How to Know If Your Beauty Product is Organic Botanics

When you hear the word "natural", images of blue skies, Organic Botanics birds chirping and picturesque scenery pop into your thoughts. However when it comes down to beauty products the term "natural" is often misinterpreted. Many companies claim their products are natural even though they contain processed components. So, how do you know if your product is truly organic?

Bluh Alchemy

Bluh Alchemy, an innovative cleanser that is a natural product, comes with a small treatment-focused range of synergistic blends that contain rare botanical extracts. Founder Becky Bluh studied cosmetic chemistry and was able to harness the power of plant-based ingredients that have transforming physiological effects on skin. She scoured for a variety of rare plant extracts that could provide a blueprint for optimal skin health and protect against premature ageing and free radical damage, as well as oxidative stress.

Bluh's study and experimentation with rare botanicals led her to discover the groundbreaking Cellular Extraction process, which permits the extraction of a plant's complete phytoactive profile in its most potent and stable state. Her formulas utilize this revolutionary technology to deliver Advanced Bioactive Solutions directly to the skin.

For February's Beauty Heroes Discovery we selected two full-size products from Bluh Alchemy: the Botanic Retinol Cell Renewal Concentrate (hero but super) and the Eye Oil Serum (sidekick every superhero needs). Bakuchiol, which is an ingredient of retinol replicates the corrective qualities of retinol. It is used in this concentrate to effectively correct fine wrinkles, larger pores and breakouts. This is coupled with a range of antioxidants that include Kakadu plum to stimulate cell regeneration and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation and finger lime caviar to firm and tone the skin, and mountain pepper leaf extract cellular with an unbeatable ORAC to protect against premature ageing.

African Botanics

In a corner of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Johannesburg, South Africa is a yellow-tinged Strelitzia (also called Mandela's gold), an endemic species that is also the nation's botanical symbol. It's a tribute to the moral leader of the Rainbow Nation, and a reminder of the nation's deep connection with the natural world and its diverse biodiversity.

For Craig and Julia Noik, founders of the hyper-luxe green beauty brand African Botanics, launching the line was about more than a business idea. It was a way to share a little bit of their homeland with others, to give them the same sense of connection to this unique country and its ancient traditions that has always been an integral part of their lives.

The resulting skincare collection is a tribute to traditional African beauty rituals that utilize ancient African phytochemistry and cutting-edge botanical pharmacology. The most effective South African plants are sustainably harvested from the country's remote, untouched regions, and then infused with powerful actives selected with the help of biochemists and botanists both in South Africa and across the world. They are then encapsulated with advanced extraction and encapsulation methods to create the ultimate high-performance, eco-luxe green beauty.

Fifty7 Kind

Fifty7 Kind, an internet-first brand, provides skincare products made of plants in environmentally-friendly packaging. The sleek line of body and skincare products contains ingredients that come from the unique hotspots of Southern Africa; these include seeds, plant extracts and unique minerals that are sourced from the sea, desert, and the land. Gabrielle (founder Fifty7 Kind), grew up in the English countryside as an organic broad spectrum cbd oil child. She says her mother taught her to cook using raw materials and to gather wild herbs for beauty.

Slow-fusion artisanal process utilizing sustainably sourced botanicals guarantees concentrated extracts that promote skin health by providing nutrients, vitamins, trace minerals such as fatty acids, non-polar amino acids. The brand sources rare, wildcrafted, and under the radar botanicals such as Ugandan Vanilla, a subspecies of shea known as Vitellaria Nilotica. It is a source of high levels of Vitamin A E, K, and as well as non-polar antioxidants.

YINA is a natural skincare line created by two female doctors from Chinese Medicine; millenia old traditional herbal remedies from the East meet the natural beauty of botanicals in this California company. YINA products contain traditional medicinal herbs and plants like Ashwagandha and Hawthorne Berry in addition to more common organic ingredients that are found in most other skincare lines.

