Natural cosmetics offer a valuable alternative to conventional cosmetics. Making a careful choice is not always easy, because natural cosmetics is not a clearly defined or protected term. How can we be sure that we are buying quality products when we buy them? Do certified natural cosmetics offer the right solution?
What are certified natural cosmetics?
This includes certified natural cosmetic products that are provided with one or more seals. There are many of these, combined with different criteria. There is no uniform standard for natural cosmetics. The guidelines, which focus on different aspects, relate to:
- the ecological origin of the ingredients used
- the content of plant substances
- animal-free production
In Austria, thanks to the Austrian Food Book, there is basic information about which products may bear the designation 'natural cosmetics'. Natural raw materials and their treatment and processing steps are among the criteria. Particular attention is paid to chemical extraction and processing steps. On the one hand, they are permitted if the preservatives used have qualities identical to nature.
On the other hand, it is permitted to simply chemically process emulsifiers and surfactants that come from natural substances. Organic cosmetics have a special status within natural cosmetics. They follow the European guidelines for biological or ecological production.
A product must have 95 percent compliance with these regulations. Depending on the category of ingredients, a minimum biological content also belongs in the end product.
As an example: In the case of oils and anhydrous cleaning and care products, the minimum proportion of organic products - based on the finished product - must be at least 90 percent. This is intended to prevent consumer deception in connection with organic cosmetics. An example of organic skin care are the Amala label products sold by ENVI Naturals.
What certificates are there for natural cosmetics?
Seals for natural cosmetics carry different weight. That is why there are cosmetics, for example, that carry several and meet more than one standard. This is because, in addition to the described differences between natural and organic cosmetics, manufacturers also rely on vegan brands, for example. Here is a selection of well-known certifications in the field of natural and organic cosmetics:
- Austria Bio Guarantee: Austrian organic seal
- BDIH: BDIH standard for controlled natural cosmetics
- COSMOS: international certification for cosmetics, attention to cultivation and processing as well as the organic proportions in the overall product
- Demeter: Organic farming association from Germany, natural cosmetics with the Demeter seal, raw material content of 90 percent for plant-based components
- NATRUE: Label for natural and organic cosmetics
- Vegan flower and V label: vegetarian and vegan products
With some of the seals there are gradations with regard to the certifications. Let's take NATRUE as an example. Here it is also possible to obtain a NATRUE certification for certain raw materials, i.e. their cultivation and processing, as well as end products.
What are the advantages of certified natural cosmetics?
Natural cosmetics - whether as care or make-up - are based on caring for your skin in a natural way and letting it shine. It is essential to do without problematic ingredients such as mineral oils. In addition, due to the large selection of products, there is something available for the most diverse skin types and the associated needs. This applies, for example, to offers from brands such as The Glow that are listed on ENVI Naturals. With its bestsellers such as the Floral Essence Toner and Active Ingredient Serum and the multi-balm Wonder Balm, the label focuses on sustainable skin care.
However, with certified natural cosmetics you are not only doing something good for yourself, but also something for environmental compatibility and sustainability. And in doing so, you ultimately encourage manufacturers to continue to have the raw materials they need to produce high-quality natural cosmetics. In addition, less harmful substances find their way into our environment. Caution: Non-certified natural cosmetics do not automatically mean the quality is poorer. There are quite a few labels that deliberately offer products without a certificate. This is because such labels are always associated with considerable costs and bureaucracy.
Many therefore meet the standards that certain seals require without official proof, or do not want any restrictions in the design of their product range. This applies, for example, to the Susanne Kaufmann label offered by ENVI Naturals. If you are interested in a specific product, it is always worth taking a closer look at the ingredients and manufacturer. You can ask us about this.
Where can you buy certified natural cosmetics?
ENVI Naturals is your reliable and data protection compliant contact point for certified natural cosmetics. We give you the security that you are purchasing only natural cosmetic products from us. Transparency, honesty and sustainability are our core values. We only offer products from manufacturers that really convince us.
In addition to brands from Austria and Germany, this also includes other European labels. We give you detailed information on each product so that you can make an informed choice.
Subscribe to our newsletter and keep up to date with the latest products. Would you like to find out more about our shop for natural cosmetics, our brands and products? Get in touch with us and we will be happy to answer your questions. This will of course be done in compliance with all applicable data protection guidelines.
Conclusion
There are many differences in natural cosmetics, especially when it comes to how products are certified. In addition to looking at reliable seals such as Natrue or BDIH, it is important to obtain natural and organic cosmetics from a trustworthy source.
ENVI Naturals meets this requirement and also provides you with a comprehensive range of products. Browse through our shop now and order your individual care products and matching make-up.
