Natural and Organic Cosmetics - Your Skin Deserves Purity
Natural and organic cosmetics are not just another fad, but rather, better health care. Learn the differences between the two and how to identify potentially harmful chemicals
By Rayanne Portugal
It is possible to take care of your health while being ecologically correct. This is the main attraction of organic cosmetics. Made from 100% natural components, their production processes are also totally sustainable, from raw-materials to marketing. This provides the consumer with a certified quality product that is not harmful to the skin, mucosa, and hair. Organic cosmetics are usually rich in vegetable and essential oils, butters, and various extracts that result in less damage to the body. According to Geysa Belém, a pharmacist specializing in organic cosmetology, the use of such cosmetics promote healthier and better protected skin. "An organic facial hydrating/moisturizing product, for instance, tends to be of higher quality than a traditional one. Instead of containing mineral oil, that is not absorbed by the skin, such a product will contain natural and more efficient oils. They stimulate skin healing and collagen and elastin production, in addition to deep hydration. The same holds for organic shampoos", she explains.
According to Geysa Belém, who is also the technical responsible pharmacist for an organic cosmetics manufacturing company, the main causes of allergies and rashes are related to the synthetic ingredients included in a formula. "Organic natural cosmetics, conversely, do not harm the skin and are healthier, since they are free from artificial substances", she adds.
For a cosmetic product to be considered organic, it is necessary that 95% of its natural raw materials are organically certified, free from chemical, synthetic, or animal substances - elements that can be used, however, provided there is proof that they are absolutely required and cannot be substituted by vegetal components. The amounts of both allowed and prohibited substances must abide by certifying standards (see Table). In Brazil, organic cosmetics are certified by the Biodynamic Institute (www.ibd.com.br) and Ecocert Brasil (www.ecocert.com.br). Both institutions verify not only the final result, but also the whole manufacturing process of a given product. Concern with how natural resources are harvested is the guiding principle for all these actions. It is imperative to ensure sustainable management throughout the whole process, that is, the soil, water, plants, and flowers used in the production process. The strict parameters also take into account pest control, which cannot harm the environment through the use of chemical pesticides.
So far, five Brazilian companies have already been certified to manufacture organic cosmetics and to harvest natural raw-material. They are: Florestas, Surya, Reserva Folio, Arte dos Aromas, and Beraca. The latter is the main supplier of natural compounds for the cosmetics lines produced by O Boticário, Natura, and Jequiti.
This is a highly promising market, explains Ming Liu, specialist in organic cosmetology and executive coordinator of Project OrganicsBrasil. "Exotic fruits from the Amazon, such as acerola, açaí, cupuaçu, and camu-camu, in addition to de andiroba and buriti extracts have a high appeal in this market. Brazil stands out and creates opportunities in this market, just as it is poised to become a development hub in the industry and a supplier of raw materials for the rest of the world", he points out.
Quality Seal
Unlike natural cosmetics, which are produced from vegetable raw materials, organic cosmetics´ components must follow stricter agricultural production control. They must be grown in uncontaminated soil and be pesticide-free. In Brazil, for a cosmetic product to be considered natural, or organic & natural, it must obey to the following criteria:
Product must be made up of at least 95% truly natural ingredients or ingredients of vegetable origin Product must be made up of at least 95 percent truly natural ingredients or ingredients that are derived from natural sources, excluding water
Product must be made up of at least 95% organically-certified vegetable ingredients
Formulations must contain at least 10% of organically-certified ingredients (including water used in the final product)
Product can contain at most 5% purely synthesized ingredients, that is, molecules derived from chemical synthesis, and only when ther are deemed absolutely necessary for the production process
Raw materials harvested from live or dead animals are prohibited
Some naturally-produced animal raw materials are allowed, provided they are not extracted from the animal´s body, but are subject to restrictions
Animal raw materials cannot hurt endangered species and their harvesting cannot negatively impact ecological balance
Mineral raw materials are allowed, provided they are used for their intrinsic properties and that their extraction does not pollute or degrade the environment, according to purity criteria.
Source: www.ecocert.com.br
Learn more
Organics Brasil Project was created to strengthen the Brazilian organics industry and to facilitate its expansion in the international market. It results from a joint initiative with the private sector and the Development Promotion Institute (IPD) and the Brazilian Agency for Export and Investment Promotion (Apex-Brasil).
Figures:
US$ 9 billion: Overall organic cosmetics annual trade figures, worldwide
Nature working for your skin
