Shelf life

A large percentage of organic skincare products lack chemical preservatives such as parabens, which have been linked to hormone disruption and can accumulate in our bodies after years of exposure. While there are several safe and effective natural preservatives commonly used in organic skincare products, the lack of low cost and safe synthetic preservatives can cause the organic products to expire faster than conventional products. While relying on synthetic preservatives to extend shelf life is convenient, it isn’t always healthy. It’s important to think of our skincare like with think about our food. We want to nourish our bodies with healthy, fresh foods not processed ones that are full of artificial ingredients and preservatives. Our skincare should be held to the same standards. Some companies provide packaging that shows the estimated life of a product, which can be helpful. However because of the lack of labeling requirements in the United States, it’s up to the consumer to determine whether or not a product is still appropriate for use.

No dates: The FDA does not require expiration dates on these products, so be sure to look at color, consistency and smell as indicators of a potential problem.

Products with dates: The FDA does regulate products containing a substance that could be considered a “drug.” Drugs are classified by their intended use, as “articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals" Sunscreens, acne medications and dandruff treatments are considered drugs.

Certification

Products that carry organic certification have met certain strict standards relating to ingredient quality, farming practices, pesticide use and genetic modification. Certification bodies include Ecocert and USDA, but some companies choose to bypass certification.

The process: To obtain certification, a company must show that it keeps its organic products separate from nonorganic material. They also must not use GMOs or irradiation and must implement the Organic Handling Plan.

Cost: Certification tends to run in the tens of thousands of dollars. New companies may not be certified, but they may have a great product line that is better than the competition. So, if a company is not certified it is good to research how they make their products.

Effectiveness

Conventional products often strive to offer the same results as natural alternatives, but their objective is to do so at a lower cost. As a result, health, safety and sustainability standards are often compromised. Synthetic ingredients are affordable and readily available. Unfortunately, just like with food, the high-quality organic ingredients in skincare products are more expensive and harder to source. However, with widespread consumer awareness and increased supply and demand, eventually more people will have access to safe, effective products. The market for clean skincare is expanding because consumers are realizing that organic products are just as effective as conventional products and don’t pose a risk to their health.

Moisture: Lotions, creams and butters help give skin a healthy glow without exposing it to the potential harmful effects of synthetic compounds like petrochemicals, formaldehyde, phthalates and silicone-derived emollients. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, tumor growth and skin irritation, unlike natural alternatives like shea and cocoa butters and essential oils such as avocado, sweet almond oil and apricot kernel oil.

Ingredients: Honey, coconut oil, and pomegranate are a few of the many natural products that nourish skin. Coconut oil can replace mineral oil which prevents the skin from shedding toxic substances. Honey can be a much gentler alternative to salicylic acid, an acne fighting ingredient, while pomegranate seed oil can replace coal tar as a moisturizing and protective agent, without causing cancer.

No harmful chemicals: The absence of dyes, artificial fragrances and petrochemicals keep bodies as healthy as possible. For example, paraphenylenediamine is often used in chemical hair dyes, but it is dangerous on the skin and can negatively impact the immune system. Organic skin care products avoid these lab-created substances and use natural dyes like henna.

Animal testing

Many organic skin care companies swear off animal testing. Cruelty-free cosmetics are in increasing demand, as consumers become more aware of laboratory practices. With alternative testing methods available and research that shows that animal testing for cosmetics can be largely ineffective when translated to actual products, no animal testing is a big part of the organic skin care industry.

Labels: To confirm if a company does not test on animals, consumers should look for a leaping bunny logo, labels that read "No Animal Testing" and similar designations on a company's product or website.

Cut off dates: Most organizations that offer certifications for cruelty-free have a timeline within which a company must comply. In some cases, a company policy may change after the end of the deadline. Consumers should check company websites to be sure of animal testing issues.

Animal ingredients: Some companies do not test on animals, but they use animal-sourced ingredients such as honey, milk, carmine, collagen, glucosamine, elastin and panthenol, just to name a few. While there are often plant-based derivatives for many of these ingredients, unless the packaging specifies it is a good idea to check the source of these ingredients as many come from animal parts.

Packaging

Organic skin care packaging varies in the way of materials, design and sustainability. A good combination of these three components can set apart a company from others.

Environment: Some organic skin care companies use 100 percent eco-friendly packaging. These companies avoid plastics and use glass, recycled materials or sustainable materials like bamboo or vegetable plastics.

Active ingredients: Airless packaging is essential for products with active ingredients. The vacuum seals the product, protecting it from the surrounding environment and potential contamination or early expiration. When buying products from a company make sure their packaging will sustain the product.

Appearance: The design of product packaging can say a lot about the company and what type of image they want to project. Many organic skin care companies take pride in their design and make it unique so consumers will want to display it in their homes.

Variety of products

Many organic skin care companies tend to cater to women, because they are the main consumers of their products. There are some companies out there that do include lines for men, older adults and infants.