Live Botanical

Botanical skincare that bridges the gap between modern and traditional methods, bringing balance and harmony in order to enhance your natural beauty. Made in Portland, OR.

A botanical is a plant or part thereof that is valued for its therapeutic properties, flavor or scent. Botanicals have been utilized since the beginning of time to maintain and improve health, for example, in skin care.

Botanicals are sold in dried or fresh form and in many different preparations. They are available in the produce aisle in a supermarket, or in the dietary supplement section as capsules, tablets tea bags, liquid preparations. A single chemical may be extracted from botanicals and sold in tablet or capsule format as a dietary supplement.

The safety of a botanical is determined by its chemical composition and how it functions in the body and how it is prepared. The amount of a botanical used in a product also is a factor in its safety. A cup of tea only has a tiny amount of it, while a tincture is much more concentrated.

A tincture is made when a plant is immersed in the form of a liquid, such as water or alcohol, in order to extract the desired constituents. A tincture can be dilute into different strengths. The strength of a botanical tincture is expressed in terms of a ratio between the extract and the botanical.

YINA

The founders of YINA, Angela Chau Gray and Ervina Wu are experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Their brand pays true homage to the ancient traditions, with expert TCM practitioners at the steering wheel. The result is modern high-end, refined, and artisanal formulas that are specifically designed for modern-day wellness rituals such as jade rolling, and gua sha for the whole body.

YINA is sustainably made in California and its products are rich in powerful bio-adaptive herbs. The NOURISH botanical oil sera and the anti-pollution facial mask are their flagship products. Both are high in the nutrient-rich camellia seed oil, safflower oils, and the licorice root. They also contain anti-aging botanicals like rhodiola, bakuchiol, and Asian knotweed. The mask also includes coconut powder, pear carbon and moringa to cleanse.

Felicia is a member of the super-efficient operations team at YINA, and she enjoys trying new care products and implementing the self-care practices advocated by the founders of the brand. She is a huge fan of the YINA Anti-Pollution mask, which contains cleansing agents such as pearl powder, skullcap root and moringa.

Malaya Organics

Malaya Organics is a Brooklyn-based 100 100% natural high-performance line created by Katya Slepak, an expert formulator, product designer and certified aromatherapist. The brand's nourishing and results-driven products help skin as it ages and are safe for women and men. Their oil blends are infused with the therapeutic blend rich in anti-aging essential oils, plant oils, and phytonutrients.

Their ingredients come from the Taigas of Siberia, forests of India and the Amazon and the deserts of Morocco to give you an experience that transforms your skin. It is carefully designed to connect you to your inner world of peace, balance and healing. The name "Malaya" is derived from a forest of sandalwood in the Shambhala tradition, and also refers to a sacred garland of flowers used in ceremonies. These were the motifs that inspired the thoughtfully designed collection.

Fran Miller

The line includes everything from a shea butter and goji berry body scrub to a spritz that smooths hair, and a multi-tasking face oil that can be used for multiple purposes. The collection includes everything from a goji berry and shea butter body buff to a hair smoothing spray and a multi-tasking face oil.

Since its beginning, F. Miller's commitment to sustainability in the environment has been based on organic, ethically sourced ingredients and partnerships with mindful producers both locally and internationally. All of their high-performance essentials are free from harmful preservatives, synthetic fragrances and colorings Parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, petrolatum aluminum, GMO's, and SLS's.

To maintain freshness To ensure freshness, all products are mixed by hand and then bottled in small batches. The brand collaborates with skilled cosmetic chemists to construct nutrient-rich blends of botanical ingredients that help to create radiant skin, provide multi-correctional results, and deeply nourish all types of skin. In addition to their carefully sourced ingredients, the brand has a green conscience that extends to their packaging and practices. They make use of recycled and biodegradable glass and prioritize sourcing eco-friendly, reusable packaging materials. They also offer refills and a subscription program to further reduce waste.