What is the difference between natural cosmetics and ordinary ones, what are its advantages. A detailed analysis of the composition and advice on how not to be mistaken with the choice of real eco cosmetics. Homemade recipes. Natural eco cosmetics are products made exclusively on the basis of environmentally friendly and natural ingredients that do not contain petrochemical derivatives and dangerous preservatives. All ingredients are subject to special controls. The use of natural cosmetics is another trend in fashion for a healthy lifestyle.
Description and composition of natural organic cosmetics
Along with the fashion for all natural came the trend towards the use of natural skin care cosmetics. It is believed that it is these funds that are safe and do not entail the development of various diseases. Natural cosmetics are also called "eco cosmetics", "bio cosmetics", "organic cosmetics". All of these definitions are used in different countries to describe the same concept.
The word "Organic" was borrowed from the food industry, where it meant a product produced according to strict requirements: grown without the use of chemicals, in ecologically clean conditions, has a natural origin, no chemical or special additives are used during processing and storage. It turns out that not every naturally grown product can be organic. The same goes for cosmetics. Not all products that contain components of natural origin may have the prefix "eco".
You can distinguish eco cosmetics from ordinary cosmetics on the shelf by the presence of the “Organic” or “Bio” mark. If there is such an inscription on the package, it means that among the ingredients of this cream, serum, tonic, lotion, shampoo or other cosmetic product, you will not find petrochemical products, synthetic colors and fragrances, preservatives and other harmful substances. All components must also be listed along with certificates.
Unfortunately, there is still no single definition of what biocosmetics is, what should be in the composition, and what should not be there. Therefore, in different countries, manufacturers put their own meaning in this concept.
Germany has the most stringent requirements. Cosmetics should not contain animal products, i.e. cells, fats and collagen, and should not be tested on animals. In addition, it is impossible to include substances obtained from genetically modified products and plants. To keep the agent longer, preservatives of exclusively natural origin are added, for example, such as ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid.
In France, natural cosmetics are considered to be those, which contain more than 95% of natural ingredients, all of them were produced in ecologically clean places, there are no products of animal origin. During production, it is strictly forbidden to clean containers and equipment with chlorine-containing substances. French cosmetics are labeled "BIO".
In the USA, it is possible to assign the name "USDA Organic" to a product only if it contains 95-100% of the ingredients of organic origin. If it contains about 80% (a little more or less), then the cosmetics will already be called "Made with organic". But if there are less than 70% of them, then such funds are not considered organic, and the ingredients are simply listed in the composition.
In organic cosmetic products, in no case should there be substances such as:
- Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine … These substances, in reaction with nitrates, release nitrosamine, which in turn leads to the onset of oncological diseases of the blood and brain.
- Diazolidinylurea … Accumulating in cells, this component contributes to the development of contact dermatitis.
- All types of parabens … These are substances with the prefixes "methyl", "propyl", "ethyl", "butyl". They are used as preservatives, but are dangerous if they accumulate in tissues, as they lead to the development of breast cancer.
- Propylene glycol … This ingredient is highly allergenic.
- Lauryl or sodium laureth sulfate … The presence of this substance in cosmetics leads to the destruction of the natural protective layer, overdrying of the skin.
- Petrolatum … The use of products with petroleum jelly leads to the fact that the skin loses its photosensitivity, pigment spots may begin to appear, and the aging process accelerates.
- Synthetic dyes and fragrances … They provoke allergic reactions and are highly comedogenic (causing acne and acne).
Thus, if the package has a label "Bio", "Eco" or "Organic", but while reading the composition, you found at least one of the above components, such a product cannot be considered natural or organic. Moreover, the price, most likely, will simply be screwed up for a fashionable direction, but the product itself may not be safe. Therefore, always check the composition of the product you want to purchase.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Cosmetics
The high popularity of natural personal care products is due to their many beneficial properties.
Consider the advantages of natural cosmetics:
- It is non-toxic, cannot lead to the development of dangerous diseases, since the above substances are absent.
- Greater efficiency due to skin-related components. They are absorbed easier and faster by cells.
- Eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials or recyclable. As a rule, it is not bright, modest and not flashy, there is no glass or plastic.
Despite the significant advantages, such products also have some disadvantages, namely the possibility of an allergic reaction. They contain natural extracts of plants, flowers, fruits and berries, to which a person may be allergic. Therefore, when choosing, pay attention to the composition.
Another disadvantage is the short shelf life and storage. There are no preservatives among the ingredients, so use the product as soon as possible after opening. In addition, even if the product remains good, the odor may change due to, for example, essential oils.
And, finally, acute reactions when the product gets into mucous membranes and wounds. Due to natural extracts, it can burn a lot.
How to choose the best natural cosmetics
Due to the fact that there is no consensus among manufacturers and regulatory authorities about what natural cosmetics should be, the buyer can easily run into a low-quality product, which is passed off as environmentally friendly.
The following signs will help to determine if you really have a bio cosmetic product in front of you:
- As simple as possible packaging.
- The product does not contain thickeners, dyes or solvents, so it should be white or not at all.
- Can delaminate in containers.
- As for the smell, it is natural, herbal, pharmaceutical, medicinal.
- During use, it foams little, since there are no chemical foaming components.
- The package contains the complete composition of the product and a certificate. If the product is of foreign origin, then it must be translated.
Today, there is some division of cosmetics into categories depending on the quantity and quality of natural ingredients. This principle is called "traffic light": red, yellow and green categories.
The red category includes all conventional cosmetics, which include chemical and artificial substances.
Semi-natural cosmetics are considered yellow. That is, natural ingredients may be present among its components, but they are not basic and their number is not large. In English speaking countries, it is called "inspired by nature" or "made with organic". Because of this, many people may confuse such products with truly organic ones.
The green category includes absolutely natural organic cosmetics, that is, more than 75% organic in the composition. It is divided into certified and non-certified. The difference is that the first one passed the control of all organizations for certificates.
On its packaging there are such marks as:
- COSMEBIO … This trademark guarantees absolute naturalness and environmental friendliness of the product. All ingredients are not only of natural origin, but also meet strict standards for production and cultivation. This certificate is the strictest.
- USDA … This is a USDA certificate. It is placed on products manufactured in the States and for the States that meet all the rules and requirements for composition.
- Soil Association … This certificate is the largest and most influential in the UK. It is to this organization that the authorship of the concept "organic" belongs.
- NaTrue … European quality certificate for natural and organic cosmetic products. Has uniform rules and requirements for goods throughout Europe.
- BHID … The German mark indicates that the product that has it meets all the requirements and standards of natural cosmetics.
- ECOCERT … Is the most stringent international certificate of quality and purity of natural and organic cosmetics. The development of standards belongs to this organization.
- ICEA … This certificate belongs to the Italian organization for the control of the quality and composition of products.
Overview of natural cosmetics manufacturers
The best and most popular eco cosmetics manufacturers are the following:
- Dr. Hauschka … The German brand of organic personal care tops the ranking of natural cosmetics and offers only products based on extracts, extracts of medicinal plants grown in environmentally friendly conditions, without the use of chemicals and GMOs. There are many positive reviews for this cosmetics. She has lines for cleansing, for moisturizing skin of different types, nutrition, body, face and hair care products, decorative cosmetics. The prices for these products are very budgetary - from 100 rubles to 2-3 thousand. All products are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, safe and medicinal.
- Weleda … The products of the Swiss brand are aimed at prolonging the youthfulness of the skin, moisturizing and nourishing it. They are made from extracts of herbs and flowers grown under special conditions. In this cosmetic brand, you will find only means for cleansing and caring for skin and hair in the range from 300-400 rubles to 1.5 thousand. Natural essential oils are used to give a pleasant aroma. There is also a special men's and children's line of products.
- Dr. Scheller … Another German manufacturer of eco-cosmetics that complies with the BHID certificate. Most buyers leave positive reviews for the products of this company. The basis of the composition is the thermal water of the spa of Baden-Baden and the patented Phytosolve. Nanosolve. There are also many essential oils in the composition, which gives a pleasant aroma to the products. These products belong to the middle price segment.
