Read the latest blog from Neal’s Yard Remedies
The ever-growing list of industry buzzwords – think ‘clean’,
‘green’, ‘eco’ and ‘pure’ – can make navigating the beauty world a
minefield. Organic beauty is at the top of that list, but it’s more
than just a popular catchphrase – it’s a planet-positive movement
taking beauty by storm. As proud pioneers of organic beauty since
1988, we thought we’d decode the term, so you can choose organic
confidently, enjoy all its benefits and love it just as much as we
do.
What does organic mean in beauty?
Organic refers to a way of farming that works with nature, not
against it, without the use of synthetic fertilisers and herbicides.
It’s rooted in preserving the vitality of our soils to propagate
biodiversity, which has far-reaching benefits for our health and
wellbeing, animals and wildlife, climate, people and planet.
An extension of this, organic beauty is the formulation of cosmetic
products using organically farmed ingredients. The term has garnered
popularity over the years, but the problem with its excessive use
lies in the law; there are no legal guidelines for organic products
in the beauty industry. That said, there is an easy and reliable way
to decipher organic claims – through independent bodies and trusted
certifiers with transparent and exceptionally high standards, whose
logos you’ll find on packaging.
Look for the logo
The Soil Association is the UK’s gold standard organic certification
body for food, farming, beauty and wellbeing. Founded in 1946 and
led by farmer and organic pioneer Lady Eve Balfour, the charity was
born from growing concerns about the health implications of
intensive farming after the Second World War.
In 2002, the five leading European organisations certifying organic
and natural cosmetics came together and agreed to develop a single,
harmonised standard. Since 2017, new beauty products launched or
reformulated under these robust global organic standards are
certified COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard).
When you spot the Soil Association and COSMOS logos on a product,
you can be sure that it has been formulated without:
- animal testing
- genetic modification
- controversial chemicals
- parabens and phthalates
- synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances, and
In 2002, we were the first brand to certify organic skincare under
the Soil Association’s beauty and wellbeing standards with four
heritage products, including our much-loved Melissa Hand Cream and
Rose & Almond Night Cream.
Why choose organic cosmetics
The pros of organic skincare are often overlooked compared to food,
but their advantages mirror one another. It’s already widely
acknowledged that organically farmed ingredients positively affect
our world’s biome. For skin, the beauty of organically grown
ingredients is that they are rich in beneficial vitamins, minerals
and antioxidants, which work alongside the body’s natural abilities
to increase collagen production, prevent free radical damage, and
improve blood and oxygen flow to the skin.
Discover the benefits of our certified organic Frankincense Intense
collection, which is clinically proven to smooth and plump fine
lines and wrinkles. Or, if your skin is prone to sensitivity, our
certified organic Sensitive collection is clinically proven to
reduce redness and skin reactivity.
Choose organic for people and planet
Beyond personal beauty and wellbeing, we believe choosing certified
organic products whenever possible is one of the best things you can
do for our beautiful planet and all its inhabitants. It’s not just
about what organic products don’t have in them; it’s about their
positive contribution to the world, too. Organic ingredients are
more likely to be ethically sourced and harvested in a way that
gives back to nature, with soil managed through composting and
nourished with soil enrichers. They can also provide valuable income
and support to communities around the globe with fair trade and Fair
for Life accredited projects.
We work with a women-run family business in southern Serbia to
sustainably source the wild rosehip seed oil blended in our
radiance-boosting Wild Rose collection. Our wild rosehip seed oil is
certified organic by the Soil Association, harvested in a way that
protects wildlife with hips only picked from plants above 1 metre
high and 10% of hips left on bushes.
Alongside the Soil Association and COSMOS ‘no’ list, their logos are
also an easy way to know that a product has been made using:
- at least 70% certified organic ingredients
- sustainably sourced and biodegradable ingredients to protect harvesters, farmers and the environment
- natural colours and fragrances from plants and flowers
- transparent manufacturing processes, and
- minimal packaging and maximum recycled content.
Protecting bees from toxic pesticides
This July, our co-owner Anabel Kindersley launched a parliamentary
petition calling for the government to set a national target for
reducing pesticide use, cutting toxicity levels and supporting
farmers transitioning to nature-friendly alternatives. With 100,000
signatures, we can get this issue debated in parliament.