I evaluate products using a three-step process which involves evaluating a product for purity, quality and effectiveness. If a product doesnt meet the purity standard, I dont waste time evaluating it for quality or effectiveness. And just because a product passes the purity test doesnt mean it will meet the quality or effectiveness standards.
All three standards must be met before I recommend a product.

 Note: Organic does not mean "natural.".

THREE-STEP EVALUATION PROCESS:

PURITY
• Are the ingredients predominantly from certified organic or certified biodynamic ingredients?
• Are all the ingredients from natural sources as opposed to synthetic?
• Are there any questionable, synthetic or potentially toxic ingredients in the product?

QUALITY
• Are the plants (from which the ingredients are derived from) grown in the ideal regions and climates to produce the most healing, beneficial and naturally active extracts?
• What method(s) is used to extract the ingredients?
• Are the ingredients watered down, diluted or refined in any way? For example, a 1:1 liquid herbal extract is 4 times stronger then a 1:4 liquid herbal extract. A refined plant oil is much poorer in quality than an unrefined, cold-pressed oil in its natural state. Good skin care in large part comes down to looking at the therapeutic value of the ingredients, and extraction methods.

EFFECTIVENESS
• Does the product do what it says it will do for the person intended?
For example, does a cleanser designed for dry skin both clean the skin and leave it moisturized rather than stripped?
why use an organic beauty product instead of a conventional one?
 Because of superior purity, quality and effectiveness, organic products are more expensive than their mainstream counterparts. So why use them?

1. You care about your body. Your skin absorbs everything, so what you put on your body ends up in your body. I prefer not to put synthetics, chemical, pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified ingredients into my body.

 2. You care about the earth. I prefer natural ingredients that come from and sustain the earth. I tend not to care for products developed in a lab and tested on animals.

3. You care about product effectiveness. Natural, organic ingredients are more effective than petroleum waxes, fillers, and chemicals.
Think about this: There are two chefs. One is not concerned about where her ingredients come from, the other takes great care in sourcing the highest quality certified organic ingredients.
Both chefs have the same level of training. Who is going to make the best meal?

is organic better than natural when it comes to beauty? Yes, without question. Though natural products are a step in the right direction, many of them contain just one or two natural ingredients and slap natural on the label. So labeling a product natural really means nothing. Natural products are not certified by third parties (organic products are), and many can still be grown in sewage sludge and contain synthetic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms.  
Note: did you know that according to Greenpeace, over 50% of the worlds soy contains genetically modified organisms?
Unlike conventional and natural ingredients, certified organic ingredients are grown free of all the above contaminants. The bottom line is that they are cleaner, healthier and purer for you, and promote healthier water, soil, plants and food for you and our children. For more information on GMOs, including an FAQ, click here: here

Understanding organic certifications
Its all about the ingredients. Because there is no definitive standard in North America or the EU for evaluating organic beauty products, we must look to the ingredients and private standards to tell us whether or not the product is truly organic.
 Soil Association of the UK, and Eco-cert of France set forth standards that are headed in the right direction, but not yet accepted as national standards. In the interim, manufacturers can undergo these certifications and earn their respective marks. You may order a copy of the standards from the Soil Association or from Eco-cert for a fee should you be interested.Until these standards become more widely adopted by manufacturers and governments, we must look to the ingredients and to the manufacturers policies and certifications to evaluate the purity and organic-ness of a product. To read frequently asked questions about organics, click here:

Http://www.ota.com/organic/faq.html

For 10 great reasons to go organic, click here:

Http://www.ota.com/organic_and_you/10reasons.html

I also look to companies that posses BDIH certification. This organization has developed a set of standards for certified natural cosmetics. More information on BDIH, can be found here:
Http://www.kontrollierte-naturkosmetik.de/en