I m sure you ve noticed the latest trend in marketing of popular skin care brands that has companies claiming their products are at least partly made from organic ingredients. Mainstream America is finally starting to recognize what others have known for centuries: Organic is better. While it s nice to see this shift in the marketplace, it s important to note that not all products claiming to be organic are really free from harmful synthetic chemicals. It s best to do your homework and find products containing only the most high quality, organic ingredients.
Defining Organic
So, what does organic mean? Organic ingredients are those derived from plants, and other naturally occurring ingredients. In order to be certified as Organic by the FDA, a crop must be grown free from pesticides, synthetic fertilizer, herbicides and GMO. A certified organic product must only contain ingredients of this quality with little or no additives. The FDA approval is the most common certification that growers use, but there are some other certifying agencies that lend their stamp of approval from time to time as well.
The Benefits of Going Organic
Just like the food we eat is absorbed into our bodies, the compounds that we put onto our skin are absorbed through our pores and penetrate all the way down to our blood stream. When we use skin care products that contain synthetic chemicals, we are exposing our entire bodies to harmful side effects. Some of these include an increased risk for cancer, hormone production interference, photosensitivity, and skin irritation, just to name a few.
Using organic skincare ingredients not only mitigates the damage caused by synthetic ones, it provides additional benefits to the skin and body. Organic ingredients can fight free radicals and toxins to reduce the signs of aging. They provide the skin with the nutrients essential for it to balance and heal itself. They reduce redness, discoloration, and inflammation to give the skin a smooth, bright appearance.
Where to Start
Switching your entire life over from using products containing harsh, synthetic chemicals, to using those containing nutritious organic ingredients can seem like an overwhelming task. The whole thing will be much easier if you just take it one step at a time. As you run out of products in your home and go to replace them, search for organic alternatives instead of your standby synthetics.
One of the easiest, and most effective ways to make the move to organics is by changing up your skincare routine. Proper facial skin care can be boiled down to a simple process of using a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Investing in an organic version of these three products will be a huge step toward improving the health and appearance of your skin. Throw in an organic whole body wash and lotion and you ve made the switch completely where skin care is concerned.