What is Organic September?
Hosted by the Soil Association – the UK’s largest organic certification body – Organic September is a month-long campaign and celebration to encourage an organic way of living.
Whether it be through farming, food, beauty or skincare, to name just a few. Here at Natural Health , embracing an organic way of life is just as important as a natural one. To achieve organic certification is no mean feat, and beauty brands work tirelessly to keep their organic commitment.
What does it mean to be certified?
In 2002 the Soil Association launched the first standards for organic cosmetics. Soil Association Certification is independent and rigorous. soilassociation.org explains that the independent body reviews the entire manufacturing process of brands including: sourcing of ingredients, formulation procedures and premises, as well as packaging. They even certify to international COSMOS standards so you can be sure your certified product meets strict criteria wherever it was made.
So what classes as organic beauty?
According to the Soil Association, organic beauty is the formulation of cosmetic products using organically-farmed ingredients. The website states: “These ingredients are grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GM), herbicides, synthetic fertilisers and more.” And if a product has been certified by the Soil Association, you can feel confident that it has zero GM, controversial chemicals, parabens, phthalates, synthetic colours, dyes, fragrances, nano particles and no involvement in animal testing.
In honour of Organic September, we wanted to shine a light on a few of our favourite certified-organic brands…
SKN-RG
For nearly 10 years, SKN-RG has been at the forefront of advanced organic technology. Their iconic results-driven products and treatments reveal a true journey of exceptional ingredients, sustainability and admirable performance. It’s easy to see why the founders pushed the boundaries of only wanting the very best and so they made it their mission to formulate from what the public need rather than cost.
After realising that the key lay in the plant’s extraction process, they created Quanta® extraction technology. But why was this so important to SKN-RG? Why not use natural ingredients or a few organic ingredients? As expert facialists, the founders experienced first-hand the damaging effects that questionable ingredients had on their clients’ skin and they felt passionate about only creating the very best to give confidence back to their clients. How? By providing the body and skin with what it needed: pure, animal-free, superior formulations. By setting the standard higher, they chose to give substantiation in their claims by being audited by three external bodies. Rather than just stating that their products contain organic ingredients, no animal derivatives and are cruelty-free, they became Soil Association Certified, Vegan Society Registered and Leaping Bunny Cruelty Free too. Each verification is displayed proudly as on-pack logos to provide a quick reference point so customers can know exactly what they are buying.
To celebrate SKN-RG winning the Soil Association Certified Organic Range category in the Natural Health International Beauty Awards 2019 , the brand is offering 15 percent off all products until 30th September 2019.
Use code skn20 at the checkout , Ts&Cs apply.
Earth Mother Soul Sister
Since the very beginning, the Earth Mother Soul Sister skincare range has been certified organic with the Soil Association . “We love the Soil Association; everything they represent, work and stand for. For us, their logo represents a stamp of approval and the belief that their values are inline with our own, and so, in that we can trust,” says co-founder Joanna Kelly. “We believe passionately that humans need to create products and live in ways which are sustainable, and knowing our ingredients aren’t sprayed with toxic pesticides, is our absolute priority,” adds co-founder Rachel Kelly.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where ‘natural’ products don’t always avoid the residues, as harmful chemical use during growing is now widespread – the organic status of ‘natural’ products is a guarantee of true purity and elevates the product in every way; for individuals, animals and the planet as a whole.
Shop the Frankincense & Lavender Hand & Body Lotion pictured above!
YES
The idea that started the YES YES Company in 2003 arose between two friends, Susi Lennox and Sarah Brooks. The pair met in the late 80s and were long standing friends and colleagues who simultaneously reached a point in life where they wanted to devote themselves to something new, daring and worthwhile. “Having worked at Pfizer when Viagra was launched, we were aware of the need for effective products in the intimacy arena. What we discovered was a gap in the market for a pure and natural personal lubricant. We set out to ‘change the world from the inside’ by creating a new concept: a certified organic, plant-based natural range of intimacy products.” The YES range includes pH-matched, pure, natural and gynaecologist-recommended personal lubricants, vaginal moisturisers and intimate washes
YES products are designed to be side-effect free, without hormones or known skin irritants, whilst being hypoallergenic. The ingredients have established track records as excellent skin foods and The Soil Association certification guarantees that YES products are pure and unadulterated. The YES YES Company ’s love for planet earth is reflected in everything they do – creating products that are not just amazing to use and effective, but also kind to the environment and respectful of all life: human health, animals and wildlife. YES products are available for purchase here and via high street retailers including Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Wholefoods Market, Sainsbury’s and Superdrug.
Take the steps to a more organic way of life – learn more at soilassociation.org