How Switching to Organic Beauty Keeps You Healthier
In our world of ever-revolving products, staying on top of what’s good for you and what isn’t can be a challenge. From avoiding strange sounding ingredients like phthalates to testing out trending diets, we’re all striving to lead the healthiest life we can. Switching to natural and organic cosmetics is a great and simple way for you to get started on your journey towards a healthier life, all the while feeling and looking your best.
When products are certified organic, they’ve gone through the process to prove their product is made with a minimum of 95% ingredients considered organic. This means no man-made chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. may be used to cultivate these ingredients. The USDA does allow a small percentage of nonorganic ingredients in certified organic products according to their list of allowed and prohibited substances, but this very short and stringent list consists of ingredients that must still be both non-GMO and natural.
Another great tidbit to keep in your pocket when hunting for organic cosmetics is understanding that the USDA Organic certification is the strictest certification one can receive. That’s right, there’s more than one organization that certifies organic products, but the rules and regulations under the USDA Organic Seal are stricter than other organic labels such as Ecocert.
So how do you avoid getting misled by brands who falsely use these terms? We recommend taking a look at the ingredients list on the packaging. This will quickly give you an idea of just how natural (or unnatural) the product actually is. If you’re shopping online, look for the full ingredients list on the product page. Word to the wise: If the brand does not list all of the ingredients on their website, it’s usually a red flag that there are some not so desirable ingredients they’re trying to avoid disclosing.
The best way to make sure you’re buying an all natural product is to simply go organic, so check for certifications such as USDA Organic or COSMOS Organic (by Ecocert). Certified organic products are required to follow a very specific and strict process in order to get and maintain certification. There are other, smaller organic certifications as well, but you are unlikely to stumble upon them here in the United States.
Softer Skin
It’s no secret that many nonorganic products are formulated with ingredients that dry out our skin. Synthetic preservatives, alcohol, and other similar ingredients are commonly added to products like creams and soaps in order to increase the shelf life. The downside is that these harsh ingredients strip away the healthy oils in our skin. Now we’re not against all preservatives. For example, a water based product needs to contain some kind of preservative. Instead, look for products that contain more natural preservatives.
If you’re not sure which preservatives that might be bad for you and which ones are natural and gentler, we highly recommend downloading an app that can help assist, such as Think Dirty, Yuka, or EWG.
Fertility & Hormone Balance
It seems like hormone imbalances are everywhere these days. From early onset puberty to struggles with fertility, you might be shocked to learn that some of the reasons for these hormonal changes might come straight from your bathroom cabinet.
Have you ever seen products tout “phthalate-free” on their packaging? That’s because phthalates have been linked to all sorts of fertility and hormone issues. Though phthalates are typically used in plastics, they’re unfortunately found everywhere, from soap to shampoos to even makeup. Even worse, they aren’t easily identifiable on an ingredients list.
Fortunately, since phthalates are produced industrially, you can avoid them when you switch to organic and natural cosmetics. Not only will your hormones thank you, but you can rest assured knowing you’re keeping any little ones safe from them at home as well, especially if they share some of your products with you, such as lip balm or hand cream.
Reduced Exposure to Carcinogens
That’s right. Carcinogens can actually be found in conventional beauty products on the market. Many nonorganic products use ingredients that have been shown to have links to cancer. Like phthalates, you might have noticed some companies promote their products as being paraben-free. That’s because parabens, a man-made ingredient often used as a preservative, have been linked to breast cancer.
Which begs the question: if it’s known that parabens can potentially lead to such a devastating disease, why aren’t more products attempting to eliminate parabens from their ingredient lists? There’s no definitive (or justifiable) answer as to why so many companies still allow products in their products, but you can an take a stand for your own personal health by switching to natural skincare and cosmetic products. By doing so, you’re also investing in a healthier body—one that’s less exposed to deadly carcinogens.
You’ll Avoid Lots of Other Toxic Ingredients
Toxic ingredients are no stranger to nonorganic cosmetics. Shockingly, the FDA has even found that most cosmetics (especially lipsticks) contain trace amounts of toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium. Though they may only exist in small amounts, do we really want to slowly build up the amount of toxic ingredients we consume through our everyday products? And what about our little ones who might play with lipstick every now and then? Do we really want them accidentally swallowing something that is known for containing toxic heavy metals?
And even worse, mercury, a highly toxic element, has been found in dangerous amounts in many cosmetics worldwide. Though there are regulations in many countries including the US regarding mercury in cosmetics, these products are still making their way into our homes. So the next time you’re shopping around for your next splurge, opt for certified natural and organic cosmetics that go through a rigorous process to bring you products that are safe and devoid of any toxic ingredients.
Unfortunately, the list with potentially dangerous ingredients in your beauty products keeps going, and PFAS, BHA and BHT are just some of the acronyms to keep an eye on (and away from your bathroom countertop).
So the next time you use your favorite Henné lippie or apply drops of one of our face oils, you’re not just using another beauty product. You’re making the conscious decision to use a product free of toxic and synthetic ingredients that can disrupt your body’s natural processes. It’s a wonderful act of daily self-love that you’re showing your skin and your overall health.
Defining What it Means to be Organic
Before jumping in, let’s take a moment to explain what being organic is all about. “Organic” means something derived from living matter. In fact, all living things are considered organic including fruits and vegetables, animals, and even us.When products are certified organic, they’ve gone through the process to prove their product is made with a minimum of 95% ingredients considered organic. This means no man-made chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. may be used to cultivate these ingredients. The USDA does allow a small percentage of nonorganic ingredients in certified organic products according to their list of allowed and prohibited substances, but this very short and stringent list consists of ingredients that must still be both non-GMO and natural.
