Organic cosmetics: deciphering labels and certifications

Organic cosmetics . This is an expression that comes up everywhere: on bottles, in ads, on Instagram… But what does it really mean? Is a logo enough to guarantee a healthy and ethical product? And between the terms “natural,” “vegan,” and “clean,” it’s easy to get lost. Come on, let’s set the record straight, without fuss.

Why are organic cosmetics so much talked about?

We no longer want to smear ourselves with anything. Today, we want organic cosmetics , not just to look pretty, but because we’re looking for the real thing: clean ingredients, responsible manufacturing, and above all, a minimum of bullshit.

Gone are the days when we bought a cream just because it smelled good. Now, we scrutinize the INCI list, look for products without the nasties, and wonder about the environmental impact.

But once you’re in front of the shelves? It’s a blur. Labels full of promises, logos galore… and we’re in the middle, trying to make the right choice.

Who decides if a cosmetic is truly organic?

A product may claim to be natural or “inspired by nature,” but without a label, it’s just blah blah. Certification bodies are responsible for determining whether a product truly deserves the title of organic cosmetic .

The most reliable organic labels to look out for

In the jungle of logos, some are truly serious. Here are the ones to remember:

• Cosmos Organic : One of the strongest. Minimum 95% natural ingredients, and 20% from organic farming.
• Ecocert : the French pioneer. Excludes many controversial substances.
• Nature & Progrès : even stricter, with a real logic of global respect.
• Natrue : divided into levels based on organic percentage. Serious, but a little less readable.
• BDIH : German, demanding, and very widespread.

🧠 Note: Cosmos now brings together several of these labels (including Ecocert and Cosmebio). If there’s one logo to remember, it’s this one.

Organic, natural, vegan… what are the differences?

We often confuse everything. A quick reminder:

In short: a vegan product can be full of chemicals, and a natural product will not necessarily be certified organic . This is why labels matter so much.

Not all natural products are necessarily organic.

This is a favorite trick of some brands. They rely on the “green” look and beautiful promises, without going through the certification process.

Why do they do without it?

• Certification has a cost
• They want to remain flexible on the formulas
• And then… marketing, quite simply

Example: A “natural” coconut oil may come from a crop loaded with pesticides. Without a label, there is no guarantee of quality.

👉 Simple advice: if no serious label appears, be wary.

What organic cosmetics categorically refuse

A certified product also means a nice list of “no”s:

• No parabens
• Zero silicone
• Goodbye mineral oils
• No artificial colors or synthetic fragrances
• No GMOs
• And of course, no animal testing

✔️ In short, gentler, less polluting, and often better tolerated formulas.

The organic label is not just about ingredients

It’s often thought that the label only applies to the recipe. But in reality, it’s much broader. A certified organic cosmetic implies:

• Concrete traceability
• Clean manufacturing processes
• A real reflection on packaging
• A clear environmental commitment
• Products that are never tested on animals

The label is a whole. A real approach.

Greenwashing: How to spot the false friends of organic?

Ah, the famous “green look.” Pastel packaging, foliage, vague phrases… and so what? Nothing serious behind it.

Good reflexes to have:

✅ Look for a real recognized label

✅ Be wary of vague statements

❌ No label = product not certified. Period.

❌ “99% natural”? If the remaining 1% is an endocrine disruptor, what’s that worth?

Homemade organic: really organic?

Making your own cosmetics is cool. But if you use a non-organic “virgin” oil, your treatment won’t be any cleaner than a conventional product.

To make your DIY truly organic , you need:

• Certified organic ingredients
• Clean and suitable containers
• Reliable, tested and safe recipes

Making organic homemade food is more than just randomly mixing two oils.

True story: the cream that’s “too good to be clean”

A friend of mine, Claire, bought a “super natural” cream sold in a pretty boutique. It had no label, but a promise: “pure and gentle formula.” The result? An allergic reaction after three days.

Reading the ingredients, we find… phenoxyethanol. Since then, she swears by certified products. Even pretty jars can hide surprises.

And abroad, what are the labels worth?

Some are definitely worth a visit:

• USDA Organic (United States): very demanding.
• Soil Association (UK): top level.
• ICEA (Italy): serious too.

But beware of pseudo-labels invented by brands. If the logo doesn’t refer to anything familiar, dig a little deeper.

And in terms of efficiency, what does it give?

For a long time, we thought that organic was “nice but not very strong”. This is false. Today, organic brands work with high-performance active ingredients: fruit acids, powerful vegetable oils, natural probiotics, etc.

It’s often gentler, sure. But for most needs (hydration, radiance, wrinkle prevention), it does the job.

And above all, it respects your skin.

Is luxury organic serious?

Yes, if you choose well. Some brands like:

• Absolution
• Patyka
• Evolve
• The Canopy

… combine top textures, sensoriality, and certified clean formulas. No need to choose between pleasure and ethics.

What you need to know to choose your organic cosmetics wisely

Before you check out, ask yourself these questions:

• Is there an official label?
• Do I understand (at least partially) the ingredient list?
• Is the brand clear about its approach?
• Is it consistent between the speech and the product?

And above all: listen to your skin. If a treatment makes you feel good, it’s certified, and you feel confident, go for it.