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Eco-cosmetics what is it: how to recognize eco-cosmetics, what is in the composition
The eco-friendly trend has taken over the beauty world. Now, not only must the ingredients be natural and biodegradable, but also the packaging.
What is the difference
The main difference between eco-cosmetics and ordinary ones: it consists of at least 95% of natural and organic ingredients. A safe product with plant and natural ingredients is subject to stringent requirements at all stages of production, from raw materials to packaging. Eco-standards very clearly regulate the composition of cosmetics and the manufacturing process.
Plants to produce a chemical-free product must be grown in ecologically clean areas such as plantations or in the wild. In no case should chemicals be used to process future raw materials, genetically modified plants are prohibited. In natural cosmetics, no animal product is used, except for the one that is obtained without violence against animals. By the way, such cosmetics are not tested on animals.
It is not allowed to add dyes, fragrances and preservatives of synthetic origin to ecological cosmetics. Therefore, natural and organic cosmetics do not contain such components as paraffin, parabens, petroleum products, mineral oils and silicones.
And as the ultimate proof of sustainability – packaging materials that meet the required standards and do not harm the balance of the environment.
What natural preservatives are used to replace chemistry in eco-cosmetics?
The consistency of the product must be stable during the shelf life, not deteriorate or delaminate inside the package. The components that make up the basis of cosmetics are responsible for the stability of the product – these are emulsifiers, stabilizers, preservatives, antioxidants. In eco-cosmetics, natural products are an alternative to synthetic components (parabens, lauril, ammonium sulfate and many others).
Emulsifiers and stabilizers, which have a cleansing effect, and also prevent the oil mixture of the cosmetic product from stratifying, are vegetable saponins: extracts of soap tree, soapwort, yucca; proteins of milk, soy, chitosan; red algae; xanthan gum; soy lecithin.
Preservatives and antioxidants that prevent deterioration of the product and its oxidation are represented in eco-cosmetics: vitamin E – for the oil base, vitamin C – for the water base; vegetable polyphenols, tea tree essential oils, thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, citrus fruits, glycerin (for water-based products).
What natural moisturizers are used in eco-cosmetics
With a lack of moisture, the skin gradually becomes flabby and becomes covered with fine wrinkles. Deep skin cells need to restore strength and strengthen the damaged skin barrier from within. For the skin to gain elasticity, it is necessary to slow down the evaporation of moisture.
In conventional cosmetics, moisturizing ingredients are glycols and petroleum products – petroleum jelly, mineral oils, paraffin. In natural and organic cosmetics, synthetics are replaced with vegetable oils containing lipids; occlusive vegetable oils of cocoa and shea trees; high molecular weight plant polysaccharides and proteins; lactic acid, urea and free amino acids.
Emollients that soften and protect the skin from moisture evaporation are replaced with natural products instead of synthetic alcohols and silicone oils. These are oils of shea trees, cocoa, macadamia nut, jojoba bush, avocado, as well as olive, palm, peach, sesame, carrot oils; vegetable wax, grape seed and wheat germ oil.
How to choose
Since environmentally friendly cosmetics do not have synthetic dyes and fragrances, the color of the product should be dim, light tones. The smell of natural plants. The packaging is modest, made of biodegradable material or pharmaceutical glass, it can be in an aluminum tube or in a bamboo jar. But by no means from nature-harmful plastic. The shelf life of such cosmetics is short, since there are no artificial preservatives in it. It is usually stored for six months, and after opening a month, maximum two. The packaging must have one of the logos or icons of the certification organization – Ecocert, Cosmebio, BDIN, Soil Association, ICEA. The badge is not attached with a sticker or hologram, it is printed on the package.
The icons you see on the packaging
Certificates are issued by independent organizations, each of which has a list of their requirements for applicants.
Natrue is considered one of the strictest certifications at the moment, and it is with it that Weleda cosmetics are awarded. A Natrue Certified product must be 100% natural and contain at least 20% organic ingredients (ingredients from raw materials grown on certified organic farms). For comparison, Ecocert requires a minimum of 10% organic ingredients (which is two times lower), in addition, such a product may contain a small amount of synthetic components from a strictly defined list.
The general criteria for eco-certificates are as follows – environmentally friendly production, recyclable packaging, no testing on animals, organic raw materials should be grown without pesticides, growth stimulants, in the most natural way.
Not suitable for everyone
The new line of highly effective cosmetic products based on natural plant biocomponents may be allergic. Essential oils, bee products, and flower plant extracts can cause irritation. Therefore, if you know that you are allergic to a certain product or plant, then it is better not to risk it. Use the cosmetics that you have tested.
Whamisa organic Korean cosmetics beautician
The choice of eco-products by the buyer should not begin right in the store, but long before, with the study of the composition. It is worth paying attention to the presence of the main parameters of the pure composition – this is the absence of critical components. These include:
1. Microplastic (example Acrylates copolymer).
2. Refined products (paraffins, vaseline, etc.).
3. Critical preservatives (eg phenoxyethanol).
4. Silicones.
5. Genetically modified products.
6. PEG derivatives.
Organic cosmetics and natural cosmetics should contain only a few types of substances in their base: water, natural minerals, herbal ingredients obtained by physical or chemical methods, and other common groups of ingredients. And in this regard, there are a huge number of myths about organic and natural cosmetics. One of them is about frequent allergic reactions to such a natural recipe. But cosmetologists and dermatologists agree in one opinion: there are allergic reactions to any cosmetics with natural, or organic, or with any other most common composition. This happens both for a separate component and for a mixture of substances in the composition. Therefore, the rule will be correct: before buying, carefully study the product that you are going to purchase. And after purchase, check the product and apply a little on a small area of the forearm skin. This way you can avoid unnecessary problems.