The Real Truth About Organic Skin Care Products

What Does Organic Really Mean

Before you buy organic skin care products, you need to "think". What does the term mean? Is it regulated by the FDA or other agencies? Are companies required to prove that the ingredients are safe?

When it comes to food, the term "organic" is very well regulated in the United States. In order to receive the "USDA Organics" seal of approval, the food must contain 95-100% certified-organic ingredients. If the food only contains 95% organics, then the other 5% must be from materials that are not available as organics. If less than 70% of the product is organic, then the manufacture cannot use the word on the package front. There are no such regulations regarding organic skin care products.

Natural And Hypoallergenic May Mean Nothing

That term, along with the terms "natural" and "hypoallergenic" may mean nothing at all, when they appear on cosmetics. The FDA tried to establish official definitions for many of the terms used by cosmetic companies, but the attempt to regulate these marketing terms has been overturned in court. The best that the FDA can do is to require that companies fully disclose most of the ingredients, unless it would mean disclosing a "trade-secret".

Read The Label And Know What To Avoid

So, the only way that consumers can protect themselves is by reading the labels and learning which ingredients to avoid, as well as which ones to look for. Cosmetic companies are not required to test their products for safety. If safety has not been substantiated, they are required to include a warning label on the packaging stating that the "safety of this product has not been determined".

If consumers have adverse reactions to a product, they can report it to a dermatologist, who then can report the problem to the FDA. If you do have an allergic or other adverse reaction to organic skin care products, you should return them to the store where they were purchased and/or write the manufacturer.

Don't Fall For This Marketing Ploy

Most of us want safer, more natural creams, cleansers, lotions and other personal care items. We want to avoid chemical additives, whenever possible. But, our desire to protect ourselves has created a market and, when it comes to caring for our skin, looking for the terms natural, organic, alcohol-free, hypo-allergenic and cruelty-free is of no benefit. Those are marketing ploys, meant to "imply" that the ingredients are safe. That's all.

How To Find Completely Safe Organic Skin Care Products

If you buy from the right company, you can get natural and organic skin care products that are completely safe and beneficial to your skin's health. You should look for a company that has signed the Environmental Working Group's "Compact for Safe Cosmetics". It's an organization that companies can join voluntarily to help consumers recognize safer items.

Look For these Ingredients

You can look for ingredients like grape seed oil, natural vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, kelp extracts and palm oil or Babassu wax. Of course, if you are shopping in a department store, you will have to learn the chemical names for these ingredients. It's easier to shop on-line for organic skin care products. Just be sure to do the research, before you buy.