Welcome to Organic Beauty 101.
Organic beauty is more than just a trend, it’s a healthier way to take care of your skin and hair.
As an intentional consumer, and someone who wants to treat their face and body with the respect it deserves, learning how to shop for organic beauty products is an essential part of the process.
If you want to look after your body, while enjoying the benefits that beauty products can provide, here’s what you need to know about shopping for organic beauty products.
Organic Beauty 101
What Is Organic Beauty And Why You Should Care About It
Organic, green, clean, vegan…is it all the same thing?
There can be a bit of confusion around the term organic beauty, but essentially it refers to beauty products that are made from naturally-derived ingredients and don’t contain any synthetic chemicals or artificial fragrances, dyes, or preservatives that can be potentially damaging or cause irritation to the skin.
The products also contain organic plant-derived ingredients.
Then there is clean or green beauty. Clean usually means that the beauty products contain non-toxic ingredients, and green refers to the products having a sustainable and eco-friendly approach, in terms of the ingredients and packaging.
Vegan products contain ingredients that are not animal derived and have not been tested on animals. This also makes them cruelty-free.
While we are becoming increasingly conscious about what we eat, it’s important to also consider what we put onto our skin.
I’ve noticed that a lot of women become more aware of what is in products for our skin once they have babies, and read the ingredients on baby products.
The same awareness should go for beauty products that you use on adult skin too.
With long-lasting results and minimal impact on the planet, incorporating organic beauty into our lives is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and our environment.
Benefits Of Using Organic Beauty Products
Organic beauty products are quickly gaining popularity due to their natural ingredients which are free from harmful chemicals.
Not only is organic much kinder to our skin and bodies, but it can also be better for the environment too.
With organic products, you have the assurance of knowing what you’re putting on your skin is all-natural and will help you achieve a more naturally beautiful complexion safely and effectively.
Some organic or natural alternatives may have a higher price tag than other beauty products, but that’s because organic and/or natural ingredients cost more to produce than synthetic compounds.
With organic there’s no need to worry about any hidden nasties and all in all switching to organic options can offer so many great benefits.
Try organic once and you’ll realize just how worth these kinds of products are.
How To Read A Product Label To Determine If It’s Organic
Shopping for natural beauty products can be a daunting task for us consumers, especially when trying to determine which products are truly organic.
To start, check the label for any indication of it being certified as organic.
Organic certification seals mean that the product has met standards put in place by an organization like the USDA.
This may mean that not all ingredients are organic, but a certain percentage are.
If there isn’t a seal or certification on the label, then you’ll have to dive into understanding what ingredients are natural and which ones aren’t.
By taking the time to look closely at labels, you can learn a lot about what is actually in your beauty products.
Although granted, this can be a difficult and tedious task due to evasive and ambiguous wording used by some companies to pass off their products as natural.
Researching organic brands and certifications will help you become knowledgeable about the organic beauty landscape so you can make informed decisions about what natural products to purchase.
I feel that it’s important to learn about particular companies and their ethics and drivers for creating the products that they do.
You then learn which brands you can trust, and you can always fall back on them when seeking out a new product.
You can also write to companies and request information about their ingredients and the sources of these ingredients to make absolutely sure that they are not misleading consumers.
7 Common Ingredients To Avoid In Organic (Or Any) Beauty Products
The following ingredients are related to all beauty products, organic or not.
They are likely ingredients you have heard of before, and many products now advertise that they are free from these chemicals.
It’s always a good idea to double-check when shopping for products, however, as some companies may not be completely upfront about the presence of these ingredients.
1. Fragrance
Many skin care products contain synthetic fragrances which we need to avoid when choosing our beauty care items.
Fragrance is often an unnecessary ingredient that can increase skin irritation and worsen existing skin conditions while reducing the effectiveness of skin care products.
Traditional products often use potentially dangerous and unknown ingredients to make them smell good, which not only defeats the purpose of the skin care product but hurts overall skin health.
Many fragrances are synthetic and aren’t always listed as individual ingredients.
You should especially try to minimize or avoid fragrance in products that will be used on delicate skin areas, such as around the eyes, or on the face and neck.
2. Parabens
Parabens, a type of chemical found in many beauty products, have been linked to endocrine disruption and other potential health concerns.
As such, avoiding parabens in our beauty care products is becoming increasingly important.
