As I gear up for the Brownlow medal, I started looking for natural tanning products that will help me achieve that natural summer glow at the end of a grey autumn stay in Melbourne. I started doing some digging and at last I have come across a tanning product that is 100% natural and chemical free… FINALLY! The product I am referring to is called EcoTan. I contacted the team at EcoTan and founder and business owner, Sonya Driver kindly sat down to fill us in on why this product is so amazing!

What led you down the path of creating an all-natural and organic tanning product? Has health and wellbeing always been a passion of yours?

After my sister was diagnosed with a melanoma we started having spray tans. I became concerned about the ingredients in the products we were using, so I started researching. What a pack of lies I discovered! I used my anger to propel me into the long, hard road of creating a TRUE organic tan!

Health and wellbeing has always been interesting to me even as a young person. I think we were the only kids at school that had Wholemeal bread. I know we can heal our body and our minds through our lifestyle and diet. I am by no means perfect, I possibly drink too much alcohol and battle the crave for sugar hourly!

I have come across so many products that claim to be “natural”, “green” and “made from organic ingredients”, but as soon as I turn over to read the ingredients list, I realise it is all just clever marketing. I jumped for joy when I realised you had released a true natural and organic product. Can you explain your certifications and why they are so important?

When a product is certified it gives consumers a guarantee they are getting the real deal. No synthetics or nasties.

We have certification and accreditation for the following:

•  Australian OFC (Organic Food Chain) – The Organic Food Chain is an approved Australian Government Organic Certifier that is regularly audited and must abide by strict regulations such as no GMO ingredients, no animal derivatives, no synthetics.
• ‘Choose Cruelty Free’ – CFC accredits those companies who do NOT test any of their products or product ingredients on animals.
• Safe Cosmetics Australia – SCA accredits all cosmetic products that are TOXIC free. Basically if you can’t ingest it, they won’t accredit it. We are the only tanning company to make the list. I am very proud of this.

With over 70% organics, are the rest of Eco Tan’s product ingredients sourced solely from Mother Nature?

To be certified organic you must contain over 70% organic ingredients and 100% natural. No GMO’S, NO Animal derivatives. NOTHING ARTIFICAL/SYNTHETIC.

How do you achieve the colour in your tanning products? Is it true we can avoid the orange glow?

Absolutely! We don’t use toxic food colouring or dyes. We use natural Cacao (Chocolate)

Hazardous substances are permitted for use in the products Australian’s use on a daily basis, and science has proven that your skin absorbs everything that is applied. What are the ingredients we need to be aware of?

Dyes, colourants and fragrance are toxic to the human body. They also can contain petrochemicals, parabens, propylene glycol and other nasties ingredients. The list goes on.

Your products are now available Australia wide, which is fantastic news for all of us! Did you ever in your wildest dreams envision this national exposure?

Yes, in fact I was determined to go Global and we have now accomplished this. We have distributors in such places as Japan, NZ, USA, Sweden, HK very exciting. Why shouldn’t everyone be able to access safe tanning options.  I always knew the TRUTH would find its way out.

Thank you so much for your time Sonya. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for providing such a wonderful alternative to the toxic competitors out there. It is because of driven and passionate individuals like yourself, that living “green” and “toxic free” is so achievable. Thanks again.

My pleasure beautiful x

For more information on EcoTan products, be sure to check out their website: www.ecotan.com.au