The late and great Mahatma Gandhi famously said, ‘be the change you want to see in the world,’ a mantra I live faithfully by. When it comes to beauty, nothing is more sacrosanct. Whether through syntax or dialogue, media or branding, beauty should be simple, transparent and ethical. If it doesn’t follow these principles than it is imperative that we make that positive change. It was the founder, the supermodel and beauty entrepreneur Miranda Kerr, who adopted this same mantra to steer the natural and organic beauty industry on a pioneering path to create KORA Organics.
As an advocate of conscious health and wellness and being a qualified health coach, Miranda saw the benefits of natural and organic ingredients in her everyday lifestyle, including her beauty routine. She wasn’t satisfied that the only way to great skincare, was the use of harsh and chemically-driven products in the market. She also wasn’t content with the results from other natural and organic brands and felt that in order to change these sentiments she would have to embark on the creation of her own organic beauty brand.
Understanding the notion that you must ‘feed your skin’ just like any other organ, Miranda felt that it was necessary to use ingredients that were wholesome and healthy and that you can even consume on a day-to-day basis in her beauty products. The one key ingredient that set her apart from all the other organic brands out there, was the use of the Noni fruit. In many of her conversations with Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar, Miranda has emphasised the nutrient dense properties of the Noni fruit and how she grew up with it; she attributes her healthy and remarkable skin, hair and body to this natural ingredient.
Each and every product in the range is COSMOS Organic Certified. This means the international organic standard certification has validated that KORA Organics’ products ‘are produced to the highest standards for organic and natural cosmetics, and are safe, effective and good to use.’ With such an exceptional endorsement, you know that when using KORA, you are doing the best you possibly can for your skin and body. I spent the last few months testing a lot of the products from the range and set out to write about my favourites; it turns out that all of them were exceptional.
Calming Lavender Mist (£22.23)
Ingredients: Aloe Leaf Juice, Lavender Flower Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Water, Bergamot Peel Water, Noni Fruit Extract, Lavender Oil, Orange Peel Extract, Acerola Fruit Extract, Tangerine Peel Extract, Sea Salt, Lactic Acid, Quartz.
Lavender is known for its soothing and calming properties; for a follower of the ancient Indian principles of Ayurveda and one who’s body is driven by a heat energy, the Calming Lavender Mist works a treat. My face feels instantly cool and calm when I apply it. Unlike many face mists in the market, the spray pump is immensely effective because as the pump is activated, the mist is fine and covers the face’s entire surface area with just a few spritzes. There isn’t a strong aroma to irritate the senses, it’s just a delicately fragranced product that helps to alleviate any tension. One way I like to use the mist is before meditation; I like to spray it a few times around me and then allow myself to go into my meditative state with a clarity of mind and focus.
Gentle Cleanser (£22.23)
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Macadamia Nut Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Noni Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Matricaria Flower Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Cedarwood Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Water, Quartz, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.
The Gentle Cleanser has now become one of my all-time favourites. Every single ingredient in this cleanser works in tandem with my Pitta Dosha or heated energy, as learnt from Ayurveda. It’s nourishing, soothing and calming and above all else, organic. There are no irritants and I know my skin is being fed the best nutrients, to not only work on the skin cells themselves, but when absorbed into my body and bloodstream, these same nutrients are working their magic. From the aloe vera, to the noni fruit to the cedarwood, each and every ingredient keeps my skin healthy and detoxified. I like to use this in the morning; as your skin has rejuvenated and replenished overnight you need a soothing cleanser to gently clear any dirt off the skin.
Exfoliating Cream (£30.58)
Ingredients: Chamomile, Aloe Vera Leaf juice, Wheat Protein, Macadamia Seed Oil, Bamboo Stem Extract, Oat Kernel Flour, Noni Fruit Extract, Avocado Oil, Rosehip Oil, Sunflower Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Mandarin Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Lime Oil, Bergamot Oil, Lactic Acid, Olive Oil, Water.
