Did you know that your skin absorbs 60% of the ingredients you put on it? Yes, what goes on your skin, also goes into your body. This is why the skincare market is slowly moving towards cleaner, greener and non-toxic skincare products. Even customers have started to double-check labels of products before purchasing, and two terms that we often notice on labels are ‘natural’ and ‘organic’.
You’ll either find one or both the terms mentioned on the product label. But are they the same? What are their benefits? We know these and several other questions have crossed your minds while reading these words. So, we decided to answer some of your pressing questions about the same. Let’s begin with the key difference between the two…
- Natural vs Organic: What’s the key difference?
- What to consider while choosing natural or organic skincare product?
Natural vs Organic: What’s the key difference?
Organic products: They are formulated with ingredients that have been organically farmed. This means that no pesticides, growth injections, preservatives, or other kinds of chemical fertilisers have gone into growing the ingredients. Organic products are regulated by a number of governing bodies and contain at least 70-95% organic materials to be labelled as such.
Natural products: They are derived from plant, mineral or animal by-product or a mix of botanicals and naturally derived preservatives. They don’t contain harmful substances like sulphates, parabens, etc., and are not tested on animals. However, you’d be interested to know that natural products are unregulated. Brands often use the term as a marketing gimmick.
What to consider while choosing natural or organic skincare product?
So now that you know the difference, here are some tips you should consider while buying natural or organic skincare products.
1. The ingredients - Instead of blindly falling for the tagline of either organic or natural, go through the ingredient list of the product before purchasing it. The ingredients are mentioned in descending order of quantity they are used in. If you spot skin-loving ingredients on top, they are good to go!
2. Your skin type - Not all natural products are good for your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. For example. Fragrance in products can cause redness or irritation in sensitive skin. Organic products, on the other hand, contain products that are hypoallergenic to the skin, meaning they won’t cause an allergic reaction.
3. The pricing - Given that organic ingredients are formulated with stricter regulations, they tend to be more expensive than natural products. The use of antibiotic and quality maintaining additives in organic products also contribute to their higher costs.
4. The packaging - Organic products have a certified logo from the governing body on their packaging, which certifies that they have passed the test. But natural products do not come with a logo, which means that any product can be labelled natural and should always be checked for ingredients before purchase.
5. Baddies - According to the regulatory laws, organic products have to be free of baddies like pesticides, chemicals or artificial fertilisers and GMOs. However, these baddies can be present in natural skincare products. So do a label check.
Written by Sumona Bose on Apr 23, 2021
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!