A SHOP in Castletown has become the exclusive stockist of a range of handmade natural toiletries which are completely free from chemicals and preservatives.
Rural Arts and Crafts, on Arbory Street, is now stocking the Touch of Nature product range – natural body and skincare products which are made totally by hand.
The products on sale include soap, bath foam, natural spray, lip balm, foot care products, bath soak, body wash and moisturising cream.
Owner Julia Coué explained her decision to stock the range. She said: "We've been doing research for the past two years and although there are a fair few number of products out there it's really difficult to get a balance between price and the quality of the contents.
"The price of these products is very reasonable and the packaging is eco friendly in that it's totally recyclable. Although you may get grand things in much posher pots these products have a purpose and are easy to recycle."
Julia only agreed to sell the products on the basis that she would be the exclusive stockist in the Island. She explained: "I said that if we were to stock the product range we would have to be promised sole supplier because the Island is so small.
"The thing about the Isle of Man is that you want somewhere that's got something different and that's what Rural Arts and Crafts try to offer. The products are something different that the locals can buy here instead of going to Douglas which is often what they want."
Julia has chosen to stock the majority of the product range bar a few flavours of the homemade soap as display space in the shop is of a premium.
She said: "We have to choose products very carefully. Part of the beauty of the shop is that you don't want to come here and see it stocked up like Boots The Chemist. We've discovered that when you blind people with too much choice they actually end up not making a decision."
All Touch of Nature products are free from chemicals and preservatives so are good for those with sensitive skin conditions such as dry and irritating skin, flakey scalp and eczema.
They do not contain parabens – the most widely used preservatives in health and beauty products or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) which is a common skin irritant.
Julia continued: "These products are genuine eco friendly products which have been tested to EU chemistry standards. You're absolutely 100 per cent certain that you're getting a nice natural product. They smell nice and leave your skin feeling soft.
There are already plans to add to the range of products. Julia explained: "We want to add gorgeous little loofahs on rope, natural scrunchies made from nettles and natural cloth, and pumice stones.
"We will be able to make up gift baskets for people with a selection of products. We're just experimenting at the moment with various products either with baskets or toiletry bags which people can go on to re-use."
The majority of trade to Rural Arts and Crafts comes from local people in the south of the Island although Julia does attract customers from elsewhere.
She said: "The shop generally appeals to everybody. People buy for babies and I think our eldest lady is about 98 so we have a very wide appeal. I have people who travel from Peel and Ramsey just to shop here."
THREE OF THE BEST: Passion fruit lip balm - £4.50
This natural lip balm is made from 100% pure natural butters and oils and is lanolin, paraben and petroleum free. The balm contains shea butter and olive wax which help to moisturise and nourish lips to keep them soft and smooth.
Available in a range of other flavours including cherry, lemon and lime, peppermint and sweet orange.
Fresh lemon and lime handmade soap - £3.95
This handmade soap is free from vegetable glycerine and is brimming with essential oils. It leaves no residue and makes a soft creamy lather which leaves the skin beautifully fragranced.
Available in a range of other flavours including fresh lemon and lime, raspberry ripple, lemongrass and tea tree and basil and peppermint.
Mango and passion fruit body wash - £7.95
This natural body wash has a gently yet effective cleansing action which leaves the skin feeling clean fresh and moisturised. The mango and passion fruit blend leaves skin gently fragranced and the packaging is bright and vibrant.
Available in a range of other flavours including lemon, honey and ginger, ocean spa and lemongrass and tea tree.
For more information on Rural Arts and Crafts click here.
