Organic Skin Care

What is Organic Skin Care?

Much like organic food, organic skin care products should be made with ingredients that are certified organic. Cosmetics and skin care products can be certified through the same processes used for food.

The best way to know that you’re getting an organic skin care product is to look for the USDA organic seal. This means that the product has met the standards of the National Organic Program.

The seal can legally be used on products labeled “100% organic” (which means what it says) or “organic” (at least 95% organic products). Products labeled “made with organic ingredients” cannot carry the seal, but they must have at least 70% organic ingredients.

The National Organic Program defines organic as follows: “Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled ‘organic,’ a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”

What this means for organic skin care is that the farms that make a product’s raw ingredients must use organic farming practices. In addition, the product itself must be produced in a way that keeps the ingredients organic. Generally, this means that no chemicals are added during the manufacturing process.

Shopping Tips

An increased demand for organic skin care products has resulted in a larger selection for consumers. However, these products are not always certified organic. If you are concerned about getting a true 100% organic product, read labels carefully. If you’re still not certain of a product’s origins, call or email the company for more information.

With that caveat, here are some of the many companies that sell “organic” skin care products:

• Terressentials is made completely with ingredients that are USDA certified for food.
• Green People is a British company that uses certified organic ingredients.
• Aroma Baby is an Australian company emphasizing organic, non-genetically modified ingredients and aromatherapy in organic skin care for baby and mum.
• Origins prides itself on the use of natural products, and has a small line of 100% organic products.
• Eminence Organics says all their products are made with organic ingredients from Hungary.
• Jason Cosmetics has an organic line and many of its products are at least 70% organic.
• Aubrey Organics is an organic producer and uses 100% natural ingredients.
• Dr. Bronner has many organic products and was among the companies that urged the FDA to allow organic labeling for non-food products.

Product Advantages

The FDA is quick to point out that organic food products are not allowed to be claim that they are healthier or better for you than their non-organic counterparts. The same is true of organic skin care products.

Still, using products that aren’t made with pesticides and other chemicals is certainly better for the environment. Using 100% natural skin care products is also helpful if you have sensitive skin or reactions to chemicals in conventionally produced products.