Should you trust Russian natural cosmetics? Natural decorative cosmetics Stylish lip makeup.

Choice of colors
03.07.2020

Modern girls are increasingly thinking about the condition of their skin. However, when experimenting with skin care products and decorative cosmetics, not everyone pays close attention to the composition of the products. Some popular brands use chemicals in production, which in the future may adversely affect not only beauty, but also health.

The trend towards organic cosmetics, which has actively spread in the West, has nevertheless reached Russia. When making products for the face and body, manufacturers adhere to a special philosophy:

  1. Discreet packaging. Even if a product comes in a colorful tube, it's likely made from recyclable plastic.
  2. Smell. The essential oils used in production form the basis of the perfume composition, or there is no aroma at all.
  3. Compound. It should contain the maximum amount of natural ingredients - oils and extracts.
  4. Shelf life. The store consultant should probably advise storing them in the refrigerator, as otherwise bacteria may begin to multiply in them. The lifespan of organics is short because it does not contain heavy preservatives.

It’s quite easy to get confused in the variety of natural cosmetics today. We have compiled a ranking of the 10 best organic brands that will help every interested buyer make the right choice.

TOP - 10 best brands of natural cosmetics

10 Kholinka

Unique shape and easy storage
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.6


The next representative of the rating is a manufacturer of a very interesting format of natural-based skin care products. It was decided to make dry cosmetics. It does not contain water or other liquid components, so it can be stored for a long time. The service life is also extended due to the absence of dyes, thickeners and other chemicals. Before use, it is recommended to mix the product with one teaspoon of warm water. For example, a facial cleansing product is easily turned into a paste and then left on the face for 2-3 minutes, like a mask. The complexes are distinguished by a fairly high price, but due to the simple packaging, we can conclude that manufacturers rely not on it, but on the composition of the goods.

The brand's herbal shampoos deserve special attention. According to the instructions on the website, their use is more similar to hair treatment with masks. It is best to mix shampoo powder with yolk and water before washing, apply to wet hair and leave for 10-15 minutes. Many users may not like such a multi-step process, which can result in unwashed hair. Manufacturers assure that you need to give your hair time to get used to it, after which it will acquire a unique healthy look.

9 Spivak

Best price
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.6


The manufacturer of this brand was initially considered a soap company. That is why you can still buy soap from the organization - only with coconut oil. In general, an incredibly wide range is presented - from skin care products to household goods. In general, everything meets the requirements of naturalness and accessibility. It contains mainly only healthy oils and food preservatives, and the prices for everything are extremely low. The only negative is the difficulty of purchasing products in small towns; they must be ordered through the official website.

Solid butter butters are incredibly popular. Their low cost is justified by wholesale purchases of raw materials from suppliers, which allows you to sell a jar for only 100-150 rubles. Feedback from users is extremely positive. Many consider these oils to be the best for body care.

8 Organic shop

Affordable prices
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.7


Another representative of the rating is the Organic shop brand. It is a subsidiary of Natura Siberica. The range is more aimed at young girls. However, you can find organic products for different ages in stores. American or Australian companies may be located next to products of the same brand. The company is distinguished by affordable prices with a natural composition. Minimalistic but bright packaging attracts customers' attention. There are a large number of body scrubs and creams to choose from, as well as facial peels, serums and masks.

Black Organic Kitchen jars are especially popular. They attract with their laconic design and very low price. The cost depends on the product and varies from 50 to 250 rubles. A 100-milliliter jar holds a sufficient amount of mask, but shampoo or body cream is not enough. A recent collaboration with beauty bloggers has further increased the interest of young consumers in this line.

7 Natura Siberica

Domestic brand with European quality
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.7


The products of the domestic brand fully meet European quality standards. Many products in the lines are marked with the “Eco” icon, which indicates their complete naturalness. For production, both wild harvest and raw materials grown on organic farms are used. The company's website contains a small encyclopedia of all herbal ingredients used. The pages describe the beneficial properties of plants and show the products that contain them. The company's policy is a variety of prices with a set quality limit. Therefore, on the shelves of branded stores in the neighborhood there may be goods for 300 and 1000 rubles.

