Organic skincare is often boasted as being better for you, your skin and Mother Earth. But does it actually do what it claims? Or is it just a clever marketing scheme to justify the inflated price tag? Like the words ‘sustainable’ or ‘eco-friendly’ the term ‘organic’ can often be thrown around in the beauty and lifestyle industries.
“Greenwashing and vague marketing claims are rife in the beauty industry, which means many brands are leveraging their ability to dupe customers. Many brands tout their products as ‘clean,’ implying they’re free from harmful ingredients. However, there’s no real standardised definition of ‘clean,’ allowing companies to set their own criteria,” says founder of Mukti Organics, Mukti.
With a background in natural medicine and beauty therapy, Women’s Health spoke to Mukti from Australian organic skincare brand Mukti Organic to reveal the truth about what organic skincare actually means, the ingredients you should be avoiding, and what to look for instead.
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What is the difference between organic skincare and normal?
Simply put, organic skincare describes products that have been created with ingredients that are grown without synthetic fertilisers aka chemical fertilisers, pesticides or genetically modified organisms. Non-organic skincare products are not formulated in the same conditions. Organic skincare often comes with specific certification which enables the product to be labelled as ‘organic’. Brands have to meet strict standards set by regulatory bodies to ensure the integrity of these ingredients.
According to Mukti, what many people don’t realise or don’t think about is that many raw ingredients found in skincare products will actually use fertilisers to help the plants grow.
“Farmers will use synthetic fertilisers to enhance plant growth by supplying essential nutrients. Why do they do this? Well, it all comes down to costs. Synthetic fertilisers are much cheaper than organic alternatives on a per-nutrient basis, making them ubiquitous in the raw ingredients found in skincare products,” Mukti shares.
Which ingredients should you avoid when choosing skincare?
Mukti calls the five ingredients on her no-go list the ‘5 Ps’. The ‘Ps’ being PFAs (perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances), perfumes, preservatives, phthalates and PEGS. But what are they?
PFAs
“PFAs are a class of about 12,000 chemicals commonly used to make products resistant to water. They are synthetic chemicals used in many cosmetic products like lipsticks, eyeshadows, moisturisers and foundations. Sometimes they will add them to condition and smooth hair products, make products appear shiny, or have an effect on the consistency.” Mukti explains.
As Mukti puts it, the problem with PFAs is they are a ‘forever chemical’, meaning they can stay in the body and have potential long-term health effects.
Perfumes
Fragrances are Mukti’s number one no-go ingredient. She shares that the beauty industry in Australia lacks regulation so brands can use the term ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume’ on labels without having to disclose the full list of ingredients.
“Brands can sneakily hide a whole range of synthetic chemicals under the guise of ‘fragrance’ without having to reveal what these ingredients are. These terms are often used to protect proprietary blends, which can include a mix of natural and synthetic components. But it means the full formulation doesn’t need to be revealed,” she says.
Preservatives
Number three on the list is preservatives, more specifically parabens. These are commonly found in skincare products to prevent the growth of bacteria to increase shelf life and safety.
“In human studies, exposure of parabens has been linked to evidence of breast cancer in females, as well as the disruption of reproductive systems in males. Some parabens are now banned but other types, like methylparaben and ethyl paraben remain unregulated,” Mukti says.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a class of chemicals commonly found in a variety of vinyl plastics. They are commonly used in eyelash glues, perfumes, makeup and other PCPs with fragrance.
“In 2008, after these chemicals were shown to disrupt hormone function and impair fertility, six types of phthalates were restricted for use. Thankfully, many personal care product manufacturers have since phased out the direct use of phthalates. Diethyl phthalate is still broadly used as a perfume fixative and adherent giving perfume its staying power,” she says.
PEGs
And finally, watch out for products that include PEGs often found in liquid hand soaps, makeup foundations and creams. These chemicals are also used to enhance the absorption of other ingredients in the skin.
As a good rule of thumb, Mukti advises to avoid any ingredients with the prefix ‘ethyl’.
What should you consider when buying organic skincare?
Okay, so what does this all mean and what should we actually be looking for when buying skincare? According to Mukti, her number one tip is to learn how to read the ingredients list of your products, or at the very least, familiarise yourself with ones that can be harmful so you know what to avoid.
Look out for certifications from reputable organisations like the Australian Certified Organic to ensure they are actually organic and free from synthetic chemicals, pesticides and GMOs.
“Don’t get caught up in the hype of marketing claims or cult-products, instead, look for products and ingredients that will support your skin health. Consumers really need to do their own research into what they’re buying,” Mukti advises.
Is organic skincare better for your skin?
The benefits of using organic skincare is knowing it doesn’t contain any nasties that can potentially cause irritations or redness. Generally speaking, these products are gentle on you and are made from natural ingredients making them better for the environment.
But what about your skin? Well, it really comes down to you. Not all non-organic skincare products are created equally so it’s unfair to paint a broad brush when making a verdict. There are however things you may consider is “better” such as the benefits from natural ingredients like aloe vera or honey, the lack of chemicals, and being free of toxic additives that can lead to damage.
Is it worth buying organic skincare?
At the end of the day, choosing to use organic skincare brands versus non organic skincare is a personal choice. Do your own research, speak to specialists and do what you feel most comfortable doing because it’s your body and your skin.
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