Benefits Of Organic Skincare And the Endemic That Is Greenwashing

So What Are The Benefits Of Organic Skincare?

A lot of people ask me what the benefits of organic skincare are when I tell them I only use organic products. What is the difference between natural and organic beauty products compared with most off-the-shelf brands, and what is greenwashing we keep hearing about? Ingredients in beauty products may come from natural sources or be manufactured, and natural ingredients can also be processed. A natural label does not mean an ingredient was grown organically. Fragrances and preservatives have specific roles, so the complete formula and your skin's needs matter more than whether an ingredient is natural or synthetic.

It is sensible to check ingredients before buying your next skincare product, especially if you have a known allergy. The US Food and Drug Administration explains that natural and organic ingredients are not automatically safer than ingredients from other sources.

When ingredients are certified organic, their production must meet the relevant organic standard. This does not mean that a finished cosmetic is chemical-free or entirely free of permitted additives. Organic farming restricts pesticide use rather than guaranteeing that no pesticide of any kind has been used. And moving on to the next step:

How Can I Tell What Organic Skincare Is Authentic? What Is Greenwashing?

So now is as good a time as ever to shed some light on what really goes on within the cosmetics industry. More people are becoming aware of organic beauty products, often described as a natural - or cruelty-free or vegan. These are the terms that brands love to print over their packaging and their products. As brands realise consumers are shopping these kinds of beauty products, so their labelling follows suit.

Terms such as natural and organic can be confusing on beauty packaging, and they are not interchangeable with independent certification. Cosmetics still have safety requirements, and environmental claims need evidence. A vague green label is not enough to show how a product was made or what proportion of its ingredients is organic.

So how can you be sure that your organic skincare is authentic? If you want to be certain, you have to look out for the trusted and recognised The Soil Association logo.

If your skincare carries this certification, you can be sure that they have met all of the stringent criteria to become certified.

What Does Certified Organic Mean?

If your product carries a recognised organic certification, check the specific scheme and what its label means. The Soil Association distinguishes COSMOS organic from COSMOS natural; the latter does not mean that a product meets the organic percentage required by COSMOS organic. Certification can cover ingredient sourcing, formulation, packaging and manufacturing practices. It does not make every finished product 100% organic or guarantee that it will suit every skin type.

What Is the Difference Between Vegan Beauty Products and Organic?

A certified vegan beauty product means that it doesn't contain any animal by-products. An organic product can still contain animal by-products, such as beeswax. If you are vegan, keep an extra eye out for the vegan certification.

Does Vegan Certification Tell Me Whether a Formula Will Suit My Skin?

Vegan certification concerns animal-derived ingredients and the requirements of the particular scheme. It does not mean a product contains no synthetic ingredients, and synthetic does not automatically mean harmful. Organic, vegan and cruelty-free claims answer different questions, so check each claim separately.

What Should I Know About Common Cosmetic Ingredients?

There can be good reasons to prefer certified organic skincare, but no cosmetic is free from chemicals. Preservatives help prevent microbial growth and maintain product quality. An ingredient name alone cannot establish whether the finished product is safe or suitable; formulation, concentration and how it is used also matter.

SLS, or sodium lauryl sulphate, is a cleansing and foaming ingredient used in some toiletries. Some people find particular formulas irritating, but it is not accurate to describe every product containing it as harmful. If a product causes irritation, stop using it and seek advice if symptoms persist.

Which Logos Can Help Me Check the Claims?

Our Stance

We value natural and organic skincare with clear information behind its claims. This article was first published in 2019; the certification and vegan status of individual products can change, so check the current product label rather than treating an old range-wide statement as a guarantee.

For organic suncream, check the stated sun protection, directions, ingredients and any certification for the exact product.

The same applies to natural beauty products: compare the evidence and choose a formula that suits your skin.

If You Love Your Organic and Natural Beauty...

The original article mentioned several blogs that inspired our interest in organic beauty. These are historical recommendations, rather than a promise about their current publishing schedules or the independence of every review. One was Ana Goes Green. Their reviews formed part of our reading at the time.

We also mentioned Inga at Organic Beauty Blogger who offers excellent advice on everything from skincare, make-up, hair care and body care. Those articles were another source of inspiration.

And not forgetting A Life Of Lovely who is genuinely overflowing with loveliness. With all kinds of great advice and tips from natural toothpaste, living green, and just about everything in-between!