Organic skincare is a term that often appears on face creams, oils, cleansing products and body care. However, the word organic does not tell the whole story about a product. For us at c/o GERD, an organic raw material means that it comes from carefully controlled cultivation where chemical pesticides and artificial fertilizers are not used, and that its origin can be traced. But a product rarely consists only of organic raw materials. Therefore, the term needs to be seen in context, where the origin of the raw materials and the manufacturer's transparency say more than a single formulation on the packaging.   Organic and natural are different things   Organic and natural skincare are sometimes used as if they meant the same thing, but the terms describe different properties. An organic raw material originates from cultivation where specific requirements are set for how it is produced. A natural raw material, on the other hand, can grow completely wild, and our wild-growing raw materials are therefore not considered organic. Therefore, we divide all our raw materials into three groups: Organic raw materials come from controlled cultivation without chemical pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Each raw material is traceable, for example avocado oil, aloe vera and jojoba oil. Wild-growing raw materials are picked in the deep forests of Lapland and then processed. These include berry seed oils from blueberries, cloudberries and lingonberries, as well as birch leaves. Processed raw materials have a natural origin and are processed to give the product the right consistency, stability and shelf life. Several of them are COSMOS approved, such as our preservatives and our PEG-free emulsifier. Each group has its own function, and together they form a balanced and well-thought-out whole.   The ingredient list provides guidance   The ingredient list shows what the product actually contains. The ingredients are listed with international names, which can make the list difficult to interpret at first glance. Plant oils and extracts are listed with their botanical names, for example. Therefore, we have compiled all our raw materials in our ingredient list, where we explain in Swedish what each raw material is and why we have chosen it. We manufacture all our products ourselves in our factory in Jokkmokk. This gives us full control over the entire chain, from the selection of the raw material to the finished product, and makes it possible for us to be completely open about what you apply to your skin. Just as important as what the products contain is what they do not contain. Our products are free from harsh surfactants, parabens, sulfates, plastics and silicones, and all are cruelty-free and not tested on animals.   Organic is no guarantee of the right skincare   People with sensitive or dry skin often seek natural skincare in the hope of a gentler routine. This is an understandable starting point, but organic raw materials do not automatically mean that a product is right for your skin. Plant extracts and essential oils can be experienced differently from person to person. For those who want to avoid fragrance, we therefore have our 24/7 Sensitive series with fragrance-free products. Always start with your skin type and the skin's needs. In our skincare guide you answer a few simple questions about your skin, your needs and your goals, and receive a recommendation based on your skin.   Conscious choices start with the right questions   When you choose organic skincare, these are good questions to ask: Which raw materials are organic? Why are they included in the product? How is the product intended to be used? Clear ingredient descriptions make it easier to compare alternatives without getting stuck on symbols or sweeping formulations. A well-thought-out routine does not need to include many steps. Our ready-made skincare routines are composed for different skin types, such as dry and mature skin, sensitive and reactive skin or combination skin, so that you can start with the products that suit your skin.

A hair serum is a conditioning product that you apply to the lengths and ends of your hair and leave in. It adds shine, tames frizz, and makes the hair softer and easier to detangle. Our hair serum is called B2 Hair Serum, a leave-in serum for all hair types that moisturises and adds shine. The serum does not replace shampoo and conditioner. It complements them when the hair feels dry, rough, or difficult to style.   How a hair serum works in the hair   After washing, brushing, or days in dry air, the hair strands can feel uneven and rough. A serum gives the surface of the hair strand a smoother feel, so that the strands glide more easily over each other. The hair becomes easier to detangle, less unruly, and gets a more even shine.   In B2 Hair Serum, two ingredients in particular make the difference. The bilberry seed oil comes from wild bilberries picked in the forests of Lapland. It is moisturising and softening and penetrates the hair without weighing it down. The silk protein moisturises, softens, and gives the hair shine and protection, and it is particularly good for dry, frizzy, and brittle hair. It also works as a natural alternative to silicone and makes the hair easier to detangle.   Just like all our products, B2 Hair Serum is free from silicones, sulphates, and parabens. The scent comes from mandarin essential oil, a soft citrus scent with natural sweetness.   Hair serum or conditioner?   You use conditioner immediately after shampooing and then rinse it out. You apply a hair serum after washing and leave it in. If the lengths still feel dry despite conditioner, the serum is the step that gives the hair extra care. You can find our conditioners and serums together under Conditioner & serum.   B2 Hair Serum Blonde for blonde hair   We have also expanded the hair care range with B2 Hair Serum Blonde, a conditioning serum specially developed for blonde hair. It gives shine, softness, and a fresh feel.   B2 Hair Serum is suitable for all hair types. It is most useful when the ends feel dry, the hair becomes static, or small hair strands stand out around the face. Coarse, curly, and long hair can often handle a little more product, while fine or short hair needs very little. The serum is not vegan, as the silk protein comes from natural silk fibres. Like all our products, it is cruelty-free and not tested on animals.   How to use a hair serum   On damp hair, distribute a small amount through the lengths and ends before combing through the hair. Do not rinse out. On dry hair, a few drops on the ends are enough for extra shine or a light styling effect.   Warm the serum between your palms before stroking it through the hair. Avoid the roots if your hair gets greasy easily. It is better to start with a little and add more where the hair still feels rough, as too much product can make the hair heavy.   If you want to build a complete routine for your hair, you can find our ready-made hair care routines, assembled for different hair types and needs.

