Skye Gilkeson

The Mukti range promises beautiful-smelling products enriched with botanicals created in Australia. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Our Favourite Non-Toxic Beauty Brands

Mukti Organics

The Mukti Organics Story

Founded in 2000 Mukti Organics has a line of certified organic products to nourish and protect the body. They are created in-house in their Australian headquarters utilising native bioactive ingredients.

The Mukti organics founder, Mukti is truly passionate about the non-toxic beauty industry. She is actively working to make the wider beauty industry more transparent and has even published a book about it, Truth in Beauty.

There’s something really luxurious about the Mukti range, from the beautiful black packaging to the richness of the formulations and the incredible natural fragrance of the products, they feel indulgent without having to worry about any hidden nasties.

Our favourite Mukti Organics products

My favourites from the Mukti range are the Age Defiance Vital C Elixir and the Balancing Moisturiser.

The Age Defiance Vital C Elixir feels like it tightens from the moment it goes on and it is the closest thing I’ve found to a natural alternative to the harsh active products on the market, making your skin appear smoother and hydrated.

Those looking for a non-toxic moisturiser will fall in love with the Balancing Moisturiser. It is a luxurious lightweight moisturiser that smells incredible.

I have been using it throughout the winter and adding a little jojoba oil to it for the days when my skin has been particularly dry.

Age Defiance Day Serum

Balancing Moisturiser

Dr Hauschka

The Dr Hauschka Story

When it comes to non-toxic cosmetics brands, Dr Hauschka really was one of the pioneers. It is also one of the first non-toxic beauty brands that I tried and that really won me over.

Dr Hauschka has been around since the 1960s (with product testing and development beginning as early as 1935). If that type of longevity doesn’t speak to the German brand’s standard of products, I don’t know what would.

The product lines have been designed to work with the natural rhythms of the body and the regeneration cycle of the skin. All you need to know is the products are incredibly high quality and make your skin feel amazing.

Our favourite Dr Hauschka Products

My personal favourites are the Melissa Day Cream which truly is a cult product for Dr Hauschka; it’s been so popular for so many years. It is a true cream, but not too heavy as to overwhelm my combination skin. This is a non-toxic moisturiser I always come back to.

The Cleansing Cream is my other stand-out Dr Hauschka pick. The sweet almond meal makes it a super gentle and moisturising exfoliant which I particularly love while travelling.

It sloughs off the dirt and makeup of the day without stripping my skin which can often be dehydrated from flying.

The iconic Dr Hauschka range of skincare and make-up offers an ethical, top-quality alternative to the mainstream brands on the market. Image © Skye Gilkeson

Dr Hauschka Non Toxic Make up

Dr Hauschka has also made non-toxic make-up products since 1999. I have been testing a few products in the new range and I was pleasantly surprised at how good they were.

The Lipstick in Amaryllis or Caralluma is the standout product so far. The colour is rich and the texture is smooth and moisturising and stays on for hours, unlike many non-toxic lipsticks on the market.

The Colour Correcting Powder is nice and light and something I will often use over a tinted moisturiser during the day to reduce shine in the humidity.

This non-toxic Foundation offers light coverage and is surprisingly hydrating (thanks to ingredients such as macadamia nut oil and coconut oil).

It is ideal for daytime and summer (when heavy, mainstream foundation use often leads to breakouts).

The Cleansing Cream

NAK Hair

I have been using NAK Hair products for almost a year now and they have without question saved my hair.

After spending a year and a half travelling mostly full-time, my hair had been destroyed.

A combination of hotel shampoos, harsh water, sun exposure and a brief foray into bleaching I had at a Berlin salon completely stripped my hair back to straw.

A friend introduced me to NAK and I was, of course, sceptical because I have run the gauntlet of organic, vegan haircare in the past and had never really been satisfied with the results of any non-toxic hair products previously.

NAK Hair is an Australian-owned family company that prides itself on an ethical approach to hair care that works. Image © Skye Gilkeson

The NAK Hair Story

NAK Hair is a family-owned and run company and the fastest-growing Australian haircare company right now. It was obvious immediately after talking to the NAK family that the company truly cares about the quality of the product they put out and the impact of the ingredients and methods they use.

All products are sulphate and paraben-free and not tested on animals. There are a number of different ranges depending on your needs.

Our favourite NAK Hair products

I particularly love the Aromas range; their vegan range uses botanicals and oils to hydrate and nourish colour-treated hair.

The Structure Complex from their Signature Range has also worked miracles on revitalising my very damaged hair and I now absolutely couldn’t live without it.

