Organic can be used as a bit of a buzzword in marketing, but the fact is that it often indicates that a product contains, or has been treated with, fewer or no chemicals, which can only ever be a good thing.
Of course, organic anything will generally cost more money. So if you’re on a budget but want to include more healthy products in your life, it’s a great idea to be selective in how you spend your money. To help you in this endeavor, here are six things that are always better to buy organic:
Aromatherapy Oils
An organic aromatherapy diffuser is always going to be better than one filled with non-organic or synthetically perfumed oils. This is because organic oils come from organic farming practices, which are more environmentally friendly. You’re also breathing in the vapors from these oils, so it is worth avoiding pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers. Lastly, organic aromatherapy oils generally smell better and are purer in their content, making them better value overall.
Certain Fruit & Veg
Certain fruits and veggies are ‘dirtier’ than others when it comes to pesticides and chemicals. Every year, the EWG produces a report that indicates the worst culprits. In line with the findings of this report, if you are treating yourself to some fresh produce from the farmers market, the fruit and veg below are important to buy organic:
- Strawberries
- Spinach
- Kale
- Nectarines
- Apples
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Pears
- Peppers
- Celery
- Tomatoes
Unfortunately, non-organic versions of these fruits and vegetables are known to have the highest chemical load.
Tampons
If you use tampons, it is a good idea to buy organic if you can. That means the cotton used to make the product isn’t bleached or full of nasty chemicals like dioxin. Dioxin is thought to cause issues with fertility, hormones, and potentially even cancer because it can disrupt the endocrine system.
Garden Products
Organic gardening is a great idea if you want to limit your impact on the environment. It isn’t easy, but by switching your gardening methods to organic and only choosing organic fertilizers, soils, plants, and pest control, you can create a much more nature-friendly outdoor space.
Deodorant
Deodorants often use ingredients like silica, aluminum compounds, propylene glycol, and parabens. These ingredients are thought to be potentially toxic to humans.
Aluminum exposure, for example, could cause issues with cognition and maybe even contribute to diseases like cancer. Of course, the studies around exposure tolerance and absorption by the human body vary in their results. As we use deodorant every day, and it is absorbed into the body, it certainly is a great idea to choose the most natural product possible for the sake of your health.
Skincare & Beauty Products
Any skincare you use gets absorbed into your body, which is a great reason to make it organic. From the moisturizer you use at home to the ink used by your cosmetic tattooist, it’s a good idea to seek out organic options.
Of course, you can’t always trust the marketing around the word “organic.” The best thing to do is choose beauty products that are certified organic, perhaps by the USDA, or where the ingredients and the manufacturing processes are clear.
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” – Henry David Thoreau
Organic is better, but it isn’t so easy to incorporate this ethos into everything you purchase and use. Instead, follow our suggestions above and be selective – something is better than nothing when it comes to going organic.
