How do you know if your hair product is organic?
Organic and natural are two words that come to mind. In recent months, we’ve all heard the phrases thrown about. With the growing trend toward eating healthier foods and lowering the number of chemicals and toxicity in our life, cosmetic companies are increasingly turning to “organic” and “natural” ingredients in their formulations. But what exactly do these designations imply? Is it true that your organic hair products are organic? We dug deep into the realm of cosmetic labeling in order to help you sort through the BS and make educated purchasing choices for your beauty products.
1. Natural
The term “natural” in labeling refers to a component that has been produced entirely from nature, with no chemically modified or synthetic chemicals present. However, here is where things get a little sticky. Because the FDA does not regulate this phrase, a hair product may claim to be “natural” even if just one out of every twenty components meets the criteria for the claim. One way around this is to double-check the ingredient list before cooking constantly. Because chemicals are displayed in order of greatest proportion to lowest percentage, pick hair products that include synthetic substances that are listed as low on the ingredient list as feasible.
2. Organic
We can fairly state that organic hair products are devoid of synthetic ingredients and are not manufactured through genetic engineering, despite the fact that the FDA has not formally defined the word “organic” when it comes to cosmetics. It is possible to find the USDA organic seal on a product, which indicates that at least 95 percent of the contents are organic. The catch, however, is that a product may still claim to be organic provided at least 70% of the components are organic; yet, these items will not have the USDA organic mark.
3. Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free hair products are those that have not had any of their components tested on animals. Whenever you are shopping for hair products, keep an eye out for the tiny bunny emblem, which indicates that the product has received the official Leaping Bunny accreditation for being cruelty-free. Furthermore, the Leaping Bunny website is an ethical beauty treasure trove, offering a continually updated list of cruelty-free cosmetics and personal care products. They may also have agreements with businesses that allow you to save money on cruelty-free cosmetics from time to time.
4. Vegan/Plant-based
The same as with the dietary limitation, vegan hair products and cosmetics do not include any animal by-products of any kind. What’s the catch? Vegan hair products may include additional synthetic or chemically laden chemicals, just as vegans may indulge in carbohydrates or other unhealthy foods, as long as no animals were hurt in the process of making them. Before purchasing, be sure to read the ingredient list thoroughly.
When in doubt
- Always check the label.
- Give companies a call and inquire yourselfÂ
- Read the ingredient list
- Consult resources like Leaping Bunny
- Stick to the brands you know
