Managing director of organic skincare brand Phyt’s, Paul Massa explains why organic ingredients are fast overtaking traditional ones.
When organic skincare brand Phyt’s launched into the professional market more than four decades ago, consumers had barely heard of the word ‘organic’.
Today the brand’s organic ingredients are its biggest assets.
“Today’s consumers understand the importance of what you put onto your skin, into your bath or onto your hair. They know that sixty per cent is absorbed through your skin into your bloodstream,” says Phyt’s managing director, Paul Massa.
Why organic ingredients count
“Blood capillaries just under the skin’s surface circulate the contents of cosmetic products throughout the body. Some compounds are more active when absorbed through the skin than when taken orally, which is why certain drugs are administered via skin patches,” says Massa.
In fact it’s estimated as much as 1.5-2kgs of chemical ingredients from creams, cosmetics and toiletries may be absorbed into our bloodstream through the skin each year. And research indicates the average woman applies more than 200 chemicals to their skin during the course of a day.
With this greater awareness of chemical exposure, it’s no wonder then, that organic ingredients are reigning king, says Massa.
Onto the real thing
A biologist and natropath himself, Phyt’s founder Jean-Paul Llopart knew that whole, real ingredients could dramatically lessen the toxic burden on the body from daily environmental chemical exposure, as opposed to the artificially formulated ingredients that had been used traditionally.
“Science has evidenced that some actives necessary for skin health, like Vitamin E, are better processed by the skin when coming from natural origin, so slowly but surely, the quest for health is driving a change in how consumer choose their skincare products,” explains Massa.
And while natural ingredients were once avoided for fear they didn’t contain the same level of potency as their conventional counterparts, green cosmetics laboratories are beginning to gather data to evidence their effectiveness in comparison to traditional products, finding in many instances equal and superior results to non-organic brands.
“We know real, natural products restore balance to the skin and reduce the need for counter products, so skin stays moist naturally and thus requires less product,” explains Massa.
The natural boom
After many years working with the brand, Massa says its continued commitment to sustainably sourced organic ingredients that has allowed sales to boom and the Phyt’s name to become recognised as one of the leading professional lines, where once natural ingredients were viewed as weak and ineffective.
“We’re witnessing a shift in thinking that’s particularly obvious amoung the baby boomer generation. These people are educated and seeking to embrace healthier habits. A lot of attention is alsobeing given to detoxification of all body systems in order to reverse health challenges and bring back balance, which organic ingredients have the power to do,” reinforces Massa.
Have your say: Are organic ingredients important to you, and are you seeing greater demand from clients for them?