How to Know If Your Beauty Product is Organic Botanics
When you hear the word 'natural', picturesque images of blue skies and birds singing come to thoughts. However, when it comes to cosmetics, the term natural is often misused. Many companies simply declare their products to be "natural" even that they contain processed ingredients. How can you tell if a product is truly organic or not?
Bluh Alchemy
Bluh Alchemy is an innovative clean skincare brand with a limited, treatment-focused line that contains synergistic blends of rare botanical extracts. Becky Bluh studied cosmetics chemistry and discovered ways to harness the power of plant-based ingredients for profound physiological effects. She sought out a wide range of plant extracts that are rare to create a bluhprint of optimal skin health and protect against premature ageing as well as free radical damage, oxidative stress inflammation and bacterial overgrowth.
Bluh's studies on rare botanicals and her research led her to the groundbreaking Cellular Extraction Process, which allows the extraction of the phytoactive profile of a plant in its most potent state. Her formulas utilize this game-changing technology to provide Advanced Bioactive Solutions to the skin.
For February's Beauty Heroes Discovery we selected two full size picks from Bluh Alchemy: the Botanic Retinol Cell Renewal Concentrate (hero but it's super) and the Eye Oil Serum (sidekick that every superhero requires). Bakuchiol, which is a derivative of retinol, duplicates the corrective properties of retinol in this concentrate to effectively correct fine wrinkles, larger pores and breakouts. This is combined with a variety of antioxidants including Kakadu Plum to boost 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 off the charts will protect against premature ageing.
African Botanics
In a corner of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Johannesburg, South Africa grows an strelitzia with a yellow hue (known as Mandela's Gold) which is an endemic species that is also one of the nation's emblems of nature. It's an ode to the moral leader of the Rainbow Nation, and a reminder of the country's deep connection with nature and its rich biodiversity.
The introduction of the line of high-end, green cosmetics African Botanics was more than just a project of creative genius for Craig and Julia Noik. It was an opportunity to share their homeland with others and give them an understanding of the rich traditions of the land that has always been part of their lives.
The resulting skincare collection pays homage to traditional African beauty rituals that utilize the ancient African phytochemistry and modern phytopharmacology. The most potent South African plants, sustainably sourced in the country's remote, unexplored regions, are then combined with powerful actives selected with the help of biochemists and botanists from South Africa and around the world. They are then encapsulated with advanced extraction and encapsulation methods to create the ultimate eco-luxe, high-performance green beauty.
Fifty7 Kind
Fifty7 Kind is a web-based first brand that offers products based on plants that are packaged with eco-friendly packaging. The elegant line of skin and hair products contains ingredients sourced from the unique hotspots of Southern Africa; these include plant extracts, seed oils, and unique minerals harvested from the desert, the sea, and the land. Gabrielle (founder of Fifty7 Kind) grew up as an organic child in the English countryside. She says that her mother taught her how to cook using raw ingredients and to gather wild herbs for beauty.
Slow-fusion artisanal process using botanicals that are sourced sustainably provides high-quality extracts that improve skin health with vitamins, trace nutrients, fatty acid, and amino acids that are not polar. The brand sources rare, 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, and non-polar antioxidants.
YINA is a natural skincare line that was created by two female doctors of Chinese Medicine millenia old Eastern herbal remedies combine organic and botanical luxury in this California based brand. YINA products are made up of traditional medicinal herbs and plants such as Ashwagandha and Hawthorne Berry in addition to more common organic ingredients used in many 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 unique beauty. Made in Portland, OR.
A botanical is any plant or part of it that is that is valued for its therapeutic properties, flavor or scent. Since the beginning of oil organic time botanicals have been used to improve and maintain health. This includes skin care.
Botanicals are available in fresh or dried forms and in a variety of preparations. You can find them in the produce section of a supermarket or in the section of dietary supplements in the form of tablets, capsules or tea bags. A single chemical can also be isolated from botanicals and sold in tablet or capsule format as a food item.
The safety of a plant is dependent on its chemical composition and the way it is used within the body and how it is prepared. The quantity of botanicals that are used in a product could also affect the safety of the product. Tea contains a small amount of a botanical, whereas a tincture or extract is much more concentrated.
A tincture is produced when a botanical is soaked in some liquid, like alcohol or water, to extract the desired constituents. A tincture may be diluted into various strengths. The strength of a tincture is usually expressed as a ratio of botanical to extract.
YINA
The founders of YINA, Angela Chau Gray and Ervina Wu are experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Their brand pays true homage to ancient traditions with professional TCM practitioners at the helm. The result is a selection of artisanal, advanced and luxurious formulas for modern wellness routines such as Acupressure and Acupuncture.
YINA products are made sustainably in California and are brimming with powerful bio-adaptive herbal extracts. The NOURISH botanical oil sera and the anti-pollution face mask are their flagship products. Both are rich in camellia seed oils, safflower oil and licorice root. They also contain anti-aging plants like rhodiola, and Asian knotweed. The mask also contains cleansing moringa, pear powder and coconut carbon.
Felicia is part of the super-efficient YINA operations team. She enjoys trying new products and observing the self-care routines advocated by the brand's founders. She especially loves the YINA anti-pollution mask that contains cleansing ingredients like skullcap root, pearl powder, tea seeds and moringa.
Malaya Organics
Malaya Organics, a Brooklyn-based 100 100% natural, high-performance product, was founded by Katya Slepak. She is an expert formulator and product designer, and also an aromatherapist certified by the FDA. The company's nourishing, result-driven products are designed to support skin naturally as it ages, and are safe for all skin types. The balance oils are infused an energizing blend that is high in anti-aging plant oils, essences, and phytonutrients.
Their ingredients come from the Taigas of Siberia and the forests of India and the Amazon as well as the deserts of Morocco to bring you an experience that transforms your skin. It is specifically designed to help connect you to your own inner world of peace, balance and healing. The name "Malaya" is derived from the Shambhala sandalwood forest also refers to a sacred sacrificial garland worn during ceremonies. These were the inspirations for the carefully collected collection.
Fran Miller
The lineup includes everything from shea butter and goji berry body buff to a hair-smoothing spritz and multi-tasking face oil. The collection includes everything from shea butter to Goji berry body scrub to a spritz that smooths hair multi-tasking face oil.
The company is committed to organically-sourced, ethically sourced ingredients and partnering with mindful companies both locally and globally, F. Miller has been committed to preserving the environment since its inception. All of their high-performance products are free of harmful preservatives, synthetic fragrances and colorings, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, mineral oils, aluminum, GMO's and SLS's.
To maintain freshness, all products are mixed by hand and bottled in small batches. The brand works with experienced cosmetic chemists to create rich, nutrient-rich blends with botanical ingredients that help to create radiant skin, provide multi-correctional results, and deeply nourish all skin types. Apart from their carefully selected ingredients, the brand also carries an environmental conscience that extends to their packaging and practices. They utilize biodegradable and recyclable glass, and focus on sourcing eco-friendly recyclable packaging materials. They offer an annual subscription and refill program to reduce waste.