Relatively recently, the Oblepikha Siberica line was launched for sale, which has already managed to captivate many customers. The variety of assortment allows you to choose the right product for yourself. Hair products from this series are the most popular. They are suitable for girls with different hair types, moisturize them, cleanse well and fill the bathroom with the aroma of sea buckthorn.

6 Yves Rocher

Better efficiency. Using an ecotube
Country: France
Rating (2019): 4.8


The company, which produces high-quality herbal products and has been on the market for over 50 years, could not bypass the rating of the best. Compositions for the face, body, hair, as well as shadows, eyeliners, powders and perfumes are created based on ingredients of natural origin. Formulas are constantly being modernized for the benefit of the buyer, while retaining all the most beneficial benefits of plant extracts. Therefore, over the years, the effectiveness of products only increases. Raw materials and suppliers are selected with an emphasis on ethical production. Because one of the organization’s missions is to return everything it gives to nature (more than 96% of cardboard packaging is made from wood from managed forests). The brand has introduced an innovative eco-tube that helps reduce plastic production significantly.

One of the top sellers is hair shine shampoo. The large bottle is made from recyclable plastic, and the formula itself is said to be biodegradable. The base is citrus, which helps hair shine. The shampoo does not foam well, which indicates a low percentage of preservatives in the formula. According to reviews, many consider it the best.

5 The Body Shop

Universal products
Country: UK
Rating (2019): 4.8


This company began its existence in partnership with Lush. Today, the organizations have completely separated from each other, while continuing to produce quality products at a similar price. Cosmetics are distinguished by their diversity, convenience and versatility. The brand's assortment includes care for men and women, and also has its own line of organic fragrances, 100% suitable for vegans. In the store or on the official website, you can choose gifts in metal packaging, which can then become excellent boxes, thereby confirming the possibility and need for reuse.

Body butter is considered a bestseller. It comes in many different scents. There are permanent lines with coconut, mango, strawberry, and green tea. Seasonal campaigns are timed to coincide with some holidays or are paired with other store products. For Christmas, body products with the scent of New Year's gingerbread are produced, and there are also companion oils for perfumes and sprays.

4 L"Occitane

High quality raw materials
Country: France
Rating (2019): 4.9


The company purchases ingredients for production exclusively in the vast expanses of Provence. The very philosophy of the company includes an attitude towards this area as a blessed land. Therefore, plants for future creams and serums grow under strict control. L "Occitane trusts its suppliers. According to the manufacturers, each cream contains at least 90% natural ingredients in its composition. During production, attention is paid not only to the formula. Almost every jar has a replaceable block, which is easily biodegradable. The rest of the packaging is manufactured from recycled materials, including wood.

The most popular product in the care line is hand cream with shea butter. The large tube contains a combination of shea butter, coconut, honey and almond oils. According to user reviews, the product does not leave a greasy film, but at the same time it moisturizes hands well and helps maintain their softness even in the winter Russian climate. An obvious advantage is the availability of a range of travel formats. A convenient volume can be purchased for testing and then carried with you.

3 Lush

Best cast
Country: UK
Rating (2019): 5.0


One of the main tenets of the company is the fight against animal testing. They even print this motto on organic fabric bags that you can buy in stores or order online. Without exception, everything is handmade from fresh ingredients that the company sources from suppliers with similar ethical views on the world of production. Almost every jar must be stored in the refrigerator and used for a limited amount of time. The contents quickly deteriorate because virtually no preservatives are used in their creation.

The company considers bath bombs to be its most popular product. The main component in their creation is sodium bicarbonate, that is, soda. Depending on the type of bomb, different food colors, essential oils, glitter or dried flowers are added to it. Upon contact with a bathtub filled with water, the bomb begins to hiss and color the water in different colors, spreading a pleasant aroma around. The line also includes other interesting shower products.

2 Weleda

A wide range of
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 5.0


A company with almost a hundred years of history brings to the market organic products suitable for use at any age. One of the main values ​​of the company is respect for nature and the environment. That is why all products are marked “Vegan”. This means that no animal products were used in production. The formula contains exclusively high-quality plant components, for the cultivation of which the company has its own land plots. Agronomists avoid using chemical fertilizers so as not to contaminate the raw materials.

