Organic Cosmetics: A guide to becoming a savvy shopper

Organic cosmetics promise beautiful and healthy skin mainly based on plants and without chemicals. Conventional cosmetics use many ingredients, the effects on the body of which have not been sufficiently investigated and which may be harmful. Many people decide to switch to organic cosmetics to do something good for their skin. With the following tips, you will learn what you should know when buying natural cosmetics and how you can pamper your skin even on a budget.

A certified organic cosmetic product will guarantee the absence of GMOs, phenoxyethanol, parabens, nanoparticles, silicone, synthetic perfumes, PEG (polyethylene glycol), and dyes, animal ingredients (except naturally produced by them, like milk or honey).

Also, organic certification requires that a minimum of 95% of the PLANT INGREDIENTS in the formula come from organic farming and that a minimum of 10% of the TOTAL of ingredients also. These proportions may seem small at first glance, but you should know that a shampoo is for example composed of 80% water; yet water, as natural as it is, cannot, in essence, obtain organic certification. Also, despite research that is progressing faster and faster (driven by the growing demand of organic consumers), certain components, such as emulsifiers in creams, cannot obtain organic certification but remain essential to stabilize a formula.

Be careful, however, alongside the "organic" certification, there is an "ecological" certification, a little less demanding since it requires that 50% minimum of the plant ingredients of the formula come from organic farming and 5% minimum of a total of ingredients from organic farming. This certification is reserved for products containing few plants and therefore for which it is difficult to reach 10% organic (such as clay masks, make-up powders, etc.). It is, therefore, useful to read the logos and labels affixed to the labels ...

How do I recognize good natural cosmetics?

The term "organic cosmetics" is neither clearly defined nor regulated by law. In principle, every manufacturer can develop its guidelines for organic cosmetics and have their products certified. The cosmetics industry divides products into natural cosmetics and organic cosmetics. Natural cosmetics are largely manufactured conventionally and contain only individual substances of natural origin. Organic cosmetics, on the other hand, only allow natural substances with a few exceptions. For example, silicone, parabens, paraffin, synthetic fragrances or preservatives as well as animal experiments are not used in production.

The easiest way to identify certified natural cosmetics is to use the following established seals of approval:

ICADA: seal for "certified natural cosmetics"BDIH: seal for "controlled natural cosmetics"Demeter: Seal for products in which over 90 percent of the total ingredients are Demeter qualityNaTrue: Seal for certified "organic cosmetics" and "natural cosmetics" in three quality levelsEcoCert: seal for "organic cosmetics" and "natural cosmetics"

The NaTrue and EcoCert labels distinguish natural cosmetics from organic cosmetics. In the latter, certain portions of the natural ingredients must come from controlled organic cultivation.

Do not confuse organic and natural...

We saw it a little above, water, for example, is 100% natural, yet it cannot obtain organic certification. The same goes for clay, because these two elements are not obtained through agriculture, they cannot by definition be from organic farming! Is it better to favor organic knowing that the formulas will not necessarily be 100% natural or is it better to consume pure and hard natural, knowing that we cannot then control if the ingredients have been grown without fertilizers, no pesticides, or, if necessary, extracts without solvents for example?

Why is the use of organic cosmetic products recommended?

The fact of being developed mainly with ingredients of natural origin makes organic cosmetics much better for the health of our skin. For example, they do not contain heavy metals which can eventually accumulate in the body. One advantage is that these products produce fewer reactions on the skin because they do not contain irritants such as parabens or synthetic flavours.

Organic cosmetics, unlike conventional cosmetics, are formulated without substances derived from petroleum. This allows correct sweating of our skin, thereby reducing skin acne while giving a good aesthetic result. Hormonal problems, as well as problems affecting our other bodily systems (digestive, respiratory, ...), are reduced with the use of organic cosmetics.

On the other hand, it must also be taken into account that organic cosmetics are not only favorable to human health. They also help preserve the environment and protect the integrity of animals.

The benefits of natural cosmetics don't stop at the skin. The fact that they do not contain a large number of toxic components largely avoids the harmful effects that this can cause for our health.

Purchase criteria

Below, we present the key aspects to take into account when buying an organic cosmetic product. In this way, it will be easier for you to make a well-founded and reasoned decision regarding the purchase of such products. The main points to take into account are, therefore:

Certification 

When shopping, make sure that the selected products have a certificate. The best-known certifications include BDIH, ICADA, ECOCERT, and ICEA. But there are many more certificates. We recommend that you inform yourself extensively on the Internet before shopping. Incidentally, most labels are only awarded for products that were not manufactured using genetic engineering or ionizing radiation.

Composition

It is important to take a little time to read the label of cosmetic products before putting them in your shopping basket. This is even more important if you know that you have any allergies or intolerances. This allows you to make sure that the product in question does not contain any ingredients that could harm you.

Elements to take into account

As for the choice when buying all the objects of daily life, the choice of an organic cosmetic requires that you consider certain factors:

The type of product you need: hand cream, lips, face, makeup, shampoo…The budget available: think in terms of the price per liter and find out about the average price of the product labeled organic product action: moisturizing, mattifying, absolute hydration, anti-aging solution, etc.

Above all, you will need to do some research or ask your friends and family to find out more about the subject. This will save you from buying a product that is not suitable for your needs or that has cost more than usual.

Check the presence of a label

Today there are several products on the market that claim to be natural without offering cosmetics made from organic ingredients. These products of natural origin (plant or animal) are not controlled and are not obliged to respect a percentage of natural ingredients in their composition, which is why they are rarely reliable. A product may contain only 15% organic or natural products and yet it is said to be natural.

When you buy your cosmetic, organic cream or organic lipstick in this case, it is imperative to check the presence of organic labels on the packaging. This is a guarantee that the cosmetic in question meets the biological requirements in terms of composition since these labeled products are constantly checked.

Product Features

Finally, even if organic cosmetics have many advantages, it is not worth buying any product just because it is natural. Before any purchase, ask yourself the question of what you are looking for and choose the cosmetic that best suits your preferences and needs. Decide for example if you want a matte or shiny make-up, of opaque or lighter consistency, etc.

Flavours

In addition to the above-mentioned, quantitatively superior ingredients, natural cosmetics also contain flavours. These include, for example, herbal extracts, essential oils, and floral water.

Price

There is a great variety each time more important in organic cosmetics and an equally wide variety of prices. It is important to know how to judge the quality-price relationship so that you can choose the cosmetic product that best suits your budget. Take into account that the more expensive products are not always the best: there are excellent cosmetics at very affordable prices.

There are many ways to buy organic cosmetics, but you have to be careful. If you want to buy online, you can find several sites dedicated to this type of product, but it is better to inquire about the platform before buying to avoid scams. You can also get it in supermarkets since it offers a whole department for that.

If you have doubts or are still unsure about which brand to buy, you can also get them from an organic store or pharmacy. You will have the opportunity to speak with a professional directly and get advice on use.

In summary

Organic cosmetics are an excellent alternative to conventional cosmetics and have benefits both for our health and in terms of aesthetic results. They are respectful of the environment and animals and have a very affordable price.

Taking these benefits into account, more and more people are consciously deciding to substitute their traditional cosmetic products for organic alternatives. Some celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, and Madonna have publicly announced that they use organic cosmetics daily. Some have even developed their brand of organic cosmetics, such as Miranda Kerr (Kora Organics). And you, ready to try them?