Bathroom, hair, workout... Ben & Anna are there through it all!
I'm thrilled to be sharing a closer look at one of my favourite daily essentials brands today - it's been a long time coming! I have reviewed Ben & Anna several times here on The ecoLogical, but I thought that this natural and vegan friendly brand deserved even more time in the spotlight.
Get ready to discover a little bit of everything as I dive deep into this eco-forward business, and I hope you find some new plastic free goodies to try out in future!
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* This post contains affiliate links and some products have been gifted
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Ben and Anna, the namesakes of the brand, are a vegan couple who found inspiration for sustainability when living in Berlin. They have since moved to the Hessian countryside, but their passion for ethical and nontoxic products has continued to grow as they developed the business. The promise: "All our products use ingredients of natural origin only and are certified accordingly. All ingredients are always vegan and microplastic-free. None of our products have ever been tested on animals. Our packaging material is always chosed wisely in order to have the lowest impact on our environment as possible."
You can find Ben & Anna stocked across the UK, making them accessible both in terms of how and where you can buy but also in terms of price point, ingredients used, and lifestyle requirements. The vegan friendly, cruelty free, plastic free, and natural products have a lot of variety in terms of scent and taste, and there are even special ones created just for people with sensitivities! Check it out:
Ben & Anna offer a mix of products for your teeth and mouth, including a mouthwash and several types of toothpaste. You'll find a solid tablet, a traditional paste, and a powder, all of which have plastic free packaging, and each designed to reduce waste while protecting your mouth against stains, buildup, bacteria, and more.
"we succeeded in creating a sustainable series that combines everything that is important to us: high-quality ingredients of natural origin such as sea buckethorn, chamomile, activated charcoal, cinnamon and calcium give you durable, strong, shiny teeth and healthy gums. And, of course, this is all without animal testing and it`s free of any harmful and controversial ingredients such as phtalates, parabens, microplastics, SLS or formaldehydes."
Paste: I can't express how happy I am that I stumbled upon this plastic free toothpaste. I first picked up a jar of the traditional paste in July 2019, and have not been without a pot ever since! The formula is smooth, with no gritty particles and no rough texture, and it tastes exactly like a traditional tubed version. This vegan friendly toothpaste comes in four varieties: White, Sensitive, Orange, and Black. It also has a choice of fluoride or no fluoride, something I appreciate as many natural brands tend to skip this altogether and I think that people deserve to choose for themselves.
Charcoal: a "power packed for bright white teeth. With activated charcoal to dissolve discoloration naturally, sea buckthorn and chamomile to protect your teeth and natural mint for a boost of freshness." It is pitch black in colour, and does make you look like some sort of demon as you are using it as it fills your mouth with a dark paste. Makes it fun for kiddos though, yes??
Sensitive: a gentle formula with minimal ingredients to clean sensitive teeth and gums. Containing hand picked chamomile as well as sea buckthorn, this version is ideal for those wanting something a little more delicate while not skimping on quality.
White: a whitening toothpaste that acts as "a powerhouse in the fight against discoloration. Formulated with sage, vitamin A and antioxidants to protect and shield against tooth decay and free radicals." This is perfect for coffee and wine drinkers, as well as anyone who is looking to brighten their smile without harsh agents.
Orange: this is your all rounder toothpaste, with sea-buckthorn, chamomile, and calcium to help keep teeth strong and shiny and gums healthy. Unlike the other toothpastes, this one has a less traditional taste which may be a great fit for anyone not keen on mint. This has orange notes and works just like the other pastes, though I personally find it a bit too bitter.
The whitening version is my personal favourite as I drink a lot of coffee and appreciate a gentle whitening effect and also want something that helps sensitivity, but honestly all three are great. The charcoal one is ideal for those looking to target discolouration, and the sensitive one is for those needing the gentlest approach. I find each helps leave my mouth feeling clean, teeth spotless, and breath fresh, and I am loving that it helps me reduce my plastic footprint.
The paste version of Ben & Anna's toothpaste is a brilliant pick for anyone who is feeling hesitant about swapping to a plastic free alternative. Tim has hated every one I've had him try, but the Ben & Anna version he's fine with as it reminds him of a high street formula (but without all the nasties of course!) - so if it won him over, I'm sure the majority of people will LOVE this!
In my opinion, it's a smash hit. It hits all the criteria for me, tasting good, feeling good, and proving good for the planet too. I have tried all three options now, and each is by far the best plastic free and natural alternative I have come across.
Fluoride Free Ingredients (White): Aqua (Water), Hydrated Silica, Sorbitol/Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Xylitol, Calcium Hydroxyapatite, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Aroma (Fragrance), Xanthan Gum, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Water, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.
Fluoride Ingredients (White): Aqua (Water), Hydrated Silica, Sorbitol/Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Xylitol, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Tricalcium Phosphate, Lauryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Aroma (Fragrance), Xanthan Gum, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Water, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita (Camomile) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract, Sodium Fluoride, Mentha Arvensis (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Limonene, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.
