Image: @mvskintherapy
A beauty trend named after a country it originates from means serious business. It implies that its popularity has gone far beyond the borders of its own country and has cultivated a truly global appeal.
Until now this has been the remit of Asian beauty brands from South Korea and Japan, associated with K- and J-Beauty respectively. The latest to join these globe-trotting movements is A-Beauty, which - as you may have guessed - is associated with Australia, a powerhouse of healing endemic plant species.
MV Skintherapy
This brand’s philosophy is deeply seated in a holistic approach, with its love for essential oils and faith in the healing potential of aromatherapy. MV Skintherapy’s origins go back to the dawn of clean beauty in 1998. It all started with beauty therapist Sharon McGlinchey’s client whose skin had a bad reaction to products containing petrochemicals. In her attempt to solve this issue, the therapist studied the potential harm of synthetic ingredients against the benefits of natural ones.
Since then, Sharon has been comparing all synthetic skincare to fast food (both are as tempting as they are toxic). She has developed her organic beauty brand in close collaboration with naturopaths, gaining the support of such like-minded celebrities as Brooke Shields, Emma Watson and Cara Delevingne.
The products developed by Sharon are suitable for sensitive and problem skin. The founder herself has a certain reputation as a beauty disruptor due to her stance against chemical peels. Her alternative suggestions is deep cleansing with mineral masks or using a multi-stage routine involving a cream wash, an oil-based toner and muslin cloths. It is certainly worth giving it a go.
MV Skintherapy
Signature Mineral Mask
A delicate white clay formula which gently removes dead skin cells from the surface of the epidermis, calms the skin and reduces inflammation.
MV Skintherapy
Gentle Cream Cleanser
Rose, chamomile and mandarin essential oils create a relaxing scent while thoroughly removing all kinds of impurities and makeup. Apply several drops to the skin in circular motions and press a steamy wet muslin to your face for about 10 seconds. Gently rub the face with the cloth and repeat 2-4 times.
MV Skintherapy
9 Oil Radiance Tonic
Oily and problem skin will benefit from this potent mix of nine oils, including camellia, avocado, rosemary, lavender and orange bitter. This product is designed to reduce and prevent inflammation. Follow the same application procedure by massaging 6-8 drops into your skin, followed by a few seconds of muslin cloth compresses.
Mukti Organics
Mukti derives from Sanskrit and means freedom from fear, ignorance and delusions. In Hindi it stands for rebirth. A very suitable name indeed for this brand and its owner, an eco-activist and expert on all things green beauty. It has been twenty years since Mukti set out on a journey to transform the world of beauty for the better by contributing her knowledge of ethical and conscious self-care. This is how Mukti Organics came about.
Mukti capitalised on the extracts and oils of Australian plants, which are famous for surviving harsh arid conditions and prolonged influence of ultraviolet all year round. The logic here is that they can project these same qualities onto the skin, helping it resist the negative environmental influence. This includes such local plants specific to Australia as anigozanthos (kangaroo paw), kakadu plum, Davidson’s plum, Australian quandong peach and Tasmanian pepperberry.
All products by this brand are approved for organic certification internationally by COSMOS and by ACO in Australia. The packaging is made of biophotonic glass, which prevents the penetration of UV rays. The terms “calming” and “balancing” are staples in the brand’s vocabulary. Here is a selection of products that will help you get off on the right foot with this brand.
Mukti Organics
Calming Moisturiser
An antioxidative formula which restores the moisture balance and makes the skin more supple and firm. The list of moisturising ingredients stars hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and Davidson’s plum extract.
Mukti Organics
Orange Blossom Balancing Mist
A delicate mist based on a hydrolat of orange blossoms to combat signs of fatigue and stress.
Mukti Organics
2-In-1 Resurfacing Exfoliant
A bright green exfoliant which excels at restoring that healthy skin radiance using fruit acids and bamboo fibres.
KORA Organics
KORA uses certified organic and natural products for one simple reason: the stuff you use on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. This pretty much sums up the ethos of this brand founded by Australian model Miranda Kerr. Over the 12 years since its launch, the brand has produced more than 40 products for face and bode skincare, drawing on the joint efforts of microbiologists, organic chemists and aromatherapists.
Given its wide range of existing products, making an introductory shortlist is no easy task. This line includes everything from skincare to makeup accessories like a heart-shaped guasha blade. Miranda’s favourite ingredients include oils, superfood plant extracts of goji and acai berries, acerola cherries, noni and turmeric as well as liposomes. But it also goes beyond that with such quirky ingredients as amethyst, citrine and quartz crystals, which the model is particularly fond of.
KORA Organics
Rose Quartz Luminizer
This cream highlighter with micro particles of rose quartz known for its calming energy will help cover up traces of a sleepless night and stress. Noni and rosehip oil extracts soften and deliver natural radiance.
KORA Organics
Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil
This dual-phase cleansing oil turns milky in contact with water. Not only does it tackle all sorts of impurities, but it does so gently, while moisturising and calming the skin at the same time.
KORA Organics
Noni Glow Body Oil
This oil starring noni fruit extract will come in handy any time of year. Softening and nourishing during the cold winter months and a calming treatment for your skin after sunbathing on a hot summer’s day.
Inika Organic
A certified organic, vegan, halal and cruelty-free brand. This is what the Australian brand Inika is all about, specialising in natural makeup since 2006. It creates makeup products with pure formulas, which are free of up to 20 known skincare offenders including lactose and gluten.
