A recent study has shown that agricultural pesticide use in the U.S. is linked to various cancers, with a risk comparable to that of smoking cigarettes*. While the beauty industry is transitioning towards clean and natural products, what difference does it make if the natural ingredients are grown and adulterated with pesticides and chemicals?

Organic products are made from organic ingredients, which are carefully sourced and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilisers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or other artificial additives, to maintain their organic integrity.

In addition, organic ingredients offer a myriad of benefits for the skin. Studies suggest organic ingredients contain more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals**. They are often more gentle and less likely to cause irritation as they are grown and adulterated without pesticides or synthetic additives that are likely to cause reactions. Therefore, organic skincare products are often suitable for all skin types and all ages, including sensitive baby skin.

Up until as recently as 2002, a standard for certified organic skincare didn't exist. Yes, there were natural and organic and even biodynamic brands, but there weren't any independent certification bodies to verify what ingredients products actually contained or a system in place to keep manufacturers accountable. While the recent development and harmonisation of the COSMOS standard has assisted in unifying labelling and the certification criteria, the industry is yet still self-regulating.

Formulating cosmetics using only natural ingredients is extremely challenging. However, finding organic or truly natural ingredients that have not undergone any synthetic processing is even more challenging. This is why many brands claim to be “made with X% organic ingredients” but do not have any certification. If you find products with organic certification, consider it the gold standard for skincare.

CAROL PRIEST is one of the pioneering skincare brands to become certified organic. We received BioGro organic certification in 2006, setting a new benchmark in the industry for organic beauty. BioGro is New Zealand's largest and best-known certifier for organic produce and products. As BioGro specialises in food and wine, their standards are much stricter than COSMOS. They require compliance with rigorous standards that cover all aspects of production, including sourcing of ingredients, manufacturing processes, and environmental practices.

The certification serves as a seal of trust, assuring customers that our products are free from harmful synthetic chemicals, produced in an environmentally conscious manner, and in alignment with sustainable practices. From the soil where our ingredients are grown to the hands of our consumers, we ensure that every step of our production process meets the highest organic standards.

*Mammoser, G. (2024, July 25). Pesticides may raise your risk of cancer as much as smoking. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/pesticides-cancer-risk-smoking

**Barański, M., Srednicka-Tober, D., Volakakis, N., Seal, C., Sanderson, R., Stewart, G. B., Benbrook, C., Biavati, B., Markellou, E., Giotis, C., Gromadzka-Ostrowska, J., Rembiałkowska, E., Skwarło-Sońta, K., Tahvonen, R., Janovská, D., Niggli, U., Nicot, P., & Leifert, C. (2014). Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses. The British journal of nutrition, 112(5), 794–811. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514001366