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? In this blog, we’ll explore the key benefits of using organic skincare products, provide evidence-based claims, and help you recognise organic ingredients in your skincare.
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 skincare 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. This certification process ensures that organic skincare products are not only safer for your skin but also for the planet.
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 those with sensitivities. Ingredients like parabens, sulphates, and artificial fragrances are common culprits behind redness, breakouts, or long-term skin damage. 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.
4. Supporting Sustainable Practices
By choosing organic products, you’re investing in sustainability. Organic farming protects natural resources and encourages sustainable development. At Bee Cosmetics, sustainability is core to our mission, with practices such as using upcycled ingredients (like apricote oil), glass return schemes, and minimising plastic packaging. Sourcing organic ingredients plays an integral role in reducing our environmental impact.
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. This certification gives consumers confidence that they are purchasing genuinely organic and responsibly produced skincare.
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 steadfast, even without formal certification.
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 averages around 80% organic, although our beeswax soaps aren’t certified organic.
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. 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. While it’s difficult to certify beeswax and honey as organic in the UK, we maintain ethical and sustainable beekeeping practices that ensure our bees and their ecosystems remain healthy.
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[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.