Organic cosmetics: The basic ingredients of organic cosmetics

Organic cosmetics are made from natural ingredients, some of which are organically grown.

Most of the time these products contain organic vegetable oils, organic hydrolats or floral waters, organic essential oils and plant extracts such as aloe vera or shea butter.

The objective of an organic product is that it should contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients in all the plants and a minimum of 10% organic ingredients in the total product.

The product may contain mineral ingredients but these cannot be certified. For example, one of the main components of an organic cosmetic product is water but it is not certified.

Let's talk about certified organic labels

The organic label provides security and proof of authenticity. There are several labels among which the most widespread in Europe is "Nature". This label focuses not only on one product but on a range or even an entire brand.

To be certified, 75% of the range must comply with the label's specifications. The Nature label guarantees that at least 95% of the natural substances (excluding water) are organic.

The Cosmebio's Cosmos organic label indicates that at least 95% of the ingredients are of natural origin, and at least 95% of the ingredients may be organic. In total, the finished product contains a minimum of 20% organic ingredients and 10% for rinse-off products.

The BDIH label does not impose a precise percentage of organic ingredients. Finally, the Nature et Progrès label requires 95% of ingredients of natural origin (organic as soon as they are available) and only authorises ingredients of chemical origin when they cannot be replaced by an organic ingredient.

Organic cosmetics are also subject to a large number of tests to ensure the effectiveness and safety of their products. In case of doubt, brands do not hesitate to take important measures.

What is the difference between organic and conventional cosmetics?

The difference is mainly in the composition. The two cosmetics do not use the same ingredients to create their products.

Some examples:

• In the water phase, conventional cosmetics use simple water, whereas organic cosmetics will often use hydrolats (floral waters) to add their benefits to the final product.

• The fragrances in conventional cosmetics are often artificial materials with a vague composition, whereas organic cosmetics will use natural fragrance materials (essential oils or other).

• In traditional cosmetics, the ingredients that can be used are governed by the European regulation n°1223/2009 (which tolerates ingredients that are unloved by consumers), whereas organic cosmetics are formulated taking into account the black list of labels.

In addition, organic cosmetics use manufacturing techniques that are environmentally friendly and gentle on the people who produce them, unlike conventional cosmetics which do not care about this.

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