Organic Beauty, Decoded

FAIR TRADE, non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic. What do they all mean? What is the difference between natural and organic? And is everything labeled “natural” actually organic?

With new products that promise to go gentle on the face, body and hair, one must now pay attention to labels, and not be deceived by ingenious wording and marketing.

In the US, getting the “organic” seal of approval requires a stringent process mandated by the National Organic Program (NOP) under the Department of Agriculture.

With the organic foods
Production Act, the NOP intends to assure consumers that the organic foods they purchase are produced, processed and certified as consistent with national organic standards.

When it comes to beauty products, manufacturers comply with specific measurements corresponding to predetermined percentages. For example, an item labeled “Organic” must have more than 95-percent organic ingredients. Labels “Made with Organic” and “Contains Organic” also have quantifiable amounts attached to them.

In the Philippines, the independent and membership-based Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) has assumed the responsibility of providing inspection and certification services for organic producers, processors and traders.

If you’re shopping for skincare and body products, farms like Ilog Maria in Cavite have taken the initiative to provide consumers products that align with the “organic” principle. So have local entrepreneurs who sell their goods in weekend markets and smaller retail hubs.

Fair trade

Fair trade is a system where companies provide sustainable work opportunities for farmers, along with safe labor practices. Companies like The Body Shop, Lush and Mark (Avon’s trend brand) are active in this endeavor, using ingredients that improve the lives of the people providing them.

Even Starbucks is on it, being the largest purchaser of Fair Trade Certified coffee in the world.

So, what does this all mean when it comes to your beauty stash?

If your lotion or body butter contains “Fair Trade Certified” ingredients, you know that not only are you enhancing your skin, you’re also helping improve the lives of local farmers who have harvested that cocoa butter, honey and olive oil in your product. That’s very good reason to shop and look out for these good-for-you and good-for-them items.

What’s on the label

You may have noticed that fewer products now say “hypoallergenic” in their packaging. That’s because, “the term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean... and the term ‘hypoallergenic’ may have considerable market value in promoting cosmetic products to consumers on a retail basis, but dermatologists say it has very little meaning,” according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

Further, manufacturers of cosmetics labeled “hypoallergenic” are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenic claims to the health department.

In lieu of this almost-phased-out term, cosmetic companies have come up with terms such as “acnegenic” (won’t cause pimples and formulated oil-free), “non-comedogenic” (won’t clog pores) and “allergy-tested.”

Still, when in doubt, ask for a sample first before committing to the whole bottle.

Shelf life

If you look at the back of the product, you would notice a small diagram of a jar with a number inside it. It usually says 12M or 6M. That corresponds to the number of months a product keeps after you’ve opened it.

To make the most out of cosmetics, body creams and the like, follow the age-old guide for storage: Always keep in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.

(Photo courtesy of KissandTellBeauty.com. Original Inquirer article, "How to identify real ‘organic’ beauty products," link here.)