How to Know If Your Beauty Product is Organic Botanics
When you hear the word "natural", images of blue skies, birds singing and picturesque scenery pop into your thoughts. However, when it comes to cosmetics, the term natural is often misinterpreted. Many companies claim their products are natural' even though they contain processed components. How can you tell whether a product truly organic or not?
Bluh Alchemy
Bluh Alchemy, an innovative clean skincare line, features a small treatment-focused range of synergistic products that are infused with rare botanical extracts. Becky Bluh studied cosmetics chemistry and discovered ways to harness the power of plant-based ingredients for transformational physiological effects. She sought out a wide range of rare plant extracts to form a bluhprint for the best skin health and to guard against premature aging, free radical damage, oxidative stress inflammation and the overgrowth of bacterial.
Bluh's studies on rare botanicals and her research led her to the revolutionary Cellular Extraction Process, which allows the extraction of the phytoactive characteristics of a plant in its most potent state. Her formulas employ this game-changing tech to provide Advanced Bioactive Solutions directly to the skin.
We picked two full-size Bluh Alchemy products for February's Beauty Heroes Discovery: the Botanic Retinol Cell Regeneration Concentrate (hero but make it great!) and the Eye Oil serum (sidekick that every superhero requires). Bakuchiol, which is a derivative of retinol replicates the corrective qualities of retinol in this concentrated to help visibly correct wrinkles, pores that are larger and breakouts. It is paired with a variety of antioxidants including Kakadu Plum, which stimulates cell renewal and diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Finger lime caviar can firm and tone your skin. Mountain pepper leaf cellular extraction that has ORAC levels that are unbeatable will help prevent premature ageing.
African Botanics
In a corner of Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Johannesburg, South Africa grows a yellow-tinted strelitzia (known as Mandela's Gold) which is an endemic species that is also one of the nation's botanical symbols. It's a tribute to the moral leader of the Rainbow Nation, and a reminder of the country's profound connection to nature and its rich 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 piece of their home with others and give them the same sense of belonging to this amazing country and its ancient traditions that has always been a part of their lives.
The resulting skincare collection pays homage to the traditional African beauty rituals that utilize ancient African phytochemistry and cutting-edge phytopharmacology. The most effective South African plants are sustainably procured from the country's remote, unexplored regions, and then combined with powerful actives selected with the help of botanists and biochemists in South Africa and across the globe. The plants are then encapsulated with advanced extraction and encapsulation techniques to produce the ultimate eco-luxe high-performance green beauty.
Fifty7 Kind
Fifty7 Kind is an internet first brand that offers skincare products made of plants in eco sustainable packaging. The elegant line of skin and hair care products are made of ingredients that come from the unique hotspots of Southern Africa; these include seeds, plant extracts and rare minerals sourced from the desert, the sea, and the land. Gabrielle (founder of Fifty7 Kind) grew up as an organic child in the English countryside. She claims that her mother taught her how to cook with raw ingredients and gather wild herbs for beauty.
Using sustainably sourced botanicals, the slow-fusion artisan process provides concentrated extracts of skin beneficial vitamins and fatty acids, trace nutrients and non-polar amino acids. The brand source unique, wildcrafted, and under the radar plants like Ugandan Vanilla, a subspecies of shea, also known as Vitellaria Nilotica, which provides high levels Vitamin A E, K, and as well as non-polar antioxidants.
YINA is an organic skincare brand from California developed by two female Chinese Medicine doctors. The brand blends ancient Eastern herbal remedies with organic luxury. YINA products are made up of traditional medicinal herbs and plants like Ashwagandha and Hawthorne Berry and more common organic ingredients found in most other skincare lines.
Live Botanical
Botanical skincare that combines traditional and modern techniques and helps to create harmony and balance to highlight what makes you beautiful. Made in Portland, OR.
A botanical plant is a or part of a plant valued for its therapeutic properties and flavor or scent. Since ancient times botanicals have been used to maintain and enhance health. This includes skin care.
Botanicals are available in fresh or dried forms and in a variety of preparations. They can be found in the produce section of the supermarket or in the dietary supplements section in the form of capsules, tablets or tea bags. A single chemical could be isolated from a plant and then sold as a dietary supplement in tablet or capsule form.
The safety of a plant depends on its chemical composition, how it performs in the body and the method of preparation. The amount of botanicals used in a product can also affect the safety of the product. A cup of tea contains only a tiny amount of botanical, while a tincture or extract is much more concentrated.
A tincture can be made by soaking a plant in a liquid like alcohol or water to extract the essential constituents. A tincture is diluted into different strengths. The strength of a tincture is usually expressed as the ratio of botanicals to extract.
YINA
The founders of YINA, Angela Chau Gray and Ervina Wu are experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Their brand is a true tribute to the ancient philosophies of TCM with professional TCM practitioners at the helm. The result is a selection of artisanal, advanced and luxurious formulas for modern wellness practices such as Acupressure and Acupuncture.
YINA is made sustainably in California and its products are rich in powerful bio-adaptive plants. The NOURISH botanical oil sera and the anti-pollution facial mask are their top products. Both are high in the nutrient-rich camellia seed oil, safflower oil and the licorice root. They also contain anti-aging plants like rhodiola, and Asian knotweed. The mask also contains coconut, pear powder carbon and cleansing moringa.
Felicia is a member the super-efficient YINA operations team. She loves trying new products and adhering to the self-care practices outlined by the founders of the brand. She is a huge fan of the YINA Anti-Pollution Mask that includes cleansing agents such as pearl powder, skullcap root, and moringa.
Malaya Organics
Malaya Organics, a Brooklyn-based 100 100% natural, high-performance brand was founded by Katya Slepak. She is an expert formulator and designer, as well as an accredited aromatherapist. The brand's nourishing, results-driven products are designed to support the skin as it gets older, and are safe for all ages and skin types. The balancing elixirs are a therapeutic blend of phytonutrient-dense whole-plant extracts that are infused in-house for peak potency, rich in antioxidants and nourishing essences and plant oils that are that are known for their anti-inflammatory and elasticity building properties.
The ingredients they use come from the Taigas of Siberia and the forests of India and the Amazon, and the deserts of Morocco to provide you with an experience that transforms your skin. It is mindfully formulated to help connect you to your inner landscape of peace, balance and healing. The name "Malaya", which is derived from the Shambhala sandalwood forest, also refers to a sacred garland that is worn during ceremonies. These were the inspirations behind the carefully curated collection.
Fran Miller
Before going natural was cool and trendy, Toronto-based Fran Miller created her eponymous beauty line with the premise that "less is more." With the summer heat rising Miller's pared-down selection of oil-based skincare essentials is taking the world of wellness by storm. The lineup includes everything, including a goji fruit and shea butter body buff to hair smoothing spritz and multitasking face oil.
In the pursuit of organically sourced, certified organic ingredients and collaborating with responsible manufacturers locally and across the globe, F. Miller has been committed to preserving the environment since the beginning of its existence. All of F. Miller's high performance essentials do not contain harmful preservatives or synthetic fragrances. They are also free of mineral oils, GMOs, aluminum and SLS.
To maintain freshness, all products are blended by hand and bottled organic cannabis oil in small quantities. The brand works with cosmetic chemists, who develop nutrient-rich blends of plants that nourish and cultivate radiant skin. The company is also environmentally conscious, which extends to the packaging and the practices. They prioritize eco-friendly packaging and use biodegradable and recyclable glass. They offer a subscription program and refills to reduce waste.