The K.I.S.S. Guide to
Natural Cosmetics
Natural Cosmetics
Leading a healthy lifestyle is something that many of us aspire to do. We try to alter our habits to toe the 'healthy' line. How can cosmetics be far behind? We use make-up, shampoos, lotions and creams, aftershaves, and deodorants on a daily basis to care for our bodies. Consumers nowadays are seeking products which boast of benefits normally associated with nutrition. For example, papaya extract in a face cream.
So, how do you buy products that are created from natural, organic sources? What do you look out for? To make informed decisions about the products you buy, you need detailed information about the various chemicals that are used in cosmetic products and the organic alternatives for them. This buyer’s guide for natural beauty products will tell you all you need to know.
So, how do you buy products that are created from natural, organic sources? What do you look out for? To make informed decisions about the products you buy, you need detailed information about the various chemicals that are used in cosmetic products and the organic alternatives for them. This buyer’s guide for natural beauty products will tell you all you need to know.
The US-based Organic Consumers Association recommends that whenever you buy organic cosmetics, you should screen the products by examining the following conditions:
The skinny on product labels
When selecting a skincare product, one of the most important things to do is to read the labels or the stickers on the packaging. While terms such as ‘organic’, ‘natural’ or ‘fragrance-free’, are what you should look for, it’s not enough. So what do you do next?
Watch out for the red-flag ingredients
Reading labels is an important part of any natural lifestyle, whether it is the ingredients list of food items or beauty products. Look up on the Internet for harmful ingredients (see box) and remember them when you go shopping.
‘It is sold in stores, it must be safe’
Wrong. According to the Seminar–Beauty 2025 BPC Trends, cosmetics do not have mandatory safety standards as per the US Food and Drug Administration. In other words, any food with ‘organic’ on the label is subject to strict checks by the Federal government, but personal care products are not. This eventually means that all kinds of cosmetic products can be sold in stores and they could be toxic for you.
Look for reliable certifications
If a trusted organization like ECOCERT certifies a product, you can breathe easy. The product should contain certified organic materials in cleansing and conditioning ingredients. They should not contain any chemicals, petroleum, or synthetic derivatives.
Price is not a guarantee for safety
The ‘au natural’ lipstick that comes at a premium might not really be toxin-free. Similarly, if you want to score a deal at roadside shops or on e-commerce websites, look out for counterfeit products.
Natural does not mean ‘no expiry dates’
Just like milk or any foodstuff spoils if not used for a long time, cosmetics—even if they are natural—do have a shelf life. Here, you need to keep two concepts in mind—date of expiry and period after opening (PAO). Your makeup will expire as soon as the expiration date is reached OR the end of PAO is reached, whichever is earlier. When buying such products, pay attention to this information, which is printed on the labels. As a rule of thumb, cosmetics should not be used beyond a period of 36 months, or three years. Even if the product has not been opened for three years, it would still be a good idea to discard it.
Ingredients
to
avoid
to
avoid
- Petroleum by-products
- Formaldehyde
- Urea
- Oxybenzone
- Benzyl enhancers
- Sulphates
- Phthalates