5 organic finds

Shape, Sept, 2005 by Jody Buffalo

The organic-food category is growing fast, and now the same concept has taken hold in the beauty industry; we love these organic* products for skin, hair and body.

The Healing Garden Organics Wild Honey body-care line ($6-$9 each; at drugstores) includes a scrub, body wash, soap and moisturizing mist--all formulated with organic wild honey to help skin retain moisture.

Avalon Organics recently overhauled its product line to eliminate the preservative parabens (the use of which has been banned in the European Union because of suspected carcinogenic effects). An herbal blend of 10 organic essential oils works as a natural preservative, keeping products--such as the Clarifying Lemon Shampoo ($8; avalonorganics.com)--fresh for up to two years.

Aveda Pure Abundance Volumizing Hair Spray ($15.50; aveda.com) adds body and hold to thinner, finer hair with a blend of organic acacia gum (a natural thickening agent) and organic marshmallow root.

Collective Wellbeing Body Wash ($8; collectivewellbeing.com) contains charcoal to whisk away impurities, zinc to help reduce inflammation and the certified organic botanicals juniper berry, lemongrass and sage to cleanse.

Nature's Gate Organics Advanced Skin Care ($25-$35; at health-food stores nationwide) is an anti-aging line of creams and serums that treats skin with grape-seed extract, soy, mulberry and bearberry.

*In order for a product to be called certified organic, it must adhere to criteria set by the National Organic Standards Board.