Nature-powered, high-quality products continue to reign supreme in the skincare world, with consumers continuing to reach for clean formulas. However, it can be difficult to truly understand the nuances of the clean beauty industry, especially given the seemingly endless amount of phrases that are tossed around to describe products and manufacturing processes. 

Two terms in particular seem to cause quite a bit of confusion: “organic” and “small batch.” In order to clear up any misinformation, we’re here to do a comprehensive breakdown of the differences and similarities between the two.

What Does Small Batch Skincare Mean?

With small batch skincare, a product is made in smaller quantities on a fairly frequent basis. By contrast, traditional mass produced products are made in much larger quantities, and are typically made far less frequently. While it may not seem like these two processes would ultimately lead to big differences in the final product, they can have major impacts on the quality, effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. 

By making solutions in smaller batches, there is far less of a need to include artificial preservatives or harsh chemicals. This is due to the fact that the time between a product being produced and it getting into a customer’s hands is far shorter compared to the mass produced product timeline (which can sometimes be years!). The fact that the timeline is so much shorter also means that it’s easier to use super potent fresh ingredients that will remain effective once they actually hit the skin.  

The small batch method is also far more sustainable. There’s a lower carbon footprint, since fewer (if any!) machines are required. With small batch skincare, the risk of overproducing and creating waste is also much lower compared to traditional production methods. 

What Does Organic Mean In Skincare?

In a general sense, the term organic (as it relates to skincare) refers to products that are made with ingredients grown without artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or other synthetics. The process is safer for biodiversity (since pesticides can be dangerous to wildlife) and leads to less pollution and soil erosion. 

It’s important to note that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the term “organic” as it relates to cosmetics. However, if a formula is made from agricultural ingredients, it can be certified organic and display the USDA Organic Seal. A product with that seal must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. 

With this in mind, you’ll want to look at companies using this term “organic” in their marketing language with a bit of scrutiny to ensure they are truly meeting the standards you desire. 

Organic vs Small Batch Skincare

As you may have guessed, organic skincare and small batch skincare are not mutually exclusive. It’s possible to have a skincare product that is formulated with organic ingredients and made in small batches. 

That said, there are major differences between the two, since they are related to different parts of the process of making skincare solutions. It’s important to understand exactly what it means when a product is labeled as being either organic or small batch. Here’s a quick overview:

Ultimately, if you’re looking for safe, high-quality, and environmentally-friendly products for your skincare routine, you can’t go wrong with choosing organic or small batch solutions (or both!).