Are Organic Skin Care Products Really Better?

Wednesday, August 30th, 2017

With the organic movement taking the world and every grocery store shelf by storm, people are becoming more aware than ever of what they are putting in as well as on their bodies. From milk to facial products, more and more people are looking for the organic stamp of approval before they consider purchasing a product. However, with things like face care products, is it worth it to go organic? Are they giving your face the proper cleansing and care it needs? Read on to learn more.

What Does Organic Mean?

Before we delve into whether or not organic products are doing the trick, it’s good to know what organic means in the world of skincare. With food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has to put its stamp of approval on it for it to be “organic” or “100 percent organic.” To be classified as organic, the food must contain at least 95 percent ingredients that have been grown organically without certain chemicals. But when it comes to skincare, there are almost no regulations because neither the USDA or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates these types of products. So, skin care companies can put an organic stamp on their product without meeting any regulations or having the ingredients tested.

Is Organic Good for Your Skin?

One of the biggest things to be aware of is that a lot of the ingredients used in regular skincare products are derived from plants or natural sources already. For instance, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both plant-based ingredients that are used to fight acne, but they aren’t always labeled as organic. Alpha hydroxy acids, Vitamin-C, retinol and zinc oxide are all also organic compounds. Additionally, remember that if an organic skin care product doesn’t contain at least some preservatives, its shelf life won’t be nearly as long which makes the product less effective, and most of these cause no reaction to the skin. Control of irritation and abnormal reaction are things the FDA does regulate.

There is also no scientific data saying that “organic” skincare is better than regular skin care. It is just a marketing ploy to get you to buy products that may not do what you need them to do for your skin. Also, it’s important to know that just because a face wash says it’s “organic” it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have some of the ingredients you are trying to avoid or that it is good for your skin. We at the Center for Plastic Surgery have studied the scientific basis of skin care and what your skin needs at various stages and has researched what products provide the attention and improvement your skin needs. To learn more about skin care and the products that can improve and protect your skin, contact the Center For Plastic Surgery today!