SULA NYC uses organic and natural ingredients for our skin care. But what’s the difference between organic and natural? Basically: the paperwork. In order to be able to label a natural product organic you need paperwork/certification: pure natural, no pesticides used during harvest, undiluted product, no animal cruelty and controlled production.
None of the ingredients can be harmful, toxic or bad for our environment. Also production methods, labels and packaging are relevant.
Independent certifiers, by a recognized body in a country, monitor all phases against standards and their approval results in USDA organic certification. The process is more complex of course, but these are the basics. A USDA seal matters also in Japan or the EU; it is a seal of trust.
The word ‘natural’ is a free for all.
There is no gold or industry standard. You can call everything natural or organic and get away with it. And as our society slowly warms up to organic and natural products, a ‘natural’ label helps to sell. Organic food helped to pave the way for organic skin care.
USDA is the organization in the US that set standards through the National Organic Program.
They identify 3 organic categories:
- 100% organic
This is our Pure Argan oil, organic certified by CCPB, a Italian based independent certifier who works in the Mediterranean and North-Africa;
- organic: products must be at least 95% organic such as our Scented Body Moisturizers formulated with pure Argan oil and a small percentage of naturally derived fragrances;
- made with organic ingredients: ingredients must be 70% organic, such as our Argan Hair Serum.
But organic does not guarantee it’s better or safer.
It meets strict standards and demonstrates a caring attitude towards human life and the earth. And it has been tested, documented, the whole nine yards.
Remember, the FDA does not approve cosmetics or skin care. FDA approval is necessary for a drug; for cosmetics FDA takes the position that a cosmetic effects the appearance, not the healing, remedy or any other medical procedure.
SULA NYC supports initiatives to standardize policies and procedures and prefers nature above processing of synthetics.