Sonya thank you so very much for your time!

Firstly, tell us about Ecotan and how the brand was born?

Eco Tan was born in 2010 after my sister was diagnosed with a melanoma. 

We started using the fake tans on the market as my  tanner said it was " 99" percent natural. This was far from the truth after I researched the ingredients. I was super vigilant as my sister had a nasty deep scar and I didn't want any poisons in her blood stream. 

The term "Organic" is thrown around alot these days and consumers are getting confused..how can one be certain they are purchasing a quality certified organic product?

A certified organic product will have a processor number.

Make sure the logo is a recognised certifying body such as ACO or OFC etc. If it is a true certified organic product well then it can not contain GMOS, Synthetics, animal derivatives. 

Do your research as there are so many fake and misleading claims/marketing out there.

You have expanded the Ecotan brand further than tanning products, what prompted you to go into deodorants and shower products? 

I am a runner and I couldn't find a natural deodorant that actually worked for me! The last thing I wanted to make was a deodorant however I am so pleased I did. It is unisex coconut deo that actually works. If I cant find an organic product that my family need and like. I will make one.  A few surprises are being launched shortly.

Thankfully solarium's are becoming a thing of the past and SOME people are spending less time in the sun due to skin cancer & premature aging, this is showing a rapid decline in vitamin D levels (making sunless tanning popular), what are your thoughts on this?

As I write this I am sitting with 7 stitches in my face from a sun cancer being removed. Skin cancer is the number 1 cancer in Australia and can be deadly.


I am sure some of my readers are currently using chemical laden sunless tanners, what are some of the most dangerous ingredients in these tanners and how does Ecotan compare?

I make it my policy not to compare Eco Tan to other brands. We are 100% natural and contain no artificial  ingredients and are certified toxic free by safe cosmetics Australia, accredited by choose cruelty free, vegan, and of course certified organic.

Synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes and colourings are a high allergen people react to these all the time. Headaches, nausea etc. Propylene  glycol a petro chemical weakens the skin barrier and can let other nasty ingredients into the blood stream. There are so many more ingredients, really the only way to be sure is to research the ingredients on the back of bottles.


What is your favorite product from the Ecotan range?

I love them all, seriously. I can't compare as they are so different from each other. 

I am loving my organic coconut deodorant and my organic rich honey spray tan at the moment.

What are you interests outside of Ecotan?

I am part of a running group (run half marathons ) amazing for stress release. I have 2 young daughters and with all of their activities  I am pretty much flat out. I love to laugh and help people in any way I can.


How can my followers connect with you and purchase your products?

Follow us on our instagram and Facebook where we educate and entertain, they can also purchase our products at www.ecotan.com.au

What's next for you? Any dreams?

Very exciting things are happening with our company globally. 

We are launching 3 new products in the next 6 months.

Personally- I am hoping to build my house this year. The girls and I live in a small rented unit and we would love a swimming pool and a bit more space. Its nothing fancy however it will be our home...

Me wearing Ecotan

EXCITING NEWS!!

Jenni Madison is the Founder / Director of Coconut Magic.  

Jenni’s discovery of organic coconut oil in Thailand was the motivator in giving birth to her company Coconut Magic. 

 

I was lucky enough to catch up with Jenni for an interview! So please enjoy!         

Jenni thank you so much for your time!

Jenni Madison

In what way has coconut oil changed your life the most?

Coconut oil transformed my own health in an amazing way, but what changed my life the most was how it became a purpose, mission and business for me. My personal discovery of coconut oil was what inspired me to start Coconut Magic and spread the word on good oils, raw foods, whole foods and super foods. Coconut Magic is now a successful brand and distribution company for premium organic coconut products and our newest Raw Energy Bars.

What is your favourite product in the Coconut Magic range and why?

I love them all of course, but our coconut oil will always have a special place in my heart. It was and always will be our signature product. It is the basis of everything we create, whether it be food or body care. It is just so beautiful and it is what started Coconut Magic. I believe it is the quality and purity of our coconut oil is how people have come to trust and love our products.

You have such flawless beautiful skin, share your secrets!

Awwwwe thank you! It sounds cliché but it is so true, skin health depends on what you put on your body as well as what you put in it. Since using coconut oil both inside and out I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin. Coconut oil offers detox benefits, and helps liver function. When the liver is functioning optimally, and the body is detoxing regularly, the skin will not create blemishes and acne in order to eliminate toxins.

