We all want to take care of ourselves and our families, but sometimes it's hard to know what's in the products we use. Many brands claim to be green or natural, but not all green products are the same. Crucial to understanding ingredients is to distinguish between natural, natural origin, and organic ingredients. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of personal care product ingredients and what makes them "green."
Understanding Ingredient Terms:
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Natural ingredients are substances that are sourced from nature and have not undergone significant processing or modification. These natural processing methods may include mechanical, manual, naturally derived solvents, gravitational means, or heating.
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Natural origin ingredients are substances that are derived from natural sources but have undergone some level of processing or modification to make them suitable for use in products. These mainly have vegetable, mineral, or animal origins. However, they do not include ingredients from petroleum or fossil fuels. Ingredients that are bio-manufactured using saponification are excluded from this category as well.
- Organic ingredients are natural ingredients that have been grown, harvested, and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They come from farms that use mechanical, physical, or biologically based methods to the fullest extent possible. In other words, they are produced using environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices.
The above definitions are the generally agreed-upon meanings for the terms. In fact, according to Michigan State University’s Center for Research on Ingredient Safety, “the FDA doesn’t have a regulatory definition for the term ‘natural’.” And it doesn’t regulate the term organic, either. The USDA has a definition and standards for organic food, but it doesn’t exert control over personal care products. So you, the consumer, are left having to do your own research.
What to Watch Out For on Labels
Most "natural" and "soap-free" products use synthetic detergents, and they are classified as synthetic and natural origin products. Many of these products are on the safer side of the scale when your health is concerned, but they are not really chemical-free. Some chemical residue always remains in the final product. And be aware that they have important negative impacts on our oceans and marine life.
What’s more, as these products are not natural or organic, you never get the full benefits or potency of the ingredients. Unfortunately, these benefits are lost during chemical processing.
A Better Personal Care Choice
All &Better ingredients are either natural or organic, with the latter being more important for a healthy body. We use only food-grade shea butter and coconut oil to deliver maximum nutritional benefits in every product we make. This means that you're getting all your vitamins without any unnecessary chemicals!
And our products don't just promise satisfaction; they actually live up to those claims. The quality of our ingredients speaks volumes about what's inside: real natural substances delivered straight from the farms and free of industrial contaminants. So you can feel, look and do better for your body with &Better products!
