Review: Organic Monkey Fairtrade babycare products ideal for newborns
Have you ever become frustrated whilst trawling the supermarket at the lack of honest ethical and organic baby care products available? Despite the apparent availability of cheap ‘natural’ ranges, a quick look at the ingredients list will reveal the old chemical favourites shuffling in embarrassment on the backs of the bottles.
This is why it’s always good news when more independent natural baby products are launched into the market place. The latest line of baby care items to hit the shelves win the accolade of being a UK first, as the range is both Fairtrade and organic. And, guess what? There isn’t an SLS or paraben in sight.
Organic Monkey was set up by two mums, Heidi Crawford and Claudine Sinnett.
Both recognised that after having a baby, mothers are concerned about the type of products they use on their newborn’s delicate skin.
Creative director of the company, Claudine says: “We like to see what ingredients are used, how they work and even their packaging. Becoming mums has made us more ethically and socially aware.”
Claudine’s own son Dylan suffered with eczema when he was a baby and she admits struggling to find baby skincare products that didn’t irritate his skin.
“After reading many of the labels on the everyday brands on the high street I was both worried and disappointed at how hard it was to find both organic and ‘free from’ products for babies,” she continues. “Surely it should be easier to look after your baby’s skin? So together with Heidi we have created a very special range of products for babies with sensitive skin like Dylan’s.”
The Organic Monkey’s launch range includes Nappy balm, massage oil, tummy oil, cradle cap oil and teething oil. The products are handmade using 100 per cent natural and organic ingredients and are suitable to use from birth. As a testament to their freshness, the products are preserved using natural antioxidant Vitamin E and once opened, have a use by date of six months.
Managing director Heidi adds: “It is important to us to source both organic and Fairtrade ingredients to produce a range of pure, wholesome, quality products to nourish and protect the newest and most sensitive of skins, whilst also having a respect for nature and respectful partnerships with the farmers that produce the raw ingredients and throughout the supply chain.”
Chopsy Baby product tested the Organic Monkey Hello Mellow Organic Massage Oil and the Bumfluff Nappy Balm.
Editor Jen Smith, tried out both products with her five week old baby daughter Astrid.
Jen said: “You don’t have to be a total eco-freak to quickly realise that when you start dealing with natural products after chemical cocktails that it really does make a difference.
“As a perfect example, the Hello Mellow massage oil smells divine without any unpleasant synthetic odours. When using this during a massage session, the gentle aroma of sweet orange was absolutely gorgeous and relaxing for both myself and the baby. The oil was also easy to wash off of hands afterwards. Having never done baby massage before, I was a little concerned about putting an oil onto such delicate skin, but there was no rash, reaction or anything untoward at all.
“The Bumfluff Nappy Balm is another aromatic delight. Containing shea butter, lavender and roman chamomile essential oils, this balm is perfect for those who have babies with angry red bottoms. It helped to clear and protect against future nappy rash and I also found myself using it as a moisturising hand lotion. The balm creates a gentle barrier without clogging pores.”
Whilst both products are higher in price then cheaper alternatives, with Organic Monkey you get what you pay for. It’s ethical, organic and a really nice product for newborn babies.
Product range retails from £7.50
Hello Mellow Massage Oil £12
Bumfluff Nappy Balm £10.50
www.organicmonkey.co.uk