Botanicals wins two European bodycare awards
Press release issued April 14th 2010
A small, family-run company specialising in natural and organic skincare products has beaten some of the world’s best-known beauty brands to win two international awards. Botanicals has a staff of just four working in a converted stable-block in rural Leicestershire.
The company was launched just six years ago by Wendy Stirling: “It’s the first time any company has won two of these prestigious awards in the same year,” explained a delighted Wendy. “Our facial cleansing melt came ahead of 30 other brands to win ‘Best Organic Facial Skincare Product’. And our mint and tea tree foot balm came top of 35 others to win the ‘Best Organic Bodycare’ section.
“We were competing against some very large and well-established companies,” added Wendy. “And against products costing far more than ours – some as much as £40 a jar. Botanicals facial melt costs just £14.50, and the foot balm just £12.95.”
Sponsored by the Soil Association, the awards were presented at the Natural and Organics Products Europe Show at London’s Olympia. Finn Cottle is Trade Director at the Soil Association: “The standard of submissions for this years awards was higher than ever,” said Finn.
“Organic consumers expect quality, innovation, provenance and integrity from the products and services which they enjoy, and these award winners answer their needs on all accounts.”
Finn added: “For consumers and businesses alike, the awards have become a benchmark for organic excellence, highlighting the imaginative and successful way in which individuals and their companies are contributing to the resurgence in organic products.”
The winning products were short-listed from 65 entries by a judging panel of industry professionals – including well-known ‘beauty gurus’ Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey. They were then tested over a two-week period by a group of independent consumers.
With no previous experience or training in creating bodycare products, Wendy explained how she came to launch Botanicals: “I’ve always believed that natural products are far safer and more effective than those made with petro-chemicals and artificial additives. But it was when shopping for a natural shampoo for my two young daughters that I realised just how difficult it is to buy truly natural products.
“Many have labels saying they’re natural and organic, but a look at the ingredients list on the back shows that these usually amount to only a very small percentage of the total,” said Wendy. “When one of my daughters suffered an alarming skin reaction to one of these ‘natural’ shampoos, I decided to create my own. And from that point on, I’ve never looked back.”
You won’t find Botanicals products in any high street chains. Their sales come through small, specialist retailers, or from their website at www.botanicals.co.uk. Here you can buy everything from foot soak to body wash, facial oils to deodorants. And all of them are completely natural and organic. The site also offers full ingredients listings as well as detailed information on how best to use them.
Asked what makes Botanicals different, Wendy explained: “Our formulations are based on holistic principles, and have been developed to restore natural balance to the skin. We’re passionate about using the most high-performing ingredients available in nature; those that contain high levels of natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, for optimal nourishment and repair.
“From a formulating perspective, this can be a very challenging task,” added Wendy. “Larger companies find this difficult because retailers demand long shelf-life and 100% consistency. And this is difficult to achieve with ingredients that are natural and organic, and without using artificial preservatives, colourings and additives.
“In many ways, our production methods are closer to food than cosmetics. They’re made in small batches to preserve their active botanical properties. And the percentage of active ingredients we use is always high enough to have a therapeutic benefit. Also, our processing methods ensure that the active nutrients of the plant aren’t destroyed by heating or over-processing.”
For a limited period, Wendy is offering free samples of her two award-winning products. Visit their website at www.botanicals.co.uk for details.
Samples, photographs and more information
Notes: Organic health and beauty products are often perceived as expensive luxury items. Botanicals has demonstrated that it’s possible to produce high quality organic products at affordable prices.
There was intense press-interest last year when independent tests showed that Boots No7 anti-aging cream proved more effective than similar products costing considerably more.
By winning these two European awards, Botanicals has shown that it’s possible for a small independent company to match this success. And with products that are not only well-priced, but also completely natural and organic.
High resolution photos of the products, awards and people are available from our website. Click here to view and download any of them.
For further information, customer testimonials, as well as samples of any of our products, contact Wendy Stirling at wendy@botanicals.co.uk, or by phone on 01664 464473.
Subscribe to our ‘Botanical Notes’ e-newsletter on the website for news of product launches and regular special offers at www.botanicals.co.uk/organic/botanical-notes.html
