Are Organic Skin Care Products Right for You?

Organic skin care products are by definition made from a minimum 95% organically grown ingredients. Increasingly, organic skin care products are being produced by manufacturers and cosmetic houses who grasp the profit potential for good products that meet people’s needs.

For the consumer, this is a good thing. Organic skin care products are being made to address   all skin types and skin conditions. The competition will not only bring prices down but offer consumers a wide array of choices.

If you are considering purchasing organic skin care products, it’s important to understand that even products containing 100% natural ingredients may not react well with your skin type or condition.

Natural doesn’t always mean safe or healthy. If you are allergic to poison ivy, pollen, animal dander, or any other natural element, you’ll understand why natural isn’t always good for you.

That’s why it’s so important to test skin care products before you use them. We always recommend you try to obtain a free sample of a product you are interested in. Some cosmetics companies and manufacturers are happy to provide potential customers free samples that they can try out.

Offering free samples of organic skin care products benefits both the consumer and the merchant.

The consumer gets to see if she or he likes the product and is satisfied with its results, and the merchant invests a small amount into a marketing technique that can possibly lead to a happy, lifelong customer.

A wonderful organic skin care ingredient is avocado oil, which is renowned for its gentle ability to moisturize skin without clogging pores. Another of its virtues is that it works for those suffering from acne and/or sensitive skin.

However, as gentle as avocado oil is, if you happen to be allergic to avocados you run the risk of experiencing a severe reaction to any product containing avocado oil.

If you are considering using organic skin care products, we suggest first doing a little test.

Apply a little bit of the product behind your ear. Leave it on for 24 to 48 hours. If there is no allergic reaction during that period, chances are you will probably be fine.

If a rash appears, then you know not to use that product. You will have saved yourself some money, you’ve crossed a potential product off your list, and your appearance hasn’t suffered a setback as the rash will be limited to a place nobody normally sees, behind your ear.

Organic skin care products may not be for everyone. Some people prefer them to the great number of skin care products, cosmetics, and make-up products that contain synthetic ingredients. Many of these contain preservatives that extend the shelf life and effectiveness of the product. It should be noted, however, that not all skin care product preservatives are bad (see Can Natural Skin Care Products Contain Parabens?).

Because organic skin care products consist of natural ingredients, they are prone to losing their product integrity and becoming ineffective rather quickly.

They should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat, and preferably, be kept refrigerated. 

Some people prefer organic skin care products for environmental reasons. Many organic cosmetics companies use recycled materials in their packaging. They also reduce their carbon footprint by not using synthetic products or fragrances. 

Others still may opt for organic skin care products because they disapprove of animal testing, as some companies use laboratory animals to test their products. 

That being said, not all organic products are the same. Like their synthetic counterparts, there are good ones and there are bad ones. Some will work well for you, others may be ineffective, or may even cause you to have an allergic reaction.

Do your due diligence. Check each company’s credentials.

Familiarize yourself with the various ingredients listed on the labels of these products. Remember that the word natural is often overused in the skin care and beauty industries and doesn’t always equate to good or even healthy.

Test the product. Pay attention to the instructions and any warnings that come with your organic skin care products packaging. You can achieve better skin, but there are no short cuts. Be smart about it.