Organic or not, the basic structure of a cosmetic remains essentially the same. Generally, the major part of a beauty product is composed of an emulsion, which corresponds to a mixture of water and oil. Then we add an emulsifier, which makes the treatment homogeneous. Emulsion and emulsifier are called “excipients”, and together they generally represent more than 80% of the final product. To know the composition of a cosmetic, you can read the INCI list which indicates all the components. The remaining 20% is divided between active ingredients, which intensify the virtues of the care, and additives, such as perfumes and dyes, which essentially serve to make the texture and the smell of the cosmetic more pleasant. Finally, adjuvants such as preservatives, stabilizers and humectants are used to prevent the degradation of the cosmetic and to protect it against possible contamination. The difference between an organic cosmetic and a conventional cosmetic is therefore not in the structure of the care, which is globally the same. It is rather in terms of the components used and the proportions that the two treatments differ.
Organic cosmetics , unlike conventional ones, mainly use natural ingredients from organic farming. They do not contain harmful chemicals and respect both the environment and animals. For example, an organic treatment will not use polluting silicones, mineral or hydrogenated oils, but rather unrefined vegetable oils and vegetable butters. Chemical excipients are therefore replaced by natural bases and plant extracts. In addition, the proportion of active ingredients is much higher in organic cosmetics than in conventional cosmetics, which makes organic skincare more effective and less aggressive for the epidermis. It is estimated that a classic cosmetic contains less than 1% of active ingredients; for a certified organic cosmetic, this figure can reach 30%. Thus, thanks to their more natural composition, organic cosmetics have better long-term results compared to conventional products. These are often fast acting in the short term, but over a longer period they tend to lose their effectiveness.
To find out if a product is organic, take a look at the INCI list , which corresponds to the list of ingredients that must appear on the packaging of the cosmetic. The components are listed in descending order, from largest to smallest quantities. However, it is not always easy to decipher this list written in Latin and English. This is where the labels are of great help:they are used to indicate whether the beauty product is organic or not. In France, there are several, including Ecocert, Cosmebio and Nature et Progrès. To obtain them, a product must meet requirements concerning the proportion of ingredients of natural and organic origin contained in the treatment.
