Healthy Beauty Bag

Natural vs. Organic: What’s the Difference?
As you peruse the cosmetics aisle at any store, you may be confused about what certain words on certain packages mean and what the difference is. The term “natural” refers to the products made with ingredients that come from plants, minerals or algae. Using the term “organic” is where it gets tricky—you have to pay close attention to labels. “Organic” means the product ingredients weren’t grown with synthetic fertilizers or chemicals.

Products that just say “organic” on the label are usually made up of about 95% organic material. If you see “Made with Organic Ingredients” on a product, that means anywhere from 2% to 75% of the ingredients are organic. And the phrases “USDA Certified Organic” or “100% Organic” means 95% or more of the ingredients in the product meet the USDA’s organic standards. Carolyn Houser, owner and esthetician at Spa Vita in Midlothian, says there’s a definite benefit to using natural and organic products instead of harmful synthetic materials. “The ingredients in there are beneficial. Botanics and herbs are ancient medicine; the way it should be. Your body will benefit.” But since a lot of these products are made without parabens, which act like preservatives, they will expire faster than products loaded with preservatives.

Clockwise from right: Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow and Liner at Target, $9.64; The Power of Plants Botanics Organic Rosewater Toner at Target, $7.99; Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Eyeliner at CVS Pharmacy, $7.99; Burt’s Bees Peach & Willowbark Deep Pore Scrub at CVS Pharmacy, $8.99; The Power of Plants Botanics Cleansing Wipes at Target, $6.99; Yes to Cucumbers Facial Cleansing Gel at Target, $9.99; Physician’s Formula Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush at CVS Pharmacy, $13.99; Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara at Walgreens, $7.99; Eco Tools Bamboo Five-Piece Brush Set at Target, $9.99; Almay Pure Blends Eyeshadow at Walgreens, $7.79; Burt’s Bees SuperShiny Natural Lip Gloss at Walgreens, $6.99; Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss at Target, $6.49; Alba Kukui Nut Body Cream at Target, $12.99