Summer has a special ability to make us slow down. We wake up a little later, eat breakfast in peace, spend more time outdoors, and let the days take their own pace. But when the calendar fills up again and everyday life gets back into gear, it is easy for that feeling to disappear almost overnight. What if autumn doesn't have to mean a faster pace? What if you can instead take some of summer's best habits with you and let them become part of your everyday life. It is not about changing your whole life – but about small moments that make a big difference.     Start the day a little more slowly The long breakfasts of the holidays don't have to disappear just because work starts again. Perhaps you can get up ten minutes earlier and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea without answering emails or scrolling through your phone at the same time. A calm start to the day can set the tone for the rest of the day.     Continue spending time in nature During the summer, many of us spend more time outdoors than usual. We walk, swim, hike, or sit on a pier and look out over the water. When autumn comes, nature is just as beautiful. The air becomes clearer, the forest changes color, and the pace often feels calmer. A walk after work or an outing at the weekend can be just what is needed to recharge.     Enjoy autumn's larder Late summer and autumn offer some of the year's very best ingredients. Lingonberries, blueberries, chanterelles, apples, and root vegetables are not only fantastically delicious – they also remind us to follow nature's rhythm. Take the opportunity to fill the freezer with berries, cook hearty soups, or bake something with Swedish apples. Cooking seasonally is a simple way to make the most of what nature offers.     Make room for small breaks The holidays often give us more moments without obligations. Try to create some of those breaks during autumn too. Read a few pages in a book, light a candle when evening comes, or sit outside for a while with a warm cup of tea. The small moments can make a big difference in how we experience everyday life.     Don't let exercise become a chore In summer, we often move around more without thinking about it. We cycle, swim, walk, and spend time in the garden. Try to keep that feeling even during autumn. A walk in the woods, a bike ride, or a while in the garden does not have to be about performance – but about feeling good.   See autumn as a new beginning We often talk about new beginnings in January, but autumn is just as much a time for new habits. Nature changes, the air becomes fresher, and many of us return to our routines. Instead of filling your calendar right away, it can be nice to think about what you want to take with you from summer. Perhaps it is the feeling of calm, more time in nature, or prioritizing those small moments that make you feel good.     Autumn does not have to be the start of the stress – it can be the start of a slightly calmer way of living. / Anna-Lena

There is something truly special about fresh herbs. Basil, mint, parsley, dill and thyme add both aroma and flavour to summer meals. But it is so easy for herbs to get left at the back of the fridge until they wilt? Instead of throwing them away, there are several easy ways to make the most of them. You reduce food waste, save money and can enjoy the flavours of summer long after the season is over.   Make your own herb oil Herb oil is both delicious and easy to make. It is perfect for salads, grilled vegetables, pasta or as a flavourful accompaniment to freshly baked bread.   You will need: A handful of fresh herbs, such as basil, thyme, rosemary or parsley 2–3 dl organic olive oil   Do this: Wash and dry the herbs thoroughly. Place them in a clean glass bottle or jar and pour the oil over them. Leave it in a cool place for a few days so that the flavours can develop. Store it in the fridge and use it within a couple of weeks.   Freeze the herbs in ice cubes Do you have herbs that you won't have time to use? Chop them and place them in an ice cube tray. Then fill with: water olive oil or melted butter Once the cubes have frozen, simply take them out when you are cooking. Perfect for soups, stews, pasta or roasted vegetables.   Mix a delicious pesto Pesto does not always have to be made with basil. Almost any green herb works perfectly.   You will need: 2 dl of herbs of your choice ½ dl nuts or sunflower seeds ½ dl grated Parmesan (optional) 1 clove of garlic about 1 dl olive oil Salt and black pepper   Do this: Blend all the ingredients together until you reach the desired consistency. Serve with pasta or grilled food, or use as a sandwich spread.     Brew your own herbal tea Mint, lemon balm and chamomile make excellent teas. Thyme also works well and gives a rich flavour.   Do this: Place a few sprigs of fresh herbs in a cup and pour hot water over them. Let steep for 5–10 minutes and sweeten with a little honey or a slice of lemon if you like. Want to keep the herbs for longer? Dry them first by hanging small bunches upside down in a dry place. Once they are completely dry, they can be stored in a glass jar and used all year round.   Small choices make a big difference Making the most of herbs is an easy way to reduce food waste while getting more out of what you already have at home. Whether you make a flavourful pesto, freeze the herbs for cooking or enjoy a cup of homemade herbal tea, you can enjoy the summer harvest for a little longer. So next time you have a few sprigs of herbs left – give them a new life instead of letting them end up in the bin. 🌿     Now make sure you try one of my tips this summer!  / Anna-Lena