The brand's most popular line is directly related to motherhood. First of all, these are mixtures for body care for pregnant and lactating women. Basically, complexes of massage oils are offered that help in the fight against stretch marks and during lactation. The company also markets a large number of universal child care products. For example, a combination of shampoo and shower gel for the little ones, bathing liquid and skin cleansing. The line of moisturizing creams has earned positive reviews.

1 Dr. Hauschka

Time-tested quality
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 5.0


The brand, created more than 50 years ago by a German chemist and cosmetologist, is incredibly popular to this day. Users speak positively about the brand. The formula in each tube is designed to help your skin, not be harsh on it. Cosmetics only support the body in recovery. That is why the focus on independent regeneration, hydration and nutrition was chosen. There are a huge number of products on the market, including products for hair, face, body, lipstick and mascara. Children's skin care products are popular.

One of the unique lines is Dr. Hauschka Med. It is designed to care for problem skin. Especially suitable for people with dry epidermis, as well as those prone to allergies. There are products for deep moisturizing and nourishing dry and flaky areas of the body, and medicinal creams for atopic dermatitis. The line includes preventive toothpastes and balms - rinses for rinsing against gum problems.

Not every cream that says “natural” or “eco” in large letters actually has an impeccable composition. We have selected 10 truly natural brands whose products do not contain anything unnecessary and make us better without parabens or petroleum products in their composition.

Natural, not virtual!

The inscription “natural” on the packaging means that the manufacturer understands that the naturalness of the composition is important for buyers, but at the same time, the only natural component of the product can be water. In addition to the manufacturer’s promises, special certificates can confirm the environmental friendliness and naturalness of the product - ECOCERT, BDIH, NaTrue, Cosmebio, USDA Organic and others. Each country has its own certification rules - some are more strict, others less, but as a rule, having an eco-certificate means:

  • the ingredients are obtained from plants grown in environmentally friendly soil without the use of chemical fertilizers and synthetic drugs;
  • production is as safe as possible for the environment;
  • the products do not contain synthetic products and artificial ingredients - synthetic preservatives, silicones, parabens, petroleum products and fragrances. To preserve the properties of cosmetics and extend the shelf life, natural preservatives isolated from plants and essential oils are used.
  • Organic cosmetics contain 95% ingredients of organic origin. 5% of the ingredients may be synthetic, but must be approved by bio-standards.
  • packaging is made from environmentally friendly biodegradable materials.

Why do I need it?

Isabelle Carron, creator of the French eco-brand Absolution, answers this question:

« Organic cosmetics have a greater affinity with the natural components of the epidermis. Receptors in the skin immediately recognize natural ingredients - this is called biocompatibility. The skin will benefit more from organic care because its entire formula is active and close to the skin, unlike conventional cosmetics, which mainly consist of water and oils derived from petroleum products.

Organic cosmetics increase the skin’s ability to cope on its own, recover, and function optimally. Organic ingredients are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids that support skin cell function, hydration and protection. Because they are grown without pesticides, organic plants must develop their own protective and adaptive abilities by storing natural energy. As a result, they contain active substances in higher concentrations than conventionally grown plants.

Containing no heavy chemicals, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, lead, etc., organic cosmetics are products that are friendly to the skin ecosystem. We can say that it acts in harmony with the skin, and not against it. It is also less toxic to the body, as some ingredients can penetrate the epidermis and remain in the liver or tonsils, causing hormonal changes and other diseases.”

Not all organic brands are equally effective. And not all products from the same brand are suitable for your skin. We have selected 10 brands whose products we use ourselves with pleasure and whose naturalness is confirmed by serious certificates.

・ Dr. Haushka ・

Cosmetologist Elisabeth Sigmund and Dr. Rudolf Hauschka in 1967 came to the conclusion that the skin itself is able to maintain its balance, you just need to help it figure out which functions require attention. Organic products from Dr. Hauschka help the skin restore its ability to regenerate and nourish, lost under the influence of the sun, wind or unfavorable environment. The cosmetics contain entirely plant extracts and are free of parabens, dyes, fragrances and silicones. The assortment includes more than a hundred items - there are not only care products, but also decorative cosmetics. Quality Dr. Hauschka is confirmed by BDIH certificates.

