Indulge with Rawganic

Going organic doesn’t need to be a chore, or even something to think twice about. Add a little indulgence into your skin cleansing routine and see the difference it makes to your skin.

After a long, hard day, there is nothing better than nourishing your city wearing skin. Whether it is cold and windy or you’ve been blasting air conditioning in a heat wave, everyone’s skin needs a little pampering. Taking proper care of it is essential and there are different ways to revitalise your skin.

For a refreshing, thorough cleanse, try Rawganic cotton facial wipes. They lift all traces of dirt and grime as Aloe Vera soothes and moisturises skin, and Green Tea, known for its anti-ageing benefits, will make your skin glow as you wipe the day away.

For a deeper cleanse which is thoroughly moisturising for tired skin, try Rawganic cleansing balm. Packed with essential oils, this luxury cleansing balm will rejuvenate skin to luminous hydration. For the ultimate skin restoration, why not try this balm as part of a facial massage routine? The smooth, moisturising texture mixes well with water to provide the perfect base for a massage to stimulate facial muscles, rejuvenating skin and give lift. Perfect when used in conjunction with the increasingly popular Japanese massage Gankin. The subtle fragrance of the essential oils will help promote relaxation and de-stress your skin.

If your skin is crying out for nourishment, try indulgence the natural way: organic products and a simple massage to give you all the benefits of a natural glow, renewing and restoring your skin.

Organic Pork - The Best Choice?

We are supporting the Soil Association’s ‘Not in My Banger’ campaign, and discovering why organic pork could be the best choice.

The Soil Association is currently campaigning against Midland Pig Producer’s plans for an indoor pig factory for 2,500 mother pigs and around 20,000 piglets. This would introduce one of the biggest indoor pig factories to the UK. Although raising pigs on such an enormous scale could have an impact on human health, it is the welfare of the pigs that is the more immediate concern.

Although pig farming on this scale is worrying, the proposed pig farm at Foston is committed to meet or exceed RSPCA welfare standards. It is claimed this would mean an improvement in indoor pig farming conditions, a move towards higher welfare farming. However, it also shows the farmers are being driven in this direction through market pressures which are ultimately created by demand from consumers for ever cheaper meat.

We believe that each individual has the ability to impact on such a large-scale system; by choosing responsibly, buying free-range and organic products, it is possible to affect the increasing intensification of the meat farming industry. We live in a society where meat is relatively cheap and readily available. Is it worth compromising the lives of thousands of animals in the UK so that everyone can eat meat every day? Certainly, meat should not be just for the wealthy, but is it time to reassess how often we need to eat meat?Why not pay a reasonable amount for free-range or organic and then learn how to stretch what we buy as far as possible or opt for cheaper cuts?

Intensively farmed pigs live in pens only a few inches bigger than their own size. Without straw for comfort, with their tails docked and teeth clipped, these are deprived conditions. If they are not used for breeding they are sent to the slaughterhouse after only a few short months of their life. They are overfed in appalling conditions so that as many pigs can be bred and killed as quickly as possible. This system is in place for most of the pig farming in the UK because of price discounting. Few farmers can make a profit even when a pig is produced in a cage on the cheapest feed possible in these deprived conditions, due to the low prices being achieved in the market place.

Ultimately, it is the consumer who has the ability to change what kind of meat is supplied. It is important to understand what you are buying as labels are often misleading. For example, there is no legal definition of free-range pork, meaning a pig that spent only 10 weeks of their life outdoors can be called free-range. To avoid intensively farmed conditions, organic is a label you can trust, especially if the Soil Association logo is anywhere to be seen.

What can be done?

• Why not buy pork, ham, bacon and sausages that are organic or outdoor bred and reared?
• Have you thought of speaking to your butcher or the manager of your local supermarket and request they stock higher welfare pig products?
• Why don’t you encourage your friends and family to avoid intensively farmed pig meat?
• Be aware of what you are buying and look for organic in all of your produce, especially meat and dairy. Organic milk and eggs are inexpensive ways of making a difference.

