Clean: From the Ground Up
We know that pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers are toxic not only to the environment, but detrimental to all life in general. It’s only natural then to recognize that prolonged use of any skincare products that contain non-organic natural plant ingredients that utilize these toxins in farming, can harm the health of your skin and ultimately, its microbiome. Damaged or compromised skin and the skin’s microbiome can lead to sensitivity, irritation, breakouts, and premature aging.
USDA Certified Organic ingredients are free from the contamination of toxic fertilizers and pesticides, meaning that none of these toxins are absorbed into your skin and body.
But the health benefits of organic ingredients don’t stop here. Beauty also lies deep within the soil in which organic plants grow and thrive. When it comes to organic farming, it’s not just dirt the plants grown in. Termed the ‘soil microbiome’, it functions as the lifeblood and health of the plant. The Center for Microbiome Innovation at the University of California San Diego is studying the trillions of organisms associated with humans and soils. The scientists and experts directing what is termed as the ‘Earth Microbiome Project’, believe these soil microbes could also have a big impact on the nutritional content of the plant and therefore be highly beneficial for the skin, as well as in the body.
What is clear is that a damaged soil microbiome with pesticides and fertilizers lowers the concentration of the key nutrients plants need and, subsequently, in the food we eat and the botanical ingredients we use in skincare products. A recent review of 56 studies published in the journal Public Library of Science found that soil from organic farms contained 32% to 84% more microbial nutrients. It also indicated that when soil has fewer microbes, plants are nutrient-deficient and consequently, far less nourishing. These studies also showed that plants grown on organic farms contained 18% to 36% more minerals and age-fighting antioxidants than plants grown on conventional farms. Once again proving that not only are certified organic ingredients superior, but the ‘superorganisms’ in the soil that provide the nutrition truly help develop a ‘superfood’ for optimal skin environment and microbiome. With certified organic skincare products, you can be sure your skin and body are receiving real nutritional benefits through ultra-nourishing, natural ingredients.
Source: Lori, Martina, et al. “Organic Farming Enhances Soil Microbial Abundance and Activity—A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.” PLOS ONE, vol. 12, no. 7, 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180442.
Questions? Comments? Or just curious about clean cosmetic chemistry? Send an email to our Clean Chemist at cleanchemist@nourishorganic.com!