How organic farming is saving the planet

Every ingredient in our products is grown in a way that protects and restores the living world.

This is because our products are made using only 100% certified organic botanicals.

With Earth Day around the corner, we thought it was time to look at how organic farming supports the planet.

First - a word about our organic growers

Our skin care is made solely from plants cultivated by organic farming, sourced from growers all over the world. We are acutely aware that each and every ingredient is grown by hard-working, weather-obsessed, climate change-fighting, earth-loving farmers. They have put their hearts and souls into producing the cleanest, highest quality produce that nature can provide. They chose to farm organically to take the best care of their land and the environment, and to preserve it for future generations. They have also gone to enormous effort and expense to have their produce undergo organic certification to the highest standard.

Whenever we hear of a weather event that has devastated a crop that we rely upon - most recently olive oil and cocoa butter - we experience only a fraction of the devastation that they feel. Every ingredient we use is precious. We feel that now more than ever, each one is also extremely vulnerable.

Why certified organic farming is better for the planet

1. Better soil health - organic farming practices like composting and crop rotation improve soil structure and fertility and reduce soil erosion.

2. Less pollution from synthetic chemicals - synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers are not used, which means reduced contamination of waterways, air and soil, and reduced harm to wildlife and our all-important soil microorganisms.

3. Improved biodiversity - plant, animal and microbial life are better protected.

4. More carbon sequestration - organic farming practices build organic content of soils and effectively sequester carbon.

5. More sustainable - improved health of soils and wildlife habitats means a healthier ecosystem and a longer productive life for agricultural land.

How the planet benefits from what’s NOT in our skin care

While we know that 100% certified organic is the best choice for our planet, it’s important to understand that what we don’t include is an added boost to planet health.

Virtually all skin care contains:

Palm oil-derived synthetic ingredients - emulsifiers added to all water-containing skin care, detergents added to water-based cleansers, and thickeners added to most water-containing skin care - almost all these are made using the cheapest plant oil on the market - palm oil. Palm oil plantations have resulted in, and continue to cause, massive deforestation of important ecosystems. Read more here.

Preservatives derived from skin care may cause significant damage to aquatic life (1,2) In many countries, preservatives known to be harmful to aquatic life may still be used because of a lack of proper regulation (3).

Phthalates found in synthetic fragrances, upon entering wastewater, may survive sewage treatment. They are toxic to the reproductive systems of wildlife as well as humans (4).

And the list goes on…

Around 12,500 different industrial chemicals are added to cosmetics, some of which are known carcinogens, reproductive toxins and endocrine disruptors. A portion enter waterways where they may disrupt aquatic ecosystems and make their way up the human food chain, affecting the long-term health of both wildlife and humans (5).

The take-home message?

If you’re using synthetic ingredients in your personal care products, please do your research before applying it to your skin or letting it enter our waterways.

Saving our planet this Earth Day

Now more urgently than ever, it’s time to assess our impact on the planet and take action where we can. The easiest starting point is to buy smart - choose food, clothing and skin care that helps the planet. Consume less plastic, less petroleum, and practice zero waste consumption - buy compostable, biodegradable and pre-loved where possible. And finally, using our vote and our right as citizens to call for action on climate is now critical.

But perhaps more than anything, I hope everyone takes a moment this Earth Day to spend some time outside in their favourite spot and appreciate the wonder that is our natural world. And affirm that she really is worth the effort of saving.