So it’s a new year, and we can all do with some improvements in our routine—like being more environmentally conscious, for one.  True, I won’t be claiming any hardcore status in the tree-hugging club, but I find myself reusing plastic bags, keeping paper bags for storage, and using cloth bags (when I remember them!) for shopping.  I try to make a habit of being more eco-friendly in the recent years, but what got me really started in this whole thing was a bit of vanity, if you can believe that.

It was around 2007 when I first dabbled into mineral make-up and organic products.  All well and good, but they didn’t exactly come cheap.  Supply didn’t come in droves, either.  I’d buy imported organic shampoo from Rustan’s, and they were about triple the price of ordinary or local shampoos.  Yet I persisted in buying it because I realized one thing about real organic shampoo: they lessened dandruff considerably, if not gotten rid of completely.  And I never quite figured out the deal with dandruff in this hot and humid clime of ours in Manila, since I did just about everything trying to find a solution for it.  No anti-dandruff shampoo worked for long (except for Kerastase, and that costs anarm and leg).  I didn’t have an oily scalp (nor did it seem overly dry) and I normally took showers and shampooed my hair twice a day.  I lessened the shampooing or I doubled it.  It got worse whenever I was stressed or my hair was already too long.  The times I can remember being totally free from it were the times that I were out of the country for at least 2 weeks—a considerable amount of time (which makes me think it’s partly the climate here that’s at fault), and not even an inexpensive solution, either.  What I didn’t know that it was all these strong chemicals and residue from shampoo and other hair products that were irritating my scalp.  Using an all-natural shampoo by accident got me cleared, so to speak, but as I said, organic products weren’t very cheap.

So I was really glad when I stumbled across Human Heart Nature products.  It’s really a stroke of genius that we have an organic line manufactured right here in the Philippines, when we’ve got all the goods to make it.  I love their philosophy—this whole thing is a brainchild of Gandang Kalikasan Inc., providing jobs to residents of Gawad Kalinga (communities for ending poverty), sourcing every little bit of material locally and creating products that are non-toxic.  And selling them REALLY cheap!  You’d be shocked at how affordable it is.  It’s a win-win situation no matter what angle you look at it.

Below are some of my favorites from their line:

Peppermint, Pearl Powder and Aloe Vera Shampoo and Body Wash

I like this because it’s in 2-in-1, and I like that convenience.  Kind of reminds me of VMV’s shampoo and body wash.  I actually use it to clean my make up brushes, too.  It leaves a cool, minty feeling and scent, and I noticed that I have less hair fall.  It’s P109.75 for 200ml—cheaper than most local shampoos on our grocery stores.  I also pack it in a small container and I take it with me when I travel.  The fact that it’s body wash and shampoo combined makes my travel pack lighter.

Mango, Cocoa Butter & Goat’s Milk body butter

This body butter is fantastic—easily absorbent, non-greasy and smells absolutely delicious!  Normally, I’d balk at mango-scented body lotion, but this just reminded me of mango ala mode pie.  I think it’s the goat’s milk that makes it smell so divinely creamy, I couldn’t stop sniffing it.  My boyfriend claims it smells like Yakult—which we both love.  For those not a fan of mango, there’s strawberry-scented and unscented available.  There’s 50g for P79.75, but I’d advise to buy the largest one at 200g for P199.75.

Lemongrass and Mango Butter Nourishing Conditioner

Not really a fan of lemongrass scent, but I love how it cleans.  Also, there are other scents to choose from like the ppermint and mandarin one.  This conditioner’s consistency is definitely different from the usual, and may take some time getting used to.  But it does the job!  It leaves your hair softer and much more manageable afterwards.  I mostly just use it on the tips of my hair since that’s the driest part.

Body scrub with Lemongrass

Don’t you just love a weekly body scrub?  The only thing I don’t like about it is that it’s a little runny for me.  I hope they reformulate it with more grains soon.  I alternate this one with another favorite brand of mine, but its affordable price and organic ingredients makes me feel like a do-gooder.  Lemongrass is also a natural anti-bacterial and will give you an added squeaky clean finish.  It’s P159.75 for 100ml.

Check out their other products at their website!  Human Heart Nature also ships to anywhere in the US.

The bottles are apparently recyclable—I was just about to drop them (Gandang Kalikasan Inc.) a line suggesting that regular buyers of theirs who finish up their bottles can return said bottles for reuse.  I think it’d be a great idea so there’s less waste and production.

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