Why I Love Natural Skincare and Ethical Products

A Note From Angela Woolcott (2025)

This post is shared for historical reference to help document my journey as a writer and author. It was originally published in 2016 on my first blog and reflects my personal and creative Journey at that time.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer ⚠️

This post contains personal experiences with natural products. I am not a medical professional. The information shared here is for anecdotal and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Purchasing Natural Products

I love using natural skincare. I’m an avid ingredient watcher, always on the lookout for ethical and sustainable household products. Some things on my checklist include:

1 Not tested on animals

2 SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulphate) free

3 No added artificial perfumes or fragrance

I like to make sure the ingredients are as unprocessed as possible and free from harsh synthetic additives. There are hundreds of different chemicals deemed safe for use in consumer products, but I like to trust my instincts and do my own research.

Purchasing locally made products at the markets gives me such a great feeling, knowing I have also supported a small local business owner. I also like to shop at my local health food store, as I have gotten to know the staff and respect their expert advice and knowledge of what is best for me and my family’s bodies, especially internally. They have a qualified naturopath available to talk to and to make up herbal tonics if needed. Vitamin supplements, probiotics, and cultured vegetables are usually on my shopping list there as well.

Although it isn’t always possible, I do feel a deep satisfaction from buying products made in my own country; I love supporting Australian-made products where I can; it just feels right!

My Exploration of the Local Ti-Tree Business

A fantastic place we love going to with the family is the local Ti-Tree Plantation business. We like to visit the beautiful shop and cafe first. They stock all their beautiful tea-tree-based products in their shopfront. When they have sales, I usually get a few products and stock the cupboard for gifts.

Ti-tree is such a fantastic plant and a powerful ingredient in their products, with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties; it’s my favourite essential oil. Essential oils are so versatile; great for first aid, use in my oil burner, and even for putting in my spray bottles for cleaning the house. Some of my other favourites are lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon myrtle oil.

Powerful Natural First-Aid

I always stock my cupboard with a selection of their natural remedies and supplements for our active, growing family, such as arnica and comfrey ointments, which help with aches and pains from our martial arts classes.

We put on their insect repellent sample for mosquitoes (it is amazing stuff) and head out to the maze. Wherever we put the ti-tree repellent, mosquitoes did not bite us. I am obsessed with their products, and ti-tree is so versatile; it is used in so many products, from deodorant and toothpaste to ointment for cuts.

An Adventure for Everyone

The maze is huge, so we have to watch the kids vigilantly; I got lost! Once you make it out of the maze, you come to the start of a rainforest walk. We ran like silly buggers through the rainforest track, as there are a few human-like statues from a local artist that seem to watch you as you pass. It just makes it a little more exciting.

At the end, we enjoyed looking at the water feature before walking back to the cafe for some refreshments. Wonderful sculptures are displayed all through the property. Beautiful gardens and interesting plants stop us at every turn. Why would we want to stay home when adventures call!

It is in moments like that rainforest walk where you truly discover the truth: while natural products are great, they cannot compare to being physically present in the environment. That perfect blend of earth, canopy, and fresh air is the ultimate therapy, which is why “Nothing truly beats the original source: nature itself.”