When purchasing natural skincare or haircare products, it’s crucial to carefully read labels. This is especially true of products marked as being “natural.”
Search for products with third-party certification such as Leaping Bunny and use sustainable packaging like glass or sugar cane bottles for maximum sustainability. Furthermore, cruelty-free brands should be prioritized.
Natural & Organic
Natural cosmetics are composed of all-natural raw materials sourced from organic farming, making them not only better for the environment but also better for your skin. Because cosmetics penetrate skin layers and can end up entering our systems, we prefer products bearing an organic label which guarantee at least 95% natural ingredients.
Organic beauty products do not contain harmful chemicals such as parabens, mineral oils or silicones; instead they use plant raw materials such as natural fats, oils and waxes as care givers and binding agents in their formulations.
If you want skincare with high concentrations of organic ingredients, look for COSMOS ORGANIC certification. However, natural products can still carry this label since natural and organic are two separate categories that the COSMOS association defines differently.
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic products are an excellent solution for skin prone to irritation or allergies. These cosmetics do not contain fragrances or any of the European Union Cosmetic Ingredients Directive’s list of commonly reported allergens (like amyl cinnamal, eugenol or clove oil) that could trigger reactions.
Natural products should also avoid synthetic ingredients like silicones that cling to the surface of skin and reduce airflow; these silicones create temporary softness but hinder regeneration over time. Instead, plant-based oils and waxes provide desired textures while providing binding and preservation substances necessary for sustainable skin health.
Consider brands like RMS Beauty that specialize in creating makeup and skincare products from raw, food-grade ingredients for optimal nourishment to the complexion. Their nontoxic, gluten-free and GMO-free products also stand out. Juice Beauty stands out as another top rated brand offering nontoxic formulas that deliver clinically validated results while providing super gentle care.
Non-Toxic
Conventional beauty products often contain harmful chemical components like silicones, petroleum and mineral oils; in contrast to these natural cosmetics are free of synthetic additives and may even have reduced processing steps or clear ingredient lists that allow consumers to make informed choices for both health and beauty purposes.
There is no single definition of nontoxic or clean beauty products, however. Water and oxygen can both be toxic in large doses; natural ingredients could even be harvested or produced using unsustainable means (i.e. bovine/fish collagen, snail slime or crushed beetle shells – not to mention palm oil’s destruction of rainforest habitats!).
Natural cosmetics must be free from ingredients linked to health concerns or that cause sensitivities among many people, such as formaldehyde, phthalates, artificial fragrance or synthetic preservatives; these substances can act as skin irritants while potentially leading to allergies or reactions on sensitive skin types. Instead, natural preserving agents like essential oils or alcohols that are readily accepted by skin should be used instead.
Sustainable
The cosmetics industry stands at an inflection point with regard to environmental responsibility and sustainability. A movement toward natural ingredients and eco-friendly preservation techniques is creating new innovations in formulations while simultaneously decreasing environmental impact.
Natural beauty and hygiene products differ significantly from their conventional counterparts in that they tend to use only natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging materials to minimize environmental impact.
Natural and organic cosmetics contain at least 95% natural ingredients sourced using methods that cause minimal environmental stress or pollution, such as harvesting from sustainable agriculture practices. They must not contain sulfates, parabens or artificial preservatives; animal-derived ingredients such as collagen or fish protein should also be avoided as well as snail mucin or crushed beetles.
Many natural and organic beauty brands have formed longstanding partnerships with farming communities worldwide to source ingredients in an ethical, eco-friendly fashion for their products, which make them both environmentally responsible and of outstanding quality. Glycerine, for instance, is an amazing natural moisturizer which improves skin hydration.