Few things feel so Swedish summer as heading out into the woods with an empty bucket and coming home with it full of fresh berries. Picking blueberries, lingonberries, or cloudberries is not only a wonderful outing – it is also an easy way to fill the freezer with some of nature's most nutritious foods. Besides, berries taste best when you have picked them yourself. Blueberries – the forest's blue superberry Blueberries are one of our most beloved berries, and it is not hard to understand why. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, and also contain antioxidants that give the berry its characteristic blue color. Antioxidants help protect the body's cells from oxidative stress, while dietary fiber contributes to a well-functioning digestion and provides a longer feeling of fullness. Blueberries are perfect for: Mixing into smoothies. Topping yogurt or porridge with. Baking pies or muffins. Freezing and enjoying all winter. Lingonberries – small berries with lots of flavor Lingonberries are a real Nordic powerhouse. They contain vitamin C, dietary fiber, and a lot of natural plant compounds. Thanks to their natural content of benzoic acid, lingonberries also keep for a long time without needing to be preserved. The tart taste makes lingonberries a fantastic accompaniment, but they also work excellently in both breakfast and baking. Try: Mixing lingonberries with a little honey. Mixing them into muesli or granola. Cooking your own lingonberry jam. Using them in bread or muffins. Cloudberries – the forest's golden gold Cloudberries are one of our most exclusive wild berries and grow mainly on bogs in northern Sweden. They are particularly rich in vitamin C and also contain vitamin E and dietary fiber. Since cloudberries are harder to find, every liter becomes extra valuable – and the taste is hard to compare with anything else. Cloudberries are fantastic to: Eat together with plain yogurt. Serve with pancakes or waffles. Cook jam or marmalade. Use in desserts or on a cheese board. Fill the freezer with summer Picking berries is an easy way to make the most of the summer harvest. An afternoon in the woods can yield several liters of berries that last well into autumn and winter. It is a good idea to freeze the berries immediately after picking. This preserves both the taste and much of the nutritional content, and you always have something delicious to take out for breakfast, a snack, or baking. A moment for both body and soul Berry picking is about more than the food you take home. It is also a way to get out into nature, move around, and enjoy the peace in the woods. Walking among blueberry bushes and bogs, listening to the birds, and smelling the scent of pine and moss is a summer experience in itself. So pack a thermos, take the family or a friend with you, and head out. With a little luck, you will come home with nature's own pantry – full of blueberries, lingonberries, and cloudberries that you can enjoy long after summer is over. / Anna-Lena

Treating yourself to some alone time is a wonderful act of self-love. Listen to calm, beautiful music, light a few candles, enjoy a good cup of tea, lie down on your yoga mat, and relax with a guided meditation. Do that little bit extra to help you settle into your body and find peace and tranquility. It doesn't have to be complicated. Enjoy a lovely foot bath, apply a face mask, exfoliate your body, and then carefully massage your skin with a wonderful body oil or lotion.   And here's the best part – you can forage in both the pantry and the garden to find wonderful ingredients to complement your spa day.   Foot Bath You can easily make a truly delightful foot bath if you have rose petals and calendula flowers. You will need: A handful of rose petals A handful of calendula flowers 1 tbsp sea salt Place the flowers in a basin of warm water and add the sea salt. Sit outside in the garden, on the balcony, or anywhere else where you feel relaxed. Then file your feet and massage them with a wonderful foot cream or a nourishing balm.   If you have Lavender Salt or Spa Birch Scrub at home, they are perfect additions to your foot bath. Finish with Foot Cream With Tea Tree & Peppermint.   Face Mask with B Vitamins and Zinc You will need: ¼ packet of fresh yeast 1–2 tbsp milk Mix the ingredients together until the yeast has completely dissolved in the milk. Apply the mask to a thoroughly cleansed face, neck, and décolletage using your hands or a brush. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Finish with a moisturizing face cream or serum. The mask is cleansing and softening, and it makes the skin feel lightly tightened. Yeast is naturally rich in B vitamins and also contains zinc and magnesium.   Honey Face Mask Apply a generous layer of honey to a thoroughly cleansed face, neck, and décolletage. Leave it on for 10–15 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.   Honey is naturally moisturizing and soothing, and it also has antibacterial properties. It is suitable for most skin types and leaves the skin soft and supple.   You can do this just for yourself, or you can enjoy a group spa day with family and friends.   Now make sure to take care of yourself this summer! / Anna-Lena

