Organic: the startling truth you need to know today

The Organic personal care industry is a hot market right now. But does that make Organic Skincare safer. No, because "organic" is just a popular marketing term used to SELL products. There are a couple of definitions for Organic and thereby Organic Skincare but no standardized criteria.  

There are two definitions for Organic. Organic Argiculture and the Scientific definition for Organic.

• In the USA the term: Organic is only approved for  Organic Agriculture by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

The USDA defines a specific criteria for organic crops, livestock and multi ingredient foods. The USDA does NOT have a labeling criteria for Organic skincare or personal care products.  

• Outside of Organic grown food the real and scientific definition of Organic is: an ORGANIC CHEMICAL contains a CARBON ATOM. That's it! 

Fact: The opposite of Organic is not Synthetic*, it is Inorganic. The definition of Inorganic is: does NOT contain a carbon molecule. Silicone or dimethicone products are inorganic. 

  

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FYI: All those "hated" Petrolatum based products are "ORGANIC" since they contain a Carbon molecule. 

In the USA we don't have a federal certification for Organic personal care products nor is there a standardized certification for Organic Skincare. 

There are several non-profit organization with their own standards for natural or organic products. Two examples are the 'NPA - Natural Products Association' in the USA and the 'Soil Association' in the UK. Each of the organization has their own standards that do not match the others.

There does appear to be an attempt in the EU to come to a common understanding and standardization but I cant speak to that. If you have more info on the EU system, please leave me a comment.

As consumers we also have to watch out for falsehoods spread by supposed "watch-dog" groups and "experts" fighting against supposed "dangerous chemicals." There has been an increase in fear mongering used to spread a specific agenda. Two examples of this in tomorrows blog.

So what do you do if you are looking for Organic Skincare?

1. GOALS: What do you really want and mean when you say Organic skin care. What are you goals are attempting to accomplish using Organic skincare? Smaller carbon footprint?   
2. CRITERIA: Look into the non-profit certification organizations and into companies, such as Whole Foods, and find out if their criteria match your goals?                                    
3. FIND YOUR FAVORITES:  You have your preferred certification or company then try personal and skin care products that work for you and your skin.

This does seem like work but until we have a more standardized system we are far to easily fooled into spending more money not for good organic products but just for excellent marketing.

Do you buy Organic? What is your criteria and why do you prefer Organic? Will this blog change the way you buy Organic personal care?

* Next: How "Preservative-FREE" is DANGEROUS to your health. Plus Chemicals Friend or Foe series: Synthetics. Why they are NOT what you think and why Sythetics may actually better for you and our environment.

Michelle G. Lathe