There is truth to the saying, beauty trends come and go. However, some trends become movements. Case in point: the Farm To Face approach (or what we at Sole Toscana call the "Seed-to-Skin"). It's come about as a result of conscious consumers who pay more attention than ever to the ingredients to which they are exposed. Skincare brands have had to shape up and create clean products.
WHAT IS THE FARM TO FACE SKINCARE MOVEMENT?
The "Farm to Table" term is one you're probably familiar with. It describes the idea of knowing everything about your food: where it's from, how it's grown, transported, sold, and ends up on your plate.
Consumers are not only aware of the foods they're consuming, but also what products they're using on their skin and that of their families too. They're demanding honesty from skincare brands.
Initially, it began with DIY skincare hacks using ingredients found in the kitchen, (avocado, egg whites, honey, etc.) Soon, skincare companies jumped on it and delivered skincare products made with natural, clean ingredients. 
WHY IS FARM TO FACE BEAUTY AND SKINCARE GAINING TRACTION?
Consumers appreciate and deserve honesty, especially when talking about health matters. Transparency from a few brands has bred openness from others. Those skincare companies which disclose their ingredients have led consumers to ask why the others aren't. To eliminate suspicion, more brands are embracing honesty about their ingredients.
Farm-to-Face trends (like Sole Toscana) reveal where and how their ingredients are sourced and incorporated into products. Ingredients are picked at their freshest state and mixed into small batches. This ensures the products are genuinely clean and fresh. Countless beauty products claim they work miracles for the skin, but how is that possible when they contain harmful chemicals?
FACTS ABOUT CHEMICALS ON THE SKIN
Whatever products you use on your skin are absorbed until they reach the bloodstream and can accumulate in your bones and fat. If these products are full of chemicals you can't pronounce, they're probably harmful. The Environmental Working Group advises against using many chemicals in skincare. Some of the most common and harmful are:
- Fragrance - Skincare companies aren't obligated by law to reveal what ingredients they use in their "fragrance." Studies have proven that 14 chemicals in 17 certain name brand fragrance products are not outlined on the ingredients list. According to other scientific studies, some of the ingredients used in fragrance cause severe health issues like reproductive system toxicity, cancers, allergies, and more.
- Parabens -They suppress microbial growth in shampoo, conditioner, perfume, toothpaste, soaps, and other hygiene products. Unfortunately, some parabens are estrogenic. This means they affect hormonal balance and can cause certain types of cancers.
- Phthalates - These are chemicals used to make products stick to hair and skin. They're a constituent of nail polishes, hair sprays, perfumes, and lotions. Phthalates are endocrine (hormonal) disruptors. They cause an increased risk of breast cancer, endometriosis, early breast development in girls, premature delivery, and reproductive birth defects in both males and females. Just as with fragrance, brands aren't transparent when a product contains phthalates.
- Oxybenzone - this is a common ingredient in sunscreens. When it reacts with sunlight, harmful compounds are produced. Oxybenzone also penetrates deep into the skin, potentially interfering with internal processes. Also, it's known to bleach and kill coral reefs. The threat is to these organisms is so significant that the state of Hawaii outlawed the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone. The law goes into effect in 2021. Would you want such a chemical on your skin?
WHAT DOES FARM TO FACE SKINCARE ENTAIL?
Brands that use the Farm to Face approach grow the ingredients they use on-site. At Sole Toscana, we source each ingredient from our organic farms in Italy.
Growing all ingredients in the same location ensures that they're used only when at their ripest and freshest. Some of them are grown and used in particular seasons each year.
To maintain optimal freshness, the ingredients are carefully blended in small batches. We fill product bottles from these batches and then ship them to our cherished customers.
WHY DOES SOLE TOSCANA CHOOSE TO IMPLEMENT FARM TO FACE SKINCARE?
We believe in using what the Earth provides as solutions for skin issues and other ailments. Why should we reach for quick-fix chemicals when there are natural solutions to nearly any skincare problem? As you know, the skin is delicate, and the products we use don't remain on the skin surface but get absorbed into the bloodstream.
As such, it's vital to consider this when choosing our skincare products. If you want to transition to a natural skin care regimen, Sole Toscana offers products you can trust.
With love,
The Sole Toscana Skincare Team
