Our skin is the largest organ in our body. It’s also a really good delivery system for things we want to get into our body (think insulin patches, nicotine patches,hormone patches). So it’s smart to look for skin care products with the same purity and quality you’d look for in the foods you choose to eat.

Products with fewer artificial and more high-quality botanical ingredients are simply better for your skin and better for your health. That’s why in Organico we rigorously select all our skin care products. It’s really important to pay attention to what is in the products you are using. If it contains a bunch of chemicals that you’ve never heard of and probably would think twice about ingesting then you should probably think about not putting it on your skin.

Unfortunately there are a also lots of companies using terms like “natural” who are just taking advantage of our desire to use natural products (my favourite is the razors that claim to contain Aloe Vera - how exactly? They are plastic!) Because of all this competition and confusion in the natural skincare marketplace, our focus in Organico is on working with companies who spend on quality ingredients rather than on fancy advertising, and we keep trying products out till we find what really suits your skin. It’s a tough job!

In keeping with our pursuit of the very best of natural skincare, we have nominated August as Skincare month in Organico, and we have a wonderful line up of Skincare events so you can try some great products for FREE! (Booking is advised as there are limited places for some of the events - see details below).

Starting on Friday the 7th we have Cheryl from Ocean Bloom, a local skincare range which is inspired by Cheryl’s fascination for the beneficial effects of seaweed on our skin. Ocean Bloom has really taken off in Organico since we launched it about 3 months ago; and the most popular products are the body moisturiser and the Seaweed Serum pouches. Since Body Moisturisers are pretty self explanatory, I’m going to focus on the Seaweed Serum. You get 3 little muslin pouches filled with dehydrated seaweed which you rehydrate with hot water, then you squeeze the pouch till some serum comes out which, admittedly smells a little like the sea, but when it dries smells of nothing. My skin feels silky smooth afterwards and if it means my skin looks anything like Cheryl’s it’s certainly worth a try!

On Thursday the 13th you get a chance to meet Lorna from Trilogy and try out some of their internationally acclaimed skincare products. Trilogy is a company founded in New Zealand 13 years ago by 2 sisters, who are focussed on using natural ingredients to deliver outstanding results - their main statement being that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for natural. Since they started out with 6 skincare products based on organic rosehip oil, Trilogy has grown and grown and is now celebrated all over the world for how incredible it makes your skin look and feel. My favourite product is the Hydra Tone Softening Lotion, which I use every morning - it contains Hyaluronic Acid which is becoming well known for its ability to keep skin looking plump and supple, and it smells great thanks to Ylang Ylang essential oil.

Friday the 14th sees Sarah from Dr Hauschka coming to Organico to launch the new Night Serum that Dr Hauschka have recently created. Dr Hauschka have a very clear philosophy concerning night time skincare - if you keep smothering your skin in oily creams, the theory goes, you won’t give it a chance to moisturise itself. “While you sleep your skin is actually hard at work regenerating itself, balancing oil production and expelling impurities. Regular application of night creams interferes with these essential tasks, and over time skin becomes less able to care for itself. Covering the skin with moisturizer 24 hours a day sends a signal to sebaceous glands to cut down on moisture production, resulting in even drier skin that becomes dependent on moisturizing products just to appear normal’’. However we do need to cleanse at night, and often it feels good to apply something after cleansing, which is where the new nourishing yet oil-free Night Serum comes into play. Everyone can use this serum - it’s light, fragrant and gentle, with apple fruit hydrosol and apple blossom extract that support the skin’s natural rhythms while guiding it through its essential night-time work. Supported by witch hazel extracts, Night Serum tones all skin conditions for a fresh, radiant complexion come morning.

On Thursday the 20th we have Holly Power, nutritionist with Veridian, coming in-store to offer free one to one consultations on how to improve your skin from the inside out, using essential fatty acids and herb that can heal and support challenging skin conditions. Booking is advised.

Then on the 21s of August we welcome back Sabrina Haywood Cook, a Dermatologist and herbalist who has a particular focus on topical solutions for skin conditions such as Psoriasis and Eczema. Sabrina works closely with Lavera, a range of very affordable natural cosmetics, and Salcura, a naturally healing range who specialise in care for dry itchy skin. Sabrina will be in-store giving free advice, no booking needed.

And last but not least we are delighted to have Rosemary Lieb from Harebell Herbs back again on Saturday the 29th of August. Rosemary’s skin creams are all made using fresh ingredients, many grown in her own garden, and they have incredible moisturising and healing properties. Rosemary is a herbalist and has devoted her life to developing her range of truly superb, pure enough to eat creams. Since Rosemarie’s last visit a month ago I have been using her Carrageen cream, and my skin feels fantastic. Rosemary is very generous with samples as she knows that once you try her creams you won’t look back, so her visits are always eagerly anticipated by all of us at Organico.

Organico is open Monday to Saturday 9.15 to 6 on Glengarriff Road, Bantry. Call us on (027) 51391 or check out www.organico.ie.

WHAT'S ON - AUGUST IS SKINCARE MONTH!

Friday 7 August, Ocean Bloom, from 9.30am, Organic, Natural, Seaweed Skincare Range from West Cork, Cheryl Clemison will be in the shop to give advice and introduce her products.
Thursday 13 August, 1 - 3pm - Trilogy, Lorna Maher, Beautician with the The Natural Medicine Company will be in the shop to give individual skin care advice and introduce the Triology range based on Organic Rosehip oil.
Friday 14 August, 10am - 12pm - Dr Hauschka, Sarah Moran, Beautician, will be in the shop to give skincare advice, come and try out the new Night Serum.
Thursday 20 August, 12 - 3pm, FREE 15 minute one-to-one health consultations with experienced Viridian nutritionist Holly Power. Booking essential.
Friday 21 August, 11am - 3pm - Sabrina Haywood Cook, dermatologist, will be in the shop giving advice about the Lavera organic skin care range that heals and nurtures. Feel free to drop in and have a chat with her.
Saturday 29 August, 12 - 4.30pm, meet Rosemary Leib of Harebell Herbs, organic skincare made in West Kerry. She will talk to you about her products and suggest which could suit you best.
Contact Organico on 027 51391 or pop into the shop for more information about any of the above events.