An ode to organic beauty

Although some city-dwellers may not agree, man is healthiest when he is close to nature. The air we breathe, the food we consume and the lifestyle we lead is directly linked to our closeness to Mother Earth and the closer we are, the better we feel.

It is for this reason that the past few years have seen a massive surge in organic living across the world. One of the largest and most popular segment of the market is cosmetics and products. Whatever we apply to our skin — be it make-up, lotion or face wash — penetrates through the pores and enters our bloodstream immediately. Therefore, we must try and understand the composition of the products we use before purchase, lest they contaminate our bodies. “Out of the 80,000 different chemicals used in the cosmetics industry today, only a fraction is tested for long-term effects,” says Saweela Anees Khan, director at organic cosmetics manufacturer Aura. “We are exposed to parabens, alcohols, synthetic products and artificial scents every time we use a non-organic item.”

With the rise of organic living, the cosmetics market is saturated with cleansers, gels, lotions and creams, etcetera and these products are now available across Pakistan. They are devoid of any chemical substances, so much so that the raw ingredients used are also grown without fertilisers or pesticides. “Organic skincare has been with us for a long time,” says Amna Hussain of Soap Therapy. “Our grandmothers used to pick neem or aloe vera leaves, make pastes and use them for cooking and skincare.” Amna believes that soap is the most important item on one’s beauty regime: if the soap is natural, skin dryness will be minimal. “You will not need any special moisturising if you use a good quality organic soap,” she explains.

Organic products are much more beneficial for the human body as they are comprised of ingredients that do not hamper the body’s natural state. “Beauty and health go hand in hand,” says Amna. “A beauty regime should be good for health and also our psychological well-being.”

Of course, not all products labelled as organic will be 100% chemical-free. Some might contain traces of harmful, unnatural substances so it is important to shop smartly and do research prior to purchase. But once you have found the right organic products, stick to them. Treat your body well and you will not only look but feel your best as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, March 29^th, 2015.