Definitions to know for Skin Care Education

There is no current legal definition for the term "natural" when talking about skin care products. The only legal definition the USDA has for the term natural applies only to meat and poultry. This definition given is what we believe natural should mean when talking about skin care products.

Natural - is defined by the USDA National Organic Program as a substance that is derived from mineral, plant, or animal matter and does not undergo a synthetic process. Present in or produced by nature; not produced or changed artificially; not conditioned; not altered, treated, or disguised; faithfully representing nature. Read more at ingredients.

Synthetic - is defined by the USDA National Organic Program as a substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral source, except that such term shall not apply to substances created by naturally occurring biological processes; not natural or genuine; artificial or contrived; prepared or made artificially

When it comes to skin care products & cosmetics if a product states organic anywhere on the packaging it doesn't mean anything unless there is the USDA Certified Organic seal. Products can use the certified organic seal if the product contains at least 95% of organic ingredients. Please remember just because it is organic doesn't make it safe, it is the ingredients that are important, please read more at all natural.

Organic - the ingredients used have been harvested from plants grown without the use of (synthetic) pesticides, fungicides, or inorganic fertilizers, and prepared without the use of preservatives.

Cosmetics - a topical product that alter neither the structure nor the function of the skin; legal term for cosmetics includes any products you apply to your body that are not drugs; anything that can be rubbed, poured, sprinkles or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions.

Non-Toxic - be wary of products that state they are non-toxic, for a product to be "non-toxic" it must meet the oral toxicity standard of 5mg/kg; acute oral toxicity says that a substance is toxic if ingesting more than 5 milligrams for each kilogram of body mass can be fatal. This only considers death as an outcome, substances that can cause cancer, birth defects, developmental effects, and hormone disruption should also be considered toxic.

Toxic - when a product is toxic it means that it can adversely effect your health