Organic Skincare

Organic skincare – it’s always been on our ‘if we were being better people’ to do list we’ve never quite got around to. But, if we’re going by the theory that organic produce is better for our diets, surely organic skincare is just as beneficial for our complexions? Or is it?

From what actually qualifies a skincare product as being organic, to the benefits it can have for our faces and the myths that just aren’t accurate, here’s your personal guide to everything you need to know about organic skincare.

What qualifies a skincare product as organic?

Very little, unfortunately. Lax labelling laws allow the word “organic” to be predominantly displayed even when only one ingredient at a fractional percentage within a formula is, in fact, organic.

What makes a skincare product NOT organic?

The simple answer: when it contains ingredients that are not actually grown organically.

Again, this is not a regulated term and a product marketed as “organic” may contain essentially none or only a fractional percentage of plant materials that were organically grown. It is vital to read the complete ingredients listing, and then study the sourcing of each unique ingredient.

What are the benefits of organic skincare?

Just like with food, organically grown ingredients often have higher nutrient levels, and are missing chemical residues that can irritate skin or potentially cause long term harm in the body.

The natural beauty community has been bringing more to the table than ever before with innovative formulas, beautiful colours and textures, the prettiest packaging imaginable and a receptive ear to what our clients are now asking of us – the ability to say yes, without compromise.

What are common myths about organic skincare?

The most common myth is definitely the belief that organic or natural skincare is not as effective or results-oriented as synthetic skincare. Thankfully, there has been a massive shift within this segment of the beauty industry from ten, or even five, years ago.

The world is already taking notice of the blurring of the previous boundaries that stood between “natural” and “effective” and we’re still at just the tip of the iceberg.

The biggest challenge is one the “green beauty” category has largely created for themselves. With so much marketing pointed towards the “no” lists, and what is NOT in our products, many brands have forgotten to share just how special the fresh and potent ingredients they actually include are. It’s time to shift from a stance of defence to one of celebration – these formulas and these founders are worth talking about.

What skincare products simply can’t be formulated without synthetic ingredients?

Products that are inherently synthetic, like conventional retinol, cannot be made organically. This said, a thoughtful ritual comprised of the most effective formulas means you don’t necessarily need to use retinol.