Know Your Way Around Labels Not all products are created equal, but just because something isn't certified organic doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad for you—or even that it isn't largely composed of organic ingredients. A good rule of thumb is to read a product's ingredient label: If it lists "formaldehyde," "ammonium laureth sulfate," or any word ending in "paraben" (a preservative known to be toxic), the product is not great for you. Another way to find safe, quality products is to learn your way around the number of labels that have appeared in the beauty realm over the past several years. Below is a simple guide to those that appear most often.
LABEL
DEFINITION
Biodynamic
This farming system includes such things as composting, conserving water, preserving biodiversity, and farming according to the earth's sun and moon cycles. The international nonprofit company Demeter certifies farms and controls the use of the word "Biodynamic" on product labels. (demeter.net)
Certified Organic
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not certify beauty products, it does certify some of the materials used in them. In order for a product to bear the USDA Organic label, at least 95 percent of its ingredients must be grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. (ams.usda.gov)
Certified Vegan
Products that are certified vegan are not tested on animals and do not include animal by-products such as beeswax, lanolin, milk, and collagen. (vegan.org)
Cosmébio
This label indicates that a company has signed on to the Cosmébio charter, committing to source its ingredients naturally. However, the label does not certify that the company is actually living up to its commitment. It's important to look for a product's additional certifications, as well. (cosmebio.org)
Ecocert
Certification by this independent French organization indicates that a product is made of organic ingredients, produced according to strict standards, and packaged using recyclable materials. It also ensures that a company's suppliers and manufacturers meet these criteria. (ecocert.com)
Fair Trade
The Fair Trade label, administered by TransFair USA, indicates that the farmers and laborers who have supplied raw materials for a product have used eco-friendly farming and harvesting methods and been paid a fair living wage. (transfairusa.org)
Made with Organic Ingredients
The USDA allows products that don't qualify for the USDA Organic label but are made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients to be labeled "made with organic ingredients." (ams.usda.gov)
Not all products are created equal, but just because something isn't certified organic doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad for you—or even that it isn't largely composed of organic ingredients. A good rule of thumb is to read a product's ingredient label: If it lists "formaldehyde," "ammonium laureth sulfate," or any word ending in "paraben" (a preservative known to be toxic), the product is not great for you. Another way to find safe, quality products is to learn your way around the number of labels that have appeared in the beauty realm over the past several years. Below is a simple guide to those that appear most often.
