Natural cosmetics – how much nature is really in it?

You probably hear the term natural cosmetics very often. But what is behind this name and is every cream with daisies really pure natural cosmetics? The consumer lacks a precise definition and the flexibility of the term is very high.

What are natural cosmetics actually?

Various care products for skin and hair claim the term natural cosmetics for themselves. There is currently no legal definition of natural cosmetics. Manufacturers who only add natural ingredients to a fraction of their formulation can already call this product natural cosmetics. Each producer can therefore have their products manufactured and certified according to their own guidelines. But where nature is in, the cosmetics can only be good, can’t they?

The good feeling is underlined with appealing pictures on the packaging and trustworthy ecological terms. We help you to see through the confusing natural cosmetics jungle.
Basically, the following applies: In natural cosmetics, natural and nature-based raw materials are used as the basis of the recipe. The focus is also on resource conservation. Thus, value is placed on careful handling in the production of raw materials and in production. The product itself and the packaging should be biodegradable.

These substances should not be found in natural cosmetics:

Even if there are no legal requirements – these manufacturing criteria and ingredients should not exist in good natural cosmetics.

  • Synthetic oils, waxes, fats or silicones
  • Dyes (aromatic amines) and pH stabilizers (ethanol derivatives and ethanolamines)
  • Mineral oil based ingredients
  • Few synthetic ingredients such as chemical agents and sunscreen filters
  • Preservatives such as formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde releasers, EDTA complexing agents
  • Antimicrobial Preservatives (Halogenated Organic Compounds)
  • synthetic fragrances

Decisive criteria for natural cosmetics

  • Without genetic engineering (raw materials and production)
  • Without radioactive irradiation of the ingredients
  • Environmentally friendly production and processing of the product and the individual components

What is natural cosmetics?

You can find a large selection of so-called natural cosmetics in every supermarket and drugstore. Natural cosmetics are increasingly being produced with plant-based substances and only a few synthetic substances. Nevertheless, these products are not natural cosmetics that meet the guidelines of the various test seals. It is not legally specified how high the proportion of plant substances must be for a product to be considered near-natural.

Allergen potential? Natural cosmetics versus classic cosmetics

If you have sensitive skin and perhaps fear an allergic reaction when using cosmetics, using natural cosmetics is not always the ideal solution. Every skin is different and reacts differently to the various ingredients in the cosmetics industry. It is quite possible that essential oils and alcohol in natural cosmetics can cause skin irritation. Natural cosmetics are not to be equated with ‘antiallergenic’. Basically, you can have an allergic reaction to any ingredient, be it synthetic or naturally produced.

Vegan cosmetics

Vegan cosmetics are cosmetic products that are manufactured without animal ingredients and without animal testing. The cosmetics are mostly marked as vegan and are now available from many companies. Of course you can also make vegan cosmetics yourself. This way you can be sure that everything is really vegan and you know exactly what is in your care products.

Even vegan cosmetics sometimes contain more ingredients of animal origin than you might think. You should therefore pay attention to these terms:

  • Keratin – it is made from ground up horns, feathers and hooves.
  • Cera flava – the wax is the excretion of the honey bee and is used to produce the honeycomb.
  • Lanolin – wool wax is a secretion from the sebaceous glands of sheep. Wool wax is obtained by washing the sheep’s wool.
  • Carmine – the red dye is obtained from female scale insects.

animal testing

Animal testing in cosmetic products is still a hot topic. There has long been a ban on animal testing in Germany for the cosmetics industry.

Here is the development in brief:

1986 – The German Animal Welfare Act bans animal testing in the development of decorative cosmetics.

1998 – Ban on animal testing for the development of skin care cosmetic products.

2004 – Cosmetics are no longer allowed to be tested on animals.

2009 – Extension of the ban on ingredients and combinations of ingredients in cosmetics.

2013 – Cosmetics tested on animals cannot be imported or sold in the EU.

2016 – EU ban on data use from animal testing on cosmetics conducted outside the EU.

Crystal Waston MD

Crystal Waston has a degree in Cross Media Production and Publishing. At vital.de she gives everyday tips and deals with topics related to women's health, sport, and nutrition.

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