Organic cosmetics as an integral part of a modern healthy lifestyle!
Today’s cosmetics industry is a real jungle, where the trend of returning to naturalness and eco-lifestyle is becoming more and more evident. And in this trend, organic cosmetics is not just a direction of the beauty industry, it is a whole philosophy. Conscientious manufacturers are thinking about the future of our planet. And this path is not naive, but truly advanced. In addition to the usual cosmetics on the shelves of stores appear natural and organic. Cosmetics, the raw materials for which are produced in ecologically clean areas without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and parabens, are more popular today than ever. Everything should be natural in it – from the product itself to the packaging.
Eco philosophy is actively gaining popularity. Taking care of the environment has become a matter of course. Organic cosmetics is not just fashion, it is a reasonable and careful approach to health and beauty.
Combining the forces of nature and the effectiveness of application achieved through the use of modern technologies organic cosmetics act on the skin in a completely different way. Natural components do not contradict the natural processes of skin restoration and hydration, but simply gently regulate them, preserving health. As part of organic cosmetics, real delicacies for the skin are vegetable oils (avocado, coconut, almond, wheat germ, apricot kernel), extracts of herbs and plants, aloe vera, essential oils, vegetable collagen, hyaluronic acid. Thanks a better affinity with the skin such cosmetics are perceived much more actively, act more effectively and are absolutely non-toxic.
Most importantly fact for quite widespread in Europe “natural” and “organic” cosmetics – existence a solid legislative base.
The COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard) is the most stringent of all European standards. It not only regulates the processes of growing plant raw materials and creating cosmetics, but also comprehensively takes into account the impact of production processes and final products on the environment. Products certified according to the COSMOS standard are marked with the COSMOS ORGANIC (organic cosmetics) or COSMOS NATURAL (natural cosmetics) signs in combination with the logo of the COSMOS member organization that issues the certificate (BDIH, Cosmebio, Soil Association, ICEA, Ecocert).
The COSMOS ORGANIC standard assumes that 95% of plant ingredients must be of organic origin, while at least 20% of the mass (for indelible products) must consist of organic ingredients. These ingredients must be grown in an ecologically clean place, without the use of any toxic fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, growth regulators and antibiotics. The equipment used to make cosmetics should be harmless. No more than 5% of components synthesized in laboratory conditions are allowed, but only from the list regulated by the standard. The production cycle of organic cosmetics should not harm the environment. COSMOS NATURAL does not regulate the mandatory proportion of organic components, but strictly limits the list of permissible technological processes and imposes special requirements for the environmental friendliness of packaging.
The COSMOS standard is guided by four core principles:
The COSMOS-standard covers in detail all aspects of the sourcing, manufacture, marketing and control of cosmetic products. Certification Bodies inspect each of these aspects when certifying an organic or natural product. Organic cosmetics are usually tested not only for safety, but also for effectiveness.
During the production of organic cosmetics, it is forbidden to conduct any tests on animals. Similarly, animal products obtained as a result of harming animals are not allowed in the composition.
The packaging of organic cosmetics must be recyclable or biodegradable, should not harm nature.
Undoubtedly, the popularity of natural cosmetics in the world will grow.
For “natural” and “organic” cosmetics is existence very solid legislative base. To make an informed choice in favor of high-quality products it is important to know the meaning of the signs that manufacturers place on product packages. Here our consumers can find the description the most frequently of them.
The COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard) is the most stringent of all European standards. It not only regulates the processes of growing plant raw materials and creating cosmetics, but also comprehensively takes into account the impact of production processes and final products on the environment. Products certified according to the COSMOS standard are marked with the COSMOS ORGANIC (organic cosmetics) or COSMOS NATURAL (natural cosmetics) signs in combination with the logo of the COSMOS member organization that issues the certificate (BDIH, Cosmebio, Soil Association, ICEA, Ecocert).
