Differences Between Natural, Organic, and Conventional Cosmetics

Organic cosmetics have become more than a conscious choice, and much more than a fashion trend, with all of the implications that are included. Searching for beneficial products, it is easy to find many products launched on the market that appear to be natural and organic, with promises that are not always fulfilled.

What are the differences between conventional, natural, and organic cosmetics?

Natural Cosmetics: has a good starting composition, but only about 5% of natural ingredients are enough to use the phrasing “natural”.

Eco-Organic Cosmetics: on the contrary, to be able to use this term, it should contain 100% of natural ingredients in which at least 20% of it is from organic farming. To be organic, it should respect not only the skin, but also the environment through rigorous production systems with reduced environmental impacts, reduced secondary packaging, and minimum packaging.

The Conventional Cosmetics: this has no particular restrictions, it is composed of almost all chemical substances that can be the cause of concern.

As previously mentioned in earlier posts, the first thing a consumer should do is to learn to read the labels of cosmetics, the famous INCI, which are nothing more than a list of ingredients. How should you read the INCI?

1) Ingredients are always listened in descending order. First are the ingredients that have higher concentrations within the product, and those listed last will have the lower concentrations.

2) Chemical substances are always written in English.

3) Vegetable substances are always written with the botanical name, in Latin, without the translation.

4) Dyes are written with C.I. (color index) followed by an identification number

5) Only hair dyes are written with the name in English.

What tools are available to identify harmful and toxic substances in cosmetics? 

1) Biodiversity is a useful tool that allows you to know immediately through the color of vignette associated with the tested substance. The color will be green if a substance is safe, yellow if it is borderline, and red if it is dangerous for the environment or dangerous for human health.
2) One of the main, private, organic certification groups in Italy has created a very useful ICEA CHECK app that allows you to copy and paste directly into the app the INCI of a product and to immediately check whether the substances are safe or not.
3) For the average consumer, it is possible to rely on the certifications of some private groups such as ICEA, Natrue, BDIH, and ECOCERT, which have strict regulations to ensure that the product is organic and safe.

Which substances are NOT allowed in BIOLOGICAL cosmetics? 

Silicones (ending in -one, -thicone, or -siloxane): these are used in hair products and make-up for their fake healthy and shiny effect on hair, which is only an illusion because they actually damage the hair and skin.

SLS (sodium laurylsulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate): present in shampoos, bath foams, and soaps, are very foaming and aggressive surfactants

Petrolatum (petrolatum, paraffinum, liquidum, vaseline, mineral oil): petroleum derivatives are considered to be class II carcinogens.

PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) and PPG (Propylene Glycol): derived from petroleum.

EDTA, DEA, MEA, TEA (triethanolamine), MIPA, Trimonium, and I-Dimonium

Triclosan: used as an antibacterial and is considered an aggressive pesticide.

Finally, it is important to remember that organic cosmetics, like OLGA COLA Cosmetics, as well as being safer, tolerated, and active on the skin, need a smaller quantity of product to get great benefits as they are much more concentrated!

Dr. Olga Cola (for ToBeOrganic)