Been shopping lately? Noticed how many brands are claiming their brands as made from organic products. But really how organic is it really? Organically produced or naturally cosmetics once a fast growing fad, will probably stay a lot longer then most expect. In the current world where chemically produced products are constantly evolving and getting more and more sophisticated and probably depleting the ozone layer as we breathe and causing much harm to the environment.

But do we really know why we choose to use organic products? I for one, would choose a natural products because it has no chemicals and is therefore “safer” to use on my skin. I would put being conscientious and trying to protect and preserve nature as more secondary if even existent as a reasoning. And though I am not wrong, I am also not right either. Using organic products serves two purposes without even delving too intellectually into the subject , first we reduce as much as possible the exposure of our skin and body to chemicals and all its harmfulness and secondly we become more socially responsible in what we actually flush down our basins in to the big drains, down the rivers and into the big blue sea, straight in one gulp into the mouth of fishes and back to the marketplace and eventually lands somewhere inside our guts sometime during a lunch and a wedding dinner and there you have it the whole ecological system in two seconds. And the worst thing is shower gel flushed down the drain, takes 600 years to bio-degrade, I read somewhere.

So what are the risks that we speak of that has propelled organic products to a certain cult-like status whence only the most discerning and, somewhat well off would actually invest in them.

Fist of all:

1. Paraben – found in most shampoos and many others can alter hormone function, increase risk for cancers and infertility
2. Propylene glycol – a common moisturizing agent, is also commonly used in antifreeze and brake fluid.
3. Phthalates in nail polish and fragrance – can affect the development of boys in the uterus.
4. DEA,TEA OR MEA – affects hormone functions
5. Petrolatum (creamy waxes used in makeup) – petroleum by-products

Of course, most cosmetic companies will claim they use different grades of the chemicals above to make the make up versus brake fluid, but nonetheless, be aware that it is still chemical.

We however also have to be careful as labels that have an organic marking may well be lead us down a Pied Piper’s lane. Because would we know, if the crop for the lavender in the lavender cream, was grown on land that has been chemically free of all pesticides and chemicals for the last three years an has strict crop rotation and soil management program and has an ecologically sound processing method, using products that are not straining the earth’s resources. The picture on the label may show a rustic farm, but we will have to take it in good faith. In the United States USDA regulations specify that a product is certifiable organic only if 95% of ingredients are organic products and, herein lies the problem, water which is usually the main ingredient is never organic.

But how long before even organically produced products goes through technology to become more efficient and conscientiousness takes a turn for the worse and science interferes yet again… But until then, carry on, carry on, and find an Earth conscious brand in the market and enjoy, knowing that you are doing your little bit for Mother Earth.

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