If you are a fan of all things natural, then natural cosmetics are your only choice. Natural products are made from ingredients that are derived from natural sources. Both the ingredients and the product should not be harmful to our skin or our planet.
In order to know which ingredients your natural product contains, there is a legally required list of ingredients on the product packaging, the so-called INCI ingredients. This is the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients . Unfortunately, the manufacturer only gives us the composition with this list, but we do not learn anything about the origin and method of obtaining the ingredients. This is crucial for natural cosmetics. For example, if we are buying a natural cream, which one would you choose: the one with a certificate or the one without? If you choose the cream with a certificate, why?
Reason No. 1: A CERTIFIED PRODUCT CONTAINS THE BEST INGREDIENTS
Each certification body has its own rules under which conditions a product can carry their certificate. All recognized certificates for natural cosmetics require first-class quality of ingredients (e.g. the origin of plants, processing technology, chemistry of technological processes, etc. are evaluated). The certificate confirms the excellence of the ingredients.
Reason No. 2: THE CERTIFICATE IS A GUARANTEE OF PRODUCT EXCELLENCE
There is a general opinion that a product with a certificate is better than a product without a certificate. If nothing else, this is evident in the price of the product, as the certificate usually makes the product more expensive. In principle, I agree that a certificate gives a product some weight; for me, it means that in addition to the manufacturer's own praise, there is someone who has professionally assessed that this product is indeed made according to strict criteria. We trust the professional judgment of the certification body more than the manufacturer itself. However, I do not agree that products are better than products without a certificate just because of the certificate. I have bought a natural cream with a certificate and top-quality ingredients many times, but unfortunately the cream was useless for my skin.
Reason No. 3: A CERTIFICATE WE TRUST
We know of several internationally recognized certificates for natural cosmetics. The certification policy is different for each, but they also have some common points. Which one you trust the most is a matter of knowing the details of the individual certificate. Usually, you don't bother with which certificate a product has in the store; just check whether a natural product has a certificate or not. For those who are curious, I am attaching links to the certification houses, where you can read exactly what the most recognized ones advocate: CosmEthically Active , BDIH , SOIL ASSOCIATION , ECOCERT , NATRUE , COSMEBIO , BIOGARANTIE , COSMOS .
I have chosen the CosmEthically Active certification for my products . Let me just describe a few of the most important rules for obtaining this certification. The CosmEthically Active certification guarantees that the selected ingredients in the product are natural, that if cosmetically active ingredients are present in the product, they are in active concentration (in layman's terms: proven to work), that all ingredients in the product are for a purpose (no unnecessary ingredients) and that the product is not tested on animals.
CONCLUSION
Whether a certificate on a natural cosmetic product means anything to you is your decision. However, I also claim that among the flood of products there are also those without a certificate that suit your skin perfectly. For me, as a formulator and manufacturer of natural products, the certificate is important because an external certification body impartially assesses my work. Because at the same time I receive confirmation from independent experts that I am working excellently and in accordance with the most modern cosmetic scientific knowledge. And that I am confirmed to be working hand in hand with nature.