It's not always easy to go green in your beauty routine.
It's always difficult to understand what the skincare products you're about to buy really have, and whether they're just as green as they sound.
The most common advertising terms used to describe products that contain ingredients derived from nature are natural, organic and certified organic, but they can still be a little deceptive.
Our skin absorbs up to 60 % of what we apply on it, so it makes us wonder what’s the difference and what is the best option for us?
First of all, what do you consider Natural?
A 'natural' ingredient is known as something that is a by-product of a plant, mineral or animal.
Let’s understand varying degrees of “Natural” so that you can decide what Natural means to you.
Naturally occurring: A product obtained in a natural form and which does not contain any synthetic chemicals. An Example of this would be Vitamin C in its natural form and extracts.
Nature derived: a) Minimal processing: Ingredients derived from nature that have been produced using minimal processing methods. Like raw, organic unrefined Shea butter, Coconut oil or Cocoa Butter – The extent of the processing of these butter and oils are cold-pressing and filtering. b) Refined: Ingredients derived from nature that have been refined using heat or where a chemical or substance is applied to achieve the desired effect. Such as bleaching and deodorizing. The outcome is something that some may call natural; it has been chemically modified, though. However, some may consider this less natural. For example – To separate the fatty acid chain, fractionated coconut oil is chemically modified with heat, which results in a refined, clarified, deodorized and liquid oil. Some may consider fractionated coconut oil still natural because it is obviously of natural origin; others may consider it less natural because it has been chemically modified and altered from its natural type of origin. c) Processed using synthetic chemicals: Ingredients derived from nature have been produced using synthetic chemicals. Ingredients that are manufactured synthetically become a chemical and structural component that is totally different. For example – Castor wax, which is basically a castor oil that has been hydrogenated to result in hard and brittle wax by incorporating an H2 (Hydrogen) molecule, along with a chemical catalyst such as nickel. Hydrogenation is also used to either reduce or saturate an organic compound; castor wax being an example of saturation. As a thickener and moisturizing agent, castor wax is widely used in the cosmetic industry.
Nature Identical: Components that are produced in the laboratory and are similar to those that exist in nature. These are ingredients originally extracted from nature and are now mass-produced synthetically through reproduction in a laboratory setting. Many natural preservatives are made of nature-identical ingredients. For example – Sorbic acid is originally extracted from rowan berries and is a preservative widely used in the food and cosmetic industries. Sorbic acid is often sold as a laboratory-made synthetic acid, identical in nature.
Synthetic: These ingredients are produced and developed by humans in a laboratory, and do not correlate with nature or the natural world.
An example of this would be parabens, the majority of which would be entirely synthetic. Many individuals are becoming concerned with the use of synthetic ingredients. They have been blamed for the potential consequences of bioaccumulation (accumulation of tissues or tumours of the body) and behaviours that mimic hormones. Other synthetics have been associated with toxicity to humans or the environment.
Practical Consideration
Even if you want to use products that are as natural as possible, you may need to make compromises depending on the type of products you want to use or are already using.
Simple anhydrous products (without water) such as oils can be used with naturally occurring ingredients or nature-derived with minimal processing. But, if you want to use creams and lotions, these will require the use of a preservative. Most natural preservatives, including those permitted by organic certification bodies, are nature-identical, rather than naturally occurring or naturally derived.
Let’s understand some words which (you might have come across) will help you to understand more clearly what is and is not Natural to you.
Natural/All-Natural: May indicate that the product can be completely or partially produced from natural or naturally derived ingredients. "Contains (only) natural ingredients" can also be conveyed. Note, this phrase is not in any way governed or universally defined.
Minimally - processed: This refers to an ingredient that is closest to its whole, natural form, with little to no processing, such as filtration or cold processing, often referred to as raw, virgin or unrefined. Minimally processed ingredients maintain all or most of their beneficial properties.
Synthetic free: Such products usually indicate that they are natural or chemically processed but no artificial or synthetically-derived or synthetically synthesized ingredients used.
Chemical-free: Typically, a marketing word means that inside the product, there is no chemical, synthetic or poisonous additives, which suggests that the product is in any way natural, safer or less harmful. However, if used, this word can be disputed or misunderstood, as it depends on the perception of what is 'chemical' by each person. The word 'chemical' can refer to something as natural as H2O from a scientific perspective.
Toxic-free: There are no dangerous, hazardous, unsafe, unhealthy or artificial ingredients in the product.
Now, what is your definition of Natural?
You establish clear boundaries and concentrate on goods, brands and industry by creating your own idea of what you consider Natural. This will help you evaluate and select which product to use and consider product advantages and benefits.
What is Organic?
“produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or other artificial chemicals”
“refers to the origin of raw materials as being produced according to specific rules and regulation”
There are different organic certification bodies like COSMOS in different countries that will certify raw materials and finished products as organic.
Kinds of Organic products available are:
Products with some or only organic ingredients.
Products with organic ingredients according to organic standards but not have them certified.
Products with organic ingredients to a standard and have them certified.
Would you have your products certified as organic?
Ask yourself – Will you value certification and willing to pay more for a certified product?
Remember – The extra cost is taken into account when products are priced. (Higher ingredient costs, Cost of certification and Time/effort to complete certification process).
Also, do not forget to consider that you will buy these products every month (financial feasibility).
Even if we are ready to buy organic products after considering everything we discussed above, there is still a question in my mind...
"Does organic products not require preservation?"
As no preservative in this world is organic.
Should we accept that there is nothing like “organic” in the cosmetic world?
The above-provided information is purely based on my own research and study through different sources and hope this is a useful resource for you!
Please like and comment. We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!!
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