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Is it important to choose organic skin care products?
The importance of what we put on our skin is not to be overlooked.
The skin is our largest organ and a permeable surface. We should pay
attention to environmental pollutants in the air, chemicals in
beauty products, cleaners in the home and synthetic fragrances from
air fresheners. These can all be absorbed through the skin and build
up in other organs and tissue.
Certified organic products are made with ingredients that are grown
free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified
organisms. They also cannot have harmful additives such as petroleum
waxes, fillers and artificial chemicals. Organic skin care products
use herbal extracts, plant seed and base oils, floral waters and
essential oils found in plants. These are often very concentrated
and only a small amount is needed. All of these ingredients help to
create a critical balance allowing the skin to heal itself.
Synthetic ingredients can perform basic functions but do not offer
therapeutic benefits that can be obtained from vitamins,
antioxidants, minerals and essential fatty acids found in organic
skin care.
Unfortunately the word "natural" has been horribly overused and
abused in the body care industry. Many companies focus on the trend
toward "natural" to increase sales when their products are far from
being "natural". This often happens when a manufacturer adds herbal
extracts to a synthetic concoction of polymers, silicones,
petroleum, artificial fragrances and colors, and other potentially
harmful substances.
There are a few different certification bodies for
organic beauty products. Things they usually take into account are:
minimum percentage of organic content, percentage of acceptable (if
any) synthetic content, black list ingredients, processes that can
be used in creation of ingredients and how water is factored into
the organic calculations. As part of the certification process, the
manufacturer must have their ingredients and processes regularly
audited by a third-party organic certifier to ensure compliance of
all rules and standards.
Our body care choices also have a considerable effect
on the environment. Organic farming eliminates the destructive
effect of chemicals on water and soil health. We should also
consider that what is left on our skin, or disposed of, is washed
away into our water systems which can effect all ecosystems it comes
into contact with. An organic skin care choice helps to protect a
very fragile ecosystem on a large scale. |
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In order to ensure that you are using
a safe body care regimen, one must look at all levels of skin
treatment. This includes: soaps, lotions, sunscreens, detergents and
cosmetics.
Next time you are shopping for beauty care products, here are some
ingredients to watch out for are: Paraben family, Propylene Glycol,
Triclosan, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Peg family, EDTA, Paraffin,
Synthetic colors, Synthetic fragrances, Urea, Polyethylene, and
Silicones.
For more information, please contact Riva Mackie of Riva’s-The
Eco Store at 403.452.1001. Visit them at 1534 17th Ave SW, Calgary
or online at
www.rivasecostore.com |