5 skin care facts you should know
1. There are different stages of organic production
The word organic can appear in many different ways on products, but if you’re really looking for a truly organic product, the organic seal is the only thing that tells the truth. To display a reliable organic label, products must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients. According to this Organic Certified Label Guide, the remaining 5 percent or less of the product must not be available organic and must be approved by the National Organic Program. Products that say “Made with Organic Ingredients” must have at least 70 percent organic ingredients, but will not have the seal. Some companies may use a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients, but if they contain less than 70 percent, they may only include the organic ingredients in the ingredients list, not on the label.
2. The price of organic skin care will be higher
The eco-label may come with a price increase, but the price may be associated with a higher quality product that is therefore healthier than cheaper alternatives. Labels are not a marketing gimmick: companies must follow painstaking guidelines that are equally expensive and time-consuming. The application and fees to obtain the organic seal can cost up to $1,500, and companies must register each additional product they wish to display the seal with additional costs. Labeling may not be a financial burden for larger brands, but small or custom-made beauty brands often have to appreciate the even bigger factor of organic skin products having a shorter shelf life. According to a report by StyleCaster, sometimes big retailers don't want the responsibility of dealing with spoiled products on the shelves and stop carrying some of the big, organic products on the market.
The cost of the ingredients needed to formulate organic beauty products for my own business can be incredibly expensive, but because my products are personalized for clients, I don't have to worry about expired goods like other brands. However, since I never produce products that mean producing 12 orders a day, it will take a lot of time. There are thousands of amazing beauties who simply don't have the strength to mass produce their products and/or value the quality control of small batches and thus carry a heavy price that is worth it. When you consider all these additional components, it's easy to understand why many smaller businesses have to delay or forego the organic seal.
3. Natural is not the same as organic
The small font on ingredient labels and the general knowledge gap most consumers have about chemistry and scientific names can make it difficult for us to judge which ingredients are actually natural, let alone organic. According to this definition from the Encyclopedia Britannica, "organic" is defined as a compound containing a carbon atom. Safe cosmetics advocates are quick to point out that it's easy for brands to exploit the misrepresentation of the word organic. The author of this post on Health Report explains how methyl paraben can be misconstrued as "organic" because it's made from naturally rotting leaves that then become toxic, crude oil. The word “fragrance” can also be a bit mysterious: as is well and truly reported, the FDA exempts companies from having to list all the elements that make up the “fragrance” of their products.
Fragrances can be a mixture of natural and synthetic chemicals. In 2014, the National Academy of Sciences found some of those ingredients that often make up the "smell" of cancer-causing products. If you like fragrance in your skin care, look for labels that list scented essential oils instead of labels.
4. You can support organic farmers while supporting your skin
According to the Rodale Institute, which compared conventional and organic field research over a 30-year period, conventional farming systems emit 40 percent more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than organic farming. Buying organic skin care doesn't just limit your carbon dioxide emissions, but as the author of this Spirituality Health.com post points out, climate change is leading to food shortages. Supporting organic farmers will support food security for future generations because organic fields have an innate ability to capture, store and use water. Of course, my favorite reason to support organic farming is to be kind to the land that selflessly produces our natural beauty routines.
5. The results of ingredients in organic cosmetics vary like any other product
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Remember: Just because something says organic doesn't mean it's unequivocally safe for everyone. If you have specific allergies or reactions to certain herbs, you definitely want to check the ingredients list.
Source: www.bustle.com