Natural vs organic cosmetics β what are the similarities and differences?
What natural cosmetic products are, whether they are all natural and healthy, whether they are necessarily organic and do they have something to do with cosmeceutics
In recent years, skin care products have increasingly advocated awareness of what we put on ourselves and in ourselves.
“Healthy, natural, organic” β we associate these words with the highest quality, but what defines natural in cosmetics is a bit of a mystery.
First of all, it should be clarified that natural and organic cosmetics are NOT the same thing.
Organic cosmetics are always natural, while natural cosmetics can, but do not have to be organic or even natural.
In most countries, the use of the term “natural” is not regulated, so in the cosmetic industry the word “natural” is a very mild term. In some countries, natural products are even allowed to contain a minimum amount of natural ingredients, of just 1%, for the product to be “natural.” Since the name “natural cosmetics” is not protected, anyone can use this name for their products, whether it is natural cosmetics or not.
Quality labels help classify products, and manufacturers must undergo regular checks in order to maintain them.
As for the origin of ingredients in natural products, they can be natural but not organic, which means that plants can be treated with pesticides, manure and similar substances, and that the product ultimately bears the label ”natural”.
However, on the market there are still excellent natural cosmetic products. It is up to the consumer to recognize the quality and recognize the philosophy of the manufacturer, and to read the ingredients. The ingredients are listed from the highest percentage to the lowest, depending on the proportion. If you do not understand the INCI list and scientific names of ingredients, then look for a natural cosmetics certificate or use one of the appropriate applications.
What defines the term “organic”?
Unlike natural cosmetics, standards for organic cosmetics come with a certificate that ensures the highest quality, and cover the cycle from raw material to finished product. Manufacturers in order to obtain a certificate “organic” must adhere to many rules:
e.g. promote the use of ingredients derived from organic agriculture, use natural resources responsibly β respect the environment, use processing and production techniques that are pure and sensitive to human and environmental health, integrate and develop the concept of Green Chemistry (minimize the use of hazardous substances).
In Europe, it is forbidden to use nanomaterials, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), radiation or animal testing. The use of the term “organic” on the product label means that it has undergone as little synthetic processing as possible.
Organic cosmetics include products that are made and contain only organically grown ingredients. However, it does not have to contain exclusively ingredients of plant origin other than plant ingredients, it is also permitted the use of minerals and ingredients of animal origin.
In natural, especially in organic cosmetics, ingredients that pose a risk to human health such as dyes, synthetic fragrances, silicones, parabens, petroleum products are prohibited.
To buy a true product, look for a logo on the packaging that provides certainty that it is a credible natural or organic product. Certification of natural and organic cosmetics is controlled by institutions of which are: NaTRUE, ECOCERT, COSMEBIO, BDIH, SOIL ASSOCIATION.
Why cosmeceutics, and not natural and organic cosmetic products?
The main shortfall of natural and organic cosmetics is the result, which does not come quickly and requires long-term application, i.e. time and patience. Natural and organic products generally cannot provide the results that consumers seek when it comes to advanced skin care, such as anti-aging care, because of regulations, they cannot use extremely effective cosmeceutical care ingredients, such as peptides, vitamins and the like. Compare any organic or natural product for anti-age care and that of the cosmeceutics, which uses a mixture of natural and laboratory ingredients, there is no comparison.
Cosmeceutical products are formulated in such a way that their main focus is a quick result. Cosmeceutical products penetrate the deep layers of the skin, which other types of cosmetic products lack.
APRIVE cosmetics stand out in that it benefits from all the advantages of cosmeceutical science and nature in synergy, and at the same time DOES NOT contain ingredients potentially harmful to the skin, such as silicones, parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, denatured alcohol, mineral oils, sulphates, phthalates, formaldehydes, GMOs, PEGs, TEA and DEA. No ingredients of animal origin. Not tested on animals.