What's The Big Deal About Organic Skin Care?
Posted on: 13 April 2015
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With the general population becoming more and more conscious about healthy, organic eating, it is no surprise that many people are wondering about skin care as well. Does what you put on your face matter as much as what you put into your body?
Why Organic Skin Care?
Your body absorbs nutrients, not only through what you eat and drink, but also through your skin. Think about certain cleaning products that you need to wear gloves when using. This is because your body absorbs the chemicals in that product, which can harm your skin, nervous system, etc. Chemicals absorbed through your skin have shown effects on the body such as chronic headaches, skin irritations, as well as more serious side effects.
The same principle is true with organic skin care, but in reverse. When you use organic, your body is absorbing natural nutrients that will help it to heal and revive on its own, rather than synthetic chemicals. As a result, organic products also have a lighter feel and more natural appearance, as your skin is utilizing its nutrients the best way possible.
What Exactly Does "Organic" Mean?
When you refer to organic products it is referring to products with ingredients derived from plants and other naturally occurring ingredients.
To know for sure that a product you are purchasing is truly organic, make sure to look for the USDA certified organic seal. To use this seal, the product's ingredients must be at least 95% organic, with other USDA approved ingredients. Any less than that and the product can still say "Made with Organic Ingredients," but they will be less than 95% of the whole.
What are the Downsides to Organic Products?
Two common complaints people may have about organic facial skin care are that they can be more expensive than their synthetic counterparts, and that they can go rancid if unused for too long.
It can be true that organic products are a bit pricier than others. This is why large companies make products with organic materials in the first place; they're cheaper to create, so the company makes more money as a result. The thing to realize, however, is that organic products actually tend to last longer. With natural ingredients that your skin responds to more easily, you don't need to use as much of the product to get your desired results.
Expiration Dates
As organic products have naturally occurring ingredients, and not as many preservatives, they may not last as long just sitting in the container. When considering their expiration, a good rule of thumb is to go through your skin care every six months to toss out old things. Look for any change in smell or color, or separation of ingredients that aren't meant to do so. These products do last an average of about six months to a year though, so you shouldn't feel hurried to rush through that organic shampoo you just bought. If you have any questions about a certain product's expiration date, as they are not always listed on the product itself, you can contact the company that produced it to be sure.