・ Weleda ・

The principles of ethics and environmental friendliness, as well as anthroposophy, which encourages a person to look at his body, mind and soul as parts of one integral system organically connected with our world, were the basis of the Weleda brand more than 90 years ago. Since then, the company has never veered off its chosen course. Almost 80% of raw materials for cosmetics production are collected from our own organic plantations or from wild places that have been certified for collection. It contains no chemical or synthetic flavors, dyes or preservatives, and quality and environmental standards are confirmed by NaTrue and Vegan certificates. The brand's products include face, body and hair care products, a line for men, women and children, as well as natural dietary supplements.

・ Josie Maran Cosmetics ・

“When I discovered what organic argan oil could do for the beauty of my skin and hair, I knew I had found liquid gold that would help me achieve my dreams,” Josie Maran.

The famous top model Josie Maran founded her brand Josie Maran Cosmetics in 2007. While working as a model, Josie met the best makeup artists in the world and each of them said that cosmetics without chemistry are impossible. But Josie believed it was possible to create cosmetics that were both effective and environmentally friendly. During a trip to France, Josie met a woman who told her about the amazing properties of argan oil, which later became the main ingredient of Josie Maran Cosmetics. At first, the brand’s line included care for the face, body and hair, but over time, decorative cosmetics also appeared. Tinting cream with argan oil and colored lip glosses based on coconut water are the brand's bestsellers.

・ Amala ・

“I deeply believe in the wisdom and power of nature. Even the most perfect chemical “copy” of nature cannot reflect its complexity and the full range of its virtues,” Ute Leibe.

The young German brand can often be found today in the best SPA salons around the world. Amala founder Ute Leibe believes that natural ingredients do a much better job of cleansing, caring for and caring for the skin than any chemical ingredients, which is why Amala products contain only plant extracts. Ute Leibe especially appreciates the properties of shea butter, coconut and olive oils. Facial care is divided into several series - moisturizing, cleansing, soothing series, series for mature skin and series giving radiance to the skin. The range also includes aromatic room sprays. The quality of Amala products is confirmed by NaTrue certificates.

・ ILIA ・

“Someone once told me that organic cosmetics may not be as effective as conventional ones. It's good just because it's organic. But I want to change this opinion!” - Sasha Plavic.

In 2011, six colored lip conditioners under the ILIA brand were introduced in Canada. The creator of glosses, Sasha Plavic, decided to create universal products that would care for lips, do not contain harmful chemicals, and at the same time offer women shades that are relevant for the current season. Each product in the brand's range consists of 85% active organic ingredients, lipstick colors are updated annually, and packaging is made from recycled aluminum.

・ Patyka ・

The French brand, with a name that translates to “pharmacy” in Hungarian, introduced its first oil-serum product, Huile Absolue, in 1922. The name of the brand was not chosen by chance - the founder of Patyka discovered the recipe for this product in the archives of a pharmacy in Hungary. The brand has two main lines - Absolis for daily care and anti-aging Biokaliftin. The organic contents of the minimalistic bottles are complemented by the same harmless origin of packaging materials: cardboard made from recycled sugarcane fiber and origami technique instead of glue. Patyka donates a percentage of its sales to organizations that help preserve the environment, and the organic nature of its products is confirmed by Ecosert, Cosmebio and One Voice certificates.

・ A'kin ・

A'kin's leading chemist Will Evans spent many years studying the effect of natural extracts on human beauty and health, and in 1987 he created a small cosmetics manufactory. Here they began to produce cosmetics, the formulation of which combined scientific achievements with the best that nature can give us. Today A'kin is based in the Sydney suburbs. The Australian brand has a line for women, children, men, a treatment line for problematic skin, A’kin Pure Therapy, and Al’chemy hair care products. Each product contains the highest possible content of natural extracts and the absence of any harmful substances, such as parabens, sulfates, silicones, dyes, fragrances and toxins.

