Eco Skincare Guide 101: Is Green Really the New Black?

These days, the skincare industry seems to be painted in green shades, and it’s for the common

good, too.

According to recent estimates, the market of organic beauty products is expected to continue

growing at an unabated speed over the next couple of years, reaching approximately $13.2 billion

in 2018.

But while the global demand for sustainable personal care doesn’t look like it’s going to drop any

time soon, some consumers are still regarding organic and 100% natural labels with a wary eye,

unsure about the exact meaning of eco-skincare and the benefits its use entails.

“So, what precisely is organic skincare,

why is it better than classic cosmetics,

and where can a girl get the greenest

skincare bang for her buck?”

Organic and Natural Aren’t the Same

When it comes to the definition of organic skincare, a product or a product ingredient

is seen as organic if it has been obtained from renewable sources without the use of

synthetic pesticides and petroleum or sewage sludge fertilizers.

As such, organic skincare is 100% cruelty- and GMO-free, and it’s often shipped in

eco-friendly, recyclable packaging.

Unlike plain natural cosmetics, organic products need to comply with the USDA standards

and they also need to bear the USDA Organic Seal to confirm that they contain a minimum

of 95% organically manufactured ingredients.

For this reason, organic skincare usually has a higher price tag and shorter shelf life than

classic chemical-laced personal care.

An organic lipstick or cream is safe enough to eat and contains no artificial flavors, dyes,

or preservatives, so its expiry date is shorter than that of its synthetic-laden counterpart.

A Dose of Care That Goes Both Ways

As for the benefits the use of green skincare products entails, the list is quite lengthy and it

goes both ways, so to say.

The gains for the environment include lower toxic footprint and improved soil and water quality,

while personal benefits from renouncing chemical makeup for the sake of organic cosmetics

include ideal compatibility with most skin types, aging prevention, and lower risk of skin irritation

and chronic conditions caused by buildup of toxic residue in internal organs and bloodstream.

If you decide to swap conventional makeup and personal care products for eco counterparts, you

should double-check the labels and certificates to avoid greenwashing or similar marketing ploys.

Although most national regulative bodies are pretty clear about the type of products that can be

sold as organic and natural, not all companies play by the book, which is why caution is the best

prevention of advertising scams.

The Biggest – and Most Toxic – Losers

A recent study has shown that even a short break from standard synthetic cosmetics can lower

the risk of damage to internal organs through buildup of chemical waste.

Extensive gains for the endocrine system which were recorded after the switch to cosmetics free

of parabens, triclosan, phthalates, and oxybenzone speak volumes about the adverse effects of

conventional chemical beauty products on skin, hair, nails, and overall physiological function

and human health.

In addition to the chemicals listed above, the biggest (and most toxic) losers in the cosmetic

ingredient crowd include sodium lauryl, petroleum, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, mercury,

and hydroquinone.

Most of these chemicals are found in a majority of classic shampoos, creams, soaps, washes,

lipsticks, wet wipes, and even some baby products.

Dear Skincare, Go Green or Go Home

Spring-cleaning your makeup station of chemical content will probably take a while, but it’s a

smart decision to act on now if you want to greet the year ahead with a greener, cleaner, and

healthier outlook on beauty.

Here are the best organic swaps for your chemical-laced cosmetics which you can gift yourself

with this Christmas (bonus point: each of the items was approved by Santa).

Inika Certified Organic Eye and Makeup Remover

A unique formula featuring chamomile, rose, jojoba, coconut oil, calendula, and aloe vera leaf juice,

Inika makeup remover will thoroughly cleanse, refresh, and nourish your skin.

A single drop of the first-rate makeup remover will efficiently remove makeup and other debris

from sensitive skin, leaving it clean, rejuvenated, and smooth.

Lewin And Reilly Organic Skin Care Rosalina And Cacao Body Oil

For a healthy glow, grab the lightweight concoction of wild harvested Rosalina oil and Vanuatu

Cacao Butter and sprinkle a few drops of it on your skin.

With a neutral scent featuring rose petal and raw cocoa tinges, the oil will help heal

breakouts faster and seal in the skin’s natural moisture, improving tone and promoting a radiant

complexion after every use.

DnA Elements Organic Lemon Face Scrub

A gentle exfoliating blend made from brown sugar, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and lemon oil,

DnA Elements scrub is ideal for all skin types and it’s 100% free of synthetic fragrances,

colors, and preservatives.

Designed to exfoliate, rehydrate, and tone the skin, the scrub should be used once or twice

a week to keep the complexion radiant and blemish-free.

Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm

Laced with jojoba oil, calendula, and St. John’s wort essence, Dr. Hauschka lip balm is designed

to repair and gently nourish chapped lips.

Ideal for people with sensitive skin, the organic lip balm is free of mineral oils, parabens, and silicone,

and it boasts a long-lasting floral scent to make your kisses super-sweet – and super-long.

Asap Pure Base Mineral Foundation

A perfect base for any type of mineral makeup, Asai Pure Base Mineral Foundation will eliminate

imperfections from your complexion, absorb surplus oil and moisturizer from the skin, and keep

the makeup in place without clogging the pores.

Free of talc and artificial colors and fragrances, the mineral foundation is lightweight and perfect

for all-organic makeup touch-ups on the go.

In the world of makeup, green is the new black, and every lady who cares about her health

and lasting beauty knows it.

Judging by the rising demand for eco-skincare, the future of cosmetics is going to be as safe

and as bright as organic personal care formulas can offer.

Still using synthetic products?

Good luck with that.

About the Author
Sophia Smith is Australian based fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger. She is very passionate about yoga, organic skincare and healthy food choices. Sophia writes mostly in beauty related topics, mainly through blogs and articles. She is regular contributor at High Style Life and many other beauty and style blogs and magazines. You can find out more about her writing following her on: Facebook Twitter Google +