With consumers now increasingly aware of global environmental and health issues, the demand for chemical-free, sustainably packaged and health-conscious hair and beauty products is continuing to grow at a rapid pace.

Unfortunately, beauty pollution is far from pretty. Microbeads and microplastics from scrubs are littering the oceans, whilst avobenzone in sunscreens is contributing to the depletion of coral reefs. The use of palm oil in 70 per cent of cosmetics has led to massive deforestation whilst volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fragrances and hairsprays contribute to smog and air pollution.

Shockingly, when it comes to packaging, Zero Waste Europe reports that our use of beauty and personal care products produces 142 billion units of packaging each year.

Not Always Good For You

When it comes to our health, toxicity guide Skin Deep, which ranks over 14,000 products on their ingredients, reports that one out of every 100 personal care products contain known or probable carcinogens and 89 per cent of products in ingredients have not been ranked for safety. Yikes.

Fortunately, there are plenty of Aussie businesses who actually do have a conscience. Clover Fields will be one of numerous clean beauty producers showcasing their products at B2B event the 2021 Naturally Good Expo on from 30 – 31 May at Sydney’s ICC.

Visiting retailers will be able to see, sample and experience the most diverse businesses and producers across the beauty, personal care, health, food, beverages, home and lifestyle sectors.

Shampoo With A Conscience

Having produced soap for almost 40 years, Clover Fields’ Shampoo With a Purpose range of solid shampoo-conditioner bars has been very popular.

Available in four varieties – Colour Treated, Dry or Damaged, Volume and OG, Product Developer Geneva Valek said each all-natural bar 135g bar saves the equivalent of six plastic shampoo or conditioner bottles going to landfill and chemicals washing down the drain.

“There is a lot of water in liquid shampoo and conditioner, however with a solid bar you just add the water yourself and lather away. We add only eco-sustainable ingredients such as Kakadu plum, jojoba, avocado, almond oil, argan and shea butter and have special formulations depending on your hair type.

“The feedback from customers has been fantastic, with people saying the two-in-one bar cleans their hair just as well as a liquid and leaves it beautifully conditioned. Nowadays consumers – particularly millennials and Gen Z are really environment and health aware,” said Geneva.

Travel Pack

Geneva adds that the bars – which also have a smaller travel pack option – have also been great for travellers who don’t want to cart around heavy bottles, and for the disabled who find bars easier to use than bottles.

“Ease of use, sustainability, lack of packaging, chemical-free really appeals to a large proportion of the market. It’s a big reason why the bars have been so well received and why we feel bars will become more commonplace in the hair care industry in years to come,” said Geneva.

Products That Are Good For You

Another exhibitor Love Beauty Foods has done away with potentially harmful ingredients in their beauty range in favour of a wide variety of adaptogens. These extracts from non-toxic plants help relieve stress. The products also contain antioxidant-rich, organic ingredients such as turmeric, Tasmanian kelp extract, Kakadu plum (for its high reserves of Vitamin C) and native medicinal bush foods.

The company, established by husband and wife team Will and Gabby Magin, will be launching 28 new food-grade, organic and vegan products with new zero-waste, plastic-free packaging at the expo. This includes a new Organic Mint Toothpaste in a jar, skin care and functional products such as a Breath Easy chest balm.

“Skin food is huge now compared to when we started the brand in 2016,” said Will. “The main challenge for consumers is finding products that are genuine and contain enough key ingredients to deliver real health benefits rather than tiny percentages with low efficacy.

“Additionally, many products leech chemicals from plastic packaging. Over time these can bio accumulate and have a negative impact on your immunity, hormones and endocrine system,” said Will.

Sensitive Scents

Meanwhile, Sasha deBretton decided to create her own brand of perfumes with essential oils after synthetic perfumes contributed to her developing chronic fatigue at the age of 21.

“I was working in the fragrance industry, spraying and selling fragrance for well-known global fragrance brands we all know and love, but did you know how carcinogenic and cancer causing they can be? They are made from petroleum and formaldehydes. They literally are pure poison, up to 200 poisons per bottle, causing brain tumours, cancer and infertility.

“I became very ill with chronic fatigue symptoms that knocked me off my feet by lunchtime daily landing me in bed unable to function, at such a tender age as a fit and otherwise healthy young woman. I did not know what was causing this illness and never suspected it was from a perfumes. That’s what lead to me developing Star Sign Scents which have been very popular, particularly with people who suffer from allergies and sensitivities.”

The Naturally Good expo 2021 will be open to all retailers and industry businesses.