In the second part of the series, Green Fashion and Beauty Brands interview, Trespass chats to Emma Sykes of Burt’s Bees, Tracey Killip of Weleda, and Lynnette Sharma of Ceres.
Emma Sykes, Burt’s Bees
Having launched 25 years ago, Burt’s Bees takes the goodness that nature has to offer by taking ingredients such as beeswax and honey, which are natural humectants to help our skin to retain its moisture. Their au naturel approach to beauty products and its longevity in the industry has made Burt’s Bees a leading company in skincare.
Tell us a little about yourself and Burt’s Bees …
I fell in love with Burt’s Bees products when I was expecting my first child. I bought the Essential Body Kit to take into hospital with me, which I just adored. I went on to buy the Baby Bee range when my son arrived and was delighted by how they smelled and made my son’s skin feel.
I am immensely proud working for Burt’s Bees because of the integrity of the products we produce and of our commitment to The Greater Good. I feel I am part of something that has a true meaning.
What made you want to get into ‘green’ skincare?
I love green skin care and their emphasis on natural products. I’ve had to take an interest in skin care because of my own very sensitive skin, and I’ve discovered that natural skin care products are easier for my skin to tolerate than synthetic products. Over time, I learned to read ingredient labels and choose skin care that is free of sulfates, artificial fragrance, and other irritants. Burt’s Bees products come from sources that are derived naturally and contain no chemicals or manmade substances that can adversely affect your health. Our skin absorbs parts of nearly everything that touches it, and it is this absorption that can lead to negative health problems from the chemicals in these creams and lotions.
“Burt’s Bees products come from sources that are derived naturally and contain no chemicals or manmade substances that can adversely affect your health.”
What is the philosophy behind Burt’s Bees?
Burt’s Bees creates natural, effective personal care products that nurture and nourish the body, and respect the environment. Burt’s Bees is about quality product with integrity as well as a steadfast commitment to the environment and humanity.
We use only recycled and recyclable packaging and nature-safe manufacturing processes, and Burt’s Bees does not test products on animals. Burt’s Bees invests in land preservation and has established programs to provide sustainable housing for the less fortunate. This is all part of Burt’s Bees dedication to The Greater Good, a set of standards for the products it makes and the way the company operates.
What is your best ‘greenie’ tip?
The cleaning versatility of white vinegar.
What is your beauty regime?
Daily, I use Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Cream on my face. I cleanse every night with Burt’s Bees Orange Essence cleanser and then follow with Naturally Ageless Serum and Night Cream. Once a week, I use Burt’s Bees Peach and Willowbark scrub.
What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
1. Beautiful natural skin care
2. Drink lots of water
3. Good night’s sleep
4. Eat good, fresh organic produce
5. Time spent with my family and friends
Tracy Killip Naturopath, B.H.Sc. (comp. med.), Training Coordinator at Weleda
Tracy Killip has over 14 years in the Natural Health industry, working in many different areas including clinical practice, herbal manufacturing, retail, and as a naturopathic consumer advisor. She’s been with Weleda for almost 7 years as their Training Coordinator.
In 2009 Tracy completed the Certificate in Holistic Health Care, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Anthroposophic Philosophy – the unique philosophy which forms the basis to the Weleda medicines and body care products.
What made you want to get into ‘green’ skincare?
It was my mother who first introduced me to natural skin care, that was over 20 years ago and natural or ‘green’ skin care has come a long way since then. I’ve tried a variety of different products over those years. However once I’d realised that products applied to our skin get absorbed into and processed by the body it became crystal clear to me that you should only apply to your skin, products that you could eat. This is why it is important for me to use a natural skin care range free from synthetic ingredients.
What is the philosophy behind Weleda?
Weleda: “In harmony with nature and the human being”
The wonders of Weleda began in 1921 in Arlesheim, Switzerland. This now global company blossomed from a pharmaceutical facility developed by the Dutch medical doctor Ita Wegman and the renowned Austrian philosopher Dr. Rudolf Steiner, to provide unique remedies and body care preparations. All remedies, as they remain today, were exclusively derived from nature. Weleda pioneered the use of biodynamic and organic ingredients in the personal care industry. Since 1921, Weleda has adhered to these original quality standards, continuing to use biodynamic and organic ingredients to create its unique preparations. All formulations are free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colours and parabens, and the ingredients and finished products are never tested on animals.
Our pure plant extracts and ingredients are harvested throughout the world, either from our own gardens, or through contractual partnerships with farmers. We work with local farmers, helping them to convert their conventional farms into sustainable, organic agriculture. Through these Fair Trade agreements, Weleda offers economic and social support to these communities. Such practices uphold Weleda’s founding virtue, “In harmony with nature and the human being.”
“To me…you should only apply to your skin, products that you could eat.”
What is your best ‘greenie’ tip?
My skin looks and feels the best when I drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, and have a minimum of 8 hours sleep each night. This in conjunction with my Weleda natural skin care regime makes my skin glow.
What is your beauty regime?
I love the outdoors and this is where I exercise, it consists of tennis, surfing and mountain biking in summer, and snow boarding in winter. First and most importantly for me it’s about protecting my skin and using a good sunscreen all year round.
I choose to use the Weleda Wild Rose facial care range for my daily skin care needs; it contains Rosehip oil which is high in vitamin A, E and essential fatty acids. The Wild Rose range helps to revitalise dull, tired skin and reduce the signs of premature ageing. The Wild Rose Cleansing Lotion is a gentle milk cleanser and I find it easy to use while in the shower. Then I apply the Wild Rose Facial Toner which helps to close off the pores and bring the skin back to its normal pH. To complete the regime I moisturise with Wild Rose Day Cream.
