Organic has become a politically correct word. It is commonly linked to environmental causes as well as many manufactured products, and is loosely associated with the concept of living in harmony with the natural world. Substances with that label should contain no artificial or synthetic ingredients considered to be health hazards, and buying organic skin care products online allows consumers to make well-informed choices.
Re-inventing a product as natural is not always an improvement. Most advertisers are well-aware of the underlying fears associated with environmental degradation around the world, and capitalize on that apprehension by advertising products as being produced in harmony with the environment. The petroleum industry is based on exploitation of a naturally occurring substance produced within the earth, but few people would recommend putting gasoline on their skin.
Carefully reading product labels gives consumers more of an advantage. In the food industry, the designation means that vegetables, fruits and animals have been grown and harvested in a pesticide-free environment. In cosmetic manufacturing, the definition begins to blur, and can mean nearly anything the manufacturer desires. There are no governmental agencies dedicated solely to regulating cosmetics, and few standards guaranteeing purity or efficacy.
While some cosmetics are certified, that endorsement is not necessarily scientific. Companies can actually set their own standards regarding the quality and quantity of the natural ingredients used in a product, even if those amounts are considered negligible. In reality, most commercial cosmetics use both natural and synthetic ingredients, and very few can honestly claim to be completely free from manufactured substances.
Even formulas containing naturally grown and produced plant extracts can be harmful to some individuals. Although names such as rosemary, sandalwood or eucalyptus sound warm and inviting, they can produce discomfort for those with sensitive skin. Some users actually experience more benefits and less irritation when using cosmetics made with synthetics, and a lockstep condemnation of those substances is not logical.
The first step in choosing a product that will be beneficial is to carefully examine the label. If a substance is touted as completely organic, it must contain no external additions other than water or salt, and have been raised pesticide-free. The United States Department of Agriculture controls the standards for labeling foods in this manner, and its seal is a good indication that a product is genuine.
Substances that are not completely natural can still carry a similar label, but are allowed to contain ingredients grown using pesticides. A list of allowed materials in a particular product is usually available upon request. When buying cosmetics, a label may claim the product is made with natural substances, but in reality that means that up to thirty percent of the ingredients can be legally synthetic.
Buying these types of products from a website gives consumers the advantage of examining advertising claims immediately by doing a quick search, or by reading customer reviews. Simply having an environmentally-friendly label or product name does not guarantee high quality, or good long-term results. When formulas fall short of advertising claims or actually cause skin damage, being pesticide-free becomes less important.
Re-inventing a product as natural is not always an improvement. Most advertisers are well-aware of the underlying fears associated with environmental degradation around the world, and capitalize on that apprehension by advertising products as being produced in harmony with the environment. The petroleum industry is based on exploitation of a naturally occurring substance produced within the earth, but few people would recommend putting gasoline on their skin.
Carefully reading product labels gives consumers more of an advantage. In the food industry, the designation means that vegetables, fruits and animals have been grown and harvested in a pesticide-free environment. In cosmetic manufacturing, the definition begins to blur, and can mean nearly anything the manufacturer desires. There are no governmental agencies dedicated solely to regulating cosmetics, and few standards guaranteeing purity or efficacy.
While some cosmetics are certified, that endorsement is not necessarily scientific. Companies can actually set their own standards regarding the quality and quantity of the natural ingredients used in a product, even if those amounts are considered negligible. In reality, most commercial cosmetics use both natural and synthetic ingredients, and very few can honestly claim to be completely free from manufactured substances.
Even formulas containing naturally grown and produced plant extracts can be harmful to some individuals. Although names such as rosemary, sandalwood or eucalyptus sound warm and inviting, they can produce discomfort for those with sensitive skin. Some users actually experience more benefits and less irritation when using cosmetics made with synthetics, and a lockstep condemnation of those substances is not logical.
The first step in choosing a product that will be beneficial is to carefully examine the label. If a substance is touted as completely organic, it must contain no external additions other than water or salt, and have been raised pesticide-free. The United States Department of Agriculture controls the standards for labeling foods in this manner, and its seal is a good indication that a product is genuine.
Substances that are not completely natural can still carry a similar label, but are allowed to contain ingredients grown using pesticides. A list of allowed materials in a particular product is usually available upon request. When buying cosmetics, a label may claim the product is made with natural substances, but in reality that means that up to thirty percent of the ingredients can be legally synthetic.
Buying these types of products from a website gives consumers the advantage of examining advertising claims immediately by doing a quick search, or by reading customer reviews. Simply having an environmentally-friendly label or product name does not guarantee high quality, or good long-term results. When formulas fall short of advertising claims or actually cause skin damage, being pesticide-free becomes less important.