When you've decided to live a more natural lifestyle, one of the best places to start is with natural health and beauty products. However, you may have questions about what makes a product natural or why it is considered organic. This natural health and beauty products buying guide will tell you what you need to know, so you can figure out how to buy natural health and beauty products and start living green.
When you're accustomed to doing things the way you always have, you may not see why you would want to switch to natural and organic health and beauty products. But once you compare the benefits of natural products to the way things used to be done, you'll see why you would want to adopt a new, natural lifestyle with health and beauty products that can help you look and feel great.
The old way: Products made from conventionally produced ingredients can have a negative environmental impact.
The natural way: When ingredients for beauty products, supplements and other health products are farmed organically, fewer chemicals are put into the air and water.
The old way: Chemicals, artificial colors and fillers in skin care products and make up can cause redness, irritation and break outs.
The natural way: Natural make up, skin care products and body products work with your skin instead of against it.
The old way: Artificial fragrances have a chemical smell that can cause headaches in many people.
The natural way: Products scented with natural essential oils provide aromatherapy.
The old way: Unfamiliar, artificial ingredients may help a product do one thing well, but there could be possible side effects.
The natural way: Time-tested, alternative healing methods are regularly incorporated into natural health and beauty products to give you natural, healthy results.
The US government does not currently regulate how the "natural" label is applied to personal care products. There are no laws requiring pre-market testing for an ingredient's safety prior to its inclusion in a personal care product. Many products with a "natural" or "made with organic ingredients" label may only use a small percentage of natural ingredients. Many products use harsh, synthetic chemicals to enhance absorption or as preservatives. In that case, no special labeling is required.
So how do you know if a product really is natural or organic? First, look for reliable certification. If a product is certified as natural or organic by a trusted organization, you can rest assured that it truly is. Second, get to know a few of the ingredients that may be harmful and keep them in mind when you are shopping. Some of these ingredients are:
Petroleum byproducts
Formaldehyde
Urea
Oxybenzone
Benzyl enhancers
Sulfates
Phthalates
Benzoates
Ingredients ending in "paraben"
In order to qualify for the Natural and Organic department in Overstock.com's Health and Beauty store, products must not use any ingredients that are potentially toxic or suspected of carcinogenic (cancer-causing) effects.
Products also must meet one of the following criteria:
Certified USDA organic: In order for a health or beauty product to be certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture, at least 95 percent of the ingredients must meet the same stringent standards for farming, production and handling that organic food must meet.
At least 95 percent natural: Products containing 95 percent natural ingredients or ingredients derived from natural sources qualify them as "natural." (The other 5 percent is generally made up of ingredients that keep the product fresh while it is shipped to you and that keep it fresh while it's in your medicine cabinet.)
The Natural Standard: Products that meet the Natural Standard, as defined by the Natural Products Association and leading natural product companies, are made mainly with natural ingredients, contain no ingredients that may have suspected health risks, have not been tested on animals and use environmentally sensitive packaging.
BDIH Certification: BDIH, a German Association that developed guidelines for certified natural cosmetics in Europe, defines natural products as those with high-quality, plant-based ingredients and no synthetic colors or fragrances, no silicones, no paraffin and no petroleum products.
EKO Organic Mark: To get the EKO Organic Mark from Skal International, products must be made with 95 percent organic ingredients and without any ingredients that have been genetically modified or radioactively irradiated.
Are natural products going to work as well?
Absolutely! In fact, many natural products work better than their conventional counterparts because they don't contain unnecessary fillers or irritants. And while some unnatural products may seem to work better with the first try, over the long-term, the harmful chemicals that made your skin feel cleaner or your hair feel smoother may actually cause damage.
Why are natural health and beauty products often more expensive?
Fillers and chemicals are the cheap, fast way to make a product. When ingredients are grown organically, processed in an eco-friendly way and packaged in recyclable or biodegradable packaging, more money and time is spent to create the final product. And while that may show up in the price, the health of your family -- and the planet -- is worth every penny. Of course, when you shop for health and beauty products on Overstock.com, you can have the benefits of natural and organic products at a much lower price.
How do I know if a product meets natural and organic standards?
Most brands will proudly note if their products are natural or organic. When you're online shopping on Overstock.com, just look for the "Earth Friendly" label in the product descriptions to see if a product has met our natural and organic standards. Additional important features, such as vegan, fair trade or cruelty free, will also be indicated, if applicable.
Our commitment
Overstock.com is committed to helping our customers make sound lifestyle choices. All products in the Health and Beauty store's Natural and Organic department undergo screening by one of the most rigorous standards among large national retailers today.
Give the gift of natural living
Whether you are giving a gift to your friend who loves all things natural or you are just giving a gift to spoil a loved one, natural and organic beauty products are always a good choice. You could make an aromatherapy gift basket by shopping for products with matching scents. Or you could keep it simple and give one of our pampering gift sets. Either way, you'll be giving a gift that is sure to be appreciated.
Learn more about going green with Overstock.com
From natural beauty products to eco-friendly jewelry, the choices for living a more environmentally friendly life have never been so good! Learn more about going green with the green buying guides from Overstock.com and see how you can help the planet by simply making a few changes in the way you shop.
