Posts Tagged ‘biodynamic’

Natural Beauty 411: Organic, Vegan, Biodynamic, and Natural Cosmetics

Organic, natural, vegan, biodynamic… and the list goes on. What does all of this mean in terms of cosmetics? And, how do you know if it’s just a marketing ploy or what you are purchasing really matches what the advertisement or label says? Well, I’m going share some information that will hopefully answer some questions that you may have about this subject.

Organic means that the plant ingredients have been harvested on a farm without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Unfortunately there really isn’t much regulation with organic products and consumers are often fooled into purchasing something that says ‘organic’ on the label, but in fact contains the same chemicals and synthetics as the conventional counterpart. Always check the package for a certified organic logo from a legitimate organization such as Certech, USDA Organic, or EcoCert. Each organization has different standards in terms of what percentage of the product is organic and natural.

The term ‘natural‘ is very broad and difficult to define. It usually means that the ingredients weren’t created in a lab. What the consumer usually wants to avoid by purchasing natural products are harsh or toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients that are not good for the skin and overall health.

Vegan, in terms of cosmetics, means that the product is 100% animal-friendly. There are absolutely no animal-derived ingredients and of course there is no animal testing (also known as ‘cruelty-free’).

Biodynamic is a word used to refer to a method of farming in which the farm is completely self-contained and respects nature to the fullest extent. Only natural medicinal herbs and mineral composts are used. Biodynamic farming is based on the interrelations between the plants, animals, and insects to support the production of high-quality, powerful, health-giving products.

Always be sure that the products you are using are ISO certified. ISO is a quality management system designed to help organizations ensure they meet the needs of customers. Each organization must fulfill strict standards in order to become ISO certified.

Some of our favorite natural and/or organic lines are Dr. Hauschka Skin Care, Eminence Organics, Jurlique Natural Beauty Care, G.M. Collin Bio Organique, and Spa Ritual vegan nail care.

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