Natural and Organic Skin Care Standards

Consumers want greener choices.

They care about sustainability and look for ethics behind the label.

As a result, natural and organic standards are growing fast.

One exciting shift? Regional and global groups are forming.

They’re working to align different national standards.

In this article, we spotlight leaders in this space.

Like COSMOS and the Soil Association.

Two of the most trusted—and strictest—certifications out there.

Natural and Organic Skin Care Regulations

Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing ‘green’, sustainable, and ethically produced products.

This growing demand has led to the introduction of numerous natural and organic standards in recent years.

One of the most exciting developments has been the efforts to harmonise various national standards into regional or international groupings.

This article explores the companies leading the way in stringent regulation and certification.

COSMOS

The COSMOS standard was created by Europe’s leading certification agencies: Ecocert Greenlife, COSMEBIO, BDIH, ICEA, and the Soil Association.

Their main objective is to establish sustainable development that reconciles economic progress and social responsibility while maintaining the planet’s natural balance.

This initiative aims to reach a new European and international standard for organic skin care and natural beauty products.

Essential COSMOS standards include:
• 95% of all agricultural ingredients must be organic.
• 20% of the total product by weight, including water, must be organic.

These harmonised standards will allow EU natural and organic skin care regulations to create a globally recognised label and certificate.

BDIH

BDIH is the German standard widely accepted as Europe’s main body certifying natural personal care products.

It sets strict standards for manufacturers and requires the use of natural raw materials, such as botanical and herbal extracts and oils.

While BDIH emphasises natural ingredients, it needs organic content where possible, making it a realistic target for most personal care products.

Na-TRUE

Founded by leading natural and organic skin care companies such as Laverana, SantaVerde, and Weleda, Na-TRUE emerged from frustrations with the lack of European harmonisation.

It features a three-star grading system for certification:

• Three stars: 95% of all agricultural organic skin care ingredients must meet Na-TRUE’s acceptable list, certifying the product as organic.
• Two stars: 70% of ingredients must meet the acceptable list, certifying the product as natural with organic content.
• One star: 5-15% of ingredients, depending on the product category, must meet the acceptable list, certifying the product as natural.

Na-TRUE is also actively campaigning for increased joint studies on natural substances used in cosmetics.

Other Governing Bodies in Europe

• Ecocert Greenlife (France)
• COSMEBIO (France)
• Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute (ICEA) (Italy)

The Soil Association is another highly regarded certification body.

In the United States and Canada, the major organic standards are:
• USDA National Organic Program (NOP)
• NSF/ANSI 305

The Natural Products Association (NPA) provides only natural cosmetic standards.

To conclude. The naked truth

The Path Ahead for Organic Skincare Standards

The growing demand for sustainable, ethically produced skincare has led to the rise of multiple natural and organic standards worldwide.

While initiatives like COSMOS and Na-TRUE set a strong foundation for harmonisation, the journey toward a unified global standard remains complex.

Diverse regulations and vested interests continue to hinder the achievement of global consistency. However, the increasing consumer push for transparency and accountability will likely drive further collaboration and refinement of these standards.

As the natural and organic beauty industry evolves, we expect even more stringent and globally recognised certifications to take shape, ensuring that people and the planet are cared for.

FAQ on Natural & Organic Certifications

1. What is COSMOS, and why is it important?

COSMOS (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard) is one of Europe’s leading organic and natural skincare certification standards. It was formed by five certification bodies: Ecocert Greenlife, COSMEBIO, BDIH, ICEA, and the Soil Association. The standard aims to promote sustainable practices in beauty and skincare while ensuring transparency in the sourcing of organic skincare ingredients. Products certified by COSMOS must have at least 95% organic agricultural ingredients and at least 20% of the product, by weight (including water), derived from organic sources.

2. What is the Soil Association, and how does it certify products?

The Soil Association is a UK-based certification body that ensures products meet strict organic standards. It is one of the oldest and most respected certifiers in the natural and organic space. To gain certification, skincare products must use sustainably sourced organic ingredients, avoid harmful chemicals, and adhere to strict environmental and ethical standards during production. The Soil Association label guarantees that a product has met stringent sustainability and ingredient sourcing criteria.

3. How does the Na-TRUE certification work?

Na-TRUE is a European organic skin care certification created to address the lack of harmonisation between European natural and organic standards. It uses a three-tier system:
• Three-star certification: 95% organic ingredients.
• Two-star certification: 70% organic ingredients.
• One-star certification: Natural ingredients with minimal organic content (5-15%, depending on the product type).
Na-TRUE focuses on transparency and ensuring that consumers can trust the ingredients in certified products.

4. What makes BDIH different from other certifications?

BDIH is a German certification body widely recognised across Europe. It certifies natural personal care products by setting strict guidelines for organic skincare ingredients and production methods. BDIH allows manufacturers to use raw natural ingredients, such as herbal extracts and essential oils, but does not require a strict percentage of organic content. This makes it more flexible than other certifications while still upholding a high standard for the use of natural ingredients.

5. Are there any organic certifications in the US?

The most well-known organic certification in the United States is the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). This standard ensures that products labelled as organic meet strict farming and ingredient-sourcing regulations. The NSF/ANSI 305 certification also exists, which focuses on personal care products and allows certain synthetic ingredients as long as they meet specific guidelines.

6. How do I know which certification suits my skincare needs?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If you prioritise high organic content, COSMOS or Na-TRUE’s three-star certification might be the best fit. BDIH or Na-TRUE’s one-star organic skin care certification may be sufficient if you focus on natural ingredients and don’t require high organic content. For those looking for trusted organic standards in the US, look for USDA Organic or NSF/ANSI 305 certified products. Always check the certification label on the product to ensure it aligns with your values.

7. Are there efforts to create a global certification for organic skincare?

Although efforts have been made to harmonise national standards into a global certification, they have not yet been achieved due to differing interests and regulations. Standards like COSMOS represent a significant step toward international harmonisation. However, implementing a single worldwide standard may take more time and regulation.

8. Why are these certifications so necessary?

These organic skin care certifications assure that products are genuinely natural or organic and meet strict criteria for ingredient sourcing, environmental sustainability, and ethical production practices. With so many products on the market claiming to be “natural” or “organic,” these certifications help cut through greenwashing, providing consumers with a guarantee that the product has been independently verified.