As someone interested in health and wellness, you've probably heard about GMOs hiding in food. Along with being in many processed foods, they also find their way into other products, such as skin care, hair care, and even supplements.

To avoid slathering a cocktail of chemicals on your face or popping a multivitamin with unknown ingredients, it's a good idea to consider GMO-free beauty products and supplements. So we called on our ethical beauty friends at Andalou Naturals to explain GMOs and how to avoid them.

What are GMOs?

'GMO' stands for genetically modified organisms, new plants, animals and microorganisms. Scientists combine the genes from the DNA of one species (like a plant) with the DNA of another species to create an artificial gene.

Many farmers grow genetically modified crops like corn and soybean, and you might have heard chatter about the harm in these genetically modified foods. But GMOs are also found in supplements and skincare products.

What GMOs are found in beauty products?

The health and wellness industry is heavily regulated in some ways, and not in others. That's the category GMOs fall into. For example, in Australia, food manufacturers have to disclose whether they use GMOs, but beauty and supplement brands don't need to.

Because of that, you might come across products that contain GMOs. They usually show up in the form of these ingredients:

• Canola and soy oils
• Corn starch
• Corn oil
• Amino acids
• Glycerin
• Lecithin
• Lauric acid
• Sodium citrate
• Maltodextrins
• Yeast protein
• Vegetable protein
• Xanthan gum

These ingredients mostly pop up in anti-ageing and moisturising skin care products, and they're also used as preservatives in some shelf-stable supplements. As you can imagine, the heavy use of GMOs is one of the most debated ethical issues in the beauty industry.

While we don't know the long-term effects of GMOs, we do know that they're not natural, and our bodies can't digest and absorb them properly. Many people have also experienced skin and digestive issues after consuming them and brain fog and fatigue. So if you're on a mission to live a healthy lifestyle, it's worth considering ways to avoid them.

How to go GMO-free

An effective way to avoid GMOs is to buy products with clean ingredients. At Vitable, we produce all of our healthy vitamins and beauty boosters right here in Australia, with no nasties — including GMOs. Instead, we choose premium, natural ingredients in their purest form so the body easily absorbs them. From biotin and B complex to minerals and herbs, our entire range of non-GMO supplements is also free from common allergens like lactose and gluten, so it suits all dietary needs.

Andalou is another company that's leading the GMO-free movement in Australia. Back in 2011, it became the first beauty brand in the world to achieve the Non-GMO Project seal on 100% of its products — and that non-GMO skincare certification isn't easy to get. The non-profit organisation verifies that products are free from genetically modified ingredients. As part of that process, the Non-GMO Project assessed 200 of Andalou's ingredients to make sure they met high health standards and didn't include GMOs of any kind.

Shop GMO-free brands

Together with Andalou, we're committed to creating products that boost your wellbeing and help you to become your healthiest self. A big part of that is saying no to GMOs and focusing on clean, pure ingredients that nourish the body — inside and out. Head to Andalou to shop their natural skincare.

Take our quiz to build your personalised vitamin pack. This service does not provide medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Find out more about other areas that the above supplements can help you with:

Zinc | Iron | Probiotics SB |Vitamin C | Vitamin D | Vitamin B12 | Fish oil | Biotin

*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.