As long time readers of the Beauty Brains know, one of our pet peeves is the misuse of the term “organic.” From a technical perspective it means carbon-based but in the last several years this original technical definition has been co-opted by the Green movement and is now used loosely to describe almost anything natural. Unfortunately, since there is no standard definition for the term (at least when it comes to cosmetics) there is a lot of confusion about what organic REALLY means.
Organic aesthetic procedures
Latest example: here’s a press release we received from Eclipse Aesthetics titled “Organic Procedures That Are Worth the Hype.” The press release discusses processes like the following procedures:
- Fat Grafting (transplanting your own fat from one part of your body to another)
- The so-called Vampire Facial (using your own platelet cells to boost collagen production)
- Regenokine Therapy (which involves using your own blood as an anti-inflammatory agent.)
We won’t debate the relative merits of these procedures here but we do admit to being baffled how they can be “organic” using the today’s mainstream definition of the term. We don’t deny that Eclipse Aesthetics should be allowed to market their services however they like but we do believe that misappropriating the term organic only serves to spread confusion in an industry already filled with conflicting definitions.
Image credit: http://fc01.deviantart.net/
What do YOU think? What does the term organic mean to you? Do you look for organic products? Can services like this really be organic? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I too have concerns over supposed “organic” labeling of procedures and products that do not in any way, shape or form actually appear to be organic. Manufacturers of products, tend to use terms such as “organic”, and natural, to the fullest extent that they can get away with it, simply to fool consumers into purchasing their products and services. It’s a harsh reality of the retail game I suppose… honest, small business people like myself, and trusting consumers, are the ones who pay the most.
I think the green “organic” marketing is crap I’m not eating my makeup fr breakfast I think the reason why it exists is because of the scientifically inaccurate myth that everything you put on your skin is absorbed in seconds. I dont know about anyone else but I’m in high school and I learned in human bio the skin is made and does a fine job of keeping random stuff out of your skin! (unless you are taking transdermal drug which is a completely different story, I’m on the birth control patch right now)
Agreed, Rozy! People always talk about chemicals being absorbed into skin and some fabulous treatment that will detox your skin. Really, because I thought the skin was a barrier and your liver detoxes your body…
For the most part the word “organic” doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s just a marketing word.
Thanks for posting this. I’m always amazed how people fall for the term “organic” thinking what is natural can’t be bad while the same people swear that mineral oil is so harmful. Ask any dermatologist and they will argue exactly the opposite. People forget that the most harmful toxins can be found in nature and just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it can’t harm you. Besides that, as you pointed out, most “organic” products aren’t 100% natural as there aren’t any enforced standards….