By doing so, we protect ourselves from several possible health risks associated with these chemicals while also taking advantage of the clean beauty benefits that eliminate toxins and other unnecessary ingredients.
Ultimately, staying away from parabens can lead to healthier skin and better overall wellbeing.
3. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless organic compound found in a variety of substances and materials worldwide.
It is a known human carcinogen and can cause respiratory problems, headaches, nausea and skin irritation.
For these reasons, it is important that we avoid formaldehyde as an ingredient when purchasing beauty care products like nail polish and nail polish removers.
Although most reputable companies do not intentionally use formaldehyde in their products, there are still some chemicals that may break down into formaldehyde under certain conditions, known as formaldehyde releasers.
The website www.ireadlabelsforyou.com has an amazing article on formaldehyde in products. She advises you want to watch out for the following formaldehyde releasers:
- Glyoxal
- Methenamine
- Quaternium-15
- Diazolidinyl Urea
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Imidazolidinyl Urea
- Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
- 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
4. Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct and is used as a cheap ingredient in many traditional personal care products such as makeup and skin and hair care.
It’s derived from petroleum and has been flagged as potentially having carcinogenic properties.
Not only is mineral oil ineffective as a skincare ingredient, but it can also be suffocating to the skin.
As clean beauty products become more mainstream, more consumers are shunning mineral oil-filled products in favor of natural alternatives like plant butter and oils because they are kinder to the skin for daily use in our beauty routine.
Petroleum is also a non-renewable resource and is implicated in environmental concerns as a result of its extraction and disposal.
5. Phthalates
We all know the importance of using quality products when it comes to our body care.
However, what may not be as commonly known is the presence of phthalates in some of these products.
Phthalates are chemicals that act as a plasticizer and are used to make cosmetics and other substances softer or more pliable.
A variant of phthalate may be used in fragrances, yet not individually listed due to regulations around the listing of fragrance ingredients – another good reason to avoid fragrances in beauty products.
Phthalates have been linked to health risks such as pregnancy complications and hormone disruption.
6. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
BHA and BHT are synthetic chemicals typically found in beauty care products that boast an extended shelf life.
The reality is, there are gentler, more natural ingredients formulated within these creams and cleansers we use each day that can achieve the same result without risking harsh long-term exposure to dangerous toxins.
Many products these days have substituted safer solutions, making it increasingly easier for consumers to avoid BHA and BHT when shopping for their beauty care items.
There is a bit of a paradox in beauty or skincare products in relation to preservatives.
On one hand, many beauty and skincare products need preservatives to keep them safe and stable.
But then, on the other hand, some of these preservatives can be hazardous to our health.
7. SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
Sulfates are chemical detergents that are used in many makeup and body care products, such as shampoos, face wash, makeup remover and shaving cream.
While sulfates can create rich lathers – making them a popular choice for manufacturers and consumers alike – they can have a long-term detrimental effect on our health.
Sulphates have the potential to irritate the skin upon contact and may be contaminated with carcinogenic properties.
Given these health risks associated with sulphates, it is beneficial to switch away from products that contain them.
Does Organic Skin Care Really Work?
There is no denying that organic skin care products can certainly deliver great results.
In comparison to harsh chemicals, organic ingredients provide gentle but effective delivery of what is needed to protect and enhance your skin.
Organic skin care can help in reducing impurities while still being mild enough on the skin to not cause unwanted side effects.
You can also benefit from the added nutrients and vitamins that are present in both natural and organic skincare, which increases the effectiveness of the product.
Ultimately, the decision to go with organic or not comes down to personal preference, but without a doubt, organic skincare has its merits worth considering.
I use a variety of different products. They are not all organic, but they are as natural and as clean as possible.
Nature has an amazing buffet of ingredients that can be used to create effective and nourishing skin care products.
Natural oils, plant extracts, herbs, and clays are just a few examples of what can be incorporated into your beauty routine.
The best part is that you can be sure these ingredients are free of any potentially harmful toxins or preservatives, providing you with a safe and effective alternative.
So, yes, organic skincare and beauty products can indeed work wonders for your skin.
Final Thoughts
While choosing organic beauty products is important because you know the ingredients are naturally derived and free from potentially harmful chemicals, it is equally important to take into account other factors, such as the quality of the ingredients and how they are sourced.
Do your research, read labels carefully, and look for reputable brands to ensure you are getting the best possible quality for your skin.
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