The issue of mineral-based or natural beauty ranks almost as highly as anti wrinkle properties and formulations that do not clog the pores.

Respondents cited those concerns in 30 and 32 per cent of cases respectively.

The chief features desired are sun protection (51 per cent) and moisturising properties (54 per cent).

Around three in five women are still using dedicated products to achieve these effects, in addition to selecting makeup with the characteristics incorporated into its formulation.

“From protective benefits to increasingly advanced anti-ageing ingredients … more and more makeup manufacturers are offering consumers a wider variety of skincare options today,” says Karen Grant, vice-president and global industry analyst at the NPD Group.

NPD Group’s research into the makeup market covers developing trends in a number of countries in specific areas of the world.

These comprise the US, Italy, China, Spain and France.

>>> For more on this story and natural beauty products please visit BigGreenSmile

Our products harm the environment. They are not environmentally friendly. We never say they are environmentally friendly.” Who is saying this? BP’s Tony Hayward, perhaps?

Actually these are the words of Mick Bremans, chief executive of Ecover, the biggest-selling brand of “ecological” cleaning and laundry products in Britain. Despite celebrating 30 years in the business of selling greener, cleaner household products, Bremans’ team at Ecover has not yet discovered a dishwasher tab or laundry liquid that is what the consumer with a conscience is looking for – environmentally friendly.

In fact, Bremans is making the point that no product, be it a lavatory cleaner, a hybrid car or a locally sourced punnet of strawberries, is technically environmentally friendly. Everything we make takes its toll on the planet in production and leaves its mark when disposed of. Instead, Ecover describes its products as “ecological”, to communicate that they are kinder to the environment than comparable products.

>>> Please read the full article here

>>> Find out More and Shop for Ecover Products

The first shoppers in Britain will be taxed for their carrier bags within 18 months, it was announced on Tuesday.

Customers in Wales are to be charged up to 15p per carrier bag. Other parts of Britain are expected to folbow by introducing the tax aimed at reducing the number of plastic bags which take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Leaders in the the Welsh Assembly announced it will start in early 2011 and pledged cash raised would be spent on environmental projects not go into tax coffers. Supporters hope the charge will encourage more shoppers to take reusable bags to supermarkets.

Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson said: “Carrier bags represent a waste of resources and they are an iconic symbol of the throwaway society we now seem to live in.

“This government still holds the view that the voluntary agreement does not go far enough and we have to take more action now.

“We are behind the game when you look at what other countries have achieved with stronger action.

“In simple terms, the evidence shows introducing a charge works.”

An estimated 480m carrier bags are used in Wales each year and they take up to 1,000 years to degrade. Shops will be responsible for collecting cash and spending it on green campaigns. But Consumer Focus Wales chairwoman Vivienne Sugar said: “We are concerned about the possible impact a charge will have on lower income groups.” The British Retail Consortium said customers should be encouraged to change, and not “clobbered” with new “taxes”. But Ms Davidson added: “It is not my intention to create unnecessary additional burden for businesses.”

Ireland launched a 15 cent bag tax in 2002 – cutting their use by 90 per cent and reducing litter.

Since then it has raised £109m in tax, with plans to raise the levy to 40 cents.

Article Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk