How to find the real organic body-care products
An exclusive excerpt from ShopSmart
Cocamidopropyl betaine. Methylparaben. Phenoxyethanol. These hardly sound organic—and they’re not. They’re synthetic substances and they’ve got health or safety issues surrounding them. But they show up in many products that sound like they’re pure and natural, such as Alba Organics Deep Sea Facial Mask and Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Big Body Lavender & Chamomile Shampoo.
“There’s anarchy in the world of organic labeling,” says Craig Minowa, a spokesman for the Organic Consumers Association. One problem is that some so-called organic personal-care products don’t meet the same government standards required for organic foods. While some ingredients may be certified as organic, the product itself may not be. What’s more, these products may contain unapproved synthetic ingredients.
Some manufacturers confuse the issue by including the word “organic” in their brand name, even though it isn’t clear how much of their product is actually certified as organic. Others promote certified organic ingredients on the label when in fact they may only make up a small percentage of a chemical-heavy formula.
So how do you pick out the real organic cosmetics or at least those that don’t include potentially harmful ingredients? First, look for an organic certification seal. Then see whether the product is labeled “100% organic” (it must contain only organically produced ingredients); “organic” (it must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients); or “made with organic ingredients” (it must have at least 70 percent organic contents). Also see whether water is the first ingredient. It may not be worth paying extra for an organic product that’s mostly water.
It’s fairly easy to find soaps and body lotions worthy of the organic label (see facing page). But makeup is tricky. Go to the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep page to find safety ratings on all kinds of products, including nonorganic ones that may still be worth considering if you’re determined to avoid slathering your body with potentially harmful chemicals. Several companies told us they’re phasing out parabens and other chemicals and replacing them with natural preservatives. In the meantime, watch out for “organic” products that really aren’t.
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