Now, this is not my usual type of blog post as I usually write about products for women. However, I feel like there is a bit of a lack of resources out there for men who want to shop more ethically. Ethical clothing for men is actually quite a big market and, once I did a little digging, I found that there is quite a good range of styles and brands out there for men.
So often with ethical fashion men seem to be left out of the conversation, but I understand that is for obvious reasons. Women's fashion is a bigger market and most people in the industry are women. However, I don't think that is a reason to ignore the big contribution men make to the industry or their role in ethical fashion.
(side note, I do feel like ethical fashion on a personal level is more important for men to protect their hormone levels from the phytoestrogens in plastic clothes that can damage sperm counts)
So please see below my list of the top men's ethical fashion brands!
I have been fortunate enough recently to try some of the
beautiful organic beauty products from the brand Alteya Organics. Based in Bulgaria, Alteya grows, harvests and distils some of the worlds finest organic roses and lavender. These stunning essential oils then go to create their beautiful beauty products which are used the world over.
All the roses are picked by hand and Alteya employs 50 people at their rose fields in Bulgaria to help do this full time and 400 families in the harvest season. They then distil the rose petals on-site to make beautiful essential oils and organic beauty products.
All of their products have high-quality organic ingredients
that make your skin feel amazing.
One of the products I tried was the Rose Jasminium Illuminating and perfecting serum which is made with natural ingredients and certified organic! The organic certification is really important to me as it is one of the highest and best certifications of quality you can get. The organic certification ensures that the soils the plants the farmers and the bees and other pollinators healthy and are all protected. It also ensures that you get the best quality end product for your skin. When you use these high-quality ingredients you can see and feel the result in the end product and you definitely can in the Illuminating serum! It can be worn under moisturiser or on its own - which I did as I then put my foundation on top. I loved this product! I always like to go for Illuminating serums as I feel like my skin gets so dull when I am tired from work and run down. I also get bad dry skin so this formula was perfect! I usually use an illuminating serum which you will have seen in my previous blog posts - but with that, you really do need a moisturiser! As this is a cream formulation I enjoyed wearing it on its own and I found it moisturising and hydrating as well as Illuminating. One of the things I liked best about this serum, however, is the smell! I know it shouldn't be top of my list but the smell is really important to me in a product asI hate putting things on my face that smell like chemicals. The Illuminating serum smells beautiful. The rose smell is so strong and fresh it is amazing - I am not even sure if I have ever smelt anything so floral in my life! I would recommend most of the products from Alteya, as good organic beauty options to anyone. Their products are wonderful and the company and their ethos really stand out to me - they are family owned and employ local people who have worked with them for years something not often found nowadays.
Feel free to look at the Alteya Organics website and make sure you read my
blog post on their facial sun protection HERE.
This year I decided to take part in #plasticfreejuly ! So if you are looking for some inspiration and to get involved feel free to take some inspo from my little list!
3. Only buying clothes made from natural fibres or recycled plastic (like those from Organic Basics don't forget to use my code ELFIEOB for 10% your order!)
4. Taking pack lunches instead of buying food in every day at work
I never even really considered what period products were made out of. Seems strange but I never thought about it until I got to try some of LUX Store Organics products recently. LUX is an organic period product company that was founded by a husband and wife team dedicated to tackling the problems of plastic pollution environmental degradation and adverse effects that these bring to human health. Their goals are: – Great health for our customers – Greatly reduced impact to our planet, through bio-degradable products – Sustainable farming and manufacturing practices through a subscription model I knew about the dangers of not using organic period products (increased risk of toxic shock); but what I never knew was the high levels of plastic polymers that were in my intimate products. The plastic can mean that they can take 1000 years to break down meaning they will outlive me!
I was able to try both the day and the night pads to see if I like them and what I thought. I have to say I was slightly sceptical if I would notice a difference between them and my always ultra
After a month or so, however, I am pleased to say that I can guarantee you will notice positive changes with these if like me you suffer from irritation and sensitive skin! I really liked both day and night pads and found them so comfy and soft. I have such sensitive skin (yes I know I keep going on about it haha) so many things can cause irritation but I didn't get that at all with these. You can tell they are high quality when you get them out and I love that they open quietly as well...(we all know why girls!) I was really pleased with these more than I expected to be. I also thought although they are a lot more expensive than cheaper brands you get a large pack so depending on your usage one box could last two months. The pads are made from 100% organic, cotton which is hypoallergenic and the pack and its contents are bio-degradable with a year of being disposed of. They are also free from Synthetic Polymers , Rayon , Fragrances, Deodorants, Chlorine, Artificial Dyes, Chlorine processing all of which may cause you irritation. Make sure you have a look at their website HERE and see both of their lovely products!
