What does these labels mean - organic, natural, synthetic?
Historical Context
The term "organic" can be traced back to 1940 when the article "Organic Farming and Gardening" was published. Subsequently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the term "organic" and its associated criteria, initially applying only to the agricultural sector.
Cosmetic Products
The use of natural and organic cosmetic products for face and body significantly increased between 1998 and 2004. However, during this period, there were no established laws defining precisely what these products represented. This led to confusion, where, for example, a product containing 90% water (known as an "organic ingredient") was labeled as organic without including any other active organic ingredients.
In 2005, the USDA introduced standards for organic cosmetic products for face and body:
A product containing at least 95% organic ingredients can be legally categorised as "organic."
A product containing at least 75% to 94% organic ingredients can be categorised as "made with organic ingredients."
In Europe
Despite the regulations imposed by the European Union on the production of cosmetic products, there is still no definition for organic or natural products. The lack of definition allows private certification organizations and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to create their own criteria.
Natural products are defined as those containing 95% or more ingredients of natural origin.
ISO aims to harmonize the terms "organic" and "natural." As a result, four definitions were created, referring to the ingredients in the products rather than the finished product:
Natural (organic) ingredient: an ingredient of plant, animal, or mineral origin, such as water.
Organic ingredient: a natural ingredient that complies with the laws for organic ingredients in the respective country.
Ingredient of natural origin: an ingredient extracted from natural sources through chemical or biological processes. The ingredient is considered of natural origin if it contains more than 50% natural ingredients.
Ingredient of organic origin: an ingredient extracted from organic sources (petrochemical ingredients are prohibited).
Ingredients
#Parabens (esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid) are primarily used as stabilizers in many cosmetic products for skin, hair, and body, and they can cause allergic reactions. Parabens can be absorbed through the skin and spread into the bloodstream. Studies have shown high concentrations of parabens in cancerous breast tissue.
#Toluene is mainly used in nail polishes and often triggers allergic reactions, especially on the eyelids.
There are other harmful ingredients as well. It is important to note that even "organic" products can cause #allergic reactions.
Some essential oils can act as allergens. #Coconut oil, which is a popular organic ingredient, can cause acne. Some natural ingredients such as #fragrances and #oils can cause #dermatitis. Bergamot oil and balsam of Peru are highly
allergenic. Organic products containing #mint or #rosemary can also trigger #inflammation. Even #chamomile can cause an allergic reaction in people allergic to wheat.
Even a product certified with 95% organic ingredients may contain a combination of perfumes that can cause allergies in some individuals.
When choosing cosmetic products, including skincare products, it is important to consider the individual needs and characteristics of each person's skin. There is no definitive answer as to whether organic, natural, or synthetic products are better. Each type of product has its advantages and disadvantages, and in some cases, it may turn out that a synthetic product is the most effective or suitable for a particular individual.
Which product should you choose?
Consulting a #skincare specialist can be beneficial in determining the most suitable products for your skin. They can assess your skin type, address any concerns, and recommend products tailored to your needs. Additionally, staying informed about the latest research and developments in the skincare industry can help you make more informed choices.
Although some people prefer to use natural or organic products, sometimes that may not be the best choice. Therefore, a specialist in the field is best suited to determine what is suitable for a particular individual.
For example, #Retinoids have no alternative. They are synthetic products, derivatives of vitamin A. There is no other ingredient that has the same effect. When used correctly, retinoids produce fantastic results.
Another example is the choice of body lotion for individuals with fair skin. A product containing #soy oil would be suitable. However, in individuals with a darker skin type, this product may cause #melasma or #hyperpigmentation. In this case, a soy product from which the estrogenic components have been removed is recommended. Therefore, this product will no longer be considered organic because the soy has been processed, but it would be preferable to unprocessed soy. Fractionated soy ("active soy") does not contain estrogenic components.
Is Organic Better?
An example of an organic product with good properties is green tea. But does it matter if it's organic? It is more likely that the form and concentration would have an impact. The most potent form of green tea is #EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). When a product contains a high concentration of green tea to be effective, it becomes brown.
The use of organic ingredients benefits the environment. They can help prevent the spread of parabens and other substances in the environment. Often, the production methods are better, and the packaging is #biodegradable.
Synthetic?
As mentioned earlier, Retinoids are a great example of how a synthetic product that has no natural or organic alternative, works flawlessly.
Another example of a synthetic ingredient is #Matrixyl 3000. It consists of synthetic #peptides - palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. Other ingredients in this complex include water, glycerin, butylene glycol, carbomer, and polysorbate 20. The action of this complex is to send signals from the two peptides to receptors in the skin that initiate the production of new #collagen.
Conclusion
The use of the terms organic, natural, and synthetic can have flexible meanings. Using products with biodegradable packaging is a good starting point if you're wondering where to begin. Look for brands that do not test on animals. If you're unsure whether to use a particular product, always perform a patch test to check for tolerance.
More and more products with highly refined formulations and carefully selected components that have positive effects are emerging. The right product for you may be completely wrong for your friend. When it comes to skincare, it is crucial for an individual to know their own #skin type.
🌟If you want to rely on a specialist, I am here to help. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
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References
1. Leslie Baumann. (2009) Cosmetic Dermatology - principles and practice. McGraw-Hill.
2. Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EU Cosmetics Regulation)
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