In the organic make-up department, I choose ...

If we can consume food labeled organic for more than thirty years, it took longer to have a range of varied choices in the cosmetic department, especially the make-up department. Faced with a now broadened offer, consumers who want a return to more natural beauty products can however sometimes feel unsettled. Between real assets based on natural assets, greenwahsing and real organic certification, how to navigate? Follow the guide.

Is not labeled "organic" who wants

As its name suggests, for a makeup brand to be recognized under the name "organic", it must meet several criteria in terms of its production charter.

Thus, almost all, or all of its ingredients must be natural and eco-friendly , that is to say, environmentally friendly (non-polluting, for example). Some brands have even made the choice to offer products that have not been tested on animals . Moreover, to be stamped as such, a product must be labeled "organic" thanks to several certifications and labels. In France, we regularly meet four.

• The Cosmebio Green label guarantees products containing at least 95% organic vegetable ingredients, 95% natural ingredients and 10% organic ingredients in the finished product. Strong commitments, which make it possible to have a traceability concerning the techniques of manufacture of the natural and organic cosmetics, a respect of the nature and a responsible and transparent communication.
• The ECO label of the Cosmebio charter ensures that the product includes at least 50% organic vegetable ingredients and 5% on the finished product.
• The Ecocert label certifies that 95% of the ingredients used in the composition of the products are of natural origin.
• Finally, the BDIH label is an international eco-label founded in Germany. It shows that some of the ingredients of the products concerned come from organic farming. Cosmetics ingredients must come from at least 20% of organic farming. However, unnatural ingredients are allowed in the absence of alternatives.

Other international labels attest to the "organic" quality of a product, particularly imported to France: Natrue, Nature and Progress, USDA Organic (Ministry of Agriculture) and, more confidential, Soil Organic.

Makeup labeled organic vs. conventional makeup, what differences?

While conventional make-up brands are turning more and more natural, many of the ingredients used to make up their ranges are not found in their natural state. In other words, it means that these raw materials require transformation before they can be exploited. These different processes of transformation can require a great energy consumption, with a strong ecological footprint. This is particularly the case when one has to refine mineral oils (used nitammlent in the composition of lipsticks, gloss ...) derived from petroleum.

In contrast, products labeled "organic" are necessarily composed of ingredients of plant origin. To do this, synthetic perfumes or petrochemical derivatives are replaced by ingredients that are little or not processed. This is why organic teachers are committed to using only vegetable or essential oils , and no silicones or parabens.

The goal is to avoid synthetic materials, which can be poorly tolerated by the most sensitive skin and trigger irritation or allergies and always favor the most natural ingredients and affinity with the skin.

Be careful however: natural does not necessarily mean neutral. Some fragile skins such as atopic skin may react negatively to the presence of essential oils or alcohol often present in organic products - especially in the care products.

How to choose your brand of organic makeup ?

If you want to turn to the make-up labeled organic, the most important is to pay particular attention to the labels and certifications, which really make it possible to guarantee that a product is "organic". These are the guarantee of quality of the selected products.

Another good reflex to adopt: we do not hesitate to consult the list of ingredients used for the development of the product before buying it. The more transparency there is on the composition of the product, the better! Ingredients that make up the majority of a finished product are listed first, in descending order.

Several apps exist to help us see things in a few clicks: Clean Beauty , QuelCosmetic, Inci Beauty ...

Pioneering organic make-up brands

• Dr. Hauschka

Launched to complete the pharmaceutical range of Dr. Rudolf Hauschka, the eponymous brand has enjoyed unstinting success since 1967. Initially, it could be sourced for facials, whose cream bases were developed without chemical or synthetic emulsifiers. One of the world's premieres!

Since 1999, the company has added a string to its bow by launching a full range of makeup based on natural substances and whose compositions are not only developed in terms of makeup but also in terms of care.

• Lavera

Founded in 1987 by Thomas Haase under the name Laverana Naturkosmetik ("lavera" means "the real", and "na" refers to "natural"), the company is now considered one of the leading brands on the market international natural cosmetics.

Formerly propelled on the market with the "Basis Sensitiv" body range, the brand has diversified and now offers self - tanners , hair masks and even organic make-up.

His motto: produce " natural and organic cosmetics for all"

• Caramel color

Created in 2004 by David Reccole and Cédric Ferreol, the French brand of organic make-up called Couleur Caramel in reference to the always uniform color of its packaging, was the first to receive the ECOCERT certification.

Since then, she has been actively working to meet her commitments to produce natural and ecological cosmetics using only ingredients that exist in nature.

Today, all formulations of the brand (with the exception of nail polish) are labeled COSMEBIO.

New brands of organic makeup to follow

• Lily Lolo

In the UK, organic make-up brand Lily Lolo was born in 2006 after its founder, Vikki, decided to offer its mineral creations to consumers all over the world.

Now considered a true reference in organic makeup, Lily Lolo products are only made of ingredients with antibacterial, nourishing and restorative properties.

From lipsticks to eye shadow, the brand offers complete ranges for all types of skin.

• PureBIO Cosmetics

Italian brand guaranteed by the CCPB, NATRUE, Vegan OK and Nickel tested certifications, PureBIO Cosmetics was born in 2014.

When it arrived on the market, the brand offered 19 multifunctional pencils, thanks to their modular composition: "from lips to eyebrows, through the entire eye area and blush, all the products needed to obtain Perfect makeup have been added "can we read on their website.

• Benecos

This brand of German origin, which guarantees that "the difference with conventional cosmetics is palpable, but invisible to the naked eye, offers a makeup range formulated without paraffin, parabens, silicone, PEG, dye and synthetic preservative. their products (excluding varnish) are labeled BDIH.

• April

The French brand of organic and natural beauty was created in April 2012 with one objective: to make organic cosmetics accessible to all women. Combining quality of use and result of the product, the Avril brand is committed to offering ease of application, the intensity of the colors of the proposed make-up, an asset efficiency or a long-lasting suit.

• SO 'BiO Etic'

French brand of the group Léa Nature (whose vocation is to offer ranges of organic and natural products in the fields of health, nutrition, cosmetics, dietetics and cleaning products), the brand SO'BiO Etic ^® was born in 2007.

Composed of 98% natural ingredients and a minimum of 10% of ingredients of biological origin, all the products of the make-up ranges fully meet the standards set by the Cosmebio charter. In addition, the banner is committed to using clean and renewable energy and using only recyclable packaging.

The products of the brands SO 'BiO Etic', Lavera, Avril, PureBIO Cosmetics, Couleur Caramel and Dr. Hauschka are available on their respective e-shops, but also on resale sites like Ecco Verde, Monde Bio, Mademoiselle Bio or in specialized organic stores.

Benecos and Lily Lolo products are exclusively distributed on resale sites specializing in organic products.