Why Natural and Organic?

We all know the benefits of eating home cooked, organic foods - fewer toxins, no genetically modified ingredients and more flavour. Choosing organic beauty products brings the same advantages, with naturally effective treatments for skin, hair and body that feel great, smell delicious and work in harmony with skin's natural functions to promote health and radiance.

What is Natural?

Natural products are made from plants, minerals, and/or animal derived ingredients, rather than from synthetic compounds or petrochemicals. Natural ingredients, organic or not, ensures that petrochemical and synthetic compounds are not accumulating in your body and the environment. While natural ingredients do not eliminate the possibility that the skin care you chose will irritate your skin or trigger an allergic reaction, it does reduce the likelihood of such occurrence.

What is Organic?

An organic product is one that has been grown and processed according to strict, government-controlled, organic agricultural standards, and then verified by a third-party certifying body.

Organic agricultural standards do not allow for any use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). They also set strict criteria in regards to the treatment of animals and the environment.

In addition to the benefits they reap for our personal health, organic farming methods also has tremendous advantages for the environment. Through using natural fertilizers, they greatly reduce the amount of toxic chemicals, such as synthetic pesticides and herbicides, released into the environment, and the volume of those chemicals that appear in the water supply. The less aggressive, intensive farming practices of organic agriculture also help safeguard the quality of natural resources.

Why Use Organic Beauty Products?

The use of organic beauty products is a rapidly growing trend. As consumers become more aware of what we are putting "into" our bodies, it's only natural that the awareness of what we use "on" them will follow suit. The average woman applies hundreds of chemicals to her skin everyday, and most of us are blissfully unaware of the long term dangers of doing so. Many products contain known carcinogens, neurotoxins and hormone disruptors - remember that your skin is the largest organ of the body. Anything you put on it can be easily absorbed into your body through the pores.

Beauty Product Ingredients to Avoid

It seems incredible, but many major brand name beauty products are loaded with ingredients that actually harm your health and skin over time.

Mineral oil

Mineral oil may also go by the names liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, and petrolatum on the product label. Mineral oil is used so pervasively in skin care products for one reason, it’s cheap! However, mineral oil, once applied, prevents the skin from “breathing.” It clogs pores, interferes with your skin’s natural ability to eliminate toxins, and can lead to acne flare ups. Also it is irritating to the skin and if used for any length of time your skin can become dependent on it, causing chapping and dryness. Lastly, it can lead to premature aging of the skin. It’s amazing this substance is even allowed in so-called “skin care” products at all.

Dioxane

A synthetic derivative of coconut. This substance is widely used in skincare products. It often contains high concentrations of 1,4-dioxane, which is readily absorbed through the skin. We know this sounds crazy, but 1,4-dioxane is considered a chemical “known to the State of California to cause cancer”. To think people pay money to put this stuff on their skin unknowingly is downright scary.

Parabens

Methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl paraben. Many skin care products (and moisturizing products) will use parabens as a preservative so their products have a long shelf life. The reason is purely economical. However, studies suggest that parabens may cause cancer and interfere with the body’s endocrine system, as well as causing allergic reactions and skin rashes.

Alcohols

Ethanol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and SD alcohol. Not all alcohols have the same properties, but these, which are commonly found in skin care products, are very drying and irritating for the skin. Alcohols such as these strip away the skin’s natural acid mantle, making you more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

A small molecule ingredient, and is capable of penetrating the skin, which can increase the occurrence of skin irritation and dermatitis.Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate sounds similar to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, however, the two molecules are very different. Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate is a large molecule ingredient. Large molecule ingredients are considered to be mild, gentle, and non-irritating, as they cannot penetrate the skin.

Phthalates

An ingredient found in many beauty and personal care products, most notably as a carrier for fragrance ingredients. This ingredient can often be labelled just as "Fragrance", although it is major component in the composition of the product. Phthalate exposure in early childhood has been associated with altered hormone concentrations as well as increased allergies, runny nose, and eczema. Babies may be more at risk than children or adults because their reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems are still developing. Babies recently treated with mainstream infant personal care products such as lotion, shampoo, and powder, were more likely to have phthalates in their urine than other babies.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is an antifreeze solvent, commonly found in brake and hydraulic fluid, paint, floor wax, pet food and tobacco. It also shows up as a humectant (supposedly a moisturizer) in almost every mainstream deodorant, shaving gel, conditioner, shampoo, toothpaste, face creams, baby wipes and cosmetics. Propylene glycol has been shown to cause dermatitis, kidney and liver damage, and to inhibit skin cell growth.  It causes a host of gastro-intestinal and central nervous system problems if ingested.  It can be absorbed by the skin and is stored throughout the body.

Propyl Alcohol

Propyl alcohol is an antiseptic commonly used in cosmetics, shampoos, shaving products, waterless hand cleaners, in large quantities in mouthwash (25-30%), and in the preparation of bottled water, white sugar, carbonated drinks, and decaf coffee.Alcohol (particularly in mouthwash) has been linked to mouth and throat cancers. Alcohol acts as a solvent and puts men at a 60% higher risk and women at a 90% higher risk of oral cancers.

Toluene

Toluene shows up in most perfume, nail polish, and cosmetics. Toluene is an endocrine disruptor and a potential carcinogen. It may cause birth defects.

Talc

Talc is a fine powder and is chemically similar to asbestos. It is found in baby powders, feminine powders, condom lubricants, and in cosmetics.Use of talc-containing feminine powders and sprays in the genital area has been linked to an increased ovarian cancer risk (60% and 90% respectively).