Powder: There are two versions of the tooth powder from Ben & Anna - a cinnamon flavour which has an antibacterial effect and provides a yummy scent to your breath, and a charcoal one that loosens discoloration from the teeth and freshens breath with the added mint oil. I have not yet tried the powder formulas as I am not as keen on this type of toothpaste. Personally I find it difficult to keep the jar sanitary as you're dipping your brush into the product, plus I find it a bit messy. Maybe I will try this in future though - what do you think??
Ingredients (Cinnamon): Hydrated Silica, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Xylitol, Aroma (Fragrance), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Cinnamomum Cassia (Cinnamon) Bark Powder, Cinnamom Cassia (Cinamon) Leaf Oil, Cinnamal, Limonene
Tablets: The latest trend in the world of dental care and zero waste products is formulations that come in tablet form. These dissolve when activated with a liquid, and are a great way of minimizing water usage as well as packaging. So of course when I saw Ben & Anna had released their very own toothpaste tablets I had to try them!
"More bite and all natural: made with the finest natural ingredients from baking soda to coconut as well as acacia and mint plant extracts. With additional fluoride to protect the tooth surfaces and prevent cavities, as well as a dose of vitamin B12 to prevent deficiency. For a healthy smile. Chew 1 tablet briefly, brush your teeth for 2 minutes and rinse thoroughly."
These come in a fluoride version and one free from fluoride, so once again the brand lets the customer decide what works best for their lifestyle and health. I can't express enough how much I appreciate this! Both are the same flavour, using mint essential oil to offer a nice tasting product that also freshens breath. But what about the actual experience of using these?
Well, I will admit my first try I was a little underwhelmed. I didn't find that these created the same kind of 'lather' in my mouth as the paste, nor were they quite as strongly minty. In fact, I found them a little bland the first go around which was unexpected. However, the actual act of brushing my teeth was pretty straightforward - I bit down on the tablet, chewed it up so it was smooth, then brushed as usual! It left my teeth and mouth feeling clean enough, and there were not any bits leftover in my teeth which I had been worried about. And after a few nights, I found myself adjusting to the difference and began to like the mild alternative.
So far I find these a decent pick for plastic free toothpaste, especially if you are on the go, traveling, or trying to dramatically decrease water usage. The tablets are a really convenient size, are soft enough to crunch without any effort but still pretty satisfying to chew up, and they do not have any weird aftertaste which is a big plus. All in all, a success and much gentler than I was expecting!
Ingredients (Fluoride Free): Sorbitol, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Hydrated Silica, Yeast, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Sodium Monofluorophosphate, Acacia Senegal Gum Extract, Magnesium Stearate, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Menthol, Stevioside, Mentha Piperita Oil, Cyanocobalamin
Mouthwash: Finally a reasonably priced natural and plastic free traditional mouthwash!! That was my first thought when I discovered this Ben & Anna product, and I could not wait to try it.
The liquid is lightweight and feels as you would expect, and it works to protect your mouth and keep everything healthy with the help of disinfecting sage, soothing aloe, vitamin rich sea buckthorn, and freshening peppermint. This is a great addition to any dental care routine, and I'm so happy I finally got my hands on it!
The initial taste is cooling and minty, and I find it swishes around your mouth just as a traditional formula would - it gets into all the little nooks and crannies, and you can feel it working its magic as you move it around. The peppermint is so refreshing and gives me that minty breath I want, plus I find the formula is incredibly gentle and it doesn't bother my gums or teeth nor does it leave that achy feeling that highstreet brands produce.
I will say there is a strange aftertaste to this, and while I don't find this pleasant (it's quite bitter!) it is not as prominent as the flavour from other plastic free mouth washes I have tried. It disappears after a few minutes, and you are left with subtle peppermint, but it is worth mentioning as I know many people are sensitive to taste!
This is definitely my top choice for a zero waste mouthwash right now, and it is the closest thing to a mainstream formula I have found - liquid, in a big (glass) bottle, and freshens breath while also fighting bacteria and deep cleaning those hard to reach places. I do hope they start to offer a few more flavours in future just like they do with their toothpastes, but honestly I am happy with this overall so I can't complain.
P.s. there is an update coming soon, as the most recent launch has also brought a tablet version of this product! I have not yet got my hands on this, but as soon as I do you bet I'll be sharing my thoughts!
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Xylitol, Sorbitol/Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Heptyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Aroma (Fragrance), Mentha Arvensis (Peppermint) Leaf Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.
Shower
"Specially chosen ingredients including chamomile, abyssinian oil, olive oil and turmeric leave your hair clean, soft and shiny. Suitable for all hair types. Dissolve the shampoo tablet in your hand with a little water then use the lather to shampoo hair, rinse well."
I have not yet tried the shampoo, but I admit I am intrigued. Will they foam up? Are they drying? Do they leave locks looking shiny and smooth? I probably will grab a pouch in future, but right now I am all stocked up on shampoos so did not want to risk anything going to waste. My initial thoughts though based on ingredients (which includes bicarb) and description is that this might be ideal for short trips and weekend getaways since they will be so compact and easy to carry, but that a conditioner follow up will be a must.
Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Citric Acid, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Aqua (Water), Parfum (Fragrance), Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Crambe Abyssinia oil, Phytosterol Esters, Triethyl Citrate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl olivate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Maltodextrin, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Shower Tablets: Another new addition to the Ben & Anna range, the Shower Tablets have been created to be a plastic free alternative to bottled liquids. They have been designed to last for more than a single use each, and help cut back on waste by using less water in production, fewer resources in packaging, and lasting a long time in your bathroom!
"Natural cleansing and care from a single source, and from one tablet [...] there is something for everyone. All with the finest natural ingredients ranging from baking soda to olive oil and special extracts of freshwater algae and citrus. Refreshes, cleanses, cares. Let the tablet dissolve in your hand with a splash of water and use the lather for showering. Rinse well."
In theory, I love these. I like the idea of a product that lasts more than one use, is easy to transport, and has a bit of fun to it. However, I just am not getting on with these unfortunately. I can't get them to lather easily, and I find the tablets super rough on my skin. It's like an exfoliation bar rather than a shower gel, and it isn't very gentle. They don't dissolve like I thought they would (I literally soaked mine for a bit just to see if I could get it to soften up!), and I didn't notice any distinctive scent like I normally would when trying to wash myself with it. In fact, I had to hold it right close to my nose to get even the hint of an aroma, and then it wasn't what I really was looking for - bicarb... That being said, this only happens if you get real close, so just think of these as a very mild almost scent free product.
I thought maybe my first experience was just a fluke, so I tried a few more tablets and I did notice variation between each one. Some seemed to activate faster than others, and I found that lathering them up before getting in the shower was much more effective than bringing the tablet in with me. But that is a bit of a hassle, especially when I'm in a hurry. So for now, I think I will just stick with a bar soap to wash myself with, and I will reserve these for a bi-weekly exfoliation treatment because for that purpose they work a treat.
Ingredients (Velvet): Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Citric Acid, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Aqua (Water), Parfum (Fragrance), Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Maltodextrin, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Triethyl Citrate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unspanifiables, Ipomoea Batatas (Potato) Root Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Limonene, Linalool, Citral
Those who have been using eco friendly deodorant for a long while may recognize this fab natural brand, as it is one of the OG vegan friendly plastic free options I personally ever heard about. Not only is it all natural, vegan, and cruelty free, but it minimizes waste by cutting out unnecessary plastics and instead opting to use a paper tube. Another bonus? They use certified organic ingredients!
Ben & Anna offer ten varieties of natural deodorant and two types of packaging. You can pick from a tube or a tin, and those looking for a super gentle formula will be happy to hear there are several 'sensitive' options you can pick from that are free from bicarb! The varieties range from crisp citruses like Pink Grapefruit to more sensual notes such as those in Vanilla Orchid, so you're bound to find the perfect fit for you with the brand. And with each version containing nourishing oils and butters, your pits will be happy too!
The one I have used most is Persian Lime in the cardboard push up dispenser. This is a great unisex option that is full of zesty notes. The natural deodorant helps fight off odor for the bulk of the day, and even holds up during exercise I find which is obviously a must when choosing this type of product. For me, I find I don't need to top up at all, meaning I apply once in the morning and that's that. However, this may vary from person to person - but luckily the tube is a handy size so it can easily be popped into your bag for a quick touch up midday if you need!
The deodorant applies nicely, and isn't grainy at all meaning it goes on smoothly and with no extra effort. I do find that sometimes there is a bit of fall out when you first begin to apply, but once the stick itself warms up (which is pretty quick!) it helps it glide on with ease. Another bonus is I find you don't end up using tons so this lasts for a long time.
One interesting aspect to the Ben & Anna natural deodorant is that when you think you are running low, you just push up the bottom and more will slowly appear on top - like a lipstick tube, but without the twist (or the plastic!). It's easy to do as well, and I never find myself getting frustrated when using this which isn't always the case with paper products like this. Overall, this is a great pick and I can't fault it!
Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter*, Maranta Arundinacea Root Powder*, Zea Mays Starch, Cocos Nucifera Oil*, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil*, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Cera, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Shorea Robusta Resin, Rhus Verniciflua Peel Cera, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limonene**, Rhus Succedanea Fruit Cera, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Reticulata Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Linalool**, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citral**, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil*, Geraniol**, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract*
I love Ben & Anna, not just because they are an affordable and versatile natural beauty range, but because they put so much effort into creating plastic free essentials that suit all lifestyle requirements. Whether you are skipping fluoride or embracing it, needing bicarb free formulas or happy to have that common ingredient, or trying to soothe your sensitive skin... They have a solution for it all!
And the fact that they cover all the bases, from toothpaste to shower - well, that's a whole other perk! I love a one stop shop, so Ben & Anna ticks all the boxes in my book. But what do you think?
Are you a Ben & Anna fan, or ready to try out the range for yourself? Let me know in the comments below, or pop over to social media so we can have a chat! xx
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Great spotlight - I haven't heard of this brand, but it looks awesome! I'll have to check them out :)
ReplyDeleteJenna ♥
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