ORGANIC STANDARDS & UNDERSTANDING “NATURAL”
UNDERSTANDING "NATURAL":
To clearly understand the term “Natural” you have to first understand that there are two distinct types of “Natural” ingredients.
It is important that you understand both of these terms and then decide which products suit you best.
We use a rating scale in which we label ingredients “Fabulous”, “Fair”, & “Forbidden".
"Fabulous" and "Fair"
Ingredients are natural or naturally derived ingredients and allowed in the products found at Posh Organix. The Forbidden ingredients are synthetic and man-made with harsh toxic chemicals, and not allowed in the products we carry. Something to keep in mind when shopping for natural products is that currently there is no government regulation for the term "natural". So, in today's market many manufacturers are using the word "natural" on their products when in fact the product is filled with synthetic, man-made, toxic ingredients and will contain just one ingredient that is considered natural. So please read labels and ingredient lists carefully.
The first type of ingredient falls under the "Fabulous” list. These ingredients are simply harvested from nature. They are non-synthetic, not man-made and go one step further to use extraction techniques in which the chemical structure is not changed. The following are a few examples: Jojoba oil, Olive oil, Kelp, Clay, Lavender oil, Cocoa Butter, & many more.
The second type of ingredients falls under the “Fair” list. These ingredients are derived from natural ingredients that are harvested from nature. They are non-toxic and many retain nutrients of the natural source – however they do go through various processes in which the chemical structure can be changed. These ingredients are called “natural derivatives” and have a chemical "sounding" name. The following are a few examples:
Acetic acid: Purpose: Used as a preservative and solvent.
Source: A natural acid derived from fruits and plants.
Cetyl Palmitate: Purpose: Skin moisturizer.
Source: Derived from vegetable oils.
Cocomidopropyl Betaine: Purpose: Mild cleansing and foaming agent.
Source: Derived from natural fatty acids of coconut oil and sugar.
The above ingredients are different from chemical or "Forbidden" ingredients that are made in a lab out of purely synthetic chemicals.
It is your choice as a beauty consumer to decide which form of “natural” is right for you. At Posh Organix every product description will also have the ingredients clearly listed. Use the above information to decide which products are right for you.
If you are not sure if an ingredient is considered "Fabulous" or "Fair" please reference our comprehensive Ingredient Glossary where you can learn the purpose and source of all ingredients used. Some of our brands produce products which only use "Fabulous" ingredients where as other brands us a combination of "Fabulous" and "Fair" ingredients.
For more information on why natural and naturally derived Ingredients are far superior to conventional beauty ingredients that are on our “Forbidden” list please read Why Natural?
What is Organic?
Organic refers to the methods used to grow and process agricultural products. Organic food production is based on a method of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without using toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms in production.Why Organic?
For your skin: When applying products to your skin a good rule of thumb is always “the purer
the better.” Since our skin absorbs most of what we put on it, using natural,
organic products is greatly reducing the toxic overload that we are exposed to
daily. Organic ingredients contain higher concentrations of natural actives and
less fillers which means the products are working in harmony with our skin to
support the skin’s natural processes by renewing, regenerating, balancing,
hydrating, oxygenating, and protecting. Additionally, organic, natural
formulations are particularly important for those with sensitive skin issues,
such as acne, psoriasis or eczema, as they are less likely to irritate or cause
reactions.
For the
environment:
Organic ingredients create a less toxic environment for us and the planet by greatly
reducing the amount of chemical toxins being released into the soil, water and habitat.
For
people: Organic farming
practices create a safer working environment for the people who harvest the
crops. Certified organic standards promote socially responsible practices and
fair-trade.
Organic Labeling:
USDA allowed non-certified organic labeling terms:
100% Organic: To be used on products that are purely organic.
Organic:
Must have at least 95% organically produced ingredients.Made with organic ingredients:
Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients.Contains organic “aloe”:
This means the product only contains one organic ingredient. In this case the organic ingredient is aloe, however, it could be anything.Certified Organic Labels:
EcoCert:
EcoCert is an organic certification which is internationally recognized due to their strict standards: 100% of the ingredients must be of natural origin. No pre-treatment used in any of the raw materials found in organic formulas. Suppliers must pass an extensive review before their raw materials are approved. Manufacturing and packaging facilities undergo rigorous inspection. All packaging must be recyclable.USDA Organic: Products with 95% organic ingredients or more are approved to bear the stamp 'USDA Organic'.
BDIH Certification: The criteria for BDIH labeling are very strict and include ingredients, packaging and production standards: Ingredients have to be from a plant or mineral source. Plant ingredients have to be obtained from organic growth or wild harvest when possible. The majority of petroleum based or synthetic ingredients are not allowed. Genetically modified ingredients are not allowed. Packaging has to be ecologically conscious meaning recyclable and minimalistic. No animal testing is allowed.
*Posh Organix includes all product ingredients with the descriptions, and specifies whether the ingredient is organic/ certified organic/bio-dynamic/wild-crafted etc.. Posh Organix carries BDIH, EcoCert and USDA certified products in addition to non-certified organic products.