The very existence of this brand should be enough to sweep you off your feet. Green beauty makeup brands are like gold dust and are still a rare find on the global market. We recommend starting off by trying a selection of products that will help you create a natural makeup look: a nude lipstick, liquid eyeshadow in a neutral shade, a cream concealer and a curling mascara.
Inika Organic
Curvy Lash Mascara Black
A crescent shaped applicator helps lift the lashes at their roots, promoting a gentle curl and length.
Inika Organic
Certified Organic Cream Eyeshadow
This dusk-pink eyeshadow with a hint of pearlescence is durable and great at making your gaze look fresh and rested.
INIKA Organic
Certified Organic Liquid Foundation
Liquid, buildable, natural coverage foundation with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and illuminate skin.
Sukin
Treat the world around you in the same way as you would like to be treated - is very much the moto of Alison Goodger and Simon O’Connor, the founders of this natural Melbourne-based beauty brand which goes back to 2007. It is against animal testing with fully vegan formulas and not a hint of lanoline or bee products.
While today companies are only beginning to rethink their carbon footprint, Sukin has been championing this approach in practice by compensating the CO2 release from its manufacturing through investment in projects which utilise alternative energy sources. This includes projects associated with wind turbines in China and solar panel farms in India.
The brand boasts a wide range of organic products for the face, body and hair. Why not try one product from each category?
Sukin
Hydrating Mist Toner
Lovely skin hydrating mist with glycerin combines chamomile and rosewater to help soothe, tone and cool tired skin.
Sukin
Natural Deodorant
A spray deodorant with the scent of tangerine, lavender and vanilla. Does not contain aluminium salts or parabens.
Sukin
Hydrating Shampoo
The main purpose of this moisturising shampoo with a tropical scent and gentle surfactants based on coconut oil is to bring weak and dry hair back to life.
The Beauty Chef
The idea of edible skincare was invented by the former fashion stylist Carla Oates ten years ago following her revelation that the state of our skin directly correlates to the health of our gut. Both Carla and her daughter suffered with eczema growing up and managed to solve this problem through a diet rich in probiotics. This is how The Beauty Chef brand came about, working from the inside out.
While collaborating with microbiologists, dietologists and naturopaths, Carla developed powders and elixirs which normalise the microbiome using probiotics and enzymes. Each formula is scientifically backed. The choice of a suitable supplement depends on the state of your personal health, concerns and stress levels.
The Beauty Chef
Adaptogenic Inner Beauty Boost
Adaptogens increase vitality. For an immediate boost, take this elixir containing tulsi, licorice and sarsaparilla and papaya enzymes 1-2 times a day.
The Beauty Chef
Glow Inner Beauty Essential
This powder containing maca berries, kakadu plum and pomegranate, rich in vitamins A and C, is recommended for chronic fatigue and dull complexions.
The Beauty Chef
Well Spray Inner Beauty Support
This spray containing extracts of calendula and sage, selenium and biotin stimulates the immune system, provides antioxidative effect and supports the overall health of your skin and hair.
Lanolips
Australian economy started with sheep, and it was sheep farmers that first identified the healing properties of lanolin, a wax type substance which coats the sheep’s wool. The structure of lanolin is similar to the lipids of human skin, making it a great regenerative ingredient which combats peeling and dryness. This knowledge is the basis of Lanolips’ brand. A descendent of sheep farmers, Kirsten Carriol launched her lanolin-based skincare focusing entirely on lips, the area most prone to getting weathered, cracked and dried out.
Despite its name, the brand does more than just lip balms and also produces face masks and hand creams. Some of its products are universal given that lanolin’s moisturising properties can come in handy on any part of your body that requires attention. Whether you opt for a tube or a stick, tint or fragrance free options, all of their products are bound to make the skin soft.
Lanolips
The Original 101 Ointment
More than just lip care, this can also come in handy for those rough elbows or heels.
Lanolips
Lemonaid Scrubba-Balm
A two-in-one product: sugar crystals remove dead cells from the outer layer of the skin, while wax and oil lock in moisture.
Lanolips
Lip Water
Other than lanolin, this “lip water” treatment contain hyaluronic acid and glycerine, enhancing its moisturising properties even more.
Grown Alchemist
Brothers Jeremy and Keston Muijs were born in Australia, a land rich in healing herbs and now home to their natural beauty brand Growth Alchemist. Its USP is the anti-ageing focus and presence of peptides in its formulations.
Its formulas draw on scientific research seated in everything from dermatology, pharmacology and beauty chemistry to nutrition, psychology and genetics. There is also an ecological element to the brand with all of their packaging made of recycled materials. If anti-ageing care is not something you are looking for at this stage, you can always try their detox range.
Grown Alchemist
Antioxidant + 3 Detox Serum
This light serum is momentarily absorbed by the skin and neutralises the effects of oxidative stress thanks to its tripeptides, niacinamide, geranium and ylang-ylang oils.
Grown Alchemist
Soothing Hand Cream
Will nourish dry and compromised skin on your hands promptly and effectively. Based on cactus flower, cedarwood and tri-hyaluronan complex, with oils of camellia, sweet almond, cactus and rosehip.
Grown Alchemist
Enzyme Exfoliant
This is a product with a gentle non-abrasive texture where exfoliation is delivered by fig and papaya enzymes. Australian Quandong extract, rich in Rutin and fatty acids, reduces and prevents inflammation.