The importance of using organic ingredients

Published: 1-Sep-2021

The article is sponsored by Heaven Skincare

To mark National Organic Month this September, Deborah Mitchell, founder of leading beauty brand Heaven Skincare, talks about why using natural ingredients is so vital.

Tell us why you started to use organic ingredients

When I launched Heaven 26 years ago, it was important that right from the start my products were not only results-driven but completely natural so I started using organic ingredients whenever and wherever I can.

I suffered from really bad acne throughout my teens and tried all manner of things to help it, but because more products contained chemicals, they just irritated my skin even more. It was really a case of having to think outside the box because my skin flared up when I used anything that wasn’t natural and I didn’t want my clients to suffer the same issues. Your health and your skin is worth applying the very best ingredients; after all your body reaps the benefits of what you use on your face.

When it came to using natural ingredients, you were very much ahead of the curve

Long before it was a “thing”, I was one of the few people in the industry trailblazing the move away from nasty chemicals and instead opting for organic formulas.

At the time I’m sure many people thought I was crazy! My ingredients use the very best nature has to offer, from the anti-ageing vitamin C in my Divine Cream and nettles in my new vegan range to the Manuka honey in my exclusive Gold Bee Venom Mask as well as countless essentials oils, fruit and herbs across the whole collection.

You use some very interesting organic ingredients in your products. Tell us more about Abeetoxin and its vegan counterpart Nettatoxin

My patented Abeetoxin controls the facial muscles to tighten, firm and lift while at the same time penetrating fine lines to give an immediate anti-ageing effect.

Historically, bee venom has been used as pain relief but it had never been used as a skin care product before. I wanted to find an alternative to Botox after I noticed wrinkles starting to appear on my face. My sister is a beekeeper, so I had a lot of information about bees and honey in my head and I just knew what I had to do. It took me years to create Nettatoxin, which is the vegan version using common nettles that I gather from the hedgerows near my home.

It works because the venom of the nettle causes a reaction similar to that of bees when they sting – the skin goes into rapid repair on first contact leaving you with a lifted, more radiant complexion. You’ve even use tree bark in one product.

Yes, my Willowbee Mask & Cleanse contains bark from the willow tree, which is renowned as a natural alternative to aspirin. This means it has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making it ideal for all skin types.

Why is using organic ingredients important?

What we put on our skin is vital to having a healthy, radiant complexion, especially if you suffer from conditions such as acne, open pores, rosacea, psoriasis or eczema because harsh chemicals in some products will just make them worse. I believe that consumers should be given the knowledge on how to make better choices when buying their skincare and know that there are many products out there that are free from parabens, SLS, petroleum, silicones or derivatives.

Do you have a favourite ingredient?

I love lavender for so many reasons – it’s one of nature’s super powers! It smells amazing and helps promote sleep; it’s naturally antibacterial and potent source of antioxidants; and it’s a great boost for dry, dehydrated skin.


Heaven Skincare by Deborah Mitchell is available Heaven Health & Beauty, 13a Market Place, Shifnal, Shropshire and at Harvey Nichols Birmingham. You can also shop online at heavenskincare.com.

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