・ ・

The “green” cosmetic line of Colombian Tata Harper is a hit on the other side of the Atlantic. Tata lives on a farm in Vermont. There is also a laboratory where she, together with a team of chemists, doctors and biologists, comes up with formulas for lotions, oils, essences and moisturizers. Since the company's products are produced in small quantities, all processes from research to production are controlled by the founder herself, and cosmetics, whose fans include Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow, are delivered to customers as fresh as possible. Tata Harper specialists claim that each bottle contains from 9 to 29 active ingredients of plant origin. Such complex formulas give cosmetics multifunctionality - it is enough to buy one product instead of six. The company's "green" principles are confirmed by EcoCert, Leaping Bunny and American Vegetarian Association certificates.

・ Stem Organics ・

Another Australian company that relies on organic ingredients and produces 100% eco-friendly cosmetics from plants grown on its own plantations. Stem Organics formulas contain unique Australian ingredients - rare Kakadu plum extract, which is the richest plant source of vitamin C, Australian bushflower extract, organic pomegranate and organic aloe. Moreover, aloe completely replaces water in Stem Organics products, which is a key ingredient in products of other brands. The brand relies on anti-age products that nourish, moisturize and protect the skin. The company supports WWF initiatives and works with Climate Friendly.

・ UNE Natural Beauty ・

A new French beauty brand launched by the Bourjois concern offers organic products at affordable prices. The naturalness of the formulas of 16 out of 20 UNE products is confirmed by the authoritative organization ECOCERT. The brand's assortment includes mascaras, eyeliners, eye and lip pencils, lipsticks, glosses, nail polishes and foundations. The composition does not contain silicones, parabens, petroleum products and synthetic fragrances. The texture of the products is light, the products look as natural as possible on the face, and the packaging is minimalistic and made from recycled materials. Product prices start from 4 euros.

☆ If the composition of a cream or mask does not seem as natural as stated on the label, you can check the ingredients for environmental friendliness on the websiteEkokosmetika.ru or by databaseSkin Deep .

Material prepared by: Nastya Khvatova

Ecology of life. Health and beauty: Every woman at some periods of her life probably used the most expensive systems of cosmetic products, strictly following all the advice of cosmetologist consultants. How many women can claim that after six months, or after a year of strictly following the recommendations for the use of cosmetic products, their skin has at least visually changed for the better?

Every woman at some periods of her life probably used the most expensive systems of cosmetic products, strictly following all the advice of cosmetologist consultants. How many women can claim that after six months, or after a year of strictly following the recommendations for the use of cosmetic products, their skin has at least visually changed for the better? Most likely, few. In the morning, without cream and decorative cosmetics, we are all disappointed to note the inexorable fact of aging of our skin.

Most modern cosmetics (fatty creams, lotions and gels) affect only the epidermis, that is, the upper 0.1 mm of our skin, and often damage normal microflora - friendly skin bacteria - and epithelial cells with preservatives.

Such cosmetics do more harm than good, especially if the skin is problematic - excessively dry or oily, if it has begun to age prematurely, the first wrinkles or acne have appeared. Therefore, many are now returning to their grandmother’s recipes: they cleanse the skin with clay and yogurt, wash their hair with mustard or egg, and rinse with water and lemon or herbal infusions, etc.

Our skin does not have to endure the crimes that we commit every day: WE FEED THE SKIN WITH PRESERVATIVES!!!

Which of the unpronounceable ingredients in beauty products are detrimental to our health? We want to clarify this issue and highlight some non-toxic organic cosmetics lines.

A recent survey has revealed the true extent of concerns about chemicals in cosmetics and toiletries in people's daily lives. The survey, carried out by Neal's Yard Remedies in response to Channel 4's Beauty Addicts: How Toxic are You?, revealed the top consumer confusions about beauty brands and found that 99% of consumers want clarity.

As surprising as it may sound, the average woman uses 12 beauty products every day and applies about 175 chemicals to her body.

Most products contain a long list of ingredients, many of which have unpronounceable names - much less the reason or merit behind them being there.

