GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE ORGANIC BEAUTY!
Here at Freya+Bailey, we’re not shy to shout about how proud we are to be part of the organic movement with our exclusive new skincare collection, so what better time to celebrate all things organic, including us, YAY!, than September!
Led by The Soil Association, Organic September is a month-long campaign that encourages consumers to choose organic for the greater good of our beautiful environment, stunning wildlife, hard-working local farmers and, let’s cut the nonsense, general public health!
What’s the deal with organic beauty?
But what many don’t realise is that organic doesn’t just apply to food. Organic health and beauty products are formulated to work with the natural biology of your body - much like our luxury skincare collection. They don’t contain any of those nasties that do just as much damage to our skins as they do to the environment.
They don’t contain any traces of skin irritating pesticides and usually avoid harsh chemicals like sodium lauryl sulphate that can exacerbate sensitive skin or typical ailments such as eczema.
It’s not just skin and health concerns that trigger consumers to choose organic products. At Freya+Bailey we’ve spent two years carefully selecting high quality ingredients that not only do wonders for your skin, but also take into consideration the impact our product has on the environment - which is a key concern for many of our customers.
What makes a skincare product organic?
Organic products are, on the whole, far better for the environment than their pesticide-reliant counterparts. Some organic certification schemes also include other sustainability standards. The Soil Association, for example, asks brands to use recycled packaging materials where possible - something that we champion here!
Unfortunately, there’s no full legal requirement for organic health & beauty products to be certified. You’re even allowed to market your skincare collection as natural at 1% (ours are 95% natural, just saying 😉). This is why the regulations that governing bodies such as The Soil Association instil are so important today! So be cautious when shopping true organic and always read the label to make sure that there are no hidden ingredients or tricks.
How can you spot an organic, natural, clean or vegan beauty collection?
There are certain requirements that have been put in place by the rigorous testing of the Soil Association in order for brands to be able to certify a product as organic, but there are also some other key things to look out for when shopping clean skincare that many don’t realise are just as important for our environment - and our skin!
Does it contain Parabens? There has been a lot of discussion around parabens (which are basically preservatives) and the impact they have, particularly with women. While it hasn’t been clinically proven that parabens can cause cancer, in 2004, a British study found that “parabens are able to penetrate the skin and remain within tissue. Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function by mimicking oestrogen. Too much oestrogen can trigger an increase in breast cell division and growth of tumours, which is why paraben use has been linked to breast cancer and reproductive issues.”
Does it contain Mineral Oils? Don’t be fooled by the ‘mineral’ part, according to Dermatologist Ava Shamban, creams that use mineral oils can actually damage the skin barrier and increase water loss."..."It clogs pores and suffocates the skin.”
Does it contain Palm Oil? Unless the palm oil used is certified organic, certified sustainable and is from a farm on the RSp members list, then you’re definitely damaging the environment and wildlife. Palm oil production is said to have been responsible for a whopping 8% of the world’s deforestation, with forests being burned to clear for space to grow oil palms, irregardless if it’s illegal or not!
Does it contain Synthetic Perfumes + Artificial Colours? These are known to have many negative side effects - from allergies to hormone disruption. Which is definitely not what we expect from our skincare. Where’s the ‘care’ in that?
Is it Cruelty Free? Switching to cruelty-free products is one of the best and most ethical ways to say no to animal testing. It helps to save animals - the painful tests aren't even necessary. Not only that, cruelty-free cosmetics are less toxic. So, look out for the bunny!
Is it Anti-Pollution? Our skin comes into contact with forms of pollution every day. Removing waste and everything that pollutes it helps to stay healthy and fresh. The long-term impact? Our complexion barrier becomes weakened causing dehydration, rough skin texture and a loss of radiance.
Is it Vegan? In other words, it shouldn’t contain any animal extracts or animal by-products in the ingredients or the manufacturing process. In addition, the products and ingredients have never been tested on animals.
If you’re unsure about what the difference is between products that are organic, natural, clean or vegan? Check out our guide below that will help you look beyond the label and unravel those buzzwords in skincare.
