Officially

Have you ever noticed that we as humans have a perverse attraction to anything that legitimizes or accredites a certain thing, place or being? We almost have this blood thirsty hunger to seek out these "official" looking titles, seals and logos to somehow ease our minds. Now I am no psychologist (actually maybe I was in a past life because god knows I love to analyze) but I'm thinking this desire stems from a need for reassurance and stability. Perfect example, boy meets girl, boy casually dates girl, boy and girl fall in love...hmm boy is thinking maybe I should make this a bit more official so she and the world know how much she means to me (and no one steals her from underneath me). So boy, like any gentleman, gets down on one knee and...no people there's no ring involved here, they were only casualing dating! But boy asks girl to be his girlfriend and with that swift move official titles of boyfriend and girlfriend are born. Another example, I'm a huge believer in buying organic, local and natural foods. Any time I reach for my certifed organic milk or eggs and see that USDA seal, I know I'm buying food that was produced in the most sustainable and meaningful manner possible. I am reassured that I'm putting goodness into my body. This organic/natural movement has also migrated into the beauty arena and we are now bombarded with organic, natural, eco-friendly and "free of" messages. With a plethora of products out there that it is hard to differentiate between the "official" ones and the fakes so I think it is important to cover the 3 certifications available to help you distinguish. Because if you're anything like me you are too classy to do anything the fake way.

USDA Organic: Developed originally to classify agricultural products this accredition is available for two levels of organic products (note there are three types of USDA recognition but only those products meeting the top two standards can display the seal). The first and most stringent level are those products that are made with and processed by 100% organic sources. These products will call out "100% organic" on the label. The next tier is "organic" which signifies that at least 95% of all ingredients used are from organic origin. An example of products meeting either of these standards is the Origin Organics line.

EcoCert Organic: A French organic and natural certification this standard also has two classifications- "Eco and Bio". Products carrying the "Eco" seal are made up at least 95% natural ingredients with 50% of the total plant ingredients being certified organic. The overall formula must contain 5% organic content. The more robust "Bio" seal must also have at a minimum 95% natural origin ingredients but 95% of plant ingredients must be organic and the overall formula must be made up of 10% organic ingredients. Lines like Care by Stella Mccartney and select L'Occitane products have earned this recognition.

Natural Product Association: Founded by people behind Burt's Bees this is one of the first widely reconized designations for natural products. Products meeting this seal must be made up of at least 95% natural ingredients which are sourced from renewable resources found in nature. Non-synthetic ingredients are not permitted unless the natural alternative is not readily available and there is a long list of prohibited ingredients including parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals. Of course Burt's Bees products meet these standards.

Usage tip: Read first, buy later. Do a gut check and define your philosophy. Are you only going to buy organic beauty care products or is natural ok? Perhaps you only want to sprinkle in a few of these type of products into your regimen. Either way figure it out first then shop accordingly.

The result: Education = smart choices (oh my parents would be so proud!)