Being out here in the Philippines, living green used to be very challenging.  People did not bother to break out of their conventional lifestyles and if they try, they are easily discouraged by the lack of local resources.

It was not until recently that vegans and vegetarians only had Healthy Options as their most accessible shop.  The place carried most brands from all over the world, mainly US.  Not only does it leave a lot of carbon footprints since the goods travel a long way to get here, it also costs more.  A 200ml bottle of almond body oil that usually costs 5 usd or 200 php would cost three times more at the shop.  When you are just starting to get into it, it seems fine but when you realise how much you consume and how often you need to replenish your personal stocks, you feel that it is a bit heavy on the budget.

I have never believed in skimping on skin products.  I always think that it is an absolute necessity to invest on lotions and potions that you slather on your skin because any potential damage can be irreversible and permanent.  That is why I never go shopping for skin stuff online.  That changed when I felt my pocket getting more shallow by the payday.

In one of the bazaar days at Eastwood Central Plaza, I came across this kiosk called Urban Nature.  They sell Z.E.N. (Zestful, Organic, Natural) organic bath and body products that are handmade locally with natural ingredients.  Less carbon footprint, cost-efficient and proudly Pinoy, as guaranteed by co-owner Rara herself, who usually sits with the people at the bazaar.  I have tried their Lavender Hair Conditioner and Barako Coffee Body Scrub.  The hair conditioner is superb at its job and it smells good too.  It is also made in different scents, drop by urbannature.multiply.com for the complete line and availability.  The body scrub can be used both on the face and the body but it is a bit drying although that is to be expected from a soap-based scrub so its enticing smell makes up for that.  There are a couple of other varieties with their own use, like coffee is for detoxification and polishing.

I also use their Tea Tree Roll On Antiperspirant and it keeps me dry for over twenty four hours.  I do not stink so I would not know how it does with odour.  They also have the best insect repellent.  All of the other local organic repellents that I have tried are citronella-based and reek of it.  Z.E.N.’s Citronella Lemon Insect Repellent smells so good, you would not believe it works.  Another specialty product line is their body oils and massage oils.  The Radiant Body Oil is made of natural coconut, olive, and sunflower oil with vitamin e, top actress-model Angel Aquino loves this.  Silica Oil helps in collagen production and is light enough to use on your hair.  They also have aromatherapy massage oils for each of your mood swings.

In my quest for a better scrub, I went around the metro for organic shops.  There are some organic tubs in a couple of beauty shops but they were too expensive.  If it is 350 php for 300 grams of Z.E.N. coffee scrub, it is only ideal to keep the comparison within the range.