"Organic" is a descriptor you may find attached to some anti-aging skin care products. The concept of smoothing on a lotion or cream that claims to delivered directly by Mother Nature herself is an enticing proposition. However, as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and one renowned skincare expert explains, organic isn't synonymous with safe, non-irritating or effective.
Organic Cosmetics & the FDA
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act gives the FDA the authority to regulate cosmetics. However, the FDA states that it has established no legal definition of the word "organic" within federal laws or regulations used for enforcement purposes.
The word "organic" is, however, regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which directs the National Organic Program. Federal laws and regulations that give the USDA enforcement power also establish standards for cosmetic products that purport to contain organic products, notes the FDA.
Safety Issues
Organic anti-aging skin care products aren't necessarily a better option, since how a plant was grown has no bearing on how safe its ingredients are to use, says the FDA.
Several plants contain ingredients that are either toxic or allergenic; that they're organically grown makes no difference. Federal law only requires companies, marketers of skin care products to make sure the ingredients are safe to use for the intended purpose.
Effectiveness
Organic anti-aging skin care products don't necessarily do anything for your skin. In fact, some plant extracts and essential oils are known skin irritants, says Paula Begoun, skincare expert and author of numerous books such as "The Original Beauty Bible."
Lemon, peppermint, lavender, menthol, lime, camphor and cinnamon are known skin irritants, regardless if the plant from which they were derived was grown without using pesticides.
Begoun also points out that use of organic products overlooks the importance of using sunscreens and anti-aging products that contain antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients. "You also need to be aware that there is no substantiated, published research anywhere proving that organic ingredients are superior to non-organic or synthetic ingredients," she states.
Not Entirely Organic
Begoun says the words "organic" and "all natural" instill the belief that all synthetic ingredients are inherently bad for the skin. "Making people afraid of something, be it a single ingredient or an entire category of ingredients, is part of how natural and organic products are marketed."
In fact, "organic" skin care products usually contain an abundance of synthetic ingredients, despite their organic content. Because organic substances are unstable, synthetics, namely preservatives, are necessary to keep the product free from mold, bacteria and fungus, Begoun adds.
Bottom Line
Organic anti-aging skin care products are an easy sell. Female consumers opt for healthier-sounding products that they perceive contain more earth-friendly ingredients, Begoun states.
Make sure you get the real deal when you choose organic anti-aging skin care by purchasing products certified by the USDA, Ecocert, which is an independent French-based organic certification group, and other pro-organic organizations.
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