The Aromas Hydra Therapy is a mask that I use at least once a week in the shower and leaves my hair shiny, smooth and soft without any nasties.

NAK’s non-toxic dry shampoo, the Aromas Style Therapy is a go-to end-of-the-week or travel product for me. It gives my hair body, texture and a little hold and an extra day without needing to wash my hair, which is really valuable when travelling.

Non-toxic Dry Shampoo the Aromas Style Therapy

Eco Tan

The Eco Tan Organic Invisible Tan has been in my bathroom cabinet for years now.

It’s one of those too-good-to-be-true organic beauty products for a number of reasons. It isn’t super expensive, it is really easy to use, it doesn’t smell terrible and toxic, and the ingredients are natural and organic. Most importantly, it works.

The Eco Tan Story

Eco Tan has been around for almost a decade. Created by an Australian single mother, Sonya Driver with a very powerful personal story, the brand made Australian history in 2011 by becoming the first tanning manufacturer to be certified organic.

The tanning products are all organic, vegan, ethical and cruelty-free.

Our favourite Eco Tan products

I have recently fallen in love with the Eco Tan Face Tan Water as well, after reading a recommendation from Irene Falcone.

Like the Invisible Tan, the face water just adds some subtle colour to the face to take that winter edge off. It looks natural, smells great and as it’s natural won’t clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Eco Tan Organic Invisible Tan

Eco Tan Face Tan Water

Weleda

Weleda is another brand that has been in my shower for years. Like Dr Haushka, Weleda is really another pioneer when it comes to non-toxic beauty brands.

The Weleda Story

Founded by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, the brand was crafted by the principles of biodynamic farming. Those principles are still reflected in the beautiful natural ingredients used in Weleda products today.

Weleda does careful research on where their organic ingredients come from, beginning right at the grower and their farm soil quality.

The Weleda range is vast these days. However, their body products have long been my favourites. The price point remains very reasonable too in an industry with many, more expensive bespoke brands now coming onto the scene.

Our favourite Weleda Products

Skin Food is an incredible cult product from Weleda. The formula has been around since 1926 and is the perfect travel product as it is really a multitasking cream. Very thick and hydrating (owing to the sunflower, lanolin and sweet almond oils used in it), it is always packed in my carry-on beauty bag to use on the face, hands, elbows and even lips on a long-haul flight.

Plant oils and extracts make the body wash range delicious and non-drying. I particularly love the Citrus Creamy Body Wash as it smells amazing.

Our Weleda Picks

Skin Food

Citrus Creamy Body Wash

Products were gifted to The Fit Traveller for review. However, we simply don’t write about brands we don’t love.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Erin Young

Either way, this mask is so simple to make and leaves skin feeling like silk. I use several face masks regularly and this is one of them. This two-ingredient matcha face mask is very simple to make.

Ingredients

• 1 Teaspoon matcha Zen Green Tea
• 1 Tablespoon Greek Yogurt (or alternatively a plain face moisturiser)

Directions

1. Mix together thoroughly to form a bright green paste

2. Apply to face and neck and leave for 10 minutes

3. Wash off to reveal brighter, tighter and glowing skin!

There are so many different types of matcha face masks you can make. We also love just honey and matcha or matcha mixed with coconut or Argan oil.

If your skin is dry use more of an oil based mask, if it’s got acne use honey, or if you have oily and dry skin a greek yogurt mask would work best.

Erin Young

Erin Young is a huge tea fan and the founder of Zen Green Matcha Tea (Australia) and Evergreen Matcha (USA). Her companies source premium, Japanese matcha powder from Kyoto.

Erin’s matcha is known for it’s vibrant green, light, and non-bitter characteristics. It is packed full of antioxidants and health benefits.

zengreentea.com.au/

 

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturiser

Lauren Dunne

Lauren Dunne is a freelance journalist and has spent years writing for glossy magazines and websites and tried just about every beauty product under the sun before discovering the greener side of beauty land.

After learning about the hidden nasties and potentially toxic ingredients found lurking in the vast majority of mainstream cosmetics, Lauren made the decision to change her lifestyle and her way of thinking.

Lauren Dunne

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash

 Vanessa Megan Peruvian Flower Hand & Body Cream

For soft, supple and beautifully fragrant skin, look no further thank Vanessa Megan Peruvian Flower Hand & Body Cream. Infused with luxurious organic oils and butters, this divine body cream hydrates dry skin without leaving any greasy residue – just the uplifting scent of mandarin, earthy florals and vanilla. Buy it

Mukti Botanique Body Wash

MUSQ Lemon Myrtle & Mandarin Hand Wash

Up your bathroom’s style-factor with MUSQ’s chic Lemon Myrtle and Mandarin Hand Wash. Enriched with eucalyptus, tea, rosewood, lemon myrtle and mandarin, this gorgeous wash thoroughly cleanses while also invigorating your mind, body and soul. Buy it

Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste in Peppermint

Cleaning your teeth isn’t exactly the most thrilling of tasks, but at least when using Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste with 70% organic ingredients, you can enjoy that clean feeling and minty-fresh sensation while also being safe in the knowledge that your toothpaste contains no synthetic foaming agents, fluoride, artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, or sweeteners. Buy it

This article first appeared on The Eco Edit and has been republished with the author’s permission

Lauren Dunne

Lauren Dunne is a freelance journalist and has spent years writing for glossy magazines and websites and tried just about every beauty product under the sun before discovering the greener side of beauty land.

After learning about the hidden nasties and potentially toxic ingredients found lurking in the vast majority of mainstream cosmetics, Lauren made the decision to change her lifestyle and her way of thinking.

Skye Gilkeson

Jurlique Moisturising Hand Sanitising Cream

If you, like I do, hate the feel and smell of the heavy chemical hand sanitising gels that are commonly available, try this instead. A natural and more nourishing alternative, this cream kills 99% of germs.

Aesop Classic Shampoo and Conditioner

I was skeptical when I bought the travel pack of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturiser. I haven’t had great luck with natural shampoos in the past. But these smell amazing and transformed my hair. It is soft, shiny and smells great and I noticed the results within the first few washes.

Aveda Volumising Tonic 

This is a lightweight spray made from aloe and wheat amino acids to give the hair a little body. This has wheat in it (yes, many beauty products contain gluten as well), so I don’t use it all the time, just when I’m on holiday and particularly on a beach holiday. It smells great and works well.

Bio-Oil

I’ve gushed about my love of Bio Oil before and 5 lucky readers have some heading their way, right now.

Sanctum Body Balm

The scent of this body balm always reminds me of Byron Bay and transports me to the coast every time I open it. The combination of cocoa seed butter, coconut oil, shea butter and chamomile flower extract are nourishing and light. It is very inexpensive, particularly given it is organic and Australian made.

 Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

To me, this has to be a cult travel product, at least for Australians. I have been packing this mist in my carry-on for years. There’s nothing like a spritz of the mist on a long haul flight. Jurlique has just launched an intense deluxe edition of their bestseller.

Lavera Organic Wild Rose Hand Cream 

I picked up this little number in Berlin and it has lasted through all of my (many) flights ever since. It is organic, light and absorbs easily so I’ve actually also used this on my face during a flight too.

Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Day Oil

Most of the Dr. Hauschka line makes me swoon but this product is my pick for travel. This oil is made to treat dehydrated and acne prone skin. Use it pre-flight in place of your regular moisturiser.

Giorgio Armani, Si

I’ve used this fragrance for a few years now, so when I received a mini bottle on a flight with Qatar Airways, it was perfection. It is soft, feminine and fresh thanks to its citrus and light floral notes and a fragrance I love to wear as an everyday scent when on the road.

SUVANA Certified Organic Paw Paw & Honey Balm

Australians are somewhat obsessed with paw paw balm and with good reason – it is healing, nourishing and very moisturising. I carry this brand as it also contains honey (which can make it a little sticky at times) and is free of petrochemicals. I don’t just use it on my lips. It comes in handy for cuts and scrapes, moisturising cuticles and treating burns too.

The Jurlique and Bio-Oil products in this article were gifted to The Fit Traveller. However, I have been using both brands for many years and I personally love them.

This article contains affiliate links through which we may receive a small commission to help support the growth and development of The Fit Traveller. These products don’t cost your any more.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/

Bio-Oil is formulated using a blend of plant extracts and vitamins, delivered in a lightweight and easily absorbed oil base, thanks to its signature ingredient, PurCellin Oil. Bio-Oil is a cruelty-free beauty product, it is suitable for use during pregnancy and it has won more than 200 international awards.

Want to know more about Bio-Oil? Click here.

Bio-Oil has generously sent us 5 x 200ml bottles of Bio-Oil to giveaway to our readers!

How to enter the Bio-Oil Giveaway

Skye Gilkeson

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here.

thefittraveller.com/