JULY 30, 2020
WHY SWITCH TO BIODYNAMICS? AN OWAY EXPLANATION
WHAT ARE BIODYNAMICS? When looking for the best products for your hair, you must understand what it means to have biodynamic or biodynamically grown ingredients. Truly organic hair growth products start with healthy plant-based ingredients that are essential for your hair to grow healthier and stronger. If it all starts with the plants, it’s important to understand that plants grown in different environments and will have different quality.
One vital factor to consider is the condition of the soil used to grow the plants. Not all soil is equal. The nutrient content and mineral density is a key indicator as to how nutritious and vibrantly healthy or unhealthy the plant. There are twelve different minerals that are essential to plant growth, and having a healthy amount of each of these minerals in the soil will create powerful, healthy plants that will be used to make higher quality products. OWAY pays special attention to the way in which their ingredients are biodynamically grown so that our products are going to be most effective for the hair.
BIODYNAMIC FARMING...NOTHING NEW HERE Another factor to consider is the ethical implications of the farming involved. OWAY uses holistically balanced ecosystems. This means that there is an intentional diversity of biotic and abiotic factors in which the ingredients are grown so that it is sustainable to the environment. Some of these factors include time, species, location, disturbance, and landscape. Because the soil is such a delicate ecosystem, ignoring factors can hugely reduce the quality of the soil and, in turn, the quality of the plants. This inefficient use of resources is something that sustainable companies seek to avoid. One way to ensure a balanced ecosystem is by planting a certain diversity of crops in the same area that will benefit one another in terms of nutrients. Historically, the “3 Sisters” farming practice (one example of how biodynamic farming was regular farming throughout history) performed by various indigenous groups included strategic planting of squash, maize, and beans that would work together to ensure the right amount of nutrients for each crop. This technique is also known as companion planting and is implemented into mass agriculture in different industries today. Companion planting can be used to help reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. While the growth conditions of the plants used for ingredients in your hair care products are important, there are other factors in the process to consider. OWAY and like-minded companies are a part of the Biodynamic Movement. This movement treats the process of farming, growing, distilling, and packaging products in a holistic way. This includes the physical land as well as its management and emphasizing fair trade.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BIODYNAMIC MOVEMENT The Biodynamic Movement is derived from Rudolf Steiner’s ideas about alternative agriculture. The Biodynamic Movement was developed in 1924 as one of the first organic agriculture movements. This approach has a special emphasis on the use of natural materials like compost instead of artificial ones like fertilizers. It champions local production and distribution systems much like organic and fair trade companies. The overall mission is to restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony. While Organic Farming and Biodynamic Farming share a lot of the same principles, the chief difference is that Biodynamic farming methods use careful observations of patterns in nature, such as astrological patterns. Both aim to achieve ecological balance and have a focus on sustainable practices.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - CHECKLIST FOR THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER
But what does this look like in practice? Here are some things to look out for that Biodynamic companies do to ensure healthy practices:
Crop Rotation: Rotating crops planted in a field from year to year is important to keep the soil fertile with the minerals and nutrients essential for plant growth. Over time, if the same plants are grown on a field year after year, the soil will be depleted of the minerals that plant uses, and overabundant with minerals that the plant does not use as much. So, smart, ecologically-focused farmers will strategically plan to rotate crops based on mineral usage.
Manure: In place of synthetic fertilizers, sustainable farmers will use manure to fertilize the soil. This manure will be eaten by earthworms, arthropods, fungi, and bacteria in the soil. These organisms are what make nutrients available for the plants.
Avoidance of Chemicals: Pesticides are used to kill undesirable pests in the soil, such as insects (insecticides), plants (herbicides), bacteria (bactericides) and fungi (fungicides). However, these pesticides kill the beneficial bacteria, bugs and destroy a ecosystems that require balance. Additionally, the amount of chemicals necessary to kill the same insects and plants has doubled twice as mutations arise in nature that allow pests to resist the chemicals. However, pesticides are linked to cancers, mutations, and birth defects and the average is eating them and applying minute amounts to our skin and hair on a daily basis. They are also contaminating water and poisoning animals who are exposed. Organic and Biodynamic farmers understand these consequences and avoid them whenever possible and conscious consumers realize that the quality of their heath is dependent on the quality of the product ingredients they use.
Moral of the story: where your ingredients come from and how they are handled matters. Before buying products, we urge consumers to look into the practices of the companies you are buying from. Ask yourself questions like:
WHAT CHEMICALS ARE YOU USING?
Does this company follow organic, biodynamic, and ethical farming practices?
Is this company certified as a fair trade organization?
Does this company use pesticides on its land?
What kinds of things does the company list that the product does not contain?
Does the product specify if the ingredients are organic or fair trade?
You can typically find this information on the company’s website, and you can find out more about OWAY’s practices here. OWAY uses Agricosmetics which is an approach that uses the biodynamic method to obtain pure, ultra-effective essential oils, hydrolats and extracts that become active ingredients in OWAY treatments. But going beyond the ingredients, all products are packaged in a way that uses exclusively in eco-sustainable paper, wood, metal, cotton: natural materials that convey authentic sensations. And in all transactions, OWAY uses renewable energy for business processes to reduce the environmental footprint.
Through the Biodynamic Method, OWAY puts care, good conscience, and attention in every choice and action, creating quality products that respect the environment and people. OWAY produces some of the highest quality, best hair growth products on the market. If you’re looking for organic hair products, look no further than our naturally-sourced and chemical-free options below.
OWAY'S GREAT, BIODYNAMICALLY GROWN ALTERNATIVES
Bio-Rich Water Our Bio-Rich Water formula is a styling and finishing product that is a sealing, anti-pollution lotion. It seals scales, shining the hair. It also protects from external sources of pollution, prepares the hair for cutting, dries easier, and brings well-being to the skin and hair while calming you with its relaxing properties.
Note that this product does not include parabens, petrolatum, PEG, PG, BBG, EDTA, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, or alcohol!
No-Rinse Moist Conditioner This lightweight leave-in moisturizing spray softens and detangles hair with a nourishing blend of Organic Honey, Ethical Murumuru Butter and Macadamia Oil. This synergy of botanical ingredients smooth's cuticle scales and locks in moisture for long-lasting hydration and incredible shine.
Note that this product does not include Parabens, SLS / SLES, GMOs, Petroleum, Phthalates, Synthetic Fragrance, PEGs, PPGs & BGs, Artificial Colorants
Phytoprotein Mist This lightweight detangling spray instantly fortifies and nourishes the hair and scalp. It’s botanical blend of Organic White Tea, Chestnut Proteins and Ethical Aniseed Extract provides strength and protection from breakage and split end formation.
Note that this product does not include Parabens, SLS / SLES, GMOs, Petroleum, Phthalates, Synthetic Fragrance, PEGs, PPGs & BGs, Artificial Colorants
WRITTEN BY LAURA SEGURA