GO-TO SKINCARE
About the brand: Created by ex-beauty editor and author, Zoe Foster Blake, this brand was born out the confusion and frustration felt by Foster Blake towards skincare products on the market. In a world where words like 'clarifying', 'energising', and 'fortifying' are used without mercy, it's easy to get lost in what products actually do what. Previously only available to buy online, Go-To is now stocked in Mecca stores across Australia.
Why it's special: Foster Blake brings her years of beauty expertise to the brand, meaning products are well thought-out, but also make sense to consumers without that beauty background.
Ethical stance: The brand is certified cruelty-free and all-natural.
Our Pick: Go-To Face Hero, $45. A face oil that nourishes via essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, while also boasting anti-inflammatory properties.
ENDOTA
About the brand: The brainchild of Melanie Gleeson, Endota began in 2000 with a salon on Victoria’s picturesque Mornington Peninsula. Since then, Endota has swelled to more than 100 locations, making it Australia’s largest day spa. With a focus on everyday wellbeing, this natural, eco-friendly skincare brand offers naturally based products as well as an organic line (which recently added a new mums’ and bubs’ line, Organics Nurture). With a spa in just about every pocket of Australia, Endota is your one-stop-shop for deeply relaxing and results-driven treatments and can-do, take-home products. “We use sustainable and ethical ingredients, which are cruelty-free, certified organic and natural,” says Alana Adkins, product and brand marketing manager at Endota. “A lot of care and [attention] has gone into thinking beyond the ingredients themselves. For example, who was involved in obtaining them and whether they were treated fairly.” Treatments such as the Intense New Age Facial o er powerful skin rejuvenation, while Endota’s New Age range promises to keep the skin benefits going.
Why it's special: The brand is committed to giving back wherever possible. Sales of the brand’s colour line, for example, help support an Indigenous group of women located in WA.
Ethical stance: Endota is cruelty-free and does not test on animals.
Our pick: Peptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum, $180. This clever serum nixes fine lines and relaxes wrinkles to give skin serious glow.
KORA ORGANICS
About the brand: Created by supermodel- turned-entrepreneur Miranda Kerr, Kora Organics uses certified organic and natural ingredients because it wanted to o er a clean and healthy alternative to conventional brands. “It’s important to me to be really conscious and aware and use the most pure and natural products on my skin that ... nourish it with nutrients [and] do not ll it with harsh chemicals,” Kerr says. The brand launched in Australia in 2009 and has since exploded into 25 countries across the globe.
Why it's special: It’s genuinely what Kerr uses to get her skin looking so amazing. “If you take care of yourself on the inside, it shows on the outside,” says Kerr. “I’m obsessed with the Noni Glow Face Oil; I use it morning and night with the Noni Radiant Eye Oil.”
Ethical stance: Kora Organics is cruelty-free. In addition, a majority of the range is vegan. “Kora products are not tested on animals; they are tested on me,” says Kerr.
Our pick: Kora Organics Noni Bright Vitamin C Serum, $84.95. The perfect adjunct to your facial oil, this lightweight antioxidant-rich brightening serum will get skin glowing.
RETREATMENT BOTANICS
About the brand: Created by Olivia Newton-John, this natural skincare line is the natural progression from the star’s decadent Byron Bay destination, Gaia Retreat & Spa. Combining pure ingredients with high-tech science (Olivia’s fave is the Kakadu Brightening Serum, $89) this is a results-driven line.
Why it's special: Retreatment Botanics has taken a step further by removing palm oil from their ingredients list and is certified by the Orangutan Alliance.
Ethical stance: All Retreatment Botanics products are palm oil free, cruelty free and vegan. The packaging is also made from recycled products.
Our pick: Retreatment Botanics Instant Glow Face Masque, $65. Packed with nutrients, antioxidants and fruit extracts, this clay mask will brighten and renew your skin.
EDIBLE BEAUTY
About the brand: Free from all nasties, this botanically based brand is not only vegan, cruelty-free and environmentally sound (thanks to recyclable glass packaging) its formulations are literally clean enough to eat.
Why it's special: Founder Anna Mitsos, is a naturopath and nutritionist, and brings her expert knowledge to the development of the products. That's why Edible Beauty also offer a range of teas and supplements to leave you glowing both inside and out.
Ethical stance: Vegan and cruelty-free.
Our pick: Edible Beauty & Pure Enchantress Makeup Remover Oil, $44. A delicate cleansing oil designed to effectively remove all traces of makeup and daily pollutants.
DR ROEBUCK'S
About the brand: This Sydney skincare brand believes in keeping ingredient lists short (meaning no unnecessary fillers) and products clean and effective.
Why it's special: The brand's site has a list of active ingredients they use in each of their products, breaking down why they are included and how they work on your skin.
Ethical stance: Vegan and cruelty-free.
Our pick: Dr. Roebuck’s Kibosh Weightless Foaming Cleanser, $36. With ingredients like Tazman Pepper, Wattle Seed and Wild Bush Plum, this typically Australian product will hydrate your skin and reduce pigmentation.
GROWN ALCHEMIST
About the brand: Loved by A-listers such as Gwyneth Paltrow, this science-led clean brand utilises power-packed certified-organic botanicals and natural actives to create a line-up that promises better skin.
Why it's special: With a strong focus on scientific innovation, Grown Alchemist are committed to understanding how our bodies repair and regenerate skin and applying this to reverse the signs of ageing.
Ethical stance: The brand only uses organic ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.
Our pick: Grown Alchemist Body Treatment Oil, $38. Rub this highly-absorbent body oil all over your limbs to soften skin and improve texture appearance.
