Going Organic in Personal Care

You check for the organic seal on most everything that goes in your body. Strict standards help make organic an obvious choice for your health and that of the environment. But what about the products you use on your body for everyday personal care—from cleansers and moisturizers to cosmetics?

Why Organic

Many of us apply up to 20 different products to our skin every day, and this multitude of ingredients doesn’t remain on the surface. Skin is absorbent—a new report in Britain estimates that women who use makeup soak in nearly five pounds of cosmetic chemicals each year. In other words, what’s in your topical formulas may soon be in you. There’s every reason to be scrupulous about avoiding potentially harmful chemicals in products for the mouth, hair, and skin.

Although the rules for “organic” in personal care are evolving, this label still offers an assurance of quality. Free from toxic and persistent pesticides, heavy metals, and irradiated components, certified organic botanicals and other personal care ingredients are currently regulated by the same standards that govern the growth, handling, and labeling of organic foods. The organic seal signifies “the high level of purity in these products,” says Shelley Rubenstein at Nature’s Gate.

A good choice for your own health, buying organic also supports sustainable farming methods and the health of the planet—so it’s an investment in our shared future. Many companies that incorporate organic botanicals, essential oils, and more in their products also commit to environmentally conscious packaging; check for recycled and recyclable materials, soy ink, and other innovations.

Growing Interest

Current regulations that govern organic standards were devised in regard to farming and food products rather than specific materials and production methods used in personal care products. While many companies have long offered excellent natural options for hygiene and beauty—from baby products to those that baby the skin—the label of “certified organic” on these items is a relatively recent development. The question remains how to adapt regulations devised for food items to best apply to shampoo or toothpaste.

“Organic sales are growing like gangbusters,” says Holly Givens, public affairs advisor at the Organic Trade Association (OTA). That includes rising interest in organic for the face and body as well as the pantry. It’s a good example of consumer demand outpacing the market, at least for a short time. But it’s increasingly easy to find organic ingredients listed on the back panel of personal care labels—and an expanding selection of products that proudly carry the USDA seal, indicating at least 95 percent organic content.

Read Up . . .

Just the facts, please. OTA’s Givens emphasizes that there is no substitute for reading the ingredients list. Check out the back of the package no matter what the front advertises, she suggests. Companies are required to list accurately the components in descending order on the ingredients list (the fine print on the back). Check which ingredients, if any, are certified organic so you can estimate what percentage of the overall formula is made with organic.

Also look for products that list proper botanical names along with common names of ingredients and those that identify specific essential oils rather than using the general term “fragrance.” Some essential oils and blends are both tested for purity and certified organic. In addition to adding natural scents, these oils can help tone, soothe, and moisturize skin. “The more a consumer learns about cosmetic ingredients and standards,” says Rubenstein at Nature’s Gate, “the more she will be able to glean knowledge from product labels.”

What if you scrutinize the label, but still have questions? “I would encourage customers who are concerned about the ingredients in their products to contact the manufacturer directly,” says Mindy Seiffert at Aura Cacia. “Those who have appropriate documentation and legitimate answers to questions are likely to be quality and trustworthy manufacturers.” Ask the trained staff at the store that gives you Taste for Life for additional guidance.

. . . And Speak Up

Many of us value organic highly enough to get educated, read the fine print, and vote—at the cash register. Soon, consumers will have the opportunity to participate in a public comment period on organic standards for the personal care industry. “The future is very bright for organic personal care products,” says Rubenstein. “Organic standards will be developed for the cosmetic industry,” making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions.