Why Organic is Important - It is what is inside that counts

It is more important than ever, to support organic practices. It has also become increasingly difficult to disseminate fact from fiction in the organic space, and differentiating between a product that is labelled organic and one that has been certified organic.

Look for certifications 

The term ‘organic’ is not currently regulated under Australian law. This means that any product - grown or manufactured, using ‘natural’ methods, and at least one natural ingredient, can be labelled organic. This is why understanding and being able to identify ‘certified organic’ is important.

At Sanctum, we have been making 100% natural skin care since 1992. We followed closely the rise of organic skin and body care with interest and in 2005 we reformulated our entire range to become certified organic in 2006. It is also imperative to us that there is truth within the labelling of our products, so that you have complete confidence that you are buying a product of quality that is truly organic by nature.

Purchasing certified organic ensures the organic integrity of the product. The plant or ingredients have been grown, harvested and processed without synthetic chemicals. To be certified organic means to grow or manufacture a product free from:

- synthetic pesticides

- herbicides

- hormones

- antibiotics

According to this study by Terre Madre, the removal of chemicals in fresh organic produce is generally higher in vitamins, minerals and omega-3s compared to non-organic products. So not only are you limiting the amount of nasties you put in your body, but the goodness of vitamins and minerals are retained. It also promotes environmentally-friendly farming practices supporting biodiversity, wildlife and native ecosystems. It really is worth the effort. However, we know that organic very often comes at a premium, so below we have explored some ways that you can make the move to organic, while still living within your means.

Our 5 tips for living organically on a budget

1. Support farmers by shopping at your local market

Not only is this the most cost-effective way to buy organic seasonal produce, it can become a weekly ritual that you look forward to.

Championing sustainable living practices and buying locally at a market also;

- reduces your carbon footprint and the need for unnecessary packaging

- promotes humane treatment of animals

- ensures you know exactly where your food comes from

2. Garden consciously without the need for pesticides

There are many natural alternatives to replace harmful pesticides, such as:

- choose plants with a natural resistance to pests

- physical barriers for pests in your garden

-composting and mulching soil will ensure a healthy presence of good bugs 9to balance out the bad)

- make your own natural pesticide – available here

3. Cultivate your own organic veggies (and compost)

Growing your own food makes both environmental and financial sense and can be done with small amount of space. There is an abundance of delicious vegetables and fruits you can grow in containers at home or in the garden. Subpod is an innovative example of a product providing full circle growing of your veggies and composting in a small space.

Composting green waste helps slow landfill and recycles vital resources back into the garden. To compost correctly you must use a combination of green (food waste, lawn clippings etc) along with brown waste (leaves, twigs etc). This will ensure your compost is correctly balanced (the right ratio of nitrogen-rich and carbon-rich materials), does not smell and breaks down most effectively. Find out more here and enjoy learning more about what works best for your waste and where you live. Once your compost material has correctly decomposed (this can take anywhere between 3-12 months depending on where you live, what you are composting and how much oxygen the waste is exposed to) it can be worked back into the soil as a replacement for store bought fertilisers, reducing your footprint further.

4. Buy in Bulk

It may be a small change to your routine, but buying what you are able to, in bulk will save you money and is environmentally mindful.

Here’s why:

• Reduce packaging waste: You can take jars and other repurposed containers to buy produce, eliminating the need for single use plastic.
• Minimise transporting of goods: Reducing the number of times you use your car to shop will reduce your C02 emissions.
• Plenty of choice: Bulk food shops tend to have a wonderful range of fresh and delicious products including coffee, cereals, flour, oil, pasta and honey. The Source offer a great range of products including a loyalty rewards card for repeat shoppers.

5. Prioritise what you buy

As the cost of living rises and the health of our eco-system diminishes, it can feel like you are fighting a losing battle when it comes to living organically. It is with this in mind that it is important to prioritise what you buy.

The Clean 15 is a list released annually, specifying what produce has less pesticide residue present than others

The list for 2019

The produce listed in the Dirty Dozen, presents a higher pesticide residue. These are the items that you could prioritise to be purchased at an organic shop, farmer’s market, or you could grow them in your own backyard, to avoid exposure to pesticides.

Prioritising Skincare is important - it is what your body is absorbing, and it is what's inside that counts! A study by the Huffington Post suggests 60% of what we put onto our skin is absorbed, with the average woman using 515 synthetic chemicals on her body every day.

This is why switching to natural alternatives is important, especially when it comes to our bodies largest organ, the skin. Here at Sanctum, our commitment to organic has driven us to create high quality skincare products that are naturally derived and certified organic while remaining accessible in price. We believe that everyone should have access to quality, ethical and chemical-free skincare.

Protect the environment, nurture your family and spoil yourself with Sanctum. Click here to shop our range of certified organic skincare products.