What natural means?

Most natural cosmetic products are made from raw materials of plant and mineral (and sometimes animal) origin rather than synthetic chemical or petrochemical compounds. No legally binding definition of the term “natural cosmetic product” has so far been coined, and although many manufacturers claim that their products are “natural”, analyses of their composition, based on the standards adopted by international natural cosmetics certification bodies, prove otherwise. The fact that only natural ingredients have been used to make a cosmetic product does not guarantee that the product is free from petrochemicals or synthetic ingredients, which can accumulate in the human body. It is also possible that a natural ingredient in a cosmetic product can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

After all, nature contains a rich variety of substances that are potentially hazardous or simply toxic to humans… Hence the importance of laboratories, and the knowledge and expertise of the manufacturers of natural skin care products who are able to extract what is most valuable in nature – and truly effective and safe for the skin. It is essential that cosmetic manufacturers make informed decisions about which supplier to chose. It is also essential that consumers become acquainted with the manufacturer’s claims about the product and with the list of ingredients that is printed on the packaging. It is also important that you select the right cosmetic that pampers the needs and condition of your skin.

What is organic?

The natural raw materials that are used in the manufacture of organic cosmetic products usually come from organic plantations. They are grown and processed in compliance with organic farming standards, and are frequently certified by independent certifying organizations. Organic cultivation means that the plants are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, or GMOs. Organic plantations also meet very strict animal and environmental safety criteria.

Organic farming, which is less aggressive and intensive, helps preserve the quality of nature’s resources. Organic farming has a positive impact on both human health and the environment. It is based on organic fertilizers, and helps decrease the amount of toxic chemicals released into ecosystems such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as reduce the concentration of chemicals in drinking water.

Both natural and organic cosmetic products must be free of any ingredients that are considered hazardous and that appear on the lists of substances that are not approved for use in cosmetic products in accordance with the standards adopted by international natural and organic certification organizations. Although there are some differences between the standards, the basic principles for selecting natural and sustainable raw materials are always the same. In Phenomé, we know and observe these principles. We also use natural and organic raw materials, which is confirmed by the information printed on our product packaging and published on our website.

Why is it so important?

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and one of the most important routes of metabolite elimination. Beautiful skin is a reflection of your health. If our body is afflicted with a problem, such as fatigue, stress or illness, this is immediately reflected in the appearance of the skin. One might think that because people are aware of this, they take special care of this sensitive part of our organism. Far from it.

Our shopping habits prove beyond any doubt that we tend to forget that our skin, although it protects our body from external factors, is actually exposed to all the potentially hazardous substances that can be found in our environment, as well as to the chemicals in our cleansing or skin care products. It is, therefore, a good idea to make informed choices about your cleansing and skin care products so as not to put your skin to any unnecessary risk. 

Natural and synthetic - what is the difference?

This is a seemingly simple question. But the truth is that there are no legal regulations in place pertaining to natural cosmetics. The manufacturers of cosmetic products take advantage of this situation: the word ‘natural’ is used all too often as a catchphrase, and applied to products that contain a large amount of synthetic substances and a negligible amount of natural ingredients.

In their advertising campaigns, many manufacturers emphasize the natural qualities of their products, such as the high content of nutritive ingredients or their excellent effect on the skin and hair. The advertisements often relate to products that contain less than 1% of ingredients derived from natural sources, and large amounts of inexpensive synthetic substances. The way in which the information is presented on the product labels and the fact that it is interspersed with advertising slogans relating to the natural composition of the products make it a real challenge to differentiate natural and conventional cosmetic products.

If we take a closer look at even the most expensive skin care products, we find that frequently they are based on the cheapest synthetic ingredients available. In view of this, all we can do is carefully analyze the list of ingredients that is printed on each product label: the so-called INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). However, because of the Latin and English nomenclature used in the INCI list, it takes a lot of determination to decipher the composition of many cosmetic products.      

Unfortunately, this is the only way to tell natural and organic cosmetic products from the pseudo-natural ones. Our articles provide many useful tips that will help you explore this issue and become an informed consumer.The main difference between natural and conventional cosmetic products is the amount of pure natural raw materials the product actually contains.