What Is Natural Cosmetics And How To Choose It

Today the labels "bio", "organic" and "natural" are firmly entrenched on the labels of care and decorative products, but few people know for sure what these inscriptions really mean and whether they mean. Natural cosmetics have recently gained particular popularity, which positions themselves as the most eco-friendly, while not inferior in efficiency to conventional products on the shelves of beauty corners. We decided to sort out all the nuances of this trend together with the specialists of the Laboratorium brand.

What cosmetics are considered natural?

Cosmetics are considered natural if they contain at least 95% of natural ingredients in their composition. Therefore, before the next beauty purchase, you should first of all refer to a detailed description of the composition of the product. On the label, you should not find references to petroleum products (with the exception of some preservatives permitted by the standards), paraffins, fragrances, phenoxyethanol and synthetic colors. For more information on acceptable ingredients in natural cosmetics, visit the website of ECOCERT, which certifies natural cosmetics brands around the world.

The production and processing of cosmetics must be environmentally friendly and safe for human health. This is quite difficult for an untrained person to understand, but there are several ways. First, look for the badges of reputable certification bodies on the product packaging. To obtain such a certificate (and the ability to put a badge on the packaging), a cosmetic product must be tested, and often more than one. Each country has different certification organizations, and the icons may be different - do not be lazy to find information specifically about the tool you have chosen.

The second way is to follow social networks and brand publications, check documents on the site. If the manufacturer has passed the checks and received a certificate as a result, then he will definitely report this.

Needless to say, genetically modified ingredients and mineral oils are at the top of the list of taboo ingredients in natural cosmetics. Natural cosmetics packaging and containers can often be made from recyclable materials. Formally, this is not a mandatory requirement, but in order to obtain documents on "naturalness" and "organic", a brand must think about the ethics of its packaging. In addition, more and more buyers are now making a choice in favor of products whose packaging can be recycled or reused.

Of course, with a strong desire to pass off a beauty product as natural cosmetics, you can always, therefore, it is very important to look for proven brands that meet all of the above requirements. Such a brand is Laboratorium, a manufacturer of natural vegan cosmetics from St. Petersburg. In its production, products of animal origin and petroleum products are not used. Only natural preservatives are used, and the cosmetics themselves are not tested on animals. At the same time, separate waste collection has been introduced in the production of the brand, which makes it an example of a real eco-brand. In the future, Laboratorium plans to organize a post-use collection of its cosmetics.

To figure out whether you need natural cosmetics or not, we have compiled a detailed list of its pros and cons

Pros:

Clearer compositions (and often shorter ones);
Exceptionally "green" preservatives that have a delicate effect on the skin;
No animal testing required;
Organic brand policies are directly linked to the concept of sustainability and conscious consumption.

Minuses:

Shorter shelf life (from several weeks to several months);
Sometimes a less familiar form of release or slightly more complex use. For example, ubtan and dry masks should be diluted with liquid, deodorant should be warmed against the skin or stored in a warm place, and oil-based lip balms, on the contrary, should not be left where it is too warm;
Natural cosmetics act on the skin softer than conventional cosmetics, and this may not appeal to lovers of radical products and quick effects.

Frequently asked questions about natural cosmetics:

How to choose natural cosmetics?

Just like any other, taking into account the needs and characteristics of your skin. Carefully read the information on the package, take products for your skin type. If you have problems (rashes, allergies, pigmentation) - consult a specialist doctor before going to the store. Natural cosmetics, like ordinary ones, must be tested before use on an area of the body with sensitive skin, and only then applied to the entire face or body.