Wild-Crafted vs Organic – Which One is Better?

As consumers become more informed and selective about what they use on their skin, questions arise as to which is better: Synthetic or natural? Organic or conventional? And what does it even mean when something is labelled as organic? While we have explored many ideas in previous blog posts, we have yet to discuss the difference between “wild crafted” and “certified organic”.

There has been a long-standing debate as to which is better: “Wild Crafted” or “Certified Organic”. Before there was Certified Organic, natural herbs gathered free of herbicides, pesticides, detergents and other harmful chemicals were referred to as “Wild Crafted”. Wild crafted herbs and plants are not farmed or sprayed with any kind of pesticide. They are plants that are wild, native and organic by their own nature and which retain the positive attributes of plants grown in their normal habitat.

Certified Organic herbs and plants for essential oils are grown on a farm and produced according to standards which translate into no harmful pesticides, fertilizers or GMO plants (genetically modified organisms) to enhance their growth. Before they even hit the shelves, certified organic products must pass strict criteria to earn the right to be labelled as such. These products may be healthy, yes, but because ingredients are grown under ideal conditions and not necessarily in their natural habitat, they may not retain all the attributes of their wild crafted counterpart.

Both Wild Crafted and Certified Organic products are free of harmful chemical additives and are much better and safer than their commercial grade counterparts. However, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. Like synthetic or natural, green or not, it all comes down to personal choice.

For our own house line, Apothekari, we’ve opted to use 100% pure argan oil from wild-crafted trees that supports the social and economic welfare of a woman’s cooperative in Morocco. Apothekari Argan Oil is cold expeller pressed in Italy to remove sediment while retaining its subtle nutty odor and light color. We think you’ll love it as much as we do!