Nerissa Low, Founder of Liht Organics sheds light on organic makeup and what you should be looking for
Always check the back of the product and read all the ingredients on the label. Usually, natural and organic products are also NOT allowed to:
- Be tested on animals
- Use products of animal origin (beeswax, carmine, honey, etc.)
- Use nanoparticles, parabens, or other synthetic products
The way the ingredients are listed reveals a lot about how transparent the brand is – go for organic brands with labels and certifications, and those that list all ingredients clearly and reveal percentages.
What Does It Take for a Brand to Call Themselves Organic?
Organic makeup can only be classified as such if it has the required certifications – the USDA organic certification, for example, is one of the most widely recognised certifications in the world. Without such a certification, a brand cannot carry the label ‘organic’ or display the USDA Organic Seal.
To be eligible for the label, the make-up product must be made of ingredients that meet the standards for the term organic – including their production, handling, processing, and labelling.
These can be classified into four categories:
- 100% Organic – Only organically produced ingredients used in the making of products. Note that this excludes water and salt, as these can’t be produced organically.
- Organic – At least 95% of ingredients should be produced organically (except water and salt). The rest must consist of nonagricultural substances that are not available in organic form.
- Made with organic ingredients – At least 70% of ingredients are of organic origin.
- Less than 70% organic ingredients – Such products cannot display the term organic anywhere, but are allowed to list which of their ingredients are certified as organic on their information list.
The 100% organic and organic labelled products must display the seal and the name/address of the certifying agent, while the last two are not allowed to display it.
Want to shop organic makeup? Visit Liht Organics