As a treatment, once a week I’ll apply the Wild Rose Intensive Facial Masque which my skin just loves! The Facial Masque is left on for 15 – 20 minutes. Before removing the Masque I massage my face, in small circular movements using the tips of my fingers. The treatment removes dry skin cells and leaves my complexion looking and feeling hydrated and radiant.
What are your top 5 beauty essentials?
- My number one is sun protection for my face all year round, preferably a natural sunscreen with a SPF of 25 or greater. This will protect against premature again and sun spots.
- Weleda Wild Rose Facial Care as it is deeply nourishing, helps to prevent the signs of premature aging and is a quality natural skin care range. A perfect match for what my skin needs.
- When my lips are dry and chapped I use Weleda Everon Lip Balm to protect and moisturise. When heading outdoors I’ll always apply SPF 30+ lip protection, I’m currently using Surfers Skin SPF 30+ Chapstick.
- Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil maintains and protects my skin from the effects of regular exposure to the sun and surf, leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft.
- Weleda Citrus Deodorant is refreshing and aluminium free, effective and comes in a pump-action spray.
Lynnette Sharma, Brand Associate, Giovanni Haircare, Tints of Nature, Dr. Hauschka Skincare
Lynette has a background in sales and marketing in the medical orthopaedic world, and she joined Ceres in 2008 with Dr Hauschka Skincare. Already a convert to making health conscious choices, it wasn’t hard for her to fit into the Ceres way of life.
Starting from a mere school fair stall in 1982, Ceres has developed to be New Zealand’s foremost distributor for Organic products, including dry goods, skin, body, hair care, hair colours and household cleaning products, as well as fresh produce.
Ceres is a company which believes in promoting sustainability of the earth and the people on it. This means that as a company, they work to make organic, biodynamic and GE-free food available to New Zealanders. By sourcing quality products which are sustainable by organic or biodynamic methods, their aim is to create a distribution chain which is both ecologically and socially responsible.
Tell us about yourself and your company …
With a background in sales and marketing in the medical orthopaedic world, I joined Ceres in 2008 with Dr Hauschka Skincare. Already a convert to making health conscious choices, it wasn’t hard for me to fit into the Ceres lifestyle.
Ceres has developed to be New Zealand’s foremost distributor for Organic products, including dry goods, skin, body, hair care, hair colours and household cleaning products, as well as fresh produce. They started their journey with humble beginnings as a school fair stall in 1982, growing to a small business based in a garage. From there, a retail shop was established which still operates at 181 Ladies Mile, Ellerslie, Auckland and today Ceres employs 70 people and operates a large warehousing facility and head office.
We believe in promoting sustainability of the earth and the people on it. This means that as a company, we work to make organic, biodynamic and GE-free food available to New Zealanders. By sourcing quality products which are sustainably produced by organic or biodynamic methods, we aim to create a distribution chain which is both ecologically and socially responsible.
What made you want to get into ‘green’ beauty products?
A few years ago I was suffering from severe eczema and allergies and just couldn’t stop scratching! After some research I discovered that my eczema was being triggered by chemical-based products. When I replaced these with Natural Organic Products my skin began to instantly clear up. What we tend to forget it that the skin is a living, breathing tissue that covers and protects our body, but also absorbs things that come into contact with it. Just as prescription drugs can be delivered through our skin via patches, so lotions, soaps, shampoos, and other body care products are absorbed by our skin. If we use shampoo made of petrochemicals and other chemical preservatives, we absorb that. If we use natural shampoo made of natural oils and herbs, we absorb those botanical ingredients instead.
“I discovered that my eczema was being triggered by chemical-based products. When I replaced these with Natural Organic Products my skin began to instantly clear up.”
Which would you rather have in your body?
The more we reduce the amount of toxins we introduce to our body – whether through the food we eat, the water we drink, or the body care products we put on our skin – the more we give our bodies the opportunity to be healthier, and the easier it will be for our body to get rid of the toxins we do come into contact with. We have so much exposure to toxins these days that any way we can reduce that toxic load can’t help but be healthy for our bodies, as well as for the earth.
What is the philosophy behind Giovanni?
Giovanni Cosmetics was founded by Arthur Giovanni. It was in his quest to discover products that would create a nutritional hair care line that lead him to produce formulas that incorporated vitamins, herbs, minerals, proteins, nutrients and the purest of essential oils. The patented Giovanni Pure Organic Technology™ represents an exquisite blend of exotic organic oils, ripe-harvested from renewable plants at the peak of their freshness. The oils are cold pressed and refrigerated immediately to ensure maximum purity.
Giovanni Cosmetics is committed to creating only the purest formulations.
What is your best ‘greenie’ hair care tip?
Get the sun working for your hair, apply a treatment before getting out into the sun – heat will maximise the penetration of the treatment into your hair. A great treatment is the Giovanni Magnetic Power treatment and the Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor.
What is your hair care regime?
I straighten my hair often so I use Giovanni’s Smooth as Silk Shampoo and Conditioner every time I wash my hair, and I apply a Giovanni Nurtrafix Hair Reconstructor at least once a week to replace any nutrients and proteins I’ve lost through straightening and exposure to the sun.
What are your top 5 hair care essentials?
1. A good shampoo and conditioner – to suit your hair type and needs
2. Regular hair treatments
3. Great styling products – I use Giovanni StraightFast for a beautiful smooth finish that protects from heat styling. I also use this for a curly finish.
4. A good hairdresser is a must! Someone who knows your hair and teaches you about caring for your hair at home.
5. Go natural! The fewer chemicals we absorb throughout our scalp the better it is for us.
Related Post: Green Fashion & Beauty Brands Pt. 1
Image 1