- Organic essentialse … American organic cosmetics brand, certified by the American Agriculture Association. These products are made on the basis of Shea Butter. Products include several lines: nourishing oils, balms, deodorants, for hair, hands and nails. In addition, the packaging is environmentally friendly and made from recyclable materials.
- Lavera … Among the ingredients, you will not find synthetic fragrances, colorants, thickeners or other harmful ingredients. The brand produces lines for different skin types: normal, problematic, sensitive. This brand does not have hair products, body care products or special men's, children's lines. Prices for this cosmetics reach a couple of thousand rubles.
Natural cosmetics recipes
Despite the relatively low prices for this category of products, not every girl has the opportunity to purchase it. Often, such products are simply not available on the shelves of an ordinary store, so there are many recipes for making natural cosmetics at home. Moreover, you can be more than sure of the origin of the components, and the price will be as low as possible.
Natural hair cosmetics
Well-groomed hair is always a woman's pride, and for this it is not at all necessary to spend a fortune or chase around the city for the right jar. At home, you can make simple but effective shampoos, masks, peels. You do not need unprecedented ingredients, the products do not require long-term storage, since everything is always at hand.
DIY hair mask recipes:
- With aloe, honey and castor oil … Mix 20 ml of aloe juice (finely chop or mash aloe leaves) with the same amount of castor oil and 20 g of liquid natural fresh honey. Mix all ingredients thoroughly, cover clean hair and scalp for 15-20 minutes, then rinse hair well.
- For strengthening and against split ends … Heat the burdock oil to a comfortable temperature and put one yolk in it, then mix everything thoroughly. Add 100 ml of kefir to the resulting composition. You should get a creamy mass. Apply for half an hour, then rinse your hair with warm water.
- For shine and smoothness … Mix 50 g of sea buckthorn berries until smooth, then add 50 ml of warm milk and 50 g of white clay. Stir the resulting mixture until smooth. Apply the mask to skin and hair for 30 minutes, keep warm.
- With vitamins against split ends … Add the contents of vitamins A and E capsules, as well as 10-15 ml of Dimexidum to the base oil (burdock, coconut, olive, wheat germ). Mix everything well and apply to the hair, mainly on the ends. Wrap your head with a shower cap and a towel for half an hour. After the procedure, wash your hair with shampoo.
- Anti-dandruff with nettle water and vinegar … To prepare the broth, pour 30-40 g of nettle leaves (both fresh and dried) with 200 ml of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Pass through a fine sieve and dilute with vinegar in a ratio of 8: 1. Next, treat the scalp and hold for half an hour, rinse your head.
Diy scalp scrub recipes:
- With oatmeal and granulated sugar … In a non-metallic bowl, pour 30 g of your favorite hair balm, add 30 g of rolled oat flakes and brown sugar, ground into flour, and 15 ml of olive oil. Rub in with your fingers for a few minutes.
- With soda and sugar … In a non-metallic bowl, combine regular shampoo, 15-20 ml of sugar and baking soda, and a couple of drops of tea tree essential oil. Apply to scalp while washing and rub lightly with fingertips.
Conditioners for beautiful strands at home:
- For hydration and nutrition with honey and chamomile … Prepare an infusion of chamomile (pour 150 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of raw materials), leave for 60 minutes. Then pass through a fine strainer and add 100 ml of liquid natural honey. Apply to clean and semi-dry strands for 30 minutes.
- Fruit conditioner … Mix the banana and apple pulp in a blender, add a pinch of caraway seeds and 30 ml of orange juice to the mixture. Apply to damp and clean curls for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm soft water.
Nowadays, dry shampoos are very popular, that is, those that cleanse the hair in a dry form. But often finished products are designed for a couple of uses, and the price is quite high.
We offer homemade dry shampoo recipes that will always be at hand:
- With baking soda and oatmeal … Grind 50 g of rolled oats until flour and mix with baking soda (10-15 g). Rub the resulting mixture into hair and wait for five minutes. Then shake off the powder from the hair and comb out the rest with a fine-toothed comb.
