Natural cosmetics – what are these products?

Natural cosmetics have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years. More and more people pay attention to the quality and ingredients of the product they buy, including cosmetic products. Nature, ecology, life in harmony with nature and respect for animal rights are the buzzwords that are in vogue nowadays. There is a growing consumer awareness of natural care and the importance of the above slogans in everyday life. The popularity and knowledge about natural cosmetics causes more and more thoughtful consumers’ choice. A return to the roots, nature, manifests itself in various areas of life, including in organic and certified crops, which will serve as a substitute for the production of natural cosmetics. So what does the term natural cosmetics mean? What ingredients are allowed and what are considered unwanted? Feel free to read the most important information on natural cosmetics.

What does the term natural cosmetics mean?

Cosmetic product, according to the Polish legislation based on the Directive of the European Union Commission (Directive No. 6/768/EEC) means “any product intended to come into contact with the external parts of the human body (skin, hair, nails, lips and external genital organs), or with teeth and oral mucous membranes, the sole or main purpose of which is to cleanse, perfume, or protect them in order to maintain them in good condition, change their appearance or improve body odor”. Looking through the above definition, we do not find a definition regarding natural cosmetic, but only a general description of cosmetic. When defining the term natural cosmetic, it is therefore necessary to cite the 2000 guidelines of the Committee of Experts on Cosmetic Products of the Public Health Committee of the Council of Europe (the so-called ESCOP). Based on their characteristics, it can be stated that a natural cosmetic is “a product intended to beautify and nurture with the use of natural substances, friendly to the skin and the environment, promoting health, supporting the body’s self-regulation and supporting the long-term maintenance of natural beauty and harmonious development of body and spirit, and is obtained from ingredients of natural origin (plant, animal, mineral), obtained by physical methods (e.g. pressing, extraction, filtration, distillation, drying, etc.), microbiological or enzymatic methods.” Following this logic, it can be concluded that a natural cosmetic is a product obtained only from components of plant, animal or mineral origin, which is why it is often referred to as ecological cosmetics or biocosmetics. Their beneficial formula is based primarily on oils, essential oils, herbal extracts and what is important, there are no ingredients that have been tested on animals or were obtained in a manner that violates nature. Natural cosmetics do not contain any silicones, parabens or any other petrochemicals. They are safe and friendly to the skin, even the skin of small children.

Natural cosmetics – desirable and undesirable raw materials

Mother nature knows what is most valuable and healthy for people, therefore she has blessed us with a wealth that comes from nature. Natural ingredients are much more beneficial, compatible and friendly to human skin. Also, gentler, safer and more effective. So how do we know which raw materials in the composition of natural cosmetics are desirable and which are not? According to current European Union regulations, all member states are required to place on the label of natural cosmetics the composition of the product in the INCI system i.e. International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. This system defines the composition of products in two languages – English and Latin. English is for the names of raw materials related to chemical compounds, while Latin refers to plants. In addition, raw materials in natural cosmetics are placed on the label in a legally prescribed sequence, i.e. starting with the raw material, which is the most abundant in a given product, and ending with the ingredients, which are in trace amounts. So what raw materials desired and allowed by law should contain natural cosmetics? These include:

• vegetable raw materials
• marine raw materials (e.g. algae)
• raw materials of animal origin (derived with respect for animals, e.g. milk and milk products, lanolin, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax)
• inorganic oxides and salts derived from minerals.
• essential oils and their fractions
• natural colorants (CI 75100 – CI 77947)
• natural emollients (esters of natural origin)
• natural emulsifiers (e.g. sucrose, polyglycerol esters, alkylated polyglucosides)
• rheology regulating agents (e.g. starch, cellulose, xanthen gum)
• natural preservatives

Preservatives play an important role in the composition of natural cosmetics, which are allowed but must be natural. Permitted by law are so-called nature-identical preservatives – their equivalents (in the form of chemically identical or very similar mixtures) found in nature. This group includes ethyl ester, salicylic acid and its salts, benzoic acid, sorbic acid as well as benzyl alcohol and others.

Natural cosmetics should not contain a single ingredient that is considered undesirable or hazardous to health. According to the regulations and guidelines of certifying organizations. The list of ingredients includes:

• Silicones
• Parabens (propyl, methyl, butyl, ethyl parabens)
• Synthetic colorants
• Paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and mineral oils (and other products of petroleum distillation)
• Sodium lauryl sulfates (known as SLS, SLES)
• Aluminum salts
• Synthetic fragrances
• Chemical UV filters
• Glycols (PEGs, PPGs)
• GMO (genetically modified organisms)
• Ingredients derived from or tested on dead animals
• Formaldehyde
• Other