Again, the only way for us to decipher if a product is really Natural, Organic or Certified Organic is to read the list of ingredients on the label. It is a legal requirement for companies to list ingredients on skin care products in descending order of their quantity. A good rule of thumb is to divide the ingredients list into thirds -- the top third usually contain 90-95% of the product, the middle third usually contains 5-8% and the bottom third, 1-3%. This is another helpful rule to help you understand how Natural or Organic that specific product really is.
One Group shares an example with the following Natural and Organic Body Moisturizer from a well known "natural" company. This is interesting -- read on...........
Apricot Cream
Natural or Organic ingredients include:
1. Water (Deionised)
2. Isopropyl Palmitate (Palm Oil Derivative)
3. Apricot Kernel Oil
4. Bis-Diglyceryl Caprylate/Caprate/Isostearate/Stearate/Hydroxystearate Adipate (Vegetable Triglyceride)
5. Glyceryl Stearate SE (Vegetable Derived)
6. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Glycerin-derived)
7. Ceteareth - 12 (Organic Emulsifier)
8. Tocopherol Oil (Vitamin E)
9. Chamomile Extract
10. Sage Extract
11. Linden Extract (Lime Blossom Extract
12. Balm Mint Extract
13. Shea Butter (From Karite)
14. Wheat Germ Oil
15. Carrot Oil
16. Cetyl Alcohol (Organic Co-emulsifier)
17. Sodium Hydroxide (ph Adjuster)
18. Sorbic Acic (Organic Compound)
19. Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E Derivative)
20. Methylparaben (Organic Compound)
21. Propylparaben (Organic Compound)
22. Imidazolidinyl Urea (Organic Compound)
23. Fragrance
24. FD&C Yellow No.5, D&C Red No.33 -- Content: Apricot Oil (2.5%)
Notice the last point states Apricot Oil at 2.5% and it's number 3 on the list? Since manufacturers are required to list ingredients in descending order this means everything AFTER Apricot Oil makes up LESS than 2.5% by volume. So about 90% of the product is basically water and Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Palmitate, is derived from Isoprypyl Alcohol, synthetic alcohol, and Palmitic Acid, a fatty acid from palm oil. It is known to cause skin irritations and dermatitis and also have comodogenic(clog pores) properties.
Numbers 4,5 and 6 are all produced by chemical reactions between various fatty acids and glycerol (synthetic glycerine). They also have shown to cause allergies and dermatitis.
Number 7 is a symntetic emulsifier that may contain dangerous levels of ethylene oxide and dioxane, both known carcinogens.
Numbers 8-15 are natural ingredients used in very small amounts that may have been grown using pesticides and herbicides.
Number 16 may be natural or synthetic ans has been shown to cause eczema.
Number 17 is otherwise known as Caustic Soda and is extremely alkaline and corrosive.
Number 18 -- sorbic acid was once isolated from the mountain ash berry, but is now chemically synthesises and is a toxic preservative.
Number 19 is a synthetic Vitamin E.
Number 20-22 are toxic and allergenic perservatives.
Number 23 -- Probably synthetic and may contain phthalates and have been linkd to birth defects.
Number 24 -- Synthetic colors that could be potentially carcinogenic.
And just for comparison purposes, take a look at the ingredient list of a Certified Organic Body Moisturizer.
Certified Organic Body Intensive Cream by Miessence
1. Organic Aloe Vera
2. Organic Safflower Oil
3. Purified Water
4. Organic Avocado Oil
5. Organic Shea Butter
6. Non-GMO Lecithin
7. Organic Sugar-Cane Ethanol
8. D-Panthenol (pro-vit b5)
9. Organic Olive juice extract
10. Organic Grapefruit Seed extract
11. Natural gum
12. Organic vanilla extract
No. 1 from organic aloe vera plants with potent healing properties to regenerate the skin.
No.2 is cold-pressed from organic safflower seeds, with emollient and skin softening properties.
No. 3 Purified Water.
No. 4 is cold pressed from organic avocado fruit, very nourishing for dry skin.
No.5 is from organic shea nut beans, fantastic at preventing stretchmarks and contatins a natural sunscreen.
No. 6 is from non-genetically modified soybean oil, a natural moisturizing factor contained in healthy skin.
No. 7 is from organic sugar, helps emulsify the oils, butters and aloe together.
No. 8 is a precursor to vitamin b5, healing and moisturizing.
No. 9 is from olive juice, a natural antioxidant that protect the skin from UV damage.
No 10. is from grapefruit seeds, a natural antibacterial.
No. 11 is a natural gum to soften the skin and thicken the product.
No. 12 is from organic vanilla beans and smells divine.
In my humble opinion it all comes down to one's choice and personally i'm happy with the choice i have made choosing Certified Organics. I can safely pronounce all the ingredients in my Organic and Certified range without biting my tongue. Now that's a relief=) Hope you all are enlightened by this post in terms of understanding the terms Natural, Organic and Certified Organic.
"Feed your skin and body with 100% beneficial ingredients"
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