Article courtesy of beautypress.com

It doesn’t matter whether it’s your face, body or hair: natural cosmetics are still of ever-growing importance. The numbers prove this: the global demand for organic personal care products was over $7.6 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $13.2 billion by 2018.1 Organic raw materials, sustainable sourcing and an ecological approach play an important role not only amongst manufacturers; consumers are becoming increasingly aware of it, too.

But which requirements do products have to fulfil in order to be allowed to call themselves natural cosmetics and what are their advantages over conventional products? beautypress answers this question as well as many others.

What is meant by natural cosmetics?

Even though the term natural cosmetics is not clearly defined and is legally ambiguous, the products mostly fulfil the requirements. They are not tested on animals, their ingredients stem from sustainable and fair-traded raw materials, and they are of natural origin. Natural cosmetics are free from additives such as paraffin, petroleum products, mineral oils and synthetic preservatives. The quality seal reveals whether it is a pure plant-based product, or not.

Are natural cosmetics better than conventional cosmetics?

Natural cosmetics have several advantages. Many products are well- tolerated by those people who have sensitive skin, and the quality of the ingredients is usually high, too.

Besides, many consumers are worried about the use of hormonally effective ingredients in conventional products –something that natural cosmetics waives.

Can organic cosmetics trigger allergies?

The risk of developing allergies is higher for people who react sensitive to certain natural ingredients. The use of essential oils is considered critical, however, organic cosmetics are usually well tolerated by the body.

What about the shelf life of plant-based cosmetics?

In general, organic cosmetics are prone to develop microorganisms, leading to their spoilage. When using organic cosmetics, make sure to stick to the following rules:

• Note sell-by-date
• Once opened, use as soon as possible
• Store at room temperature
• Protect from direct solar radiation

What to observe for the changeover to organic cosmetics?

Sometimes the skin needs time to adjust to the natural substances. In the beginning, because of this it is possible that irritations and blemishes occur. It takes two to six weeks for the skin reactions to fade way. If this is not the case, you should stop using the product, as it might be an allergy.