Living with Rosacea

Recent studies show that whilst the root cause of Rosacea may not be known, many sufferers believe that environmental and lifestyle factors seem to trigger the symptoms of redness or flushing. It is therefore important to understand and respond to what makes Rosacea worsen for each individual. According to the National Rosacea society, 85% of people said their Rosacea is affected by change in seasons, notably with the arrival of warm weather. This is one of the most common triggers, along with certain skin care products that can irritate the skin and worsen flare-ups.

Consequently, understanding products that you use on your skin is vitally important. They should not contain harsh chemicals or strong fragrances. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, ‘fragrances cause more allergic contact dermatitis than any other ingredient.’ By avoiding these, you can avoid possible irritation, which leads to weakening your skin even more.

Different products affect people differently, so it is important to test a product on another area of your skin before applying to your face - to judge whether it causes a reaction. Simple organic products are best for skin, as they usually contain fewer irritants such as SLS or Parabens.

Using minimal products is also a way to avoid irritation. Sufferers should reduce the number of items they use on their skin by choosing products with multiple functions, for example a moisturising gentle cleanser. Any products that cause unnecessary rubbing to the skin, including exfoliants, should be avoided. Products that have been adapted for use on sensitive skin are often appropriate for people with Rosacea, as gentle products will lessen triggers of redness.

An example would be Rawganic 3-in-1 organic cotton facial wipes, which are formulated for people with sensitive skin and may be suitable for inclusion in the cleansing routine of people with Rosacea. The soft cotton is gentle on skin; cleansing without being harsh. Dermatologically tested, with no added fragrance and no nasty chemicals, you can trust the ingredients used which are all approved by the Soil Association. These wipes cleanse, moisturise and remove make up in one go, reducing the amount of products needed on the skin and thereby helping reduce the chance of any irritation.

Top Tips for an Organic Lifestyle Without the Expensive Price Tag

How do you maintain the organic lifestyle when you are on a strict budget? Organic products needn’t be a luxury - organic is available to everyone seeking a healthier lifestyle and the enjoyment of quality products. Read our top tips for an organic lifestyle without the expensive price tag.

• Getting your fruit and vegetables from an organic box scheme means you can get fresh, local produce delivered to your door, paying a lot less than you would in a supermarket whilst supporting British farmers and growers.
• Cooking meals from scratch with this fresh fruit and veg is a lot healthier and usually a lot cheaper than processed, ready-made meals.
• Eating less meat is the inexpensive way to eat organically, or when you do buy it choosing lower cost cuts such as belly of pork.
• Make your meat last as long as possible; for example boil your left over roast chicken carcass and scrapings for stock to make soups and as the basis for other meals.
• Avoid wastage and plan your meals ahead and write shopping lists. We tend to throw away a lot of food, so by being selective it will be easier to afford organic.
• The best way to eat organically is to grow it yourself in your garden-the freshest, most local produce that’s free!
• To look after your skin, avoid expensive formulas with tons of unwanted chemicals and make your own basic facemasks and moisturisers. Avocado is a natural, nourishing facemask for dry skin, whilst strawberry is excellent for brightening. Oatmeal and water is a perfect natural cleanser with no artificial nasties.
• For removing make up and for an easy cleanse try Rawganic cotton facial wipes- kind to skin and not likely to break your bank at £2.55 a pack.

So next time you think you can’t afford organic, think about small changes that make a big difference!

Organic Cotton - the Ethical Choice

People are increasingly turning to organic cotton as the more responsible, ethical choice. Switching to organic cotton can have a beneficial impact on the lives of cotton growers.

