In recent years, organic skincare has gained immense popularity among those conscious of what they apply to their skin and the impact their choices have on the environment. But what exactly is organic skincare, and why is it so beneficial for your skin and the planet?
What is organic skincare?
Organic skincare products are made with certified organic ingredients that are grown and processed according to strict guidelines. These guidelines prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or harmful chemicals. Organic ingredients are cultivated through sustainable farming practices that prioritise soil health, biodiversity, and environmental balance.
The main governing bodies in the UK that certify organic produce are the Soil Association and COSMOS. These organisations set the standards for organic farming and production, and they inspect and certify farms and manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with their regulations.
What are the benefits of organic skincare?
Choosing organic skincare is about making healthier, more sustainable choices for both your skin and the environment. Here’s why organic skincare should be part of your daily routine:
1. Better quality ingredients for your skin
Organic skincare products are made with ingredients grown using organic farming practices, free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs. These plants retain more natural nutrients—like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals—resulting in higher-quality ingredients [1]. Nutrient-rich organic ingredients work wonders for your skin. When you choose organic, you’re treating your skin to the very best nature has to offer.
2. Better for the environment
Organic skincare isn’t just better for your skin; it’s better for the planet. Organic farming practices maintain healthy soil, protect water quality, and promote biodiversity by avoiding harmful pesticides and chemicals. This is especially important at Bee Cosmetics, where our products depend on the health of ecosystems that support our bees. By supporting organic farming, you help create environments where bees—and biodiversity as a whole—can thrive. Choosing organic skincare means supporting eco-friendly agricultural practices that benefit both the environment and vital pollinator populations.
3. Organic = Natural
Conventional, mass-produced skincare products often contain synthetic ingredients, which can irritate the skin, especially for sensitive skin types. Ingredients like parabens, sulphates, and artificial fragrances are sometimes culprits behind redness and breakouts. Organic skincare, on the other hand, uses natural ingredients that harmonise with your skin, making organic products gentler and less likely to cause irritation. This makes them ideal for all skin types, particularly sensitive skin.
Understanding organic product certification
What is organic product certification?
Organic certification ensures that a product contains a certain percentage of organic ingredients, and that those ingredients meet specific standards for cultivation and processing. Certification bodies, such as the Soil Association, EcoCert, and COSMOS in the UK, ensure that products meet environmental and ethical standards.
Why Bee Cosmetics isn’t organically certified
At Bee Cosmetics, we fully support organic certification, but as a small business with a large range of products, the cost of certification is currently out of reach. Both the initial outlay and the yearly fees make certification prohibitive for us. Despite this, we work with the Soil Association and adhere to the same guidelines and labelling criteria used by organic certification bodies. Our commitment to transparency and ethical sourcing remains strong, even without formal certification.
It's important to note that while our products may not carry the formal certification, the ingredients we use are, in fact, organically certified. For us, this is the key element—knowing the raw materials we source are organic and of the highest quality.
How to recognise organic ingredients in your skincare
At Bee Cosmetics, transparency is one of our core values, and we clearly label all our organic ingredients. But how can you tell which ingredients are organic?
Look at the INCI. The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) is the system used to list product ingredients. To spot organic ingredients, look for those marked with an asterisk (*)—this indicates they are certified organic.
Check the organic percentage. We also list the total percentage of natural origin ingredients and the percentage of organic ingredients in each product. For example, our Facial Serum is 100% natural origin and 95% organic. This means that 95% of the total product is made from organically certified ingredients. Most of our skincare range is approximately 80% organic. However, our beeswax soaps are not organic to keep them more affordable and price-competitive.
What about organic beeswax and honey?
At Bee Cosmetics, we use beeswax and honey extensively in our skincare range. These ingredients are natural and sourced directly from our own hives, supplemented by local suppliers when needed. However, even though our beeswax and honey are natural, they don’t meet the organic certification criteria. This is because bees have a free range of up to three miles, making it nearly impossible to guarantee that they haven’t visited non-organically farmed plants.
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References:
[1] Barański, M. et al. (2014). Higher antioxidant concentrations and lower pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Nutrition, 112(5), 794-811.