Are Organic Beauty Products Worth the Hype?

More and more of us are choosing a conscious lifestyle, one that is good for both people and planet. Being mindful about what we’re putting on our skin is just one of the areas more of us are focussing on. ‘Organic’, ‘Natural’, ‘Free from’, ‘’Vegan’ are all becoming frequently used buzzwords with ‘Organic’ the biggest beauty buzzword of the moment. But what does that really mean? And is the price tag really worth it? 

Organic products are more sustainable products

Typical modern farming methods use genetically modified seeds, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals to make their farms more productive. While the desire to increase productivity in our current economic system is understandable, these methods negatively impact both the immediate environment in which the plants are grown and the broader environment. One of the biggest and most widely shared impacts of pesticides is on wild bee populations. In reality though our whole insect ecosystem is being dramatically depleted. In some areas of Europe insect ecosystem depletion is now at 76%. This is a staggering number that is unsustainable for life on earth. Organic farming methods on the other hand use old farming methods that actually replenish soil nutrients and feed insect populations. So buying organic skincare means avoiding modern farming practices that negatively impact our environment.

We also love that many of the pioneering sustainable beauty brands also donate proceeds to charity. At Acala, we’re proud to donate 5% of net profits to the world changing campaigns of .

Natural Products Don’t Rely on Fillers

Take a look at the labels of most off the shelf skincare products and you’ll notice that the majority contain petroleum or mineral oil. Whilst not being damaging to humans these ingredients are damaging to the environment. They are also unnecessary, mineral oil and petroleum are inexpensive emollients that sit on top on top of the skin, meaning they are ineffective in the moisturising process. Why are they there? So, that skincare brands can produce your 250ml tub of moisturiser cheaper.

Less Product Is Needed

Better quality ingredients and the absence of fillers in organic products means that they are more concentrated. This means that, when using a natural and organic product you can apply a less is more approach. So, although you are often paying more, the product is likely to last you a lot longer.

Organic and Natural brands are often small brands = easier due diligence

Many certified organic skincare producers are small organisations. The benefit of buying from a smaller company means that the ingredients are more likely sourced sustainably as supply chain are shorter. It is also much easier to contact the business to ask questions about their products making doing your due diligence a lot easier.

Beauty Professionals Recommend Natural Products

We spoke to Sasha, natural beauty expert, founder of Balanced Beauty Bristol and all round wonderful eco-conscious gal, to get her thoughts on going organic with your skincare.

“Organic beauty is incredibly important to me. It’s better for you and your skin, as well as for the planet. Although it can be a minefield! You need to be aware of greenwashing, and generally quite sneaky marketing. So, I do generally breathe a small sigh of relief if something has been certified. When a product is certified organic by a prestigious awarder like Soil Association, you KNOW that you are getting a product that is environmentally conscious and has premium ingredients.”

Watch out for more from Sasha on Acala soon as she comes on-board as our green beauty expert.

Natural Products are healthier products

Our skin is the largest organ in the body, much of what we put on it is absorbed into our body. For example, the way that nicotine and hormone patches are absorbed. When we apply products made with synthetic chemical ingredients the body does not recognise these ‘foreign’ substances and absorbs them in the same way. No parabens, no sulfates, no DEA, no phthalates, no propylene glycol and a long list of other ingredients. These substances can accumulate in the body’s tissues over time causing reactions and other illnesses. Choosing organic skincare is just as important as choosing an organic diet when it comes to decreasing the toxic load on the body.  

 At Acala, we believe that, no matter what products you decide to use, the most important thing you can do is to arm yourself with the knowledge to decipher a skincare label so that you really understand the ingredients list and what it is you are buying. Stay tuned for our guide out later this week on how to read a skincare label. The future of beauty is transparent.