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