Wildcrafted vs. Organic vs. Foraged - What’s the Difference?

If you love natural skincare, you’ve probably come across the terms wildcrafted, organic, and foraged, and they’re often used interchangeably and without much explanation. While they may seem similar at first glance, each one carries its own meaning, philosophy, and relationship to the land. And when you understand those differences, you begin to understand why certain botanicals feel more potent, more alive, and more effective on the skin.

Here at Byers Ranch Apothecary, these distinctions guide every harvest, every infusion, and every formula. Our approach is rooted in place, in the foothills, forests, and meadows around our Colorado homestead, and centered on honoring the plants exactly as nature intended.

Let’s take a closer look at what each term means and how they shape the skincare you use.

What Organic Really Means

“Organic” is the most widely recognized label, but it’s also the easiest to misunderstand. Simply put, organic refers to how a plant is cultivated. For an ingredient to be certified organic, it must come from a farm that:

• avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers

• follows strict soil and pest management practices

• grows in monitored and inspected conditions

• most importantly, it adheres to USDA organic certification standards

Organic ingredients are wonderful, especially for plants that are endangered, rare, or not abundant in the wild,  but “organic” doesn’t tell you much about potency or plant energetics. It simply tells you the plant was intentionally grown in a controlled environment using approved methods.

A certified organic calendula flower may come from Colorado, California, or across the globe. The process is regulated, but the environment and energetics may vary.

What Wildcrafted Means

Wildcrafted botanicals are not cultivated. They aren’t irrigated, fertilized, or tended like crops. These plants grow exactly where nature planted them, shaped by rugged soil, shifting seasons, intense sun, snowmelt, wildlife, and the rhythms of the land. As a result, wildcrafted plants often develop greater natural resilience and higher concentrations of beneficial compounds than their cultivated counterparts. To be considered truly wildcrafted, harvesting must be:

• intentional

• ethical

• sustainable

• respectful of plant populations

• mindful of long-term ecosystem health

But this practice goes far beyond simply gathering plants from the wild. It is an intentional act rooted in respect and responsibility. It means harvesting only when a plant is abundant, leaving enough behind for wildlife and regeneration, and avoiding overharvesting roots or slow-growing species. It also means understanding the seasons and gathering at the time when a plant’s potency is naturally at its peak.

When plants grow without human intervention, they often contain a richer array of antioxidants, more vibrant color, and more complex aromatic profiles. Their chemistry is shaped by environmental challenges like the need to protect themselves from UV exposure, temperature fluctuations, wind, and pests. Those natural defenses become the very constituents that support and nourish the skin.

In short, wildcrafted plants carry the strength of the landscapes they come from, and your skin can feel the difference.

What Foraged Means (And How It Differs)

“Foraged” simply means collected from the wild. Anyone can forage. Not everyone wildcrafts.

The key difference is intention. Foraged refers to the act of gathering. Wildcrafted refers to how materials are gathered and the ethics behind that practice. Foraging can be casual. Wildcrafting is a practice rooted in respect, restraint, and knowledge of the land.

At Byers Ranch Apothecary, we wildcraft, never casually forage,  because the well-being of the land comes first. Every harvest is part of a long-term relationship with the terrain around us.

Wild plants live a demanding life. They adapt to harsh climates, compete with surrounding vegetation, endure drought and temperature swings, and defend themselves against pests without any human assistance. Because of these constant challenges, wild botanicals naturally produce higher levels of protective phytonutrients,  the compounds that give plants their color, scent, and therapeutic strength.

This resilience shows up in their chemistry. Wildcrafted herbs often contain higher levels of antioxidants, more complex aromatics, and a greater concentration of active constituents than cultivated plants. These are the very properties that help soothe irritation, refine pores, brighten dullness, strengthen the skin barrier, and support overall skin vitality.

You can see this clearly in the plants we work with: juniper berries develop their unmistakably sharp, aromatic profile under intense mountain sun; yarrow’s calming nature is shaped by wind and weather; mullein grows tall and soft in rocky soils, drawing moisture like a sponge; dandelion root becomes deeply restorative through seasonal cycles; and calendula glows with its trademark vibrancy when nurtured only by the elements.

Nature builds strong, resilient plants, and your skin benefits directly from that strength.

When Wildcrafted Isn’t the Best Choice

Ethical wildcrafting also means knowing when not to harvest. As much as we love gathering from the land, some plants are too vulnerable to be collected in the wild. In these cases, organic cultivation is the more responsible choice.

We intentionally choose organic over wildcrafted when a plant is endangered, slow to regenerate, or when wild populations are fragile and unable to sustain harvesting pressure. Herbs such as wild echinacea and other endangered plants should always be purchased from reputable organic growers to protect remaining populations and support long-term ecological health.

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword here; it’s a core principle. Our goal is to work in harmony with the land, not take from it faster than it can give.

How These Terms Shape Your Skincare Ritual

When you understand how your ingredients were grown or gathered, you’re not just using a product, you’re participating in a tradition. Here’s a simple way to think of the differences:

• Organic = grown with intention

• Foraged = collected from nature

• Wildcrafted = collected from nature with deep respect and ecological awareness

At Byers Ranch Apothecary, our products reflect the seasonal rhythms of our land: the pine forests, juniper hillsides, dandelion-dusted meadows, sagebrush flats, and sunlit alpine fields that inspire every formula we create.

Each batch begins with what the land is offering, not what a trend demands.

Wildcrafted, Organic, Foraged - Final Thoughts

In a world full of buzzwords and greenwashing, choosing the right skincare can feel overwhelming. But when you understand the roots of your ingredients, you can make choices that honor your skin and the earth. Wildcrafted, organic, and foraged botanicals each have a place in skincare, but their effectiveness and ecological impact depend on how thoughtfully they’re sourced. 

Because your skin deserves ingredients with life, story, and integrity. Until next time,