The Truth About Natural and Organic Cosmetics

The all natural, all organic approach has been increasing exponentially in popularity every year, in every industry, especially food and cosmetics. Sadly, we, the consumers, are often duped into believing that truly organic and natural products are that easy to come by. The truth is, unless these cosmetics are certified by the USDA National Organic Program, the main cleansing ingredients and preservatives in these "organic products" are usually made with synthetic and petrochemical compounds.

European standards in organic and natural products are far superior to those practiced in America. Case in point, ECOCERT. ECOCERT is an internationally recognized organic certification that requires that 100% of the total ingredients are of a natural origin. All packaging must by recyclable as well and suppliers must undergo a rigorous inspection prior to receiving the certification. ECOCERT was founded in France in 1991 and is based in Europe but conducts inspections in over 80 countries.

Personally, from a young age I preferred the types of cosmetics and beauty supplies, such as soaps, that could be found in specialty linen boutiques. The reason being I am highly sensitive to fragrances of any sort, especially those composed of chemicals and synthetic scents. It is impossible for me to enter a fragrance counter or walk in front of a Bath and Body Works or Body Shop without receiving a violent headache.

I find that the luxurious and often expensive soaps found in these linen shops to smell pleasant and natural. Plus the extravagant packaging makes it even better. While not all these soaps may be organic or completely natural, they are far closer than any Body Shop will be. The scents smell "authentic" and real. It is not overpowering and it will not cling obnoxiously all day. The fragrance titles sound more like "Almond Milk and Oatmeal" rather than "Dancing Waters" which has god knows what in there.

Below I have listed some of my favorite soap companies.

Perlier

Perlier has a slew of lines for different ingredients such as honey, almond, olive oil, etc. I swear they smell the best of the best. Their honey is the best honey I have ever smelt. Their almond is the best almond I have ever smelt. Literally, their scents are the greatest. And they have been around for ages.

Institut Karité Paris

They make the best milk cream soap I have ever encountered.

L'Occitane

I am a fan of their Milk, Lavender, and Sweet Almond soaps. They also carry some ECOCERT products.

Beekman 1802

You might have heard of their show, The Fabulous Beekman Boys. They sell Goat Milk Soap Bars that are quite huge and luxurious. The ingredients are goat milk, olive oil, soy oil, coconut oil, and a custom blend of essential oils. It doesn't get better than this. They also have a goat milk soap for every month which is a festive gift idea.

Creamery Creek

The soap makers at Creamery Creek raise Nigerian Dwarf goats on their small farm in Utah. They have a host of different scents and unscented goat milk soaps as well. They are very pleasant and kind to work with and they make an excellent product. Ingredients in the goat milk soap are goat milk, Saponified Skin Loving Oils; Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Castor Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil and Soybean Oil. I highly recommend this soap.

Tokyo Milk

To be honest, I don't actually use the product. I just buy it all for the fabulous packaging and put them in my linen closet. Visit the website and you will see what I am talking about. The presentation is so beautiful I don't want to rip off the packaging.

Seamstresses Soap

Love the packaging! The scents are pretty great as well.

Conduct your own soap experiment. The next time you see a small linen or soap shop, stroll in. You will be pleasantly surprised and will quite promptly throw out all your Body Shop items.