When it comes to face exfoliators I will either use something homemade or an organic product that uses a natural scrub and that is extremely gentle; the Exfoliating Cream is perfect. Using bamboo stem and oat flour, any dead skin cells are removed effectively but your skin is also left nourished and hydrated. For someone who has a Pitta Dosha or heated energy, scrubbing of any kind on my skin can cause inflammations or irritation so it’s great that the Exfoliating Cream includes the cooling and soothing properties of aloe vera leaf juice and olive oil. This exfoliator is gentle enough to be used two to three times a week, but I feel that even once a week is sufficient. Whenever it comes to using a face exfoliator I believe that you really have to dedicate the time to slowly move the product around the contours and areas of your face to get the best results; up to a minute is enough. With all the nutrients included in the KORA Organics Exfoliating Cream, you want to ensure you’re utilising the scrub as much as possible. What you’re left with is smooth and healthy skin that stands out.
Noni Glow Face Oil (£44.49)
Ingredients: Rosehip Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Noni Fruit Extract, Grape Fruit Extract, Lavender Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Jasmine Flower/leaf Extract, Clove Flower Extract, Damask Rose Flower Oil*, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil
What has now become KORA Organics’ cult product! This face oil is lightweight and quick absorbing, but it still leaves a healthy sheen after it has been applied. Each ingredient has been carefully chosen to provide nourishment, moisture, a barrier against toxins and to stimulate skin rejuvenation, so that your skin stays healthy. It is very rare to find an oil that has the ability to do all those things, but KORA has got it down to a ‘T’. As an Indian woman I am prone to discolouration and hyperpigmentation and with the use of the Noni Glow Face Oil I have seen a positive difference in the clarity of my skin but also, that it has an even tone and texture. I would certainly recommend this face oil to olive, tanned and darker skin tones because excessive colour correcting will be a distant memory. With this face oil you can even your complexion at a natural level rather than having to rely on layers of makeup! I like to mix the oil with my Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamin C Cream every morning after I have cleansed and nourished my skin. It acts as the perfect primer to any makeup you wish to apply but it can also be worn alone as it enhances your skin naturally. It definitely fits the cult skincare profile!
Noni Radiant Eye Oil (£27.29)
Ingredients: Rosehip Fruit Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Cacay Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Noni Fruit Extract, Tomato Fruit Extract, Thongweed Extract, Calendula Flower Extract, Coffee Arabica Seed Extract, Quartz.
When I was asked by Miranda to trial the Noni Radiant Eye Oil it was a no-brainer…of course I would! It came at the perfect time; I was struggling with deep set under eyes that were dark and pigmented and no cream on the market was making a difference. Having applied this oil religiously, morning and night, for just one week I saw an immense difference to my under eyes. They were less puffy, less dry, the little fine lines were less apparent, and the hyperpigmentation had reduced. Moreover, I found that any under eye concealer that I applied, settled nicely into my skin without creasing as much. With it’s cooling, soothing and hydrating properties, this Noni Radiant Eye Oil is a complete game-changer. Not only has KORA Organics harnessed the nourishing qualities of oil application but it has also used an innovative rollerball applicator made of Rose Quartz. As the rollerball is activated when swiped under the eye, the oil is released and evenly distributes while the Rose Quartz cools the skin down and relaxes the pores to allow the oil to absorb into the skin layers. This product is truly a revelation. Thick creams and emollients are no longer necessary; it’s just about a pure and simple oil.
I am a strong advocate of doing what is healthy and natural for our bodies and that includes what we use in our beauty routine. For centuries, women have used ingredients provided by nature itself to get the optimum in skincare and bodycare and these same ingredients have consistently demonstrated their effectiveness. Rather than compromising the health of your skin and body by using products that are full of chemicals and fragrance and coax you to use what is trendy, use the likes of KORA Organics, a brand that has truly identified with what gives balance and harmony to your beauty regime and that has consciously set out to make a positive difference to the beauty industry.
