Why 'Organic' Ingredients?

Just like you choose organic food to avoid toxins and potentially harmful chemicals, you do the same thing for your skin when you choose Certified Organic skincare products.

Your skin is not only your largest organ but also your thinnest. It can easily absorb whatever you apply to it. Ingredients in skincare products, healthy or unhealthy, flow right through into your bloodstream and organs where they eventually accumulate. Many are surprised to learn that, unlike food, there are no federal regulations for skincare products – any company can claim its product is “natural” or “organic.” Even if a product contains ingredients derived from organic or natural sources, it cannot be classified as a Certified Organic product. To bear the prestigious United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Organic seal, a product must contain at least 95% organically produced ingredients. Ingredients used in Certified Organic skincare products are grown and processed to the national organic standards of the USDA and then certified by USDA-accredited organizations.

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ Skincare Ingredients to Avoid

Did you know that one in eight of the more than 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, hormone disruptors and reproductive toxins?

It’s not always easy to tell what’s in a product. Many ingredients – especially non-active ingredients – are often not listed on a product’s website.

If an ingredient is a “trade secret,” a component of fragrance or nanomaterials (materials too small to be seen with the naked eye), it doesn’t need to be listed on the product label.

Women applying organic skin care product

Here are some of the many potentially harmful ingredients being used in today’s skincare products:

Propylene glycol

A popular ingredient in personal care products used to enhance skin absorption that has allergy, immunotoxicity and organ system toxicity concerns.
Parabens

Including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben This family of preservatives mimics the action of the female hormone estrogen and can drive tumor growth. Parabens can also act as potent hormone or endocrine disruptors.
Ceteareth-20

This is a surfactant, or a compound that lowers the surface tension between two liquids, that comes with high concerns for contamination with potentially toxic impurities, such as 1,4-dioxane – a likely carcinogen.
Petrolatum

Used as a barrier to lock in skin moisture, this petroleum-derived ingredient holds high concerns for both contamination and organ system toxicity. The European Union (EU) classifies petrolatum as a carcinogen and restricts its use, but it is widely used in American products.
Diazolidinyl urea

This antimicrobial preservative works by forming formaldehyde, which is a known respiratory and central nervous system irritant and carcinogen.
PEG-100 Stearate

A polyethylene glycol ester that acts as a surfactant and has concerns for contamination and organ system toxicity.
Synthetic Fragrance or “parfum”

A collection of many different chemicals (may contain hundreds) – both untested and unlisted – including carcinogenic phthalates, which accumulate in human tissue.
Retinyl palmitate

This is a skin-conditioning agent that may cause biochemical or cellular-level changes, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. When applied in the presence of sunlight, it may speed up the development of skin tumors and lesions.
Ceteareth-20

A surfactant used to enhance skin absorption that may contain potentially toxic impurities. It’s especially concerning when used with other questionable ingredients.
PEG-8

Polyethylene glycol serves as a humectant, or a substance used to reduce the loss of moisture, and has organ system toxicity and contamination concerns.
BHT

This chemical is linked to cancer and causes toxic effects to organ systems, allergies, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and irritation of the skin, eyes and lungs.
Salicylic Acid

Deeply penetrating, this chemical enhances skin absorption and can irritate skin, eyes and lungs.

Instead of using potentially harmful ingredients like these, Dr. Mercola Organic Skincare uses only Certified USDA Organic ingredients to support a healthy and youthful appearance.

Handpicked Organic Botanicals to Nourish and Renew Your Skin

Our natural and Certified USDA Organic skincare combines carefully selected essential vitamins, minerals and botanicals designed to hydrate, renew and refine your skin.

Organic Acai Fruit Oil

Of all the edible fruits in the world, the acai berry is among the greatest for antioxidant power. Its phytosterols help protect the collagen in your skin, and its essential fatty acids provide moisture and nourishment.

With its rare content of stable vitamin C, acai oil helps rejuvenate and revitalize the appearance of your skin.

Organic Calendula Flower Extract

Known for its ability to help improve the overall appearance of your skin, calendula flower promotes hydration and elasticity to help firm sagging skin and smooth the appearance of wrinkles and lines. It’s widely used to moisturize, soften and rejuvenate all skin types.

Organic Chamomile Flower Extract

Chamomile contains flavonoids and terpenoids, powerful antioxidants that protect your skin against the abuse of the elements.

The essential oils in chamomile flower extract soothe and soften skin. Plus, they help relieve itching and damage caused by dry skin.

Organic Cucumber Extract

A natural skin emollient and softener with cooling and astringent properties, cucumber extract contains vitamin C and caffeic acid to help smooth the appearance of redness and wrinkles.

This hydrating botanical helps tone and cleanse while making your skin appear more youthful.

Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract

Green tea extract is hydrating and helps to firm and tone skin by deeply moisturizing and promoting elasticity. It protects your skin against the abuse of the elements while replenishing your skin’s moisture barrier.

Because of its abundant antioxidants, green tea leaf extract helps rescue tired-looking skin while visually reducing the signs of aging.

Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil

An antioxidant-rich superfood for your face, this cold-pressed oil from the fruit seeds is packed with antioxidants to help strengthen your skin’s surface and reduce the appearance of redness.

Pomegranate seed oil contains an omega-5 fatty acid, known as punicic acid, that can help revitalize your skin, smooth the appearance of wrinkles and alleviate itching due to dry skin.

Organic Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil

This essential fatty acid-rich fruit oil is highly regarded for its ability to promote elasticity and glowing, youthful-looking skin.

By replenishing and protecting your skin’s moisture barrier, sea buckthorn smooths wrinkles and provides softness.

Organic Watercress Extract

This extract, made from the flowers and leaves of nutrient-rich watercress, supports healthy collagen production to give your skin a radiant glow.

Its abundant antioxidants help protect your skin against the abuse of the elements and reduce the appearance of redness. Plus, it promotes your skin’s elasticity and firmness.

All of our organic ingredients are also cruelty-free, gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO, so you can feel good about using Dr. Mercola Organic Skincare every day.

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