The Ingredients List - Breaking down the what, where and why of natural and eco-friendly beauty.

The Ingredients List
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Organic skincare - it's always been on our 'if we were being better people' to do list we've never quite got around to. But, if we're going by the theory that organic produce is better for our diets, surely organic skincare is just as beneficial for our complexions? Or is it?

Clearing up the confusion is natural beauty expert, brand founder and proud owner of the best skin we've ever encountered in real life, May Lindstrom.

From what actually qualifies a skincare product as being organic, to the benefits it can have for our faces and the myths that just aren't accurate, here's your personal guide to everything you need to know about organic skincare.

What qualifies a skincare product as organic?

'Very little, unfortunately. Lax labelling laws allow the word “organic” to be predominantly displayed even when only one ingredient at a fractional percentage within a formula is, in fact, organic. 



'I always encourage consumers to ignore the front of packaging and any marketing jargon and instead to go straight to the complete ingredients listing. This is where the fun starts! Much of conventional skincare is filler and fluff and perfume and colourants.

'When you enter the natural beauty world, it’s like discovering a new universe - in my ideal, ingredients decks read like a yummy food label and each plant and mineral has a sourcing story from soil to seed to bottle that is worth celebrating.'

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What makes a skincare product NOT organic?

'The simple answer: when it contains ingredients that are not actually grown organically.

'Again, this is not a regulated term and a product marketed as “organic” may contain essentially none or only a fractional percentage of plant materials that were organically grown. It is vital to read the complete ingredients listing, and then study the sourcing of each unique ingredient.'

What are the benefits of organic skincare?

'Just like with food, organically grown ingredients often have higher nutrient levels, and are missing chemical residues that can irritate skin or potentially cause long term harm in the body.

Organic Skincare
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'I believe strongly in utilising the very best possible ingredients in my formulations. By choosing raw materials that are grown in the wild, or by organic farming methods, I feel I am doing just that.



'Your skin absorbs whatever you put on it, so I follow the same philosophy for skincare as I would in my diet. There is simply no place for pesticides or unnecessary synthetics. It's not about being an "organic" brand as much as it is creating the highest possible quality skin treats that I am capable of.

'The natural beauty community has been bringing more to the table than ever before with innovative formulas, beautiful colours and textures, the prettiest packaging imaginable and a receptive ear to what our clients are now asking of us - the ability to say yes, without compromise.'

What are common myths about organic skincare?

1.Organic Skincare Isn't As Effective

    'The most common myth is definitely the belief that organic or natural skincare is not as effective or results-oriented as synthetic skincare. Thankfully, there has been a massive shift within this segment of the beauty industry from ten, or even five, years ago.

    'The world is already taking notice of the blurring of the previous boundaries that stood between "natural" and “effective” and we're still at just the tip of the iceberg.

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    Organic Skincare
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    2. Organic Skincare Is All About What's NOT In It

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The biggest challenge is one the "green beauty" category has largely created for themselves. With so much marketing pointed towards the "no" lists, and what is NOT in our products, many brands have forgotten to share just how special the fresh and potent ingredients they actually include are. It's time to shift from a stance of defence to one of celebration - these formulas and these founders are worth talking about.'

    What skincare products simply can't be formulated without synthetic ingredients?

    'Products that are inherently synthetic, like conventional retinol, cannot be made organically. This said, a thoughtful ritual comprised of the most effective formulas means you don't necessarily need to use retinol.'

    We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

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    Chanel have focused in on their mission to increase sustainability with the packaging of their newest line, N°1 de Chanel. From using lighter recyclable glass for their jars to 90% bio-based lids and replacing their paper leaflets with a scannable barcode, each part of the packaging's ecological impact has been thought through. The formulas have shifted too, with the N°1 de Chanel line made with up to 97% naturally derived ingredients.

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    Tata Harper has always sought to keep the ecological balance protected when it comes to creating their products; All of their ingredients are grown, formulated and packaged on their farm in Vermont, minimising their carbon emissions massively. This eye cream is one of their hero products, minimising fine lines and brightening the overall appearance of the skin around the eyes.

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    Single use wastage in beauty doesn't just come from plastic, we often fall prey to it through our use of cotton buds and pads without even realising. These reusable make-up remover pads from The Body Shop are made with bamboo and cotton for a gentle but effective cleansing fabric. There are seven in the pack, so pop them in with your wash at the end of the week and be ready to go again on Monday.

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