photo credit: Felix Francis

The green economy is developing whole new sections of business. One section that is just beginning to get some attention is the skin and cosmetics industry. There is lots of information available about skin care, however not enough about the importance of safety, health and how to find and purchase clean, green and healthy products. The certified organic skin care business is just beginning and will be growing along with the organic market which is expanding at an astounding rate every year.

‘Organic’ and ‘Natural’ have been used to describe skin care products and those words feel safe. As the natural skin care business grows there is also the need to become more educated so you can interpret terms that could be misleading.

People have many reasons for searching out more organic and natural products. They could be using products that are safe and non-toxic, caring for the planet, a specific health problem or not using any animal products. If your are among the people making this choice you are to be applauded for treating your body and the planet with the best products you can find.

As safe as the words ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ sound, they can be misleading. Regulations are scarce and the cosmetic and body care industry is a self-regulated industry so they can, basically, make up their own rules.

When you make the choice to fuel your body with certified organic ingredients you are assured that the ingredients have gone through a recognized independent third party organization that has stringent certified organic standards. These standards are adhered to by the formulators, suppliers, manufacturers and transportation. Everyone in this system has an obligation to meet.

Five benefits of using Certified Organic:

1. Good for the Soil – Organic systems rely on a modern and scientific understanding of ecology and soil science, while also depending on traditional methods of crop rotations to ensure fertility, weed and pest control.
2. Good for the Environment – Organic systems aim to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources. Organic production aims at all times towards sustainability and upholds the best management of the environment and wildlife as a priority.
3. Good for People – Organic based ingredients have been shown in a number of studies to contain more vitamins, nutrients and cancer-fighting antioxidants than non-organic ingredients.
4. No Synthetic Chemicals – Organic systems prohibit the use of artificial chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers.
5. No GMOs – Certified Organic products are produced without GMOs (genetically modified organisms), which are prohibited in the standards for organic food and farming. You may purchase something that says organic or natural however without the certified organic status they may use ingredients that are genetically modified.

Certified organic comes with a shorter shelf life and the ingredient names on the label are familiar, you will recognize what they are. Each ingredient will be listed as certified organic. The label of the certifying organization is printed on the label to assure you of the independent third party endorsement.

Your choice to purchase organic foods is bringing health to you, your family and the planet. Now you can expand that to certified organic skin care and cosmetics products. Another step to adding to your green living lifestyle.

Tana Dean is an author, speaker and a green entrepreneur. Her book, Your Money, Your Power: 10 Ideas for Mindful Spending to Create a Healthy Green Planet empowers us to create a more healthy, peaceful planet using our daily financial decisions and actions. She designed and developed her green internet business TanaDean.com focusing on Abundant Lifestyle, Green Living and Healthy Body. The website includes articles, links to her blogs, her book and personally selected products, including Certified Organic Body Care. She shares her growing knowledge through a website Resources page for education and personal growth. She is a Reiki Master in the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition. Her personal and business mission is to help Create Abundance, and a more Peaceful, Green Planet, One Person at a time.

photo credit: angela7dreams

Like the automotive and manufacturing sectors, the aesthetic industry along with organic skin care companies are focusing on limiting the impact they have on the environment. Rather than just focusing on the end product, aesthetic companies are now focusing on how their entire business, from production to marketing plans and packaging, to find ways to help the environment and the customers. Producers of green beauty products want the earth to look as healthy and beautiful as all of the faces on it.

Green Products

Green companies in the aesthetic industry have turned their backs on unsustainable resources and harsh chemicals in their products. Years ago, ingredients were taken from the natural environment or made in the lab without a thought to the devastating effects this has on the earth’s ecosystems. Chemicals used in the growth of resources and the production of products go into the air and the water supply. These substances are also absorbed into the bodies of consumers.

Today, the resources used in organic skin care products and the cosmetic industry, come from sources that can be produced through organic farming and other renewable methods rather than being harvested from the natural environment. With these new green practices, care and consideration for endangered species and the rest of the animal and plant population is also taken into account. Items such as sun block, for example, would be applied to the skin only to be absorbed into the body and leeched into the water. Today, organic skin care products like Sunsation are being created that do not contain chemicals that harm marine life and consumers.

Green Business Practices

The way the aesthetic industry conducts day-to-day business has also changed due to the introduction of green practices. Rather than tossing mountains of paper and ink into the garbage, computers and the internet have eliminated a lot of the waste. Paper and ink that is used by cosmetic businesses is now recycled along with packing materials and many other items that used to end up in the landfill.

Energy, water, and other resources used in offices and factories are being conserved as much as possible. An emphasis is placed on using energy efficient appliances. Machinery and production methods are changed to use less renewable energy or are altered to work more efficiently.

Organic skin care and cosmetic companies have augmented their marketing plans to include eco-friendly practices as well. Media kits, for example, are now available online and paper flyers, ads, and catalogues have disappeared. Things such as telephone and web conferences are helping to cut down on travel.

Shipping And Packaging

The adoption of green practices in the aesthetic industry has altered the way products are shipped and packaged. Organic skin care and other cosmetic companies eliminate unnecessary packaging. Any packaging used for their products are recyclable and made from earth friendly materials. This not only saves on waste, but it also maximizes shelf space and makes shipping more efficient because more products fit into each load. Packing materials used when shipping products to retailers and distributed are made of recycled material as well.

The aesthetic industry sees green practices as a necessary step to doing business successfully. Organic skin care companies and other businesses in the cosmetic industry are constantly changing their products and the way their businesses run to ensure they are as customer and environmentally friendly as possible. Everyone in the world is responsible for the fate of the world and the only way to change it is to work together.

Kent Campbell is an author for DNA Skin, an organic skin care company offering a variety of formulas that utilize the ionic chemistry technique. Developed by Dr. Noel Aguilar, DNA Skin products are available through professional dermatologists and at elite spas throughout the globe.