As a company founded and headquartered in the Big Apple, we love everything quintessentially New York-- from Central Park to the High Line, The New Yorker to New York Mag, Bergdorf Goodman to Brooklyn Flea. It goes (almost!) without saying that The New York Times and its T Magazine are daily reading material. T's blogger Samurai Shopper scouts & touts the best merch that New York & beyond has to offer. A recently published piece on skin care products asks, to be, or not to be, organic? The answer disappointed me.
S.S. states the dilemma: "Should I support organic skin care because it’s organic — a healthier choice for us and the planet and maybe other planets too? Or should I throw my weight behind skin care that works but may be organically incorrect?" My question is, why is this the question? How about throwing your weight behind skin care that works, is organically correct, and is a healthier choice for the planet? A Venn Diagram to better illustrate this possibility:
I can't tell you how many Kahina users have let me know that they're seeing visible results, that people ask if they've had work done. And Kahina is not the only brand that is organic and effective.
Samurai Shopper goes on to list some of her favorite products that "blast" vitamins but contain some synthetic chemicals that are of concern, according to the Environmental Working Group. S.S. stands behind the chemical-laden lines, using "baby-with-the-bathwater" reasoning.
The comments section is another trove of troubling feedback. Some posters are saying that just because something is organic doesn't mean it won't irritate. That is correct! But this isn't a reason to shy away from organic products. Why not try a single, 100% organic ingredient that is safe enough to eat? Avoiding irritants, hormone disruptors, and other nasties is one reason people "go organic", but its impact on the planet (read: sustainability) is crucial as well. Check out this discussion on No More Dirty Looks' blog about why more and more people are choosing organic & natural: Your Beauty a-ha Moment.
All said and done, we're still loyal readers of the Samurai Shopper (we were featured back in April!). We believe it's only a matter of time before S.S. realizes organic & effective are not mutually exclusive.
- Mairin