- With talcum powder, white clay and soda … In a non-metallic bowl, combine 15 g each of talc and baking soda, and then add 50 g of ground rolled oats. Rub the powder into the hair, comb out after five minutes with a fine-toothed comb.
Natural cosmetics for face
Best of all, natural and fresh ingredients have a moisturizing, nourishing, cleansing and rejuvenating effect. Therefore, homemade products will be more effective.
Scrubs that are very easy to make:
- With oatmeal for oily skin … Grind 30 g of oatmeal in a blender or coffee grinder, then bring them to the state of sour cream with warm water. Massage your damp, slightly steamed face with your fingertips for several minutes.
- With honey and almonds for dry and normal dermis … Also grind 3-4 almonds into powder, mix it with a teaspoon of liquid natural honey. Massage damp and slightly steamed skin for a few minutes, then wash.
- Whitening with lemon juice and salt … Sea salt (40 g) must be finely ground or finely ground beforehand, then add 50 ml of lemon juice to it (depending on the sensitivity of the skin) and apply on the face. Massage it gently and wash with warm water.
- Lip exfoliator … Finely grind coffee beans and mix with 10 g of olive oil. Rub your lips with a scrub for a few minutes and rinse with warm water.
The best mask recipes for different areas of the face:
- Moisturizing & nourishing lips … Mix a quarter teaspoon of sour cream and lemon juice, add the same amount of olive oil. Apply the mask to the lips and keep for 10-15 minutes, gently remove with a cotton pad. Let the residue soak into the dermis.
- For thickening eyelashes … Mix a few drops of aloe juice and vitamins A and E (you can pierce the capsules). Apply the mask to the roots of the cilia and keep it on for at least two hours. Blot gently with a cotton pad.
- For the skin around the eyes … Dissolve 30 g of olive oil with a couple of drops of vitamin E and apply to the eye area. Keep the mask for at least half an hour, then blot the rest with a soft towel or napkin.
- For dry under eye area … In a blender, chop a quarter of a banana and 30 g of natural butter. Apply gently to desired area and keep on for half an hour.
- For elastic facial epidermis … Mix 20 g of any clay with 50 g of natural honey and add a few drops of any citrus juice (lemon whitens, orange improves complexion, grapefruit cleanses and tones). Apply the resulting mass to clean skin for 30-40 minutes.
- For cleansing and against blackheads … Grind 40-50 g of rice to flour and mix with natural honey, add 2-3 drops of lemon. Apply the mask to damp and slightly steamed skin, hold for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with massage movements.
DIY natural cosmetics for the body
Body care is equally important for maintaining beauty. But the products are consumed quickly, cost a lot, and the effect does not always turn out to be the expected, if any at all. Self-made cosmetics will be much more effective, safer and more economical. At home, you can make your own scrubs and peels, masks, wraps.
We offer recipes for home body care products:
- Coffee body scrub … Finely grind 100 g of coffee beans, mix with ground oatmeal (100 g) and 30 g of grape seed oil. Massage problem areas or the entire body, then rinse with warm water and apply your favorite cream. The same scrub can be used to treat hands and feet.
- Oil mask for smooth heels … Thoroughly lubricate the feet and especially the heels with castor oil, wrap with foil and put on socks. The mask is best done at night. Suitable for hands too.
- Anti aging hand mask … Mix 15 g of almond and linseed oil in a non-metallic bowl, 15 g of wheat germ oil, a few drops of essential oils of rosewood, neroli and lavender. At the same time, we prepare rolled oats (50 g): soak in water. Then we combine the ingredients and apply to the hands. Keep the mask for about half an hour.
- Body cream for velvety skin … Heat the coconut and shea butter (100 g each), add 15 g each of sesame, avocado and wheat germ oils. Separately combine 50 g of mineral water and chamomile decoction, then add to the mixture of oils and beat thoroughly. Into the resulting composition, drip 10 drops of chamomile and palmarose essential oils. Apply the cream to the skin after showering.
How to choose natural cosmetics - watch the video:
Natural cosmetics are not just a newfangled trend, they are safe and more effective than conventional ones, not to mention the cost, especially those made at home. Any girl can afford to use environmentally friendly products and stay beautiful as long as possible.