Johan, co-founder of c/o Gerd, opened his first hair salon at 19 and has washed more heads than he can count. Here he shares the most important thing he has learned behind the chair: that beautiful hair starts with the scalp, that “squeaky clean” is a warning sign – and that the gentlest surfactants do the best job. For the hair, for the scalp, and for the water it is all rinsed out into. By Johan, hairdresser and co-founder of c/o Gerd     The most important thing I have learned behind the chair I trained as a hairdresser and opened my own salon when I was just nineteen. Since then, I have had thousands of heads in my hands – and if I were to boil all these years down to a single lesson, it would be this: your scalp is skin. Living, sensitive skin, with the same need for care as your face.   Yet most of us treat the scalp like a floor that needs scrubbing. We use the strongest shampoo, scrub it clean, and rinse with the hottest water. Then we wonder why the scalp itches, the hair becomes flat, and the ends dry out. The answer usually lies not in the hair – it lies in the wash.     The myth of “squeaky clean” We have been taught that hair that squeaks after washing is clean. The truth is almost the opposite: the squeak means that the shampoo has removed not only dirt and styling residue, but also the skin and hair’s own protective oils. What is left is a stripped scalp that does what skin does when it is peeled – it compensates. For many, this means greasier roots, itching, or dryness. So we wash more often, with the same strong shampoo, and the vicious cycle begins.   That is why I promise you: the most powerful thing you can do for your hair is to switch to a gentler wash. Not a more expensive serum, not a new treatment – a milder shampoo.     Surfactants – the crash course The substance that cleans in a shampoo is called a surfactant. A surfactant is a small molecule with two ends: one loves oil, the other loves water. The oil-loving end attaches to dirt and sebum, the water-loving end follows with the rinse water – and the dirt is lifted away. So far, all shampoos are the same.   The difference lies in how hard the surfactant grips. Strong, conventional surfactants take everything – the dirt, but also the skin’s own protection. Mild surfactants, like the ones we use, are more discerning: they cleanse, but leave the barrier alone. Ours are also organic and biodegradable, so the work they do in your shower does not become a problem in the water afterwards.   And here is a truth you rarely hear in shampoo ads: mild surfactants lather less. That mountain of foam is not a mark of quality – it is mostly theater. Less foam does not mean poorer cleansing. It usually means gentler cleansing. Give it two weeks, and you will notice the difference where it counts: in the scalp, not in the foam.     Good for the hair, the scalp – and the basin This is where it all comes together, because what we rinse out of the hair does not disappear. It goes down the drain, and as we have written about earlier in the series: treatment plants capture a lot, but not everything. That is why our surfactants are biodegradable and our formulations are free from silicones and microplastics – the hair gets the job done, and nature can take care of the rest. It is the same rule that applies to everything we manufacture in Jokkmokk: function in nature, without harming it.   The nourishment comes instead from sources you will recognize if you have followed us: rice starch that gives fine Scandinavian hair natural volume, quinoa extract that moisturizes dry lengths, and berries from the northern pantry.     The hairdresser’s five habits for healthier hair •       Wash less often. Twice, maybe three times a week, is enough for most – let the scalp find its own rhythm. The transition can take a couple of weeks. Stick with it. •       Massage, do not scrub. One minute with your fingertips (not your nails) in circles makes the scalp happier than any scrubbing – and you get a little moment of relaxation as a bonus. •       Shampoo on the scalp, conditioner on the lengths. The shampoo should wash the skin, the conditioner should care for the hair. Do not mix up their jobs. •       Rinse with cooler water. Hot water dissolves more of the skin’s oils – lukewarm is enough, and a cool finish makes the lengths shinier. •       Choose shampoo for the scalp, not just for the hair type. If it itches and feels unbalanced – start there, with a soothing wash.     Find your wash All our shampoos and conditioners are made in our own factory in Jokkmokk, with mild, organic, and biodegradable surfactants as the base: •       Blueberry Shampoo Moisture – moisturizing, for dry, long, or curly hair. •       Cloudberry Shampoo Volume – gentle and volumizing with rice starch, for fine Scandinavian hair. •       Lingonberry Shampoo Balance – soothing, for an unbalanced scalp. •       24/7 Shampoo & Body Shower – fragrance-free and mild enough for the whole family, even the little ones. •       Deep Impact Conditioner and Shine & Volume Conditioner – conditioner with quinoa extract and rice starch, respectively, for the lengths.     Explore hair care → Ready-made hair care routines →  