The most marked characteristic of organic cotton is the way that it is grown without synthetic pesticides. The obvious health benefits for the farmers are clear; their health is vastly improved due to stopping their exposure to these hazardous pesticides. Described as ‘extremely toxic products’ by the field agent for the Beninese Organisation for the Promotion for Organic Agriculture, these pesticides are known to cause serious lung and stomach problems and burns. Indeed the World Health Organisation reports 3 million cases of pesticide poisoning annually. Many of these are attributed to cotton production as cotton farming uses 32% of the world’s pesticides and insecticides despite the fact that cotton plantations take up only 2.5% of the world’s farmland.

The benefits of this method of farming does, however, go beyond being beneficial for health. Instead of using synthetic pesticides, organic farmers use natural methods such as crop rotation. Not only does this allow for better yield without the use of chemicals, but also brings about greater food security, as food crops can be grown without the worry they are being contaminated by pesticide residues. Organic farming in the developing world has shown a marked increase in food crops, the production of beans and peas in particular. Similarly it allows opportunities and income for women growing the cotton and food crops, who under conventional cotton systems are often not permitted to register their own plots.

The switch to organic production for farmers is usually down to the benefits of income as well. In the traditional cotton production system, there is a growing vicious circle of indebtedness amongst farmers as they are forced to purchase expensive farming inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers on credit at the start of the season. The fair price at which organic cotton is bought is one of the real benefits for farmers; it gives them an overall better net income, despite the lower yields at the start of organic cultivation. It is a much more reliable system for farmers as the organic supply chain is much more committed to paying the farmers on time in contrast to the disorganisation of the conventional one. Organic farmers have also achieved a greater level of consistency of produce outputs throughout the year, whilst also having the benefit of gaining skills and training through organic farming associations.

Agriculture is responsible for a massive amount of employment in developing countries, and the consumer can choose to encourage this ethical, healthier, more responsible mode of production. Buying organic significantly improves the lives of farmers, the effect on the environment and the cotton industry in general, as well as making a quality product you can trust at the end of the process. 

New Look Rawganic Facial Wipes

Rawganic likes products that actually work, without compromising on ingredients. What you put on your skin matters because it is absorbed into it. You wouldn’t eat a ton of chemicals, so why put them on your face? Your skin is your largest organ, so you should treat it with respect.

Facial wipes are the ultimate beauty essential for a quick, deep cleanse, but they should not be irritating or drying to the skin.

Rawganic’s new wipes, containing Aloe Vera, are the definitive luxury that is organic yet utterly nourishing and beneficial to sensitive skin. You can trust our wipes as they are approved by the Soil Association, who have strict guidelines about the ingredients in organic products. They remove all traces of make-up (even stubborn mascara). The pure organic cotton wipes moisturise while they cleanse, leaving your skin dewy and supple. They come in a handy travel friendly resealable pack, meaning you can get the benefits of organic cleansing wherever you are. Although for sensitive skin, these wipes still deliver what they promise- a deep clean leaving you fresh faced everyday.

You Are What You Eat and Apply to Your Skin?

Many people have made the switch to organic food due to growing concerns about how what we eat affects our health. The increase of preservatives and toxic additives in food since the 1990s has been linked to food and diet related diseases as well as the growing prevalence of food allergies. Organic food seems an almost essential choice for people worried about these artificial chemicals in food, becoming a staple in many households. There is a growing concern they cause not only diseases and allergies but also changes in behavioural patterns, such as loss of concentration and Attention Deficit Disorder.

‘You are what you eat’ seems to be more of a concern now than ever, and therefore choosing organic food, free from artificial ingredients, seems like the rational option to take. What we put in our body clearly matters, as does what we put on our skin because it is claimed that 60% of it is absorbed into our bodies. Therefore the harmful chemicals in our skincare products may be just as much a risk to our bodies as the ones in our food.

Rawganic believes skincare should be just as much a concern as food is for our bodies. If you choose organic food, you should also consider organic skincare. As your skin is your body’s largest organ, the leap to organic skincare does not seem that giant. Just as the chemicals in food are causing diseases such as asthma, so can the chemicals in your skincare products be causing ailments such as eczema. Bupa Healthcare claim one common cause could be the harmful chemicals in detergents, soap or shampoos. Allegedly harmful ingredients such as Parabens and Sodium Laureth Sulphate are common in these products and the latter is known to have skin irritating qualities.

