Rawganic Skincare Kit: Your New Cleansing Regime

Cottoning on to the truth behind GM

There are currently no regular GM crops grown in the U.K., although there are no legal restrictions on applying to do so. The controversy that surrounds GM has kept these crops out of our back yards but, despite this, we still inadvertently purchase products which contain GM in our supermarkets. GM foods have to be labelled by law, but there is no such protocol for cotton, thus providing a loophole for GM importers.

The two varieties of GM cotton make up 43% of all cotton production. The first variety is herbicide tolerant. The farmer is able to indiscriminately spray herbicide onto his fields to destroy all weeds whilst protecting the cotton. The GM seeds and agrochemicals are bought in synergy, which are patented and controlled by a small number of multinationals. Over a period of 11 years, after GM crops were introduced in the U.S., there was a fifteen-fold increase in the use of herbicide in soy beans, maize and cotton. Such high levels have created concerns about the effects upon wildlife and soil quality. Because cotton is primarily a non-food crop, some of the most toxic chemicals are applied to the crops. The purpose of this is to make production less labour-intensive and therefore cheaper. It is a common misconception that GM crops produce higher yields. Figures from the Xinjiang province in China, for example, show the highest yields come from non-GM cotton.

The second variety is designed to be insect resistant. The cotton plants excrete their own toxin – Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) - which specifically targets certain pests and reduces the need for pesticides. Although there have been short-term drops in pesticide use in certain areas, there have also been unintended consequences, such as an increase in the numbers of pests in Northern China. This suggests that research into the environmental effects of GM needs to be more rigorous.

The danger of both herbicide tolerant and insect resistant cotton crops is the increased likelihood of other species developing genetic resistance to them. The high exposure of weeds to herbicide or of insects to pesticide encourages advantageous characteristics to proliferate, creating “superweeds” and pesticide-immune insects. Stronger and more toxic chemicals will be needed to protect crops and will thus create worrying environmental consequences.

At Rawganic, we say no to GM. By using 100% organic cotton in our facial wipes, we are supporting a more sustainable way of farming, which is in harmony with the environment and uses no synthetic pesticides or herbicides.

12 New Year's Resolutions for 2012

Why not get January off to a good start and trying giving your skincare regime a reboot?

Here are 12 reasons to go organic in 2012:

1. Trust your products

Products approved by organic certifying bodies must have transparent supply chains, meet environmental standards and meet high safety standards – unlike their non-organic equivalents. These well-respected institutions, such as the Soil Association, can be your guiding light.

2. Feed your skin

Up to 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed. The natural ingredients in organic products – such as essential oils and nut butters – provide natural unadulterated goodness.

3. Go alternative

In contrast to synthetic ingredients, many of the natural ingredients have a rich history of holistic use. The natural properties of green tea to revitalise and rejuvenate, for example, have been purported through millennia, as well as the therapeutic properties of essential oils.

4. Care for sensitive skin

If your skin is eczema or psoriasis prone - or just sensitive - organic skincare is a good port of call. There are many known irritants that you’ll find across the cosmetics board, such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate, which you will not find in the organic corner.

5. Get more vitamins and minerals

On average, organic ingredients contain more vitamins and minerals than their non-organic counterparts.

6. Reduce pesticide use

Certified organic skincare does not allow the use of synthetic pesticides, which not only leave residues in the food we eat, but also in water systems and wildlife. This is thought to affect hormones and reproduction in both animals and humans.

7. Avoid petroleum-based ingredients

Going organic means reducing your reliance on petroleum, a non-renewable resource with an uncertain future.

8. If in doubt, leave it out

Certified organic skincare allows a small number of the safest plant-based preservatives in strictly controlled quantities. Researchers have suggested a link between parabens, the most commonly used preservative in non-organic cosmetics, and breast cancer.

9. Get good value for money

With organic skincare, less is more. Rich and high quality formulas means your lotions and potions go further.

10. Say no to GM

GM ingredients are common in non-food items. 43% of the world’s cotton is GM and does not have to be labelled as such. GM crops are banned in organic products, making organic certification a non-GM seal of approval.

11. Make a stand against animal testing

Certified organic cosmetics are not tested on animals.

12. Support sustainable farming

By choosing organic, you are supporting a sustainable farming system which promotes soil health and biodiversity.