Natural and Organic Skincare Products

"Natural Cosmetics" or "Organic Cosmetics" are becoming frequent terms in our day to day. But, what do they exactly mean? Are those terms really defining something? Generally speaking the answer is "no", the fact that a product is being advertised as "natural" doesn't need to mean that product is more "natural" than your laundry detergent. These days the "natural" and "organic" is a trend and many brands just take advantage of the situation and use it as an empty marketing claim. But no panic! The real organic and natural cosmetics does exist! We just need to put all those tricky brands aside and find the brands which really give what they state. 


Your skin is the largest organ of your body and what you put on it can be absorbed in tiny amounts. That's why it is so important that the products you use are free from harmful or toxic substances. The natural cosmetic claims the coming back to the natural and the respect for your own body and the enviroment. These kind of products are formulated with skin alike and natural ingredients, that protects and helps the skin to regenerate; here there is no room for petrochemicals, harsh detergents, parabens, colourants or synthetic fragrances.


So it’s no surprise that a growing number of beauty products are now being produced with organic ingredients. Unfortunately, there are no legal standards for organic  
 
beauty products. So as a result, some companies choose to label a product as 'organic' even if it only contains 1% organic ingredients or if it contains potentially 
hazardous substances. Facing this lack of legislation some manufacturers turn to private certifying companies in order to give consumers a guarantee. But these private certificates are more evary day and each of them certifies different aspects of the product. Sometimes they seem to generate more confusion than confidence. Due to this, many real natural cosmetics manufacturers prefer not to join any certificate even accomplishing the requirements.
 

And so.. How can we differentiate the real natural or organic products from the fake ones? Don't worry! It's easier than it seems. And here we will help you out!
 


First of all, a quick review ofsome basic concepts:
 

  • Organic farming.  Artificial fertilisers are banned and farmers develop fertile soil by rotating crops and using compost, manure and clover. Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are banned 
  • Organic ingredient. The one that proceeds from organic farming, without pesticides and not genetically modified 
  • Natural ingredient. The one obtained directly forn nature, it may come from vegetal, animal or mineral source, without modification and alteration or the addition of chemicals,
  • Organic Product. The one that contains a % of organic ingredients.
  • Natural Product. THe product that has been made with natural ingredients, through a enviromental friendly and respectfull process.


The most common stamps that certify the organic origin of the cosmetics products in Europe are as follows:
 

  • Ecocert (France) - It certifies "natural cosmetics" (al least 95% of ingredients come from natural source and at least the 50% of vegetal ingredients come from organic farming) and "natural and ecologic cosmetics" (al least 95% of ingredients come from natural source and at least the 95% of vegetal ingredients come from organic farming) 
  • BDIH (Germany) - Cerfities natural products but not organic ones. 
  • Soil Association (UK) - Certifies the content of organic ingredients and ecologically standards for packaging and manufacturing 
  • Natrue (Europe) - Certifies organic products and it's production process. 

 


If any of these stamps is printed on the product's packaging, it measn the product is certified in some sense as organic or natural.