On natural cosmetics packaging we increasingly see the labels COSMOS ORGANIC or COSMOS NATURAL. Both mean that the product has been checked by an independent certification body – not just that the manufacturer called it “natural” itself. But there is an important difference between them.
In short
- Both certifications mean the cosmetics have been checked by an independent body, such as ECOCERT.
- COSMOS NATURAL – ingredients of natural origin and environmentally friendly production.
- COSMOS ORGANIC – even stricter: at least 95% of plant ingredients are organic, and at least 20% of the whole product is organic.
Why do you need a certification at all?
In the European Union, the word “natural” is not legally defined for cosmetics. This means that even a product with only a few percent of natural ingredients can be called “natural”. Certification solves this problem: it is based on clear rules, and compliance is checked by auditors.
COSMOS (COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard) is an international standard for natural and organic cosmetics, created by Europe’s leading certification organisations, including the French ECOCERT. Skimelìn products are certified by ECOCERT to the COSMOS standard.
COSMOS NATURAL – natural cosmetics
The COSMOS NATURAL label means that:
- ingredients are of natural origin – from plants or minerals;
- ingredients are processed only in permitted, environmentally friendly ways (physical and simple chemical processes);
- no GMOs are used in the formulas, and production and packaging meet environmental requirements – recyclable materials are preferred.
COSMOS ORGANIC – organic cosmetics
COSMOS ORGANIC includes all COSMOS NATURAL requirements and adds even stricter ones:
- at least 95% of physically processed agro-ingredients must be organic;
- the whole product must contain at least 20% organic ingredients (for rinse-off products such as cleansers – at least 10%);
- the “purity” of organic ingredients is protected throughout the supply chain – from farm to packaging.
In short: how do they differ?
| COSMOS NATURAL | COSMOS ORGANIC | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients of natural origin | Yes | Yes |
| Independent audit | Yes | Yes |
| Required organic content | None | At least 20% (rinse-off – 10%) |
| Organic agro-ingredients | Not required | At least 95% |
What does this look like in Skimelìn products?
In each product description you will find which standard it is certified to and the exact percentage of natural-origin and organic ingredients. For example:
- Nº 02 Rosemary – Hair Oil – COSMOS ORGANIC, 69% organic ingredients;
- Nº 06 Bakuchiol – Face Oil Serum – COSMOS ORGANIC, 61% organic ingredients;
- Nº 01 Peptide – Peptide Face Serum – COSMOS NATURAL, 99% ingredients of natural origin.
You can find all certified products under the tags COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL.
Nº 02 Rosemary – Hair Oil22,90 €View product →
Nº 06 Bakuchiol – Face Oil Serum32,90 €View product →
Nº 01 Peptide – Peptide Face Serum32,90 €View product →Which one to choose?
Both certifications guarantee that the cosmetics are truly natural and have been checked. If it matters to you that plant ingredients are grown on organic farms, choose COSMOS ORGANIC. If what matters most is a natural formula and the specific effect of active ingredients (such as peptides or vitamin C), COSMOS NATURAL certified products are a great choice too.