Rawganic organic products are completely free from these chemicals and being accredited by the Soil Association means you can trust the ingredients inside them. Made with organic ingredients where possible, our ingredients are beneficial to skin rather than harm it. For example, the Aloe Vera in our facial wipes is known for its beneficial skin properties, promoting healthy, glowing skin with gentle cleansing. It is important that skincare contains honest, natural ingredients that are included in the product because they are useful for your skin’s health. When buying organic you can be far more assured that this is the case and that the ingredients will work with your skin, avoiding potentially harmful chemicals that work against it.

Call For Clearer Labelling

As mentioned previously, the Center for Environmental Health in the US has recently filed a lawsuit against 26 cosmetic companies due to false labelling of their products as organic. Although the lawsuit is largely aimed at American brands, similar issues are now a real problem in the UK. We are calling on the UK authorities, in particular DEFRA, to deal with this issue. Not only did some of the brands mentioned have an unsatisfactory percentage (or none at all) of organic ingredients, but also many of them actually included unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients, such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate and Parabens.

Rawganic believes that all products labelled as organic should be free from these chemicals, which are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Our range of organic products is certified by the Soil Association, as we believe this accreditation is necessary in distinguishing our products as honest, legible and justly organic.
We believe brands should not be able to make false organic claims as they are completely misleading the consumer and also detracting from brands that work hard to keep their products healthy, environmentally friendly and honest.
Rawganic believes that as well as having accreditation from a certification body,
organic products should only be labelled so if they adhere to guidelines concerning their ingredients. This means they should contain a minimum percentage of ingredients that have been produced organically.

We support calls from the Organic Trade Board for a strict policy for the labelling of products as organic. In France, such a situation already exists following action by the French ARPP. We wish to see this policy established for personal care products in the UK that make organic claims; they should be substantiated in the following ways:

For the product to be considered ‘organic’:
• It should contain 100% organic ingredients, or
• It must be certified by an accredited certification body (such as the Soil
Association)

For the product to be described as containing organic ingredients:
• It must contain the stated percentage of organic agricultural ingredients, or
• It must be certified by an accredited certification body to an independent standard that defines such claims

For example, we use pure organic cotton in facial wipes. We believe organic is hugely important for cotton growers as cotton accounts for about half of the world’s fibre needs.
We want to see cotton grown with a minimum of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or other similar chemicals. Organic cotton is important for enhanced health and security of farmers bringing about an improved economic situation. The quality of the cotton is more easily improved and managed and gives increased credibility to the industry.
Organic improves social sustainability by creating a healthy product with clear standards and labels. It is not only beneficial for the environment but for the livelihoods of the producers, giving farmers training and education as well as a much safer environment to work in. We use organic cotton because we believe organic cotton is the more ethical and sustainable choice.

Environmental Company Files Lawsuit over Bogus Organic Claims

Reported recently in the Daily Mail, The US Center for Environmental Health has filed a lawsuit against 26 cosmetic companies over claims that products were falsely labeled as Organic. The brands are said to be violating a Californian law which states that Organic products must contain at least 70% ingredients grown without pesticides or chemicals, and are making unsupported claims as Organic products.

Rawganic is proud that their labels are simple and legible. The new facial cleansing wipes are certified by the Soil Association and are made with pure Organic cotton. The packaging states clearly which ingredients are organically grown.

Rawganic believes there can be no compromise with the word ‘Organic’ and it does not mean sacrificing any of the benefits of the product. The pure Organic cotton wipes are simple and effective; made with nourishing Aloe Vera, they gently cleanse and remove all traces of make-up, even waterproof mascara, without leaving your skin dry or irritated. Just honest ingredients that do the job they state.