The COSMOS ORGANIC sign means that the product should contain only natural products, 95% of the ingredients should be of plant origin. It is allowed to use a maximum of 5% of synthetic components allowed by the standard. At least 20% of the components must be of organic origin if it is an indelible product, and 10% if it is washable.
Also, the main requirements include:
The packaging must be recyclable or biodegradable.
COSMOS ORGANIC is the strictest category of the COSMOS standard in comparison with the category COSMOS NATURAL.
The COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard) is the most stringent of all European standards. It not only regulates the processes of growing plant raw materials and creating cosmetics, but also comprehensively takes into account the impact of production processes and final products on the environment. Products certified according to the COSMOS standard are marked with the COSMOS ORGANIC (organic cosmetics) or COSMOS NATURAL (natural cosmetics) signs in combination with the logo of the COSMOS member organization that issues the certificate (BDIH, Cosmebio, Soil Association, ICEA, Ecocert).
The COSMOS NATURAL sign means that the product should contain only natural ingredients, some of which are of organic origin. On the back of the package, if desired, the manufacturer can write the % ratio of the organic part to the total weight.
Also, the main requirements include:
The packaging if it is possible must be recyclable or biodegradable.
Is an association that deals with natural cosmetics standards on the German market for medicinal products, health food products, dietary supplements and cosmetics, and named BDIH.
The sing BDIH mark is a guarantee of providing complete and transparent information about natural products. In order for a product to receive the BDIH certificate and receive the status of natural, it must meet the criteria of “Controlled Natural Cosmetics“. The standard attaches great importance to the nature of the origin of raw materials for the production of cosmetic products. Raw materials can be of vegetable or mineral origin. Raw materials of plant origin must be grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, for example, herbicides and pesticides, or grow in natural or wild conditions. Raw materials of mineral origin are allowed with restrictions. For example, the use of inorganic salts, such as magnesium sulfate or mineral raw materials, sodium chloride, is allowed, but the use of products derived from oil is prohibited!
The standard pays special attention to the protection of animal rights. So, it is forbidden to test and test natural cosmetics on animals! Therefore, if there is a BDIH mark on the packaging of a cosmetic product and there is no sign that means “not tested on animals”, you should not worry, the BDIH marking guarantees that the product is not tested on animals! The BDIH standard allows the use of animal waste products, such products are royal jelly of bees or fat from goat hair – lanolin, but prohibits the use of raw materials obtained from dead vertebrates, for example, animal fat, animal collagen or living cells.
Emulsifiers and surfactants obtained by hydrolysis, hydrogenation, esterification, transesterification from the following natural raw materials are allowed for the production of natural cosmetics: fats, oils and waxes, lecithins, lanolin, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, proteins and lipoproteins.
The BDIH Standard prohibits the use of synthetic dyes and flavors, ethoxylated components (detergents), silicones, paraffin and other petroleum products. The list of permitted aromatic substances establishes the ISO-Norm 9235 Standard.
The BDIH standard permits the use of natural preservatives, such as: benzoic acid, its salts and esters, salicylic acid (salicylic acid) and its salts, sorbic acid and its salts, benzyl alcohol.
The BDIH standard prohibits the use of sterilization of organic raw materials and finished cosmetic products by any radioactive irradiation.
Is one of the most widespread certifications in use. NATRUE is an international, non-profit association based in Brussels which was founded in 2007. Its goal is to protect and promote natural and organic cosmetics worldwide.
For their certification, the ingredients of cosmetics are divided into three categories: 1). Natural ingredients: come directly from nature, as the name suggests, and are rendered usable through physical processes (for example, pressing); 2). Near-natural substances: occur in nature but are chemically modified. However, only certain modification procedures are allowed and they may only be used in the case that the substance used cannot be replaced by natural ingredients. An example of such substances are tensides in shampoos as their cleansing effect cannot be achieved by natural ingredients alone; 3) Nature-identical substances: are created through chemical reactions, but also occur in an identical form in nature. NATRUE provides the following information in this regard: “These ingredients are exclusively permitted in the case of preservatives and minerals and then only when the desired natural substance cannot be gained from natural sources in the required quantity or quality.”
