It is widely believed that a diet high in artificial additives is bad for the health – we are what we eat. Similarly, we need to take care of what we put on our skin as it seems that many chemicals applied to the skin can be directly absorbed into the body. Current estimates are that the average woman absorbs up to two kilograms of cosmetic products via the skin each year. The increasingly demanding fad for eternal youth has led to the development of ever more complex cosmetics with all manner of chemical ingredients. There is though a counter-movement with many consumers looking for organically-based skin care products now.

This sector of the cosmetic industry has grown from a very low base, and these days there are many different organic products on the market, their popularity propelled by increasing concerns about the chemical content of traditional products. Some studies find that as much as 60% of the content of beauty products and make-up can be absorbed into the blood stream after application. It is uncertain whether this has implications for the health of the consumer, nonetheless the market for organic health and beauty products is showing a healthy sales increase – about 20% year on year. These products have particular appeal for those of us who are not able to use chemically enhanced products, be this due to ethics or allergies.

The term “organic” is widely used by cosmetic manufacturers, its definition is however somewhat hazy. Several bodies are at work on regulations to define the term precisely but meanwhile the consumer can find terminology confusing. In general those buying cosmetics labelled as organic expect these products to be free of artificial ingredients. In the rising tide of the current market there are though unscrupulous operators promoting non organic products as organic. Thus a number of cosmetics containing potentially toxic chemical ingredients are nevertheless sold to consumers as “organic”.

Given this level of ambiguity it is important to do background research before purchasing a new brand, to ascertain not just what the ingredients are, but where they come from too. In this way we can indulge ourselves with beauty products safe in the knowledge that the planet is benefiting from our choices also.

By: Richard Johnstonn

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