Which organic cosmetic label should you choose for your institute?
Labels, the Holy Grail for choosing professional cosmetic products
It is impossible to deny the importance of the quality of cosmetic products . Especially for the sustainability of a beauty institute or spa!
The products that you use as part of the care are also those that you offer for resale . We might as well be clear: if your customers do not appreciate the products you use, it is your purchasing power that risks suffering.
Conclusion : You have to make the right choices when it comes to products .
How not to make a mistake in your choices?
Are there any clues to check the quality of a product before choosing it?
In fact, yes, there are some: these are organic cosmetic labels , these small distinctive marks, factual proof of the quality of the products .
See those little logos on the label ?
This is a satisfaction guarantee for your customers.
Provided, as always, that you choose the organic cosmetic label that matches the tastes of your customers.
Green Spa explains everything about organic cosmetic labels, and how to differentiate them from each other. Let's start choosing the right products!
Organic cosmetic labels: how do they work?
The labels are logos of differentiation which are created by professional unions .
Each label follows its set of rules , prohibitions and requirements . Labels specifically aim to ensure the quality of a product and its compliance with requirements in certain areas.
Product traceability , production standards , distribution , quality of raw materials ... There are a plethora of criteria, which are covered by different labels.
The labels are therefore quality stamps , appreciated by suppliers and end customers. They indeed prove the reliability of the brand , its involvement in eco-responsible issues , but also the quality of the cosmetics .
Each label encompasses different rules: affixing a label to a product can mean one thing and another. In order to be able to freely choose the labels that correspond to your clientele, it is therefore important to find out what they imply.
We help you by taking a concrete look at the different organic cosmetic labels, and what they include.
The organic label
The term “ Organic ” in the aesthetics market includes many things, but above all prohibitions. For example :
- Ban on GMOs
- Ban on synthetic perfumes
- Ban on mineral oils
- Ban on artificial preservatives
- Ban on animal testing
The Organic label can be represented by different logos. For example, that of Agence Bio, founded by the French Agency for the Development and Promotion of Organic Agriculture, which was created in 2001.
This French organic label therefore aims to bring together all the prohibitions cited above, in order to guarantee the quality of cosmetic products.
The European organic label
Another organic label: the so-called Eurofeuille label , which is very strict and extends across Europe. This label can only be affixed to products that contain 100% ingredients from organic production.
The Organic Agriculture label
The Organic Agriculture label belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Forestry. It is a label which allows you to know that a product is made up of products from at least 95% organic farming.
Its use is optional, but it nevertheless remains a mark of quality for all products offered for sale.
The Cruelty Free label
The Cruelty free label particularly concerns the world of aesthetics and cosmetics. Many years ago, big pharmaceutical companies tested their products on animals to observe possible side effects and allergic reactions.
An idea which seems absurd today, but which nevertheless remains relevant in certain countries, and even certain branches of industry.
The notion of Cruelty Free can be represented by several different logos , all of which correspond to particular labels. But generally speaking, the principle is the same: the products have not been tested on animals.
A little advice :
Be careful, however, not to take shortcuts: if you see a label on a product, it does not necessarily mean that it applies to the entire range of professional cosmetic products , or to all the supplier's cosmetics.
The label only concerns the product on which it is affixed: beware of generalities!
The Vegan & Cruelty Free label
In an identical logic, there are different Vegan labels, which includes the Cruelty Free label at the same time.
The Vegan label certifies that the product in question does not contain any ingredients of animal origin : you can therefore apply your cream with a clear conscience.
The Ecocert label
The Ecocert label is a flagship reference in the world of organic cosmetics labels. Indeed, it follows particularly strict specifications and governed by rigorous regulations.
If you see the Ecocert logo applied to a product, it means that this product:
- Respects the environment in its composition
- Respects the environment in its packaging ( recyclable or biodegradable )
- Does not contain GMOs
- Does not contain synthetic ingredients
- Does not contain ingredients derived from animals
The Ecocert label itself is divided into two:
- The Ecocert Organic Cosmetics label : at least 95% of plant ingredients from organic farming, and 10% of the total formula from the same sector
The Ecocert Ecological Cosmetics label : 50% minimum of ingredients from organic farming and 5% of the total formula
The Cosmos label
The Cosmos label is a must for all cosmetics on the European market. Indeed, it brings together several labels across Europe: BDIH (German), Cosmébio and Ecocert (French), ICEA (Italian) and Soil Association (British).
The Cosmos label owes its popularity to its high standards . Indeed, it is considered one of the most demanding labels on the European market ( and that's saying something! ). Here are the regulations:
- At least 95% ingredients of natural origin
- At least 95% organic ingredients out of ingredients that can be organic
- At least 20% organic ingredients ON THE ENTIRE composition of the product
This last figure represents double, or even quadruple, compared to other European labels . Suffice it to say that it is a benchmark of optimal quality for professional cosmetic products.
The NaTrue label
The NaTrue label was created in Brussels, and concerns the composition of the product in the broad sense:
- Composition of natural origin
- Absence of preservative
- Absence of synthetic perfume
- Absence of ingredients from petrochemicals
- Absence of GMOs
The advantage of this label is that it offers 3 levels of certification : natural, partially organic and organic cosmetics. You can therefore choose products of gradual quality, depending on your objectives.
The ISO 16128 standard
If you've heard of the ISO 16128 standard , you know that it has been at the center of much debate .
To be clear, this is neither a label nor a law .
It is a market harmonization text, which simply classifies ingredients by category. Then, it gives the calculations (depending on the products) which make it possible to deduce the percentage indices of ingredients of natural and organic origin in a product.
Basically: it gives the calculation rules based on the products, to ensure that everyone is playing in the same league. This prevents certain brands from believing they have 95% natural ingredients, while from the point of view of another brand, it is only 70%.
The problem with this standard is that it does not indicate restrictions on synthetic ingredients or production processes .
So is this really something revealing?
Not really, but it helps with harmonization so that everyone is on an equal footing across Europe.
Which organic cosmetic label to choose?
There is no perfect answer: it all depends on who you are as a business, what you are looking for and what your customers want.
However, with this non-exhaustive list of organic cosmetic labels , you can already have a good idea of what attracts you and what is secondary. It helps you establish a list of priorities when it comes to choosing cosmetics for your institute.
The organic cosmetic label is always a guarantee of quality. All you have to do is select the implications that are most important to you and your clients!
Do you need even more precise clues? We help you: