Do you dare to go barefaced? (Or should I more realistically be asking: 'Do you have time to apply even a hasty buff of blusher let alone a full-face of make up on a daily basis?') Well, a new nationwide survey by high street health experts Holland & Barrett has revealed that lots of us ladies actually prefer the less is more look anyway, with nearly half of women questioned saying they like to ditch their make up on a regular basis.

Surprisingly, the survey showed the main reason for women going bare was to show off the quality of their skin (30 per cent), with 14 per cent stating they were lucky enough not to need any skincare products to achieve their ideal look. Which really made me wonder how old these lucky ladies questioned were! The survey also found that having good skin is clearly important to us, with 30 per cent of women stating they make time to take care of their complexions.

But what the survey also discovered was that most of us are unaware of the chemicals we may be exposing ourselves to as part of our daily beauty routines. Only one in ten of those questioned used products free from controversial chemicals such as parabens and sodium laurel sulphate (SLS).

I've tried to avoid these ingredients as much as I can since my own pregnancies. But it can be time-consuming reading the labels of everything on beauty counters. It's something Holland & Barrett are leading the campaign trail on - they're the only high street retailer to have completely banned products containing parabens and SLS.

Phil Geary, Holland & Barrett's Group Director of Marketing says: 'Being healthy isn't just about what you eat, it's about lifestyle choices and the products that end up in your bathroom cabinet,,potentially millions are being tripped up by using products which are the beauty equivalent of junk food, by containing harsh chemicals which can be toxic.'

The Dr Organic beauty range - exclusive to Holland & Barrett online is organic, paraben and SLS-free. It's well worth taking a look at the range, which includes face and body skincare, shampoos and conditioners, deodorants and toothpastes. Most products are priced at under £10, making organic affordable for everyone. Choose from nine different lines in the range, including Manuka Honey, Pomegranate, Tea Tree and - my favourite - Rose Otto.

Last month Dr Organic won a 'beauty oscar' tying with the Lanolipsâ„¢ range (more about them below!) for the Best New High-Street Brand at the Cosmetic Executive Women CEW (UK) 2011 Beauty Awards. It hopefully highlights a trend towards beauty leaders actively endorsing natural-based beauty products.

And Another Beauty Oscar Goes To...

Lanolips

Australia's Lanolipsâ„¢ launched in the UK in September 2010. The range of super-charged ointments made with simple ingredients and natural ultra-pure medical grade lanolin currently comprises the multi-use 101 Ointment, hand and nail cream and, my personal favourite, coloured lip ointments. They contain pure pigment, vitamin E and natural oils - with no added nasties - plus an SPF 15 for sun protection, £7.99 from www.victoriahealth.com.

Spa Your Way Slim...

Algascience

French organic beauty brand Melvita have just launched some interesting professional products which may just help you feel brave enough to bare a little more of your body now the sun's shining. The

Algascience range contains energising minerals and key ingredient seaweed to help tone and firm your body from top to toe. The Slimming Oil, £21, contains geranium and lavender essential oils, which help reduce water-retention, plus Red Seaweed to firm and strengthen the skin's structure. In an independent clinical trial 100% of users noticed a firmer effect after 28 days' use. Impressive! The range also includes a Contouring Cream, £26, which contains Caffeine, thought to help increase lipolysis, the process of breaking down fat. Bikinis at the ready? You can buy the products online at www.melvita.co.uk, or from selected John Lewis stores.

Kim Jones
Beauty Editor
June 8 2011

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