Organic Beauty 101

Organic skincare and cosmetics lines are cropping up on the beauty market, but are they really better for you?

By Jocelyn Voo

What Does Organic Mean?

When it comes to the beauty industry, the term "organic" has been lobbed about so casually that most consumers equate organic with natural products. However, this is a common misconception.

The main difference between natural and organic is that there are no official guidelines as to what constitutes natural beauty products, whereas organic products must abide by stringent regulations. According to the USDA's National Organic Program, the term "organic" may only be used on labels for raw or processed agricultural products or ingredients that have been produced according to the regulations put forth by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Among other things, these standards require 100 percent organic feed for organic livestock, and prohibit the use of irradiation, sewage sludge, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and genetic engineering in organic production.

Breakdown of Organic Labels

So how can you tell if a product is really organic, or only partially organic? Here's what the terms on those labels really mean.

• 100% Organic: Must contain 100 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). This is the only label that guarantees a completely organic product. These products can carry the USDA Organic Seal.

• Organic or Certified Organic: At least 95 percent of content is organic by weight (excluding water and salt). These products can carry the USDA Organic Seal.

• Made with Organic Ingredients: At least 70 percent of content is organic. Front panel can say "Made with Organic" and list up to three specific ingredients. These products cannot carry the USDA Organic Seal.

• Less Than 70% Organic: Can list only organic ingredients on ingredient panel, but not on front panel. These products cannot carry the USDA Organic Seal.

Is Organic Really Better?

With so much hype behind the organic beauty movement, one assumes there must be huge benefits to using organic products, right? The jury's still out, but some research suggest that there are certain benefits to going green.

"There is strong evidence to support that true organic personal-care products can be healthier for people and the environment," says Diana Kaye, cofounder of the organic care line Terressentials. Indeed, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that methyl and butyl parabens and certain preservatives -- all ingredients commonly used in personal-care products -- have been linked to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers. "True organic personal-care products would not contain preservatives," says Kaye.

But do organic products lend any aesthetic advantages? "Is there a noticeable difference? I think no," says Barbara Close, author of Pure Skin: Organic Beauty Basics and founder of Naturopathica, a holistic health spa in the East Hamptons. However, "Some nonorganic products use petrochemical ingredients such as mineral oil which can irritate sensitive skin. Also, skin recognizes and identifies with natural products better." So while organic products may be noticeably beneficial for people with sensitive skin, their main allure lies in the environmental and social implications of choosing organic. "Using petrochemicals depletes earth's natural resources," says Close. "Purchasing from independent farms sustains a livelihood of people who really care about artisanal ingredients and the wellness of their purchasers."

Source: http://www.lhj.com/lhj/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/lhj/story/data/1142441120092.xml&catref=cat1530002&page=2