According to Organic Beauty Authority, “cosmetics are one of the least regulated consumer products on the market today and that most ingredients have never been assessed for safety in the US.” While this is a scary fact, it makes the switch to pursuing all organic products much easier. Before you find another reason to resist purchasing that conditioner because its price tag just does not seem feasible for the budget, know these things.
First, know what the natural label means
Eco Salon says, “there are three tiers of organic labeling. If something is 100 percent organic, this means that the products were made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods and therefore can be labeled ‘100 percent organic’. ‘Organic’ also applies to products with at least 95 percent organic ingredients. Both of these categories may also display the USDA Organic seal.”
According to Empowered Sustenance, “a conditioner may boast the term ‘all natural’ on the container but this can be far from the truth. Even the purest of ingredients can be mutilated with chemicals and harsh processing, rendering the final product a freak of nature. Obviously, this carries consequences for our health, since we absorb approximately 65% of what is applied on our skin.”
Start researching ingredients
Take a look at the labels on the products taking up residence in your medicine cabinet and shower. If some of the words are unfamiliar, look them up online. Find out what their exact purpose is in your product, and determine if there is a natural alternative.
For example, Willow Bark contains the highest natural content of Salicylic Acid, which is formulated in plenty of face washes and shampoos. This would be the safer, gentler version. The word ‘fragrance’ can actually be a general label for 4,000 or more separate ingredients.
While the ingredients list on the back of your products seem small in comparison to others, understand the number of toxins and harsh chemicals not labeled that enter your bloodstream with daily use.
Related: What That “Organic” Label Really Means
Research the brands, too
Just because your products are laden with their USDA, “100% Natural”, or “Certified Organic” labels, it helps to feel personally connected to supporting a business based on their beliefs and practices.
Dr. Bronner began his quality line of soaps based on his passion for adjusting the treatment of farmers and workers for a socially responsible workplace in the U.S. Knowing these backstories may help you consider the switch, even if the product is a bit pricier than your usual.
Related:Do You Know Where Your Shea Butter Comes From?
Learn the buzzwords and get familiar with them
Oftentimes we may overlook a group of hair and skin care products because their keywords on the labels are overwhelming or just confusing. And we assume a lot of them are just for “marketing purposes,” dismissive of what they actually mean.
Holistic, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free–all of these are important. A constant eye for these types of hair, skin, and makeup product label buzzwords will pique your curiosity to research the amazing health benefits from making the switch.
Prepare your body before going cold turkey
Removing a product completely without warning your body might actually backfire. For example, the natural deodorant trend is making waves, however, some women have been complaining that they simply cannot switch off the drugstore product because their B.O. has gotten worse since going organic.
Our bodies become chemically dependent on certain ingredients not found in nature, especially if we have been using them for years. Start by slowly weaning yourself off and use that product every other day. In between the days, use a natural option. Instead of using a SLS (sulfate”> packed shampoo to clarify your scalp, reach for the apple cider vinegar in your kitchen, instead.
Have you made the switch to organic? What have your results been?