“Natural.” “Pure.” “Green.” “Organic.” Beauty shelves are overflowing with words that sound good—but what do they actually mean? And how do you know if it’s genuine or just decoration? Here we clarify the terms, are honest about what organic does not mean, and give you three questions that reveal most. By Anna-Lena, co-founder of c/o Gerd   What does “organic” really mean? At its core, it’s simple: organic raw materials are grown without synthetic pesticides and without artificial fertilizers. In skincare, this means that the plant oils, extracts, and waxes in the product come from farms that place significantly less strain on the soil, water, and insect life than conventional agriculture.   But here is the first thing you should know as a consumer: unlike food, the word “organic” is not as strictly regulated for cosmetics. There are serious certifications—such as COSMOS and Ecocert—but nothing stops a brand from printing “natural” on a bottle that contains something else at best. Words are free. It is the content that costs.   It is also worth keeping the terms separate: natural means that the ingredient comes from nature, organic also says something about how it was grown, and vegan means that no animal products are included. A product can be one without being the other.     Honestly: organic does not mean risk-free Now for what we think more people in our industry should say out loud: organic is not automatically the same as harmless. Nature makes no kind exceptions—even natural substances can irritate sensitive skin, and an essential oil is chemistry just like everything else.   The point of organic skincare is different, and it is bigger than your bathroom shelf. Every year, enormous amounts of pesticides are used in conventional agriculture—substances that end up in waterways, in the soil, and eventually in us. Researchers point to chemicals as one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Choosing organic is therefore not primarily a question of fear for your own skin—it is a question of what strain your consumption places on our shared ecosystem.   It is the same idea as the precautionary principle, which we have written about before: when unnecessary exposure can be avoided—for you or for nature—then you avoid it.     Three questions that cut through the green noise You do not need to be a chemist to shop consciously. Three questions go surprisingly far: •       Where is the product manufactured—and by whom? A brand that has control over its manufacturing can answer. Those who buy ready-made formulations from anonymous factories cannot always do so. •       Can the brand show the full ingredient list—and explain why each ingredient is there? Full transparency is uncomfortable for those who have something to hide, and of course for those who do not. •       Are the green words specified or just a mood? “With natural ingredients” can mean almost anything. Serious claims are specific: which raw materials, from where, grown how.   Our answer to the three questions Since we ask the questions, it is reasonable that we also answer them. Where do we manufacture our products? In our own factory in Jokkmokk, in Swedish Lapland. Since starting in 2008, we have produced everything ourselves, which gives us full control over the entire chain—from the selection of raw materials to the finished product in your bathroom cabinet. Transparency? Our entire raw material list is openly available on the website, ingredient by ingredient. Our products contain no unnecessary chemicals, silicones, or non-biodegradable substances. And precision? We try to live as we teach even when it is uncomfortable. One example: our packaging is made, among other things, from sugarcane plastic, which has a lower carbon footprint than fossil plastic—but it is not automatically biodegradable, and we would rather say that ourselves than let someone else point it out.   Our mother Gerd, after whom the company is named, taught us the rule that still guides everything: take care of what you take from nature, and never take more than you need.     The quality stamp from a mountain stream We have our own measure of whether a product is ready: it should work just as well at home in the shower as in a mountain stream after a long hike. Gentle enough for nature, effective enough for you. That is the whole point of organic skincare for us—not a word on a label, but a promise that what is washed off your skin should not harm the water it ends up in. See our entire raw material list—100% transparency → Read more about our sustainability work →     Sources and references •       c/o Gerd: sustainability page and raw material list (careofgerd.se). •       Syre magazine: interview with Christina Rudén about chemicals and biodiversity (chemicals as one of five factors behind the loss of biodiversity). •       The EU regulation on organic production applies to food/agriculture; for cosmetics, there are voluntary certifications such as COSMOS and Ecocert.