Natural beauty: what does ‘natural’ mean in cosmetics?

Vegetable oils, flower extracts and minerals. Natural cosmetics contain ingredients derived from nature. However, ‘natural’ is not a separately defined category under European cosmetics legislation. Claims must therefore be carefully substantiated.

That is why Skins bases its selection of natural beauty products not on its own assessment, but on recognised COSMOS NATURAL certifications. It is, of course, possible for a product to be made from natural ingredients without being certified, but certification does provide a verifiable framework for the origin and processing of ingredients. For Skins, this forms the basis for communicating about natural beauty.
That is why Skins bases its selection of natural beauty products not on its own assessment, but on recognised COSMOS NATURAL certifications.

• Natural ingredients are derived from sources such as plants, minerals or water.
• Organic ingredients come from farming that meets organic standards.
• Natural does not automatically mean better or safer than synthetic.
• Certifications provide insight into the origin and processing of ingredients.

How can you recognise natural ingredients?

You’ll find an INCI list on every product. This international naming system ensures that ingredients are listed in the same way everywhere.

You can often recognise botanical ingredients by their Latin names. Examples include Lavandula Angustifolia Oil for lavender oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water for rose water and Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil for jojoba oil. This tells you which plant or plant component has been used in the formula.

However, a Latin plant name alone does not reveal how the ingredient was grown or processed. For that, you need to look at additional information and certifications.

Natural and synthetic in a single formula

Synthetic does not automatically mean inferior. A safe synthetic ingredient can help stabilise a formula, support its texture or prevent a product from oxidising too quickly. Natural and synthetic ingredients are assessed according to the same safety standards.

The quality of a product is therefore not determined by one type of ingredient, but by the complete formula and the function of each component.

What is the difference between natural and organic?

Natural cosmetics contain ingredients of natural origin. Organic goes a step further and also refers to the way in which agricultural ingredients are grown.

Certification is not compulsory, but it does provide an independent and verifiable framework. Within Skins’ natural range, we therefore look for COSMOS NATURAL certification, awarded by recognised bodies such as ECOCERT, ICEA and IONC.

Want to know more about organic beauty? Read all about it in our Story.

A natural routine in 5 steps?

Natural beauty products are easy to combine into a single routine. These five COSMOSS NATURAL-certified products from different brands show you what that might look like.

1. La Bruket 276 Essential Cleansing Oil: start with a cleansing oil to cleanse the skin and begin your routine gently.
2. La Fervance Gommage Extraordinaire: use the gommage as an exfoliating step when your skin needs extra care.
3. La Fervance Transform Active Gold Infused Multi-Mask: follow this with the mask for a more indulgent skincare moment.
4. La Bruket 279 Replenishing Serum: then apply the serum to cleansed skin.
5. Team Dr. Joseph Pure Hydrating Body Lotion: don’t forget your body either. Finish with the Body Lotion for daily hydration.

Discover Conscious Curation

Through Conscious Curation, Skins brings together products that meet clear selection criteria. This makes it easier for you to discover which choices align with what matters to you.