The names of even natural ingredients accepted by INCI are often horrific, making the names of common ingredients sound like foreign, unintelligible words. Most natural brands, including A"kin, have begun to place the usual familiar ingredient names in square brackets, not far from the standard INCI name.

With the approval of the European Union, almost all cosmetic products are safe, but there is an undeniable questionable link of the presence of chemicals that cause allergic reactions, skin sensitivity and even cancer.

Once it was suggested that if a cosmetic product is not absorbed into the skin, then the quality of the product should be doubted. However, it has now become known that the skin absorbs absolutely all products placed on it. All ingredients penetrate and are absorbed into the deep layers of the skin, but some of them can be toxic to humans and their bodies.

Plus, cosmetic products are designed to retain their properties for several years, and for this reason they contain a large number of preservatives.

So which ingredients, often called "bad heroes", should you avoid?

Propylene glycol
It is a humectant and solvent used in cosmetics, hair products, deodorants, aftershave lotions and toothpastes. It is also the main element of antifreeze and brake fluids - it is not surprising that it is a strong causative agent of allergic reactions.

Sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate
This solid ingredient is found in toothpastes and shampoos, not to mention personal cleansing products. At concentrations as low as 2 – 5%, it can cause skin irritation and inflammation, and some reports may cause eye disorders, skin rashes, dandruff and allergic reactions. For products that do not contain this component, you can try Alterna and Daniel Galvin Junior.

Formaldehyde (formaldehyde)
Formaldehyde is most often found in bubble baths, shampoos, moisturizing lotions and many other products. However, this powerful chemical is known to be carcinogenic and toxic. It readily penetrates the skin and can cause serious health problems.

Parabens
Suggestions have been made that parabens, a type of preservative, can cause hormonal imbalance and even breast cancer. However, the involvement of parabens in deodorants has been proven to be unfounded. Therefore, in the cosmetic world, their properties have been overestimated, and now they are considered quite safe. For paraben-free brands, you can try Trilogy.

Mineral oil (mineral oils)
Mineral oils are very often added to various body lotions (baby oil is 100% mineral oil). They create a layer on the skin, like a plastic shell, so the skin is almost unable to breathe and get rid of toxins. And this encouragement of toxin accumulation can cause premature skin aging, acne, and other skin concerns.

Petrolatum (Vaseline)
This is a cheap mineral oil jelly. It can be allergenic, poorly absorbed and clog pores. In addition, Vaseline impedes the access of oxygen to the skin and can cause skin cracks and photosensitivity.

10 most dangerous components - read the label!

Stop being content with pseudo-natural cosmetics. Start reading labels and you will learn to recognize truly organic products among others. Here are substances that, according to Aubrey Hampton, founder of Aubrey Organics, are not desirable in cosmetics.

1. METHYL, PROPYL, BUTYL AND ETHYL PARABENS often used in daily care products as preservative stabilizers that inhibit the growth of microorganisms. They are absorbed by the skin and have a weak estrogenic effect, which is dangerous for women for whom estrogen is contraindicated (for breast cancer), as well as during pregnancy (causes pathologies in the reproductive function of the fetus).

2. DIETHANOLAMINE (DEA), TRIETHANOLAMINE (TEA, TEA)- foaming agents are classified as amines (containing ammonia). They have a toxic effect with prolonged use. May cause allergic reactions, eye irritation, dry skin and hair.

3. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PPG), POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG)- a mixture of petrochemical products used as a hygroscopic ingredient. May cause hives and eczema.

4. SODIUM LAURUULAURETH SULFATE- a cheap and harmful detergent used in shampoos due to its cleansing and foaming properties. A petroleum product often disguised as "derived from coconuts." Causes eye irritation, flaking of the scalp similar to dandruff, skin rashes and other allergic reactions.

5. VASELINE (PETROLATUM)- a derivative of mineral oil, used as an emollient, widely used due to its incredible low cost. It disrupts natural hydration processes and causes exactly the condition that it is intended to eliminate: dry skin, cracking.

6. STEARALKONIUM CHLORIDE originally developed for fabric softeners, it later found use in hair conditioners and creams due to its low cost compared to plant extracts. Toxic, causes allergic reactions