Why the ‘Certified’ in Certified Organic Skin Care Matters for Your Skin

Natural skin care products are big business in Australia. According to Expert Market Research (1), the organic skin care market was worth 176.8 million USD in 2023. 

To understand what makes organic skin care so popular, let’s start with a definition. Certified organic skin care products have been assessed by reputable organisations to exacting standards and found to be made with organic ingredients.

While there are many organisations that can perform this role, choosing an established company like ACO or NASAA Organic is key. They undertake thorough assessments to ensure products comply with stringent regulations, which can include the Australian National Standard and COSMOS standards.

To certify a skin care product as organic, a manufacturer must produce documentation listing all the ingredients and their organic status. They must also divulge a host of other information, such as record keeping and management methods.

After assessment, the manufacturer may be able to claim 70% to 100% certified organic content and use an appropriate logo. Knowing that the products they are purchasing have been tested to these rigorous requirements offers assurance to consumers in this ever-popular market.

Health Benefits of Certified Organic Skin Care

Certified organic skin care products offer some key health benefits. They’re free of harmful chemicals, synthetic fragrances and preservatives and GMO ingredients. 

They also harness powerful natural ingredients that can respond to specific skin conditions common in Australia (2). For example, lavender, tea tree and rosemary extracts have anti-inflammatory properties (3) that can help with acne.

Aloe vera and basil (4) may soothe inflammation associated with psoriasis, while chamomile (5) can relieve eczema symptoms.

Over the long term, it pays to use products free from toxins. The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (6) looked at the effect of exposure to pesticides on human health over several years. It found links with a wide range of diseases, including certain cancers and respiratory diseases.

In Australia’s harsh climate, where environmental allergens can irritate the lungs and skin, keeping away from other harmful substances is even more important.

Environmental Benefits of Certified Organic Skin Care

The ingredients for organic skin care are produced following sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices, yielding environmental benefits too. These practices include organic farming, which uses biological fertilisers and natural pest control methods instead of chemicals and pesticides.

The result of following these sustainable practices is a reduction in pollution and a positive impact on Australia’s unique biodiversity.

Businesses must also use eco-friendly, recyclable packaging and production methods as part of their organic certification, supporting Australia’s commitment to environmental conservation. 

Quality and Efficacy of Certified Organic Products

Consumers are opting for certified organic products because they feel assured of their high quality and efficacy.

The rigorous testing that products undergo confirms this status. Certification is a long, detailed and continuous process. So, to succeed with certification shows true commitment to creating quality products. 

Organic ingredients in skin care can also be highly effective in tackling concerns that affect Australian customers, offering further reassurance. For example, organic aloe vera, chamomile and tea tree oil are remedies for skin irritation, sunburn and inflammation.

Organic skin care can be preferable to conventional skin care products. A study (7) that looked at the benefits of natural ingredients in skin care formulations find them preferable to synthetic products since they were less likely to irritate the skin, were biodegradable and toxin-free.

Transparency and Trust

Another positive feature of organic skin care products is the transparency and trust they inspire.

Organic certification provides an audit trail detailing the origins of ingredients and production processes. Once a product earns certification status, consumers can instantly recognise its integrity.

It’s good to know how to verify organic certifications when you’re searching for organic skin care products online or in the shops. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Look for the phrase “certified organic” on the label. 
2. Check for a logo from one of the bodies that certify products as organic. You can find them here. You can also look out for the ‘bud’ logo from Australian Organic, the industry body for organic certification.
3. If you’re in any doubt, ask the vendor about their product and organic certification.

Supporting Ethical and Fair Trade Practices

Another reason consumers love organic skin care products is that they often support fair trade and ethical sourcing.

Fair trade practices champion:

• Fair wages
• Safe working conditions 
• Sustainable working practices, such as organic farming
• Empowerment of marginalised groups

When consumers purchase certified organic products, they are making their own contribution to global sustainability efforts. Whether they are purchasing organic and natural products online or in person, their actions are helping support farmers at home here in Australia and further afield too.

Choosing the Right Certified Organic Skin Care Products

To identify genuine certified organic products in Australia, here’s what you need to know.

As we’ve already seen, organic products must bear the words “certified organic” and a recognised logo on their label.

Be aware of the difference between “natural” and “organic”. Natural skin care products may use extracts from plants that may have been treated with chemical pesticides, for example. 

For skin care products, you can also conduct your own research on organic brands. Start with some of the best organic skin care brands in Australia. Mukti and Lamav are great examples and have plenty of information on their websites to inspire you.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

So far, we’ve learnt about some key benefits of organic skin care products. What about the myths?

You may have heard that certified organic skin care products are costly and hard to access. This is simply not true when you consider the plethora of affordable natural skin care brands in Australia. Examples include Clémence Organics and Indira Organics.

You may also have wondered whether organic products are as effective as synthetic ones. The answer is yes. A study we quoted earlier concluded that “many plant extracts…can be a safe, efficacious and cost effective alternative to synthetic products”.

What about shelf life, especially in Australia’s varying climates? Certified organic skin care products are free of the parabens that are used to preserve cosmetics. 

Careful storage — storing products out of direct sunlight and keeping them refrigerated if required — can prolong shelf life, so the lack of preservatives isn’t an issue. 

Future Trends in Organic Skin Care

According to the beauty website organicskincare.com, emerging trends in the organic skin care industry include:

• Increased demand for certified organic products
• Innovations in ingredients, including powerful bioactive compounds
• New types of sustainable and biodegradable packaging from renewable or recycled sources
• A shift towards holistic products that address skin care and emotional wellbeing concerns

Australian consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of organic products, including skin care lines. According to market research company Mordor Intelligence, they are set to embrace the growing interest in organic skin care, thanks to a heightene awareness of the harmful effects of synthetic ingredients and a desire to make purchasing decisions that reflect their green values.

Beauty with a healthy planet at heart

It’s clear to see why organic skin care products have captured the imagination of the Australian public. They are a healthy, sustainable alternative to synthetic products and offer highly effective results.

Switching to certified organic options means healthier skin and a healthier planet — so why not take your first step today?

Do your research on organic skin care brands and try out one or two items. Introducing organic skin care into your regime can help you find the brands and products that work for you. Build up your collection gradually and take pride in supporting a beauty movement that has a healthy planet at heart.

References

1. Expert Market Research website. Australia Organic Skin Care Market Outlook. https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/australia-organic-skincare-market

2. The Australasian College of Dermatologists website. Common Skin Diseases. https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/Dermatologists-Flyer-SkinDiseases-1.pdf

3. Bungau, A., Radu, A., Bungau, S., Vesa, C., Tit, C., Tit, D., Purza, A., Endres, L., (2023). Emerging Insights into the Applicability of Essential Oils in the Management of Acne Vulgaris, Molecules, 2023 Sep 1;28(17):6395. doi: 0.3390/molecules28176395.

4. Elkhawaga, O., Ellety, M., Mofty, S., Ghanem, M., Mohamed, A., (2023). Review of natural compounds for potential psoriasis treatment, Inflammopharmacology, 2023; 31(3): 1183–1198. Published online 2023 Mar 30. doi: 10.1007/s10787-023-01178-0.

5. Srivastava, J., Shankar, E., Gupta, S., (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future, Molecular Medicine Reports, 2010 Nov 1; 3(6): 895–901. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2010.377

6. HBM4EU website. Exposure and Health. www.hbm4eu.eu/what-we-do/exposure-and-health/

7. Ribeiro, A., Estanqueiro, M., Oliveira, M., Lobo, J., (2015). Main Benefits and Applicability of Plant Extracts in Skin Care Products, Cosmetics, 2(2), 48-65; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics2020048.