The 'farm to fork' buzz words focus on the transparency of how our food gets to our plates, but have you ever wondered about your skin care products?
Australia's 'farm to face' trend is blooming around the nation with organic farmers growing flowers, herbs and root plants intended for the organic skin care market.
"We manage everything from the seeds in the ground all the way to the consumer's skin," Jurlique's Farm Production Manager Cherie Hutchinson said.
"We mainly grow roses, chamomile, calendula, lavender and marshmallow root on our 105 acre farm in Adelaide Hills, SA.
"The seeds are collected from the prior year and hand-planted in late autumn.
Once in full bloom the plants are hand-picked, naturally dried and a concentrated liquid is extracted to create the ingredients for the beauty products
Cherie Hutchinson, Jurlique Farm Production Manager
Roses are renowned for their superior ability to intensely hydrate and protect the skin as well as prevent the signs of aging. While Chamomile flowers are popular for their skin calming properties.
Lavender, particularly in oil form, is perfect for preventing and healing acne. It also has great anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Marshmallow root is known to revitalise the skin with its hydrating, soothing and healing properties for both skin and hair. It's also been used as a candy confection and a sore throat remedy.
The Lewin and Rielly Organic Skin Care company champion the Australian native Kakadu plum in their organic products as it's one of the world's richest sources of vitamin C.
"It's wild harvested by the Bardi people in the Kimberly region of Western Australia. The unique extraction process produces the most stable, potent form of natural vitamin C in the world - as proven by the Southern Cross University of Australia," a Lewin and Reilly spokesperson said.
A significant element of organic botanical farming for skin care products is the health of the soil and ensuring the delicate flowers, herbs and roots are farmed as naturally as possible.
Both Jurlique and Lewin and Rielly deploy biodynamic farming methods, which focusses on the health of the soil.
Another element of the farm to face trend is the farmers and manufacturers efforts in sourcing local ingredients for their cosmetic products.
Gregg and Kay Saarinen from Wyndham, NSW, are organic farmers who developed their Saarinen All Natural Skin Care products through their passion for living a self-sustaining and sustainable lifestyle.
"We grow all of our herbs here on our farm and we manufacture from scratch in our purpose built lab.
"We also try to purchase as many local ingredients as we can, however if we can't produce from local farms we only purchase certified organic ingredients," Kay said.
