Why Use Organic Skin Care
Organic skin care may bring to mind images of bubbling concoctions on your stove or gathering herbs and flowers from the forest. In days gone by that may have been the case but today there are plenty of ready-made products on the market. When comparing products you need to be aware that there is a difference between natural and organic and how to tell which you are getting. All products will be labeled one way or another but what do the labels mean.
More and more people are buying organic products in an effort to stem rising health issues and for environmental conservation. Nevertheless, what is organic and can I trust the labels on my cosmetic that says 100% organic? In this article, we will examine the terms and leave you better informed for the next time you go shopping.
First, we will examine the term organic and certified organic. Organic when applied to products means anything grown without the use of chemical pesticides, human waste or sewage sludge. In the United States there are rules governing what terms a company may place on their product. Anything that is 100% organic can be labeled as such, 95% can use the word organic on the packaging and both may display the USDA organic seal. A product made 70% from organic may place “made with organic ingredients″. Anything less than 70% cannot use the term organic anywhere but in the products ingredient list.
The surge in interest in organic products led to legislation being passed that defined organic and who could use the labels. In addition to the above quantities there were stricter guidelines imposed on companies wanting to use the term to sell their products. This is certification and to become certified farmers and manufacturers were given strict instruction on what they must do. They must grow their ingredients in soil that has been chemical free for three years and keep strict physical separation of certified organic products from non-certified. In addition, they may be subject to random testing of all products at any location.
Now to the way the products are actually labeled. Of course, those products that are 100% organic may say so on the package and may display the USDA organic seal. Products that are 95% may say organic and display the seal as well. 70% may say made with organic ingredients and anything less than that can only use organic in the ingredients list.
So what difference does any of this make to the average consumer? For starters, these products are placed on our skin. The protective layer of our whole body that is capable of absorbing moisture and chemicals. Wait a minute; we absorb potential contaminants through our skin? Yes and what is more, our skins have a delicate balance of flora and bacteria useful for protecting our system. Cause an imbalance in this system and you can develop allergies or worse.
Lets face it when it comes to what you put on your skin do we really want any of that stuff? Not to mention the fact that the skin will absorb chemicals and toxins through the pores. This can lead to allergies and other diseases, which is why consumers should be careful to put only certified organic products on their skin.
