Grooming with a conscience by Belinda Morris

Natural, eco-friendly skincare brands may be ten-a-penny in the women’s beauty sector, but they’re less prevalent in the world of men’s grooming. So it’s always interesting to come across newcomers to this burgeoning and (I think) important market. According to research natural and organic skincare is expected to grow by almost 10% over the next two years as more of us become ec0-conscious.

Naobay is made in Spain, has picked up on this trend and uses high quality natural ingredients such as nourishing and moisturising argan oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil and rosehip oil, then other caring, soothing and strengthening stuff like gingko, goji and aloe vera. Naobay is also certified by FSC and Ecocert thanks to the use of sustainable, organic products, recycled packaging and lack of petrochemical, parabens, colourants, mineral oils etc.

As well as a unisex/women’s line, babycare products and gift sets there’s also a men’s line with Energetic After Shave Balm (£17.50 – 100ml) with peppermint to cool and invigorate and sooth signs of redness (thank you aloe vera). Energetic Care Cream (£34.95 – 50ml), which is a little thicker, will nourish and firm as well as intensely hydrate – so good for slightly older skins. But both are absorbed easily and so faintly scented as to be barely perceptible. If you’re starting to get a little paranoid about tell-tale lines around the eyes, there’s Energetic Eye Contour Cream (£17.50 – 20ml) which acts as an skin tightener as well as an anti-inflammatory and eradicator of puffiness and dark circles.

(www.naobay.com and www.mankind.co.uk)

Meanwhile fellow Euro-groomer Institut Karité Paris swears by shea butter for its hydrating, anti-ageing and soothing properties – hence Shea After-Shave Balm (£20 – 250ml), which also contains vitamins A, E and F for healthy skin renewal. It’s a non-greasy, semi gel-like cream, which, while adding moisture, doesn’t feel heavy or tacky to use and the scent is soft and milky, so wont fight with your after shave or fragrance. (www.institutkariteparis.com and www.lookfantastic.com)

Both Naobay and Institut Karité Paris are well-established, full ranges in their own countries, and launching with serious intent in the UK this year.