Natural organic skincare? It’s a phenomenon that needs unpicking. On the surface, of course, it looks like an obvious answer to an obvious question; natural organic skincare is all about products that utilise ingredients with no artificial and synthetic input. But, what exactly does this mean? What can be classed as a natural product, or a natural ingredient, and what exactly defines organic ingredients and organic products? Organic Products - A Definition In the pure etymological sense, the word ‘organic’ relates to organisms, and means something to things that are bi-products of organisms, or living things. So in skincare it relates to things which contain ingredients made up only of things that have not been synthesised with ingredients or compounds that are artificially produced, or include chemicals that are not made up of organic elements. Problems with Defining Organic Skincare Of course this throws up a number of potential issues. it is not, for example, particularly easy to create fully organically made skincare products. This is where the definition comes under scrutiny; should a product be called organic if it contains 95% organic products? Should the necessarily evil of some artificial ingredients be allowed? If, for example, a product needs preservatives that can improve the shelf life of the product, and this can only be achieved artificially, should it be allowed? Defining exactly what an ‘organic’ product is, then, is not always simple. Most experts, and indeed most consumers, will allow for a small proportion of synthetic, artificial or chemical compound, if the product can then give the benefits of organic skincare, of which there are many. Others, though, are more hard-line, and will only allow a product to be called an organic product if all of its ingredients are organic ingredients, with no help from chemical products, ingredients or compounds. Natural Organic Skincare - Finding the Balance For this writer, it is feasible that some synthetic, artificial or chemical compounds or ingredients would be allowed use in the creation of natural organic skincare products. Whilst the purist view has certain idealistic appeals, it seems that, for the natural organic skincare movement to maintain its current momentum, ideals should not compromise success. Of course, if the ratio of organic ingredients to synthetic ingredients grew smaller in margain, then there might be problems. But at current, with the ratio at a nice volume, the combination should be allowed to run, so that the growth and popularity of natural organic skincare can be allowed to persist. That way, it does not become the intellectual property of purists or the big chemical companies, and can remain as a potent force to be reckoned with.