We all know “natural” is better for us, but do we know why? This #OrganicSeptember, in a bid to educate myself (and you!) about the benefits of natural and organic beauty, I look into the ingredients we should all be avoiding – and why…
Our skin is the largest breathing organ we have; it’s also the main defence against external injuries. But rather than acting as a barrier, the skin absorbs products like a sponge. Having issues with our skin is the number one reason we visit the doctors, and being so important, it’s vital we take good care of it! But using the wrong products could be doing more harm than good in the long run.
The facts:
A lot of what we put on our skin is absorbed straight into our bodies – shown through health patches or, more commonly, the use of nicotine patches. Non-natural products contain synthetic chemicals that soak into the skin, causing the body to react. Some people develop uncomfortable skin conditions (like eczema or dermatitis) because the body can’t recognise and process these unnatural chemicals, leading to an allergic reaction. The average person uses 10 different skin care products on his or her body every day – absorbing up to 130 chemicals regularly. Cosmetics companies and the FDA maintain that these chemicals are safe, and many of them are - in small doses. But as most people (woman in particular) use skincare and make-up daily, a little can become a lot very quickly.
The fact is, no thorough tests have been done on how these chemicals could potentially be harming us in the long run. Some of the chemicals used have known dangers: Phthalates, for example, which are often found in artificial fragrances, are a class of hormone disruptor which can be linked to birth defects, sperm damage, infertility, and the feminization of baby boys. There’s also parabens (chemicals linked to cancer), formaldehyde, and petroleum waxes found in any number of beauty products. According to the Environmental Working Group, almost 90% of cosmetics are have not been evaluated for safety by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the FDA, or any other publicly accountable institution. It’s safer to err on the side of caution when messing with chemicals we don’t know much about, and it’s this mindset that’s led to more than 1,110 personal-product ingredients being banned for use in cosmetics in the European Union because of concerns that they may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive issues.
So why use natural? Natural and organic products have purer extracts and oils, with no “baddies”. The purer an ingredient, the better it will work as it’s not “watered down” with chemical fillers. Natural products are safer, yet still effective. You’ll be avoiding unwanted allergic reactions, minimizing the blocking of pores, stopping unwanted chemicals being absorbed into the body, and protecting your body’s detoxification process and the immune system.
What’s the difference between natural and organic?
Organic is one step better than natural. Free from herbicide and pesticide contamination, organic ingredients have a higher level of antioxidant vitamins than non-organic do; you’re also supporting wildlife and the environment when you buy organic, as it’s far more animal-friendly, uses less chemicals and medicines in the rearing of its wildlife, causes less pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide, and produces less dangerous wastes.
This September, I've been trying organic products to see if they can rival their non-natural counterparts. See my vlogs to see how I go on! Meli X