Another great tidbit to keep in your pocket when hunting for organic cosmetics is understanding that the USDA Organic certification is the strictest certification one can receive. That’s right, there’s more than one organization that certifies organic products, but the rules and regulations under the USDA Organic Seal are stricter than other organic labels such as Ecocert.
What About All-Natural?
The terms “natural” or “all-natural” get thrown around a lot in the cosmetics world, from the marketing to the cosmetic packaging. Logically speaking, this term should represent a product that was only made with ingredients that come from nature, and some brands (like here at Henné) use these terms honestly and walk the walk. However, since these terms aren’t really regulated much in the US, a product that you think is all-natural might actually be far from it.So how do you avoid getting misled by brands who falsely use these terms? We recommend taking a look at the ingredients list on the packaging. This will quickly give you an idea of just how natural (or unnatural) the product actually is. If you’re shopping online, look for the full ingredients list on the product page. Word to the wise: If the brand does not list all of the ingredients on their website, it’s usually a red flag that there are some not so desirable ingredients they’re trying to avoid disclosing.
The best way to make sure you’re buying an all natural product is to simply go organic, so check for certifications such as USDA Organic or COSMOS Organic (by Ecocert). Certified organic products are required to follow a very specific and strict process in order to get and maintain certification. There are other, smaller organic certifications as well, but you are unlikely to stumble upon them here in the United States.
How it All Leads to a Healthier You
Now that we’ve gotten a bit of the technical info out of the way, let’s talk about how natural and organic products benefit you. Here are some of the wonderful benefits that you’ll get when you switch to cleaner beauty products:Softer Skin
It’s no secret that many nonorganic products are formulated with ingredients that dry out our skin. Synthetic preservatives, alcohol, and other similar ingredients are commonly added to products like creams and soaps in order to increase the shelf life. The downside is that these harsh ingredients strip away the healthy oils in our skin. Now we’re not against all preservatives. For example, a water based product needs to contain some kind of preservative. Instead, look for products that contain more natural preservatives.
If you’re not sure which preservatives that might be bad for you and which ones are natural and gentler, we highly recommend downloading an app that can help assist, such as Think Dirty, Yuka, or EWG.
Fertility & Hormone Balance
It seems like hormone imbalances are everywhere these days. From early onset puberty to struggles with fertility, you might be shocked to learn that some of the reasons for these hormonal changes might come straight from your bathroom cabinet.
Have you ever seen products tout “phthalate-free” on their packaging? That’s because phthalates have been linked to all sorts of fertility and hormone issues. Though phthalates are typically used in plastics, they’re unfortunately found everywhere, from soap to shampoos to even makeup. Even worse, they aren’t easily identifiable on an ingredients list.
Fortunately, since phthalates are produced industrially, you can avoid them when you switch to organic and natural cosmetics. Not only will your hormones thank you, but you can rest assured knowing you’re keeping any little ones safe from them at home as well, especially if they share some of your products with you, such as lip balm or hand cream.
Reduced Exposure to Carcinogens
That’s right. Carcinogens can actually be found in conventional beauty products on the market. Many nonorganic products use ingredients that have been shown to have links to cancer. Like phthalates, you might have noticed some companies promote their products as being paraben-free. That’s because parabens, a man-made ingredient often used as a preservative, have been linked to breast cancer.
Which begs the question: if it’s known that parabens can potentially lead to such a devastating disease, why aren’t more products attempting to eliminate parabens from their ingredient lists? There’s no definitive (or justifiable) answer as to why so many companies still allow products in their products, but you can an take a stand for your own personal health by switching to natural skincare and cosmetic products. By doing so, you’re also investing in a healthier body—one that’s less exposed to deadly carcinogens.
You’ll Avoid Lots of Other Toxic Ingredients
Toxic ingredients are no stranger to nonorganic cosmetics. Shockingly, the FDA has even found that most cosmetics (especially lipsticks) contain trace amounts of toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium. Though they may only exist in small amounts, do we really want to slowly build up the amount of toxic ingredients we consume through our everyday products? And what about our little ones who might play with lipstick every now and then? Do we really want them accidentally swallowing something that is known for containing toxic heavy metals?
And even worse, mercury, a highly toxic element, has been found in dangerous amounts in many cosmetics worldwide. Though there are regulations in many countries including the US regarding mercury in cosmetics, these products are still making their way into our homes. So the next time you’re shopping around for your next splurge, opt for certified natural and organic cosmetics that go through a rigorous process to bring you products that are safe and devoid of any toxic ingredients.
Unfortunately, the list with potentially dangerous ingredients in your beauty products keeps going, and PFAS, BHA and BHT are just some of the acronyms to keep an eye on (and away from your bathroom countertop).
Our Commitment to Safe Cosmetics
Our mission at Henné is creating the cleanest and safest cosmetics possible, so you can bring out your natural beauty without the hidden dangers that so many cosmetic products on the market have.So the next time you use your favorite Henné lippie or apply drops of one of our face oils, you’re not just using another beauty product. You’re making the conscious decision to use a product free of toxic and synthetic ingredients that can disrupt your body’s natural processes. It’s a wonderful act of daily self-love that you’re showing your skin and your overall health.
