How to Identify GMO Ingredients in Beauty Products

Sometimes, as an advocate of certified organic beauty products I'm accused of elitism, of not acknowledging or seeing the value in products that are all natural, but not organic. 

But 2 of the concerns I have about products that aren't certified are pesticide residues and genetically modified ingredients.  I've recently been researching which ingredients commonly used in personal care products come from GMO sources and the list is staggering.

Even though we aren't eating these products, there is still the potential to be harmed by them.  Approximately 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies.  And, unlike food, it doesn't go through the metabolic process and get broken down.  It goes straight into the bloodstream.  So I'm just as concerned, if not more so, about GMO ingredients in my personal care products. 

Many of the ingredients you see listed below can be found in all natural products and products labelled as organic, but without certification.  None of these are allowed in certified organic products, as GMOs are not permitted.  If the product you are looking at isn't certified organic, look to see if the ingredient is listed as non-gmo or if there is a GMO-free certification on the product. 

Ingredients that are often or usually from GMO sources:

Xanthan Gum

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Vitamin E (Tocopherol)

Citric Acid

Corn Starch

Glycerine

Lecithin

Soy Isoflavones

Hydrolized soy protein

Sugar

Lauric Acid 

According to Cosmetics Info, "Cosmetic ingredients potentially derived from Genetically Modified Organisms include ingredients such as corn oil, corn flour, soybean oil, lecithin and proteins produced by yeast."

These are just a few of the common ingredients in personal care that are often genetically modified.  There are many, many more.  It's so difficult to avoid them, especially in conventional products where many of the synthetic ingredients are derived from GMO crops.  Essentially, any ingredients that are derived from the following ingredients: corn, soy, rice, sugarbeets, sugar cane, and canola.  I even read one article that mentioned flowers being genetically modified to produce stronger fragrances.  I didn't list them because I didn't see a link to a source.

This is why, whenever possible, I try to purchase certified organic products.  Not all companies even realize they are using GMO ingredients.  But when there's a 3rd party certification such as organic or GMO-free I am much more comfortable.

Resources used for this article:

Seeds of Deception

Cosmetics Info