Why to go green in cosmetics
Just so much in advance: Cosmetics are purely a matter of taste. While conventional cosmetics shine with advantages such as a longer shelf life, more intense fragrance nuances or lower prices, purely natural cosmetics, on the other hand, impress with active ingredients based on natural essences and oils or biodegradability. But not everything that says nature on it is 100% nature. A look at the cosmetics shelf increasingly offers a hybrid of the two variants – natural cosmetics.
Who's who in cosmetics?
Conventional cosmetics are cosmetics produced according to legal requirements, some of which contain synthetic raw materials.
Natural cosmetics increasingly use plant-based substances, but do not completely dispense with synthetic ingredients such as preservatives or sun protection filters. It does not yet meet the guidelines of natural cosmetics seals such as Ecocert or Natrue.
Natural cosmetics are based on the rules of common seals, according to which only ingredients of natural origin may be used. In addition, the majority of the products contain a certain proportion of ingredients from controlled organic cultivation. If the natural cosmetics only contain ingredients from controlled organic cultivation (up to 95%, depending on the organic seal), they are referred to as organic cosmetics.
Green, greener, green washing?
Not every "green" product is therefore automatically 100% natural cosmetics. Conventional products with a sustainable and environmentally friendly image are often advertised - and only at second glance do they turn out to be just natural.
But how can consumers tell the difference? It is important to look at the ingredients. For example, mineral oil-based emulsifiers as ingredients directly indicate that the product cannot be purely natural cosmetics. They can be recognized by the letters PEG on the ingredient list. Preservatives such as formaldehyde, trichlosan or parabens would also not be used in 100% natural cosmetics. Parabens, for example, are also identified as propylparaben or butylparaben, so you have to look closely.
The seal certifications offer further assistance. Seals such as Ecocert and Natrue are particularly recommended in the cosmetics sector. Their control and certification bodies guarantee that the products offered are manufactured in compliance with the criteria for natural cosmetics. However, no seal does not automatically mean that nature is not pure: Precisely because a kind of "seal forest" has developed in recent years, some manufacturers are already deliberately forgoing the use of seals. In addition, certification also entails an enormous financial outlay, which young companies in the industry in particular cannot easily afford. A large number of startups therefore refrain from official certification, but still base their formulations on the valid guidelines of common seals or even exceed them.
Taking a closer look at your favorite cosmetics can therefore make sense. Because natural, biodegradable care is not only good for people, but also for the environment and our water cycle. So it can be used on the body without a guilty conscience and at the same time be released back into the biological cycle.
That's why we at STOP THE WATER WHILE USING ME! exclusively on natural, degradable ingredients that meet the highest standards of certified natural cosmetics. Our high-quality formulations are based on essences and oils from nature and have a nourishing and protective effect on skin and hair. All of our care products comply with the guidelines of common natural cosmetics seals (such as Ecocert or Natrue). Instead of having the end product officially certified for expensive money, we prefer to invest the financial means in the financing of exciting water protection projects of our initiative GOOD WATER PROJECTS for reasons of persuasion .