Organic vs Natural vs Chemical Cosmetics: What’s the Difference?
Organic vs Natural vs Chemical Cosmetics: What’s the Difference?
Organic cosmetics have been trending abroad since the era of the “flower children”—the hippies, who advocated for a natural lifestyle and rejected chemicals. In Russia, however, the first organic cosmetics producers entered the market only in the 90s, lagging behind by a third of a century. As a result, what has become a well-established element of the beauty industry in the West still sparks debates and doubts in Russia. It’s essential to understand what exactly qualifies as organic cosmetics.
Understanding the Labels
Producers sometimes replace the coveted “organic” label with a similar “made with organic” label. However, the former must consist of at least 90% organic elements, while the latter requires only 5%. This difference is substantial. Moreover, organic elements are not merely plant-based materials, flowers, and herbs grown in nature. They must be cultivated in specially designated areas without chemical fertilizers or growth stimulants. The processing of such raw materials also avoids chemical methods, relying instead on traditional techniques like extraction, pressing, and mechanical processing. This approach minimizes environmental damage, resulting in a fully eco-friendly final product. Thus, using organic cosmetics is not just a beauty choice but a lifestyle and mindset.
Organic vs Natural Cosmetics
It’s also crucial not to confuse organic cosmetics with natural cosmetics. Natural cosmetics are unlikely to be found in stores due to their short shelf life. If you make a mask or cream, you need to use it immediately, or it will spoil. In other words, natural cosmetics are the homemade products we occasionally make from natural ingredients.
Pros of Organic Cosmetics
- Eco-Friendly and Cruelty-Free: The production of organic cosmetics not only avoids harming the environment but also ensures that the products are not tested on animals. It’s reassuring to know that no chimpanzees or cats were harmed for your nightly hand cream, and no tropical forests were cut down for a tube of shampoo. Responsible producers even use eco-friendly, biodegradable, or recyclable packaging.
- No Harmful Chemicals: These products lack harmful fats and chemicals that can accumulate on the skin and hair over time, causing damage. While conventional cosmetics contain these substances in small amounts, long-term use of the same product can have negative effects. Experts recommend updating and changing cosmetic products periodically.
- Safe to Use: It’s impossible to “overdo” it with organic cosmetics. Since they contain no preservatives, dyes, or even fragrances, an excess of any product will not cause harm. Any extra elements simply won’t be absorbed by the body’s cells, and the worst that can happen is regretting that you used up the tube too quickly.
- Long-Term Effects: These products work slowly but reliably, providing long-term benefits. They are ideal for young skin and hair, enhancing their beauty.
Cons of Organic Cosmetics
- Potential Allergies: Despite the lack of chemicals, organic cosmetics can potentially cause allergic reactions due to their plant-based components. Before purchasing a mask with unfamiliar herbs, ensure that you are not allergic to them.
- Shorter Shelf Life: Natural substances like basil extract or silver are used as preservatives, but they are not as potent as chemical ones. Therefore, organic cosmetics have a much shorter shelf life—two to three times less than conventional products. Always check the expiration date when purchasing and consider buying smaller containers if necessary.
- Limited Efficacy: Organic cosmetics may not be able to address serious cosmetic issues due to the limited “power” of natural ingredients. They may not be effective against significant cosmetic flaws, and the positive effects of their use may not appear as quickly as advertised.
- Higher Cost: High-quality organic products are 20-50% more expensive than their chemical counterparts. The additional cost is necessary to ensure complete eco-friendliness and labor-intensive processing of raw materials.
- Usage Challenges: Some organic products are more challenging to use than conventional ones. For example, the absence of certain chemicals can make organic shampoos harder to rinse and may leave residue, while creams and masks may separate. It’s essential to mix these products thoroughly before use and be prepared for unusual or slightly unpleasant scents, which do not indicate that the product is expired.
For more information on eco-friendly living, you can visit the official website of the Environmental Protection Agency.
