We all know the benefits of eating organic foods – fewer toxins, no genetically modified ingredients and more flavor. Choosing organic beauty products brings the same advantages, with naturally effective treatments for skin, hair and body that feel great, smell delicious and work in harmony with skin's natural functions to promote health and radiance.

In addition to the benefits they reap for our personal health, organic farming methods also have tremendous advantages for the environment. Through using natural fertilizers, they greatly reduce the amount of toxic chemicals, such as synthetic pesticides and herbicides, released into the environment, and the volume of those chemicals that appear in the water supply. The less aggressive, intensive farming practices of organic agriculture also help safeguard the quality of natural resources.

If a product bears an official 'certified organic' stamp, you can be confident that the majority of its ingredients (at least 95%) have been grown and processed according to strict, government-controlled, organic agricultural standards, and then verified by a third-party certifying body.

Organic agricultural standards do not allow for any use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They also set strict criteria as regards the treatment of animals and the environment.

In addition, if you buy a certified organic product, you can trust that it will not contain any petrochemicals (synthetic ingredients derived from petroleum or oil), have undergone animal testing (unless required by law) and will only have been minimally processed to preserve the integrity of ingredients.

Beware of companies that use the term 'organic' as a marketing ploy – in some cases, organic ingredients may account for less than 1% of the final product. Always check to see if the product bears a 'certified organic stamp' from one of the several organizations worldwide with the power to bestow this.

In the US, certification of organic skincare falls under the umbrella of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and products with 95% organic ingredients or more are approved to bear the stamp 'USDA Organic'.

Lavera products proudly bear organic certification from the BDIH and ECOCONTROL, two of the worldwide strictest certification bodies in Europe, which set even higher criteria than USDA.

Natural Cosmetics have become a trendy word in recent years. But only products that meet the strict standards of the BDIH Guideline in Germany are able to display the "BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics" Seal on their products. The criteria in the BDIH label are very strict and e.g. include ingredients, packaging and production standards:

• Ingredients have to be from a plant or mineral source
• Plant ingredients should be obtained from organic growth or wild harvest wherever possible
• Most petroleum based or synthetic ingredients are not allowed
• Genetically modified ingredients are not allowed
• Packaging has to be ecologically conscious, so recyclable and minimalistic
• No animal testing is allowed

More information in English is available online: www.kontrollierte-naturkosmetik.de

Natural products are made from plants and minerals, rather than from synthetic ingredients manufactured in a laboratory. Organic products are also made from natural ingredients, but in accordance with the stricter standards discussed above.

Most experts agree: when it comes to skincare, the purer the better.

Advocates of organic products in particular argue that, since they contain a higher concentration of natural actives, and hence a closer affinity to the skin's own make-up, they are better able to support the skin's natural processes of cell renewal, hydration, oxygenation and protection.

Pure, organic formulas are an especially important choice for those with sensitive skin conditions, such as acne or eczema, as they are less likely to irritate or cause reactions.

All Lavera products are made from 100% natural ingredients in accordance to the strict BDIH standards in Europe, such as plant extracts and essential oils, and wherever possible those ingredients are sourced from certified organic agriculture. Where a product is not all-organic, it is because of year-round availability of certain organic ingredients.

Lavera clearly labels its ingredients so that it is possible to see at a glance if a product is organic, or meets other criteria such as being suitable for vegans. Lavera's organic products are marked with a star and bear the BDIH stamp of approval. Furthermore, Lavera products are entirely free of synthetic fragrances and chemical preservatives and are suitable for the most sensitive skin.