Ever found yourself staring at the labels on your cosmetics, wondering what 'natural' or 'organic' really means? I know I have! These terms get tossed around so much, it feels like deciphering a secret code. So let's dive into these terms, demystify them, and see where O’Black Cosmetics stands in this landscape.
Natural Ingredients
Think of natural ingredients as gifts from Mother Nature – things like salt from the earth or vitamin E squeezed from oils. They're not cooked up in a lab but are instead gently harvested to keep their natural benefits.
Organic Ingredients
Organic goes a step beyond 'natural'. It's like nature, but with a promise – no GMOs, no harsh chemical fertilizers, and animals are treated with respect. It's farming with heart, not just avoiding sprays.
Certification
And there is even more. Ever noticed the 'Certified Organic' label on your skincare? What does it mean to you?
The certification of cosmetics is managed by various organizations like COSMOS, ECOCERT, USDA, and others, each with distinct standards for what constitutes 'natural' or 'organic.' They also use terms like 'certified' or 'approved' with specific meanings. While there's a commonality in aiming for high organic content when claiming a product is 'organic,' the required percentage can differ; for example:
- USDA Organic requires at least 70% organic content for 'Made with Organic Ingredients' and 95% for 'Organic'
- COSMOS Organic requires at least 20% excluding water.
Cosmetics can be claimed as organic even without certification, but such claims must be substantiated to avoid misleading consumers or facing legal repercussions. Checking the INCI name of an ingredient to find if it's organic is like trying to guess someone's favourite book by the colour of their shoes – it doesn't tell you much.
But, is synthetic that bad?
Not all synthetic is bad. Let's take a look at retinol. Retinol originates from vitamin A, which can be derived from animal sources. While natural retinol is a mild version for treating signs of aging, synthetic retinol can be formulated to enhance acne treatment and address signs of aging more effectively. That's good, right?
At O’Black Cosmetics
At O’Black Cosmetics, we're all about embracing nature's bounty. We don't chase the 'organic' label for every product, but we love to sprinkle our formulas with as many natural goodies as possible – think oils that nourish, flowers that soothe, and vitamins that rejuvenate. Did you know that each cream in our Combo Product contains more than 82% natural ingredients (excluding water), including those accepted by ECOCERT or COSMOS standards? For other products, please check their ingredients for more info.
Final Thoughts
Remember to focus on specific ingredients, their concentrations, and how they interact with skin or hair. Both natural and synthetic ingredients can be beneficial or harmful depending on the context. At the end of the day, it's not just about the label but what's inside. What does your skin crave, and what's truly beneficial for you? Dive deeper than the packaging and discover what makes your skin sing.
References:
- Retinol vs. Retin-A (Tretinoin): What’s the Difference?
- COSMOS and USDA websites.