What Does Organic Mean? A Look At The Origins And Organic Cosmetics Today
By Barbara Olioso
Organ-ic, the literal meanings.
Organic means literally organ, from organized living beings and it derives from the latin word arganon, musical instrument. In 1942 it acquired the meaning free from pesticides and fertilizers, being referred to crops farmed according to organic standards. It is easy to understand the confusion about this term as it means related to nature as well as free from pesticides and fertilisers.
The four principles behind the organic movement and its original spirit.
The organic farming movement which is at the origin of the whole organic trend we are living today has four important principles at its foundation: Health Ecology Fairness Care Source: IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement)
Organic beauty standards and organic cosmetics.
Organic farming has international standards internationally recognized and harmonised, but there is no official definition applicable to cosmetics and beauty products, as there is no unanimity on how to define them. That is why it is a little bit of a jungle out there with several certifying bodies interpreting organic cosmetics their own way and also brands using the organic claim. What is the difference? If no certification is present the organic claim could be referred to simply natural ingredients or to organic certified ingredients, where no specification is made about: -what percentage is present (it could be from a tiny bit up to 100%) -the nature of the other ingredients present. When an organic certification is present it means the product complies with some organic standards which: -guarantee the amount of organic ingredients (in the UK there are 2 systems: 70% plus and 95% plus) -regulate the non organic ingredients (such as preservatives, herbal extracts, and other cosmetic ingredients that are nature derived) The way the non organic ingredients are regulated differ from a certifying body to another, with some organizations stricter than others in the choice of non organic ingredients. As there are a few around, there are a few standards: Soil Association, Organic Food Federation, Organic Farmers and Growers, Ecocert, Cosmebio, Demeter or BDAA, AIAB, BFA, etc.
Organic cosmetics, strengths and challenges.
Organic certified cosmetics are developed aiming to provide products that are close to nature as much as possible, but how close can we get and at what price? Organic certified ingredients are much more expensive than ordinary ones and have stronger odour and colour. The organic certification for finished products also adds a cost, and it does not have a universal meaning. What then? My solution is Forest Secrets skin care, a range taking the best of the organic spirit without compromising on purity and performance. Forest Secrets products do not contain any of the preservatives you might find in organic cosmetics and it contains natural ingredients with fantastic anti ageing properties that are scientifically proven. You will not be able to find organic certified products with powerful antiaging claims as the organic standards do not allow that. To find out about how to get the best out of nature visit our products benefits page http://www.forestsecretsskincare.com/Benefits.html
Dr Barbara Olioso is a professional chemist, with 9 years experience in natural and organic cosmetics. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists in the UK. She is the founder of Organatural Cosmtic Developments, she writes for trade magazines and she lectures at international conferences on natural cosmetics and sustainability. She recently developed and launched her own skin care range, Forest Secrets, potent and pure skin care. To know more about her brand or abour her please visit
http://www.forestsecretsskincare.com/
http://www.organatural.co.uk/
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