestselling Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Collection (available at boots.com) is the result of the company’s collaboration with natural health and beauty expert Dr Andrew Weil. M.D. All products in the line-up, including the new Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser (£20), Lotion (£20), Eye Makeup Remover Pads (£18) and Eye Serum (£35), contain a complexion- cossetting ‘mushroom cocktail’, featuring different species with specific skincare benefits, combined with other natural ingredients such as Ginger and Turmeric and essential oils including organic Geranium, Lavender and Orange. The powerful beauty properties of botanical extracts are also applied to Origins’ popular make-up range. Try the new Flower Fusion Hydrating Lip Color (£11), a richly moisturising formula based on natural flower and rice waxes which comes in 16 fabulous shades.

Only natural

For those who prefer their beauty products as au naturel as possible, a growing number of beauty companies are placing as much emphasis on the ingredients they choose not to include as those they do. ‘I read everything where food labelling is concerned and I know what to avoid and why,’ says Louise Potts, founder of the Naked product range which is formulated with 97 per cent natural ingredients. ‘About five years ago, I started to question toiletries in the same way. Once I discovered products that had certain ingredients and chemicals removed, the turnaround in mine and my children’s skin was amazing. However, these products were much more expensive, so I noticed a big difference in the amount I was spending, too.’ With Naked, Louise set out to create ‘high quality, natural products that are good for your skin, look good in the bathroom and were ethically sound without all the worthiness’. With names like Rose With No Clothes Softening Face Wash (£4.60) and Angelica In The Altogether Relaxing Foam Bath (£4.99) – which smells remarkably similar to a glass of gin and tonic – this popular range is anything but worthy. Look out, too, for the new haircare collection – like everything in the range, it is free from sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens and petrochemicals - featuring the “Naked Swish Formula” of ultra-gentle, plant-based ingredients.

Former pharmacist and homeopath Margo Marrone, founder of The Organic Pharmacy, is equally passionate about creating gorgeous-to-use, high performance beauty treats using all-natural ingredients. ‘I began making organic medicinal creams, blended in the dispensary for clients on a one-to-one basis,’ explains Margo. ‘When they came back for more and told their friends, too, what started out as medicinal herbal treatments evolved to become the products they are today. I believe this is one of the reasons why the range is so successful.’ Loved by beauty insiders and celebrities, The Organic Pharmacy’s products are formulated with more than 95 per cent natural, organically sourced ingredients. Favourites include the classic, glow-getting Carrot Butter Cleanser (£24) and the naturally regenerating Antioxidant Serum (£45).

One of this year’s most talked-about beauty launches, Stella McCartney’s new, ultra-luxe skincare range, care by Stella McCartney, is formulated with 100 per cent organic active ingredients. ‘I eat organic food and I live a fairly healthy lifestyle, so I demand that of my skincare,’ says Stella. ‘But just because I want to put something natural on my face doesn’t mean I should have to make sacrifices. I believe it’s possible to have a luxurious skincare product without compromising either ones personal beliefs or the safety of the environment.’ All 8 products in the care by Stella McCartney collection are free from petrochemicals, silicones and chemical preservatives, including parabens. And, as you’d expect from Stella, who is a vegan, they contain no animal derivatives. The formulas are designed to work in synergy – the 5 Benefits Moisturising Cream (£46), for example, can be used twice-daily in conjunction with the Calming & Soothing, Radiance & Youth or Nourishing Elixir (£43), depending on your skin’s needs.

Sources reveal …

The origin of natural ingredients is of crucial importance to today’s green beauty buff. All plant extracts in the Botanics range come from sustainable sources – this is verified by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – as do those in the Mediterranean bath and body collection, which includes richly nourishing favourites such as the Olive, Almond & Sage Wonderbalm (£4.40). Boots applies the same strict criteria with the new Amazon Forest range. ‘Brazil is a great source of biodiversity, having one of the world’s richest floras,’ says Julia Haywood. ‘To maintain this, the resources need to be utilised with care and sympathy for the natural environment. We source our oils and butters from companies who work with local people and experts to source these unique materials with care and consideration for the environment in which they grow. Fair prices are paid to local people who are trained to gather the nuts, seeds, fruits and other ingredients in the most sustainable way. Many of the companies also run community projects, building schools deep in the forests to improve the quality of life for indigenous peoples. In addition, transportation of the goods is mainly done using the Amazon’s extensive river networks, which are used by local people instead of building roads, which also contributes to the protection of the natural environment.’ Look out for the Mango & Babussu Sugar Scrub (£tbc) and Brazil Nut & Vanilla Body Butter (£tbc).

‘We’ve always insisted on ethically sourced ingredients and will only use those from sustainable resources,’ says Louise Potts of Naked. ‘For example, we don’t use rosewood essential oils in any capacity die to there being no replanting policy for this tree species.’ Similarly, the care by Stella McCartney range features no endangered plant species and The Organic Pharmacy sources over 90 per cent of its ingredients within the UK from local farms, while the shea butter it uses helps to support a community in Ghana.

All wrapped up

Product packaging is another hot topic of concern. ‘All our research shows that our customers are aware of the real threat that climate change is posing to society and want to play their part in reducing carbon emissions,’ says Julia Haywood of Boots. ‘Boots’ Botanics experts have recently been working with The Carbon Trust, who have assessed the “carbon footprint” of our shampoos. As a result, we are changing 20 of our 200ml PET (polyethylene terephthalate, a form of polyester) bottles - including our shampoos and conditioners - to include recycled PET. This in itself significantly reduces the “carbon footprint” of these products. Boots has a dedicated sustainability team which works on these issues.’

Louise Potts of Naked is similarly dedicated to researching more eco-friendly packaging solutions. ‘We are constantly looking at alternatives to the current plastics and glass available for toiletries packaging, and assessing the environmental impact of all the types available,’ she says.

With a growing number of brands following suit, the future of green beauty looks exciting. ‘We are at the start of a new century now and not just living on the leftovers of tree-hugging society,’ maintains Stella McCartney. ‘We need to think about what is going to happen to our bodies and our planet in 20 years time and start taking responsibility for it.’