Furthermore, NATRUE defines the minimum content of natural ingredients as well as a maximum content of near-natural substances. Specific criteria are prescribed for each of the different product groups, so the requirements for soaps are different from those for shampoos, for example.
The following are completely forbidden:
CPAEN-NNPEK (Consejo de la Producción Agraria Ecológica de Navarra- Nafarroako Nekazal Produkzio Ekologikoaren Kontseilua) is the entity that since 1996 is dedicated to the control, certification and promotion of food derived from organic agricultural activity, taking care of the land and providing the population with healthy, sustainable products.
The greater part of natural and organic cosmetics is vegan.
In order to be awarded this seal of quality, certain standards must be fulfilled:
Guarantees that the product is Halal, does not contain components and additives of animal origin and has BIO quality!
This certificate is issued by РЕТА (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals) – a specialized organization on an international scale, the main purpose of which is to protect animals and their rights.
To get a PETA Cruelty Free and Vegan certificate, a company must undergo a thorough check for the absence of testing or other animal cruelty in its activities, not only by manufacturers, but also by suppliers.
Vegan means that there are no animal products in the composition.
This certificate is issued by РЕТА (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals) – a specialized organization on an international scale, the main purpose of which is to protect animals and their rights.
To get a PETA Cruelty Free certificate, a company must undergo a thorough check for the absence of testing or other animal cruelty in its activities, not only by manufacturers, but also by suppliers.
The EU Cosmetics Regulation prohibits testing or other animal cruelty not only by manufacturers during products developing and its production, but also by suppliers. Conscientious manufacturers strict international regulations and has rigorously rejected animal testing.
Guarantee an excellent skin tolerance! The seal is the highest distinction awarded by the renowned independent German test institute Dermatest.
A minimum of 20 volunteers are specifically selected for the application tests according to the test requirements. Over a period of four weeks the tests are then performed exactly at the point of application (e.g. on the face, hands, etc.). These elaborate and long-term application tests offer the greatest certainty that subsequent skin reactions can be ruled out.
Demonstrates the result of testing different products for their safety for human health during use. If the product has received an Öko-Test certificate, you will definitely see the appropriate marking on its packaging indicating the rating, for example: “Very good” or “Good”.
The Öko-Test journal can be purchased at any kiosk or store in Germany that sells press. This means that every German or European consumer can choose cosmetics based on serious research conducted by the Consumer Society, and not advertising promises. In European countries, the Öko-test icon on the packaging of a product has long been a confirmation of its safety for human health.
Means strong compliance with high quality standards of GMP in accordance with the EC Cosmetics Regulation. Only reliable control can guarantee excellent product quality in the long term.
Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients.
What is good for the skin should not harm the environment.
ClimatePartner – one of the world’s leading climate protection consultancies, to implement climate neutral packaging. Part of going climate neutral is reducing carbon emissions during the production process.
Then manufacturers-partners calculate the emissions that can’t avoid, and offset these by supporting certified ClimatePartner projects.
Guarantees that the product does not contain micro-plastic, which can be toxic for human and nature.
Means that products are gluten-free and can also be used by allergy sufferers without concerns.
Indicates that the product formulas are reef- and coral-friendly.
Packaging of product is recyclable and/or made from recycled material and is not harm nature.
FSC means that paper packaging made from environmentally friendly wood. Folding boxes certified by FSC consist of recycled material. The printing inks used are based on renewable raw materials and do not contain mineral oils.
Promotes organic production and social recognition of organic agriculture worldwide. Contributes towards protecting the environment and its resources, ensuring food security and improving people’s living conditions. Refers to Spirulina platensis microalgae.
Certified organic product, grown in EU/Taiwan. Refers to Spirulina platensis microalgae.
The main requirement is that the product must contain at least 95% of ingredients produced in accordance with organic farming standards enshrined in EU law.