As celebrities tell us they've come over "all natural and organic", we find out what the fuss is all about...
Most of us know that natural and organic beauty products are the new big thing. But how many of us really know what they are, or what the difference is between them? We certainly didn't. So we thought we'd do a bit of research and let you into our new-found knowledge…
Apparently there’s actually no clear definition of what is considered a natural product. Although lots of manufacturers use the term on their labels, this doesn't guarantee anything. In fact, a product can boast that it is ‘natural’ simply because it contains one or more plant-derived ingredients. How cheeky!
Organic products are a bit different. These contain ingredients grown in soil that is free of nasty chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides, which means that materials draining off it don’t harm plants or animals. Again there are no strict guidelines about what exactly organic means – a product can claim to be ‘organic’ even if it only has a tiny proportion of organic content. The only way of knowing you’re buying the 100% real thing is to check the packaging for one of three seals: USDA, Ecocert or The Soil Association.
There’s actually no evidence to prove that organic products are better for our skin and bodies, but lots to show that they’re better for the environment – so we still think they’re worth while! The only drawback is they can often be expensive.
The other terms to watch out for are ‘fair trade’ and ‘ethical’. These products are made by businesses that promote environmentally and socially responsible trade – meaning they make sure that their goods don’t damage the environment and that all their workers are treated and paid fairly. Which means buying these products helps to protect the planet and gives workers in poorer countries the chance to work themselves out of poverty.
We know – it’s all a bit confusing! Which is why we've put together a gallery of our favorite natural and organic products to help you in your quest to Go Green. Take a look!
