| |
 |
| Author |
Message |
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:19 am  |
Many skincare products are labelled as “organic” or containing “organic” oils, plant extracts, etc. However, so far as I can find there seems to be no precise definition, legal or otherwise, of what this actually means?
I’ve noticed some companies claim on their websites that products are “certified organic” but there is no mention of who is actually doing the certifying or what the certification standards are.
I believe in the US some states have guidelines for labelling food as organic, but is there any standard for skincare products? Anywhere in the world? |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:03 am |
| Great question!!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:04 am |
I to have yet to find the answer to this question - because as you pointed out - many companies say they are organic and can do so because of inadequate legislation.  
My experience is that if you ask the what exact amount of organic ingredients contained in any given product by a so called organic company and you get a vague answer  - then it is most likely not truly organic.
The most ethical companies will provide the info and can prove that their ingredients are certified.
The organic certification requirements differ from country to country but that is another discussion  |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:24 am |
| If results is your concern, organic is not important IMO. |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:11 pm |
This may be a little OT but I was wondering about this (not necessarily skincare wise) with the milk that I buy. I drink milk from Avalon - it's supposed to be organic (once again not sure what that means in the case of MILK). And they have a selection on standard milk and a selection of "certified organic" milk. I've bought both and have definitely NOT noticed a difference. The only difference to me is that the certified organic sells for a dollar more.
I think I wouldn't worry myself too much as long as I'm buying from a trusted brand like Dr.H or Jurlique. There are even companies that CLAIM to be certified but may not necessarily be - I remember reading this from a thread. To me being certified means charging more money for the product. |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:32 pm |
Yes, unfortunately, this is a VERY complicated issue. In the United States, organic standards weren't regulated until relatively recently. At present, food products bearing the USDA organic label do have to meet certain criteria. However, the legislation that applies to food products doesn't necessarily extend to cosmetics. (I say "doesn't necessarily" because some cosmetics may contain ingredients that are USDA certified. I'm thinking of, say, a body oil that contained organic rosemary.) In general, in the United States, cosmetics and things like dietary supplements aren't covered by the legislation that mandates what is acceptable for an item to be labeled organic. Thus, the burden falls on the consumer.
As tisa recommended, the best strategy is to research the companies you patronize and read ingredient lists diligently. Dr. Hauschka, Jurlique, and Weleda are good examples of companies that can provide detailed, credible information about their production practices. So, although none of these companies is (or could be) 'certified organic' in the United States, I feel pretty confident about the reliability of their claims.
The one thing that can be said of products that are truly all-natural (even if not organic) is that they should be free of things like petrolatum, parabens, and other potential carcinogens. That was the primary reason that I switched to natural skincare. (The fact that my skin responded so beautifully to my new regimen was just icing on the cake!  ) |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:12 pm |
| sormuimui wrote: |
This may be a little OT but I was wondering about this (not necessarily skincare wise) with the milk that I buy. I drink milk from Avalon - it's supposed to be organic (once again not sure what that means in the case of MILK). And they have a selection on standard milk and a selection of "certified organic" milk. I've bought both and have definitely NOT noticed a difference. The only difference to me is that the certified organic sells for a dollar more.
I think I wouldn't worry myself too much as long as I'm buying from a trusted brand like Dr.H or Jurlique. There are even companies that CLAIM to be certified but may not necessarily be - I remember reading this from a thread. To me being certified means charging more money for the product. |
I switched to organic foods a few years ago and milk was one of my first organic purchases as I just LOVE milk. In the case of milk, "organic" refers to the source which is of course the cow. Many cows are exposed to chemicals and pesticides through inorganic feed. Also they are pumped full of hormones to prolong milk productin as well as anitbiotics to prevent disease from all the crap they are feeding them and all the other horrible stuff that is done to cattle. So do I really want to ingest all that crap too? I certainly don't and that's why I go for organic. As far as taste goes, I notice a HUGE difference. Organic milk tastes "purer" for some reason - hard to describe really, but it tastes fresher and I find it lasts longer too. Sometimes even a few days after the expiry date which never happened to me with regulr milk. I always found it went bed far before the exp date.
And not only have I switched to organic foods but I also use organic skin care lines. My philosophy is, if I wouldn't put it in my mouth than I won't apply it to my body as it gets absorbed into the bloodstream anyway. Of course organic certification depends on the country of origin as differing countires have differing standards. I find countries like France, Germany and the UK have very stringent organic laws from what research I've done and from what I've read and learned. Certification, however, must be awarded my an independent and impartial third party or governing agent; examples are Ecocert, Demeter, USDA, Quality Assurance International, etc.
As others have suggested here, the best way to find out if a company is legit is to research the company itself and the philosophies they practice. A good company will be able to back up its claims and will offer you intelligent and forthright answers to your questions and won't BS you with a bunch of jargon you won't understand. I find companies like Dr Hauschka, Primavera, Jurlique, Druide, etc to be some of those companies that can truly stand behind their products and mission with a history that backs it up.
In "going organic", I must say that I have noticed a big difference in my health, my energy levels, my improved immune system (I've always had a really weak one) as well as the look and feel of my skin. Choosing this way of life was one of the best choices I've ever made and I am a big advocate of all things organic and am always trying to convert others to the point where they're sick of me suggesting organic this and that. LOL  But if I can just convince one or two people to make some positive changes for their own lives and the lives of everyone else on this planet than I feel I've done my job. Going organic, afterall, isn't just about improving our own lives, but being environmentally and ecologically conscious to protect this earth and all the people that inhabit it for many years to come. And as Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing"!  |
|
|
|
|
|
Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:25 pm |
I can't help thinking many companies use the word "organic" as simply a marketing tool, much like the word "natural". It' really taking a big leap of faith to simply rely on a manufacturer's goodwill, when ultimately every company is in business to make money, not to make the world a better place, although obviously some companies *should* be more reliable than others.
But even with the best of intentions, it seems everybody I've talked to has a different idea of what "organic" means, or no specific idea at all, just that somehow it's more "natural". Usually they make some vague statement about only using natural fertilisers or pesticides, but with no idea what constitutes "natural" or "chemical".
It would be great if there was some international standard for this kind of thing, as if that will happen in my lifetime!
Where I live (Hong Kong) people regularly are hospitalised for "vegetable poisoning". If something as harmless as spinach can be made toxic....well, it makes you wonder about production standards or lack thereof. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:27 pm |
Kind of OT but, wildflower, you are so right about the shelf life of organic fresh foods. When my husband started shoppping at a place that sells local, organic produce, dairy, and meats, we were amazed at how long everything lasted. And, yes, tasted much better in most cases.
Also, like you, I went all organic (or at least natural) with my skincare regimen and all organic with my diet about 2 years ago and the differences are tangible. I used to fight with my skin constantly. Hormonal break-outs were a given as were flare-ups from sensitivities to various products. It drove me crazy: my skin constantly felt oily but then I'd have dry patches that never seemed to improve despite the prolific use of all kinds of moisturizers. But, when I switched my diet and skincare regimen, all that changed. My skin rarely breaks out, my hair is glossy, and I don't have problems with dry skin or chapped lips (a lifelong problem), even in the winter. |
|
|
|
|
|
Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:57 pm |
Off topic:
I think one point that gets people thinking about organic milk is an example that I can give. If you had a child and was nursing it you would be careful what you ate and drank. You wouldn't eat harmful things like pesticides, hormones, modified foods would you? Yet many people don't think anything of drinking cows milk that is laced with those very same ingredients. Harmful things pass to milk whether it be human or any other animal.
Organic milk has standards where in most countries there are guidelines for what can and cannot be called, organic. Here in Sweden (or what we call Ecological) there are a few rules to be able to be called organic.
The cows are never allowed to be fed any feed that is genetically modified (illegal here.) The cows are not allowed to have pesticides or hormones. And here are two more that many countries do not consider a part of organic/ecological but here it is; the cows must be outdoors in free range fields for at least 3 hours per day (unless it is the dead of winter) and also when the cows have calves the calfs are not allowed to be taken from the cows until they are fully weaned. In regular farming usually they take the calfs a few days after birth and hand feed them so that the mother cows will provide milk for consumers.
The organic foods market is huge here and they are sold in mainstream megamarts alongside non organic products. I read recently that almost 30% of dairy purchased here by consumers is organic. I buy organic milk, yoghurt and butter but that's about it since genetically modified feed and a large number of pesticides aren't allowed here anyway. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:05 pm |
Sorry to post again.
Here is another website: http://www.organicconsumers.org/
It seems that milk labelled organic might not really be so. Many of the major chains are carrying this milk that states, organic. |
|
|
|
|
| Wed Jan 15, 2025 11:35 am |
If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.
Click Here to join our community.
If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site. |
|
 |
|
|
