What does organic actually mean?
Organic beauty is about using products that are made from high quality, organic farmed ingredients that haven’t been sprayed with agricultural chemicals and herbicides.
What’s the difference between natural and organic?
Naturally derived products are cultivated from nature, but it doesn’t specify whether they’ve been sprayed with agricultural chemicals. Organic ingredients are often of natural origin, but not always, and have not been contaminated by pesticides. The Soil Association, for example, allows certain preservatives to be used in a certified organic product that are not 100% natural.
And how does that relate to the clean beauty trend?
Clean beauty is focused on transparency and wellness. It’s about brands being 100% clear and honest to customers in their choice of ingredients and ethics.
What are the benefits of using organic skincare and beauty products?
The benefits to our overall well being and kindness to the planet are huge. Between cosmetics, perfumes, personal care products and feminine hygiene products, women in the US apply an average of 168 chemicals to their faces and bodies every day, according to new research by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.
By using natural and organic skin and body care products, this figure would dramatically reduce. Often the switch to organic clears up dermatological issues people have been experiencing for years. The power is in the products — if you get the balance of ingredients right in a way that delivers nutrition to the skin and that can be easily absorbed, the magic happens!
What would you say to people who are thinking about going natural but are worried about organic products not being as effective?
Natural and organic products have come on leaps and bounds over the years. The brands — including one of mine — used to be so small they could barely package their products sufficiently! However, everything has massively advanced over the last half a decade. They are now stocked nationwide and doing deals with huge chain stores. The demand is rapidly growing, and it has only got to this point because many natural and organic products actually perform better than standard products.
Which products are most worthwhile switching to organic and natural?
The best products to invest in first would be, what we call in the trade, ‘leave-on’ products, like toners, moisturisers and serums. This is because they stay in direct contact with the skin until absorbed. Next, it would be worth swapping your ‘wash-off’ products, such as cleansers, exfoliants and face packs.
KEY BENEFITS OF USING ORGANIC SKINCARE:
1. Little to no harsh ingredients – This one seems like a no-brainer, of course, you want to treat your skin to the very best. Applying harsh chemical-based products to your skin daily can have long term and damaging effects on your skin. Changing your skincare products now will reap you many benefits in the future. Long term skin issues, allergies and agitation can often be relieved by switching to organic skincare, as well as many other benefits to your skin, hair and health depending on which ingredients have been used.
2. Sourced both locally and from around the world – Organic skincare specialists are artists and curators. They love adventuring out both in their area and across the world to source the most natural, organic, fresh and beneficial ingredients to put in their products. When you buy organic, you are supporting your local environment, and you can be supporting small communities around the world who source and look after these ingredients as well.
3. Helping the planet – Using organic means less harmful pesticides and chemicals whilst farming, which means that ultimately it is better for the environment! Healthier skin and a healthier planet – what more could you want?
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