What are organic cosmetics? A true organic cosmetic is certified, i.e. it must comply with a set of rules, even though these rules are sometimes country-specific.
In general, an organic cosmetic is a product from ecological agriculture, which preserves the environment and biodiversity. The use of synthetic fertilisers, genetic engineering, etc. is therefore banned from this production method.
Organic cosmetics are a perfect choice for your body care, because they contain natural, 100% organic substances.
Biocosmetics: what it is and what are its characteristics
What is biocosmetics? Let's give a meaning to this term: biocosmetics is a technique that creates formulations and treatments made from ingredients that come from organic farming or ranching.
Biocosmetics respect your skin and, at the same time, respect nature, plants and animals, as they are not used to test or harm them.
But are they effective?
Organic cosmetics are therefore made with fully natural ingredients. Their effectiveness depends first and foremost on their composition and the substances they contain.
What are the characteristics of biocosmetics?
To be considered organic, a cosmetic product must fulfil a number of characteristics:
- They must contain ingredients of natural origin from organic farming, only a few of which are needed in the formula.
- Organic crops must not contain pesticides or chemicals.
- Cosmetics must not be tested on animals.
- The containers are made of recycled or recyclable materials.
Organic cosmetics for skin care
Having a glowing complexion and healthy skin protected from harmful external factors is every woman's wish. If you are really interested in or concerned about the health of your skin, then you will certainly want to use healthy cosmetics.
Why is it so important to use organic cosmetics?
Our skin absorbs 60 per cent of the substances we apply every day. This means that harmful substances found in many conventional cosmetics will also be absorbed by the skin and enter our bodies.
This is why you must be careful about the cosmetics you buy. In addition to standard cosmetics, today you will find both natural cosmetics and organic cosmetics on the market. Which ones should you choose?
See the differences between the 2 types of products:
- Natural cosmetics: contain ingredients derived from plants and minerals, such as aloe, chamomile, shea butter, beeswax or essential oils, which bring many benefits to the skin.
- Organic cosmetics: to be certified organic, they must contain ingredients of organic origin, plants that have been grown healthily, without being treated with herbicides or chemical fertilisers.
The benefits of organic cosmetics
If you are wondering why you should buy eco-organic cosmetics, here below is a list of benefits you will get from them:
- Total absence of parabens, sulphates, phthalates or petrochemicals, which have harmful effects on your skin.
- They often have anti-ageing effects: in organic ingredients you can also find vitamin C antioxidants, rose oil, rose water, rosemary oil or sunflower seed oil, which slow down the ageing process of the skin.
- The ingredients are usually herbal, a healthier alternative to standard cosmetics made with synthetic additives.
How to switch to organic cosmetics
Before switching to organic cosmetics, you need to memorise the meaning of organic cosmetics: a body care product made and formulated with natural and organic active ingredients, which follow the standards set by ecobio specifications and have been certified in accordance with the law.
Many of you may still be puzzled, sceptical, uncertain. So here is a series of tips to help you make the change.
- First of all: the switch to organic cosmetics does not have to be radical. You could buy organic ones as you run out of the others. A gradual change, therefore.
- Look for organic alternatives for the cosmetics you use every day. The first organic cosmetics to buy are therefore the essential ones, i.e those you cannot do without.
- Start with products that remain on your skin longer, such as the face moisturiser you use twice a day.
- Read the ingredients carefully and, if you do not understand some of the entries, look for information online.
- Choose cosmetics with proven certifications.
- Don't let the price scare you off. Many people buy cosmetics cheaply, even in quantity, and end up leaving them unused. Shop consciously and buy few but good organic products. Similarly, many people are obsessed by well-known brands of standard cosmetics and end up by spending more money. It would be much bettter to spend the same amount on organic cosmetics! The price is often indicative of high-quality organic ingredients.
- If you have sensitive skin, look for organic cosmetics suitable for sensitive skin. Even if they contain only natural and organic substances, some natural ingredients can create allergies (as is also the case with some foods).
Difference between natural and organic cosmetics
We often tend to confuse the two terms 'natural' and 'organic' or, even worse, to use them interchangeably. In reality, natural cosmetics should not be confused or mistaken for organic cosmetics. An organic product has a stricter definition than a natural one.
Natural cosmetics
They are cosmetics simoly made with active ingredients of plant or animal origin, but they are not organic, because they are not certified. They may, for example, contain also a percentage of synthetic ingredients, so they are not organic at all.
But that is not all. A natural cosmetic may consist of only active ingredients, but this does not make it organic, because some, or all of its active ingredients, may come from crops that have made use of pesticides or have been tested on animals.
Organic cosmetics
They are certified by an external body and must comply with a specific protocol. For example, they must not contain certain ingredients (even the containers themselves must be approved by the control body), and the place of production must be verified. Their ingredients come from crops grown without fertilisers and pesticides.
Do organic cosmetics really work?
Do organic cosmetics really work?
This is the spontaneous question that many people ask before abandoning the cosmetics they have always been used to. Do organic cosmetics really work?
Yes, they do. Switching to organic does not mean giving up the results. In fact, many organic cosmetics are even more effective than others. And, in addition to this, a high content of organic substances is made up of active ingredients.
Organic substances - such as coconut oil, honey, aloe vera and shea butter - have soothing, moisturising and nourishing properties, unlike non-organic substances that have no nutritional benefits.
Which are the best organing cosmetics?
To be considered organic, a cosmetic must have obtained a certification attesting to its organic nature. In general, the requirements for organic cosmetics are:
- The product must contain ingredients of organic origin.
- Animal products such as beeswax and honey may be used, but not animal parts or products that cause harm to animals.
- Cosmetics must not contain nanomaterials or GMOs.
- Cosmetics must be produced in compliant laboratories. The certificating body checks the production site and manufacturing methods in advance.
- Products or ingredients must not be tested on animals.
- PVC, plastics, substances potentially hazardous to health (halogenated plastics, plastics that release dioxins during combustion) and materials containing GMOs may not be used in packaging.
- The label must be clear, not misleading and contain the name of the certifying body.
The green line of our a snail slime, Nuvò Bioline, has obtained AIAB certification, which guarantees non-aggressive, environmentally friendly cosmetics produced with limited use of chemical processes.
In addition to the above, the vegetable substances used are certified, do not come from endangered plants, and their inorganic raw materials must be all natural.
Ingredients banned from organic cosmetics
In the light of the above, some ingredients present in conventional cosmetics cannot be present in organic cosmetics:
- Phthalates: artificial fragrance chemicals. They cause breast cancer and are hormone disruptors.
- Parabens: carginogenic preservatives and antibacterial agents.
- Triclosan: causes hormone disruption and interferes with antibiotics.
- Synthetic dyes: can cause skin irritation and hyperpigmentation. They are also toxic.
- Petrochemicals: substances derived from fossil fuels such as petrol, coal, tar and petrolatum (petroleum jelly). They can block the pores of the skin, preventing the expulsion of toxins with sweat and sebaceous glands.
- Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES): surfactants, used in shampoos and detergents to create foam. They cause eye irritation, skin rashes and allergic reactions to skin and scalp.
- Toluene: volatile petrochemical solvent, toxic to the immune system. Formaldehyde: used as a preservative, is carcinogenic and toxic.
- Diethanolamine: foaming agent, is carcinogenic and a respiratory toxin.
Italian organic cosmetics
At Nuvò we have a line of organic cosmetics whose various properties and characteristics are listed below:
Nuvò Face Scrub (Snail slime Scrub for your face)
- AIAB Ecobiocosmetics Certification
- 100% Made in Italy
- 10 functional active ingredients
- Suitable for all skin types
- Purifying and smoothing action
- Reduces skin imperfections
- Coadjuvant in the treatment of acne and pimples
Eye contour (Snail slime eye contour cream)
- AIAB Ecobiocosmetics Certification
- 100% Made in Italy
- 10 functional active ingredients
- Useful for a dull and sensitive eye contour
- Highly nourishing thanks to mango butter and hyaluronic acid
- With 72% snail slime
Anti Ageing Cream (Snail slime anti-ageing Cream)
- AIAB Ecobiocosmetics Certification
- 100% Made in Italy
- 10 functional active ingredients
- Ideal to combat the skin ageing process and to treat dull skin due to stress, smoke and pollution
- Nourishing thanks to hyaluronic acid
- With 72% snail slime
Nuvò body cream (Snail slime body cream)
- AIAA Ecobiocosmetics Certification
- 100% Made in Italy
- 12 functional active ingredients
- Ideal also for skin with stretch marks
- Suitable for all skin types
- Makes the skin soft, smooth, protected and firm
One tip of advice that applies to all: if you want to switch to organic cosmetics, turn to those who have been developing them for years (you can also read their opinions and positive evaluations).
