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New Zealand's own Miranda Kerr FORMER MODEL’S PET SKINCARE HATE Sarah Cowan has been likened to New Zealand’s version of Miranda Kerr. She’s had the glamorous modelling career in Milan, Athens, London, Sydney; she’s got the gorgeous husband and beautiful baby son … and she owns her own purest of pure skincare range and is dedicated to playing her part in making the world a better place. Sarah Cowan may not be a Victoria’s Secret angel – or her husband Orlando Bloom, but when it comes to doing business with panache, style and a thorough eco-philosophy, she’s right up there in the global stakes. But as co-owner and managing director of The Herb Farm, Sarah has a pet hate: how cynically companies are masquerading toxic substances behind pretty pictures of nature. “You see it all the time,” says Sarah. “Images of indigenous tribes producing exotic oils, photos of herbs and plants … words such as `natural’, `pure’ or `organic’ to give the impression the product is safe and good for you. Read down the label and you often find a potentially toxic mix with a few natural ingredients thrown in for effect. “Paraben-free is one of the great ones,” says Sarah. “Paraben-free is like `fat-free’ claims on food; products come loaded with sugar instead.” “Putting the word 'natural’ on a product may help increase sales, but it has created massive confusion in the marketplace,” explains Sarah. “I believe we are unwittingly being used as guinea pigs in one of the largest chemical trials in history. You don’t have to have to look too far to see the possible connection to rates of cancer, reproductive issues and things like asthma and learning difficulties.” To raise true consumer awareness, Sarah and The Herb Farm team have created a `10 Nasties’ list of synthetic chemicals to be especially avoided in beauty, body and hair care products. The Herb Farm began as bare paddocks over two decades ago when Sarah’s mother, herbalist Lynn Kirkland, began growing herbs and making pure hand-made skin and body products. Today it has today turned into a thriving multi-faceted business. The Herb Farm products are stocked by over 100 retailers across New Zealand and shipped to international customers; there is a fragrant beauty therapy clinic at home base, along with a bustling café, shop, function centre and sprawling herb gardens for visitors to wander through. When life on the international model circuit started to pall, it was this peaceful corner of Palmerston North paradise that called Sarah home: first to complete a business degree, then to take up the reigns of the family business. “We are about botanical simplicity,” says Sarah, 32, as she strides through offices and stock rooms that overlook acres of green. In a world that is increasingly clamouring to extoll and push the natural message, Sarah and Lynn are the very real deal. The Herb Farm products are all hand-made on site, many of the ingredients grown in the organic paddocks just outside the window. “Our intention is to make everything with love,” says Sarah. “And we do everything in our power to ensure the ingredients are totally pure … or else we couldn’t sleep at night.” Sarah’s top five tips for the worst `nasties’ to avoid in your body and skincare: · Parabens & Phenoxyethanol – have been found whole in breast tumours · Isopropyl Alcohol – prepared from propylene, a petroleum derivative used in anti-freeze and as a solvent: can act as a carrier increasing penetration of harmful ingredients into the skin · Mineral Oil – coats the skin with a plastic-like wrap impeding ability for skin to breath · DEA Cocomide DEA/MEA Lauramide DEA – hormone disrupting and linked to major increases in liver and kidney cancers; restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects · PEG (polyethylene glycol) – dissolves oil and grease and thickens products; used in oven cleaners; petroleum derived ingredient You can visit www.herbfarm.co.nz to print out the `10 Nasties to avoid’ wallet card |
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