Manufacturers can claim their product is organic, but that doesn't make it so. Unless the product bears certification from a national or state organization, such as the USDA's National Organics Program, the product is not guaranteed to include organic ingredients. The “Certified Organic” label given by the USDA means the product contains above 75 percent organic ingredients and uses growing, harvesting and processing procedures that don't cause a big impact on the environment, according to "The Idiot's Guide to Organic Living." The Organic Consumer's Association claims the “certified organic” label is worth its weight in gold and is what consumers of organic skin care products should look for right before skimming the ingredient list.
Moisturizers
Organic is all about how the ingredients were grown and processed – glycerin is a moisturizer that's a natural byproduct of the soap-making process, as noted in “Scientific Soapmaking,” and is included in a number of organic products in order to add moisture to skin. Organic soaps, lotions, aftershaves and other skin care products include glycerin – it's a hygroscopic ingredient that draws moisture from the air to your skin. Organic skin care products that focus on the reduction of acne breakouts may make use of ecologically-friendly honey – a moisturizing substance with proven anti-bacterial properties according to a 1999 study published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Still other skin care products designed to soften dry skin may use heavier moisturizers – organic olive oil, jojoba oil or sunflower seed oil might all show up as moisturizing ingredients in organic skin care products.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are included in organic skin care products to add fragrance and disguise the mingling fragrances of other ingredients. Lavender, for example, is a strong floral fragrance that many people find pleasant and soothing. Skin care products designed as remedies for a certain reason may use essential oils for their purported healing effects – chamomile, for example, is a reputed anti-inflammatory according to "The Herbal Body Book" and may be included in an organic lotion to soothe dry, chapped skin. Tea Tree oil is recommended by the Mayo Clinic for use against acne. Witch hazel is a popular natural astringent used to close pores after cleansing and moisturizing facial skin. Use your judgment when reading labels containing essential oils – the Organic Consumer's Association states that essential oil production uses more farmland than other ingredients, which isn't a problem as long as the essential oils bear organic certification. Exercise caution when dealing with essential oils in organic skin care products – people with allergies to certain flowers or sensitivities to certain fragrances should avoid essential oils bearing those scents or derived from those plants.
Emulsifiers and Preservatives
Emulsifiers keep oil and water-based ingredients from separating over time. Preservatives prevent potentially harmful microorganisms from forming in skin care products, which can then be transferred to your body with use. Soy lecithin is a natural emulsifier found in some organic skin care products, as noted by “The Green Beauty Guide.” Preservatives include citric acid, lemon juice and grapefruit oil. It's speculated that these ingredients are included in preservatives due to their ascorbic acid (vitamin C ) content – ascorbic acid, according to “Cosmetics Unmasked,” is often extracted and used as a preservative in non-organic skin care products.
References
- "The Idiot's Guide to Organic Living"; Eliza Sarasohn, Sonia Weiss; 2009
- The Organic Consumer's Association: Coming Clean: Natural Cosmetics and Body Care
- "Scientific Soapmaking: The Chemistry of the Cold Process"; Kevin M. Dunn; 2010
- PubMed: Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine: Antibacterial Activity of Honey Against Strains of Staphylococcus Aureus from Infected Wounds
- "The Herbal Body Book"; Jeanne Rose; 2000