I believe that many other antioxidant rich foods in the diet help also, and most of all keeping those trans fats and refined sugars out of the diet.  I wrote an article once on the 5 top foods for beautiful skin. They include: Coconut Oil, Green Smoothies, Avocado, Berries, Green Tea and Pumpkin. The article is called Get the Glow, Top Foods for Beautiful Skin http://www.coconutmagic.com/blog/1338/get-glow-top-foods-for-beautiful.html

I eat clean food and I only put clean products on my skin. What I refer to when I say clean, is food and product with no chemicals, fragrance (because this is a chemical too), or artificial ingredients. I like to use pure coconut oil on my skin, and thats about it.

My skin care my range is very basic. My bathroom bench has coconut oil, essential oils, and a rosehip oil (which I use on my face occasionally) and thats it! I dry skin brush regularly, which is amazing and I love lathering and soaking in coconut oil straight afterwards. Sometimes I fill a bath with water and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and soak in it. My skin is always so soft afterwards.

There has been some controversy about  coconut oil’s  high level of saturated fat…what are your thoughts on this?

Coconut oil is 92% saturated fat, the highest of any fats. Much of which is made up of lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid which has potent antiviral properties. Mother's milk also contains lauric acid, it is nature's gift to us for building strong immunity.

The misconception, and what you call controversy, began back in the 1930's when the soy bean association wanted to launch vegetable oils such as soy bean, canola and corn oil into the main stream market. They did this via market domination, and set out to have all tropical oils (which were then being used for healthy cooking) off the market. Their campaigns succeeded and sadly the success of this campaign also cost consumers their health. Post 1930's we saw a massive rise in food related disease such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more.

Unlike animal saturated fat, coconut oil is a medium chain fatty acid that is plant based. It therefore does not carry the foreign cholesterol of the animal. The campaign clumped coconut oil in the artery clogging category of animal fats such as butter, this is what got vegetable oil and margarine on the market.

The interesting part is how milk never got a bad word amongst all of this, when it too is a saturated animal fat. People were saying no I cant have coconut oil or butter but drinking litres of dairy each day. There is no sense in that, and that is because these campaigns were not driven with the consumers health in mind, they were driven by political and economical agenda.

Anyway thank fully this is all old news now, and the real health revolution is taking form. Coconut oil is back on the market in a big way and it is here to stay.

What’s next for you? Any dreams?

I am pretty excited about doing my NIA white belt training in Bali next month. Whilst over there I'll be visiting some sugar plantations and organising the first  import of our new organic coconut sugar.

With the Raw Bars being such a great success, I am also excited about expanding our Coconut Raw Food range.

I am working on a new book which we launch at the end of this year! That's a dream in progress right now.

At the end of our coconut journey, my husband and I will move to live in a quiet sanctuary in Asia with plenty of fresh coconut water, just to enjoy a quiet healthy life together with plenty of nature, one day....

How can my followers connect with you and purchase your products?

We have a website page with a blog and regular news updates such as recipes, events and online specials. Our products are available online and through health food/organic stores. Come to one of our events and we can meet in person!

Lastly, what is your advice to those who want to launch into and create their own health product?

Keep it simple, honest and authentic. Believe in yourself, it's your passion that will create success for you so create and choose products that you love. Do your market research and still...be prepared to take some risk, you never know what’s around the corner.

MY REVIEW:

I have tried many products in the Coconut Magic Range.  My favourite is hands down the Raw Energy Coconut Bars (cacao flavour!) Each bar contains premium organic virgin coconut oil and coconut flower nectar. Perfect super food energy. The cacao flavour bars are a blend of coconut and chocolate flavour. Made 100% from real whole natural ingredients. gluten free, wheat free, dairy and soy free.

I always have one in my bag as it’s the perfect super-food snack!

I have also tried the organic virgin coconut oil, it tastes different to any other coconut oil I have tried, it has a very smooth texture and a mild flavour which is perfect to add to my green tea.  I have also applied it to my skin after a body brush and shower.  It makes my skin silky smooth and well hydrated. Always make sure anything you apply to your skin is organic!

Lastly and another one of my favourites is the Organic Coconut Flower Nectar! This is liquid gold! I add it to cakes and my homemade energy balls rather than honey or agave, it’s a low GI (35) low fructose natural sweetener. An excellent alternative to those trying to steer clear of sugar!

Coconut Magic products can be purchased at: http://www.coconutmagic.com/