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So Organic is changing

6 Dec 2017 14:59:33

So Organic is changing.


Since 2005 we have loved bringing you the best the UK natural and organic market has to offer but it’s time for things to change.


Ask us if you need advice >> >>

Our strength has always been our knowledge of our brands and advising organic fans about the very best products for their needs. We will continue to do this, researching the market to bring you the latest & best organic products.


But in the future when you click on products on our website you will be taken to another UK supplier to pay for and complete your order.  They will then send out the goods to you.


Think of us like your Organic Personal Shopper, we’ll help you choose the products, but we are no longer going to be the shop. 


This will enable us to list many more products and spend much more of our time on what we do best.


It has been fun, and it’s not over, just a little different. Change is good.


Lots of love

The So Organic team. 


PS. The official changeover to the new way of working will happen week commencing 10th December 2017. Until then everything is as before just with 30% off everything while we sell of the last few bits of remaining stock. If you would like a bargain grab it now, it won't last long. 

Shop Sale >>
0 Comments | Posted in Ingredients By So Organic Beauty Experts

Our Ingredients Policy

5 Dec 2017 14:08:52

Our philosophy since day one has been that if we would use a product ourselves and give it to our friends and family then we will recommend it, and if we wouldn't then we won't.


The area of natural and organic cosmetics ingredients is very complex and it can sometimes be a minefield for customers trying to work out whether products are as natural as they claim. It comes as a surprise to many people that the word organic is not legally protected in relation to cosmetic products in the same way that it is for food, which means that there have been lots of brands jumping on the green band wagon and making organic claims for products that contain very little in the way of organic ingredients.


On the other hand, cosmetic products are very different from food and we expect them to perform and last in a totally different way. You would not expect to open a pot of yoghurt, keep it at room temperature and dip your fingers into it daily and still expect it to be safe to use 6 months later, yet this is exactly what we demand from our skincare. Therefore, some technical ingredients are essential to preserve products, stop the oil and water based ingredients separating and also to make them foam in the case of washes and shampoos.


Generally, it is the number of these technical ingredients (which cannot be called organic as they are not farmed or grown) necessary to make an effective product that determine what % of organic ingredients the product contains.


When choosing whether to recommend products and add them to our website we make decisions on a case by case basis. We always take into account how technically difficult it is to produce an effective product to decide whether to accept a particular formulation onto our website.


For example, it is very easy to make a totally organic lip balm and many brands offer them so we would never recommend a lip balm product that was not organic. However, when it comes to hair styling products or nail polish things are a little trickier. These products are technically very complicated to make and since effectiveness is crucial, we do accept a far greater number of technical ingredients in these products. They are as natural as they can be for their product type, whilst still working effectively. Because who wants hairspray that doesn’t hold or nail polish that peels straight off, it’s pointless, even if the ingredients are pure. We will not recommend products that we don’t believe are good enough to do the job as it is very wasteful and bad use of the planets resources for customers to be buying and throwing away unused bottles of ineffective products.


Many of the products in our range are independently Certified Organic, when they are not, please be assured that we have vetted them carefully and considered that for their product type their ingredients are necessary and in line with our ingredients policy. If you ever have questions or concerns about ingredients, please get in touch, we love talking to people who love organic products and will be happy to assist you.

0 Comments | Posted in Beauty General Ingredients By Product Team
Want to know the difference between SLS & SCS? Read on and we'll explain (it might get a bit technical so if you are just looking for places to buy SLS free products then skip the science and scroll to the bottom where we provide links to buy alternatives):

There is a lot of confusing information going around the internet about the similarities/differences between Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Sodium coco sulfate (SCS) in particular.

We have recently received a number of enquiries about our ingredients policy in relation to SLS and other foaming agents, with some people expressing concern that some of the items that we stock have names that sound similar to SLS – a harsh detergent that lots of people wish to avoid.


Learn more about Organic Shampoo >>

Our reason for being is to supply clean, green products that we would be happy to use on our own skin and that of our children.

In choosing the products to stock we always keep this principle in mind. Read on to find out more about the complexities of foaming agents and why you can trust the products in our range.

There are lots of different surfactants (detergents & foaming agents) used in cosmetic and household products, many of which have names that  sound similar to SLS but are very different in terms of their irritancy to the skin. These can be made in similar ways and have similar names but they vary massively in terms of how harsh they are to the skin. Sodium Coco Sulphate, SLES, Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS), Sodium Myreth Sulphate, and Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate to name but a few.

If we specifically look at SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) versus SCS (sodium coco sulphate); both ingredients are made in the same way, by treating fatty acids with sulphuric acid and then neutralising with an alkali.  The difference between them is that SLS is made using purified and isolated Lauric acid, whereas SCS is made using whole Coconut oil. 

The result of using these different starting materials is that SLS is a relatively simple molecule and has a small molecular mass enabling it to easily penetrate the outer layers of the skin and cause irritation to underlying living skin cells.  On the other hand SCS has a more complex molecular structure which has a much greater molecular mass.  This prevents it from penetrating the epidermis, and means that it has far less irritancy as it cannot reach the living cells under the skin surface.

This difference is recognised by international authorities, and in fact these two molecules do have different CAS Numbers (Chemical Abstracts Service which identifies all chemical compounds in an internationally approved database).  The CAS Number for SLS is 151-21-3, but for SCS it is 97375-27-4.  This can be confirmed by checking the official EU Cosmetic Ingredient Name (CosIng) website.

We do our own research into cosmetic ingredients as well as taking the advice and guidance of the various organic certification bodies. Sodium Coco Sulphate is permitted by the OFF & Soil Association who certify Green People & Skin Blossom products, some of the brands that use sodium coco sulphate. These brands are very well respected in the organic industry and make highly effective products. They pay very close attention to the ingredients that they permit into their products and we have absolutely no hesitation in selling them and recommending them as we use them ourselves.

There are lots of other foaming agents that natural brands use such as decyl glycoside and cocamidopropyl betaine, which are much gentler on the skin than SLS & SLES; you will often see these ingredients in the body care products that we sell too.

Learn more about Organic Bath Products >>

Sometimes, it is worth taking a moment to consider why a source of information might be claiming that a specific ingredient is undesirable. At least one of the pages that we have read criticising SCS comes from a brand that sells products that don’t use this ingredient.

All of their foaming products are soap based (saponified oils are soap) and that is why they don’t need to use any detergents or ingredients such as sodium coco sulphate or its alternatives. These types of products feel different in use and don’t perform in the same way as a regular shampoo or shower gel, soap based products can sometimes feel drying on the skin too as they are alkaline rather than acidic like the skin’s own oils.

If you are concerned about a particular ingredient each of the products on our site lists the ingredients in full so that you can see for yourself and make an informed choice before you make a purchase.


We hope that this has helped to explain this complex area, but of course if you do need any further help or advice choosing products, please don't hesitate contact us or call one of our product specialists on 020 8465 5600. We are here to help.

Shop for SLS FREE SHOWER GEL on Amazon.

0 Comments | Posted in Beauty General Ingredients By So Organic Beauty Experts

Are you addicted to your lip balm?

24 Jan 2017 00:00:00

If you can't get enough of your lip balm but your lips are still dry and cracked read on...

Organic lip balms will nurture lips leaving them silky smooth

Conventional lip balms are usually made from mineral oil which is derived from petroleum. It feels soft and silky but doesn’t benefit your skin. It clogs pores and creates a barrier that stops your own skin breathing.


If you or someone you know is a lip balm “addict” with perpetually dry flaky lips no matter how much lip salve you use, it could be that a petroleum based lip salve is to blame.


Truly natural or organic lip balm brands won’t touch petroleum based oils; they use the much more costly but infinitely superior plant oils and sometimes beeswax instead.  These ingredients nourish and condition the skin and because they are similar in structure to your skin’s natural oils these ingredients tend to work better with the skin.


It doesn’t matter whether you prefer a stick, a tube or a pot, at So Organic we have an organic lip balm to suit and it won’t break the bank either, even our most inexpensive natural and organic lip balm works like a dream.


If you’re vegan we have lots of beeswax free options too, so do your lips a favour and treat them to a pure organic lip balm this winter, you’ll be so glad that you did.

Once you make the switch to organic, if you're still addicted it will only be to the new found beautiful silky skin and gorgeous natural flavour of your new favourite balm!


0 Comments | Posted in Beauty General Ingredients By Sarah

Organic face oil could be just what your skin needs this winter...

Pure Rosehip Seed Oil is packed with antioxidant vitamins A & EIf the changing seasons have left your skin feeling out of sorts, it could be time to add a little extra pampering to your routine.Organic face oils will nurture skin leaving it radiant

When the temperature changes, skin can be left feeling parched. The featherweight serums of summer just don't have enough oomph to leave your skin comfortable once the colder weather arrives. One simple solution could be to boost to your skincare routine with the addition of organic facial oil.

Packed with essential fatty acids, which help to nourish the skin and protect the skin’s natural acid mantle, facial oils deliver an intense moisture hit to your skin. Applied to freshly cleansed damp skin they absorb beautifully, and will not leave your skin greasy. Go sparingly just 1 or 2 drops massaged in until absorbed, is usually enough.

Facial Oil can often be the perfect solution if you find your foundation is not sitting well on your skin too. Particularly if you find it absorbs too quickly and feels like its dragging as you try to blend it. Simply apply a couple of drops of facial oil and then put your foundation on top. it will help the foundation spread smoothly over the skin and then as the oil absorbs it will leave your foundation beautifully blended with a dewy finish.

Pure Argan Oil is the undisputed anti wrinkle treatmentSeed & kernel oils such as jojoba, rose hip, argan and borage, have a fine texture which make them absorb rapidly in to the skin without leaving feelings of greasiness, even on skin prone to oiliness.

Our organic face oils are packed with pure organic seed oils with amazing skincare benefits rather than highly refined and processed oils that contain additives and petroleum based by products. They really are a treat for your skin and are a sure fire way to give your summer skincare routine an upgrade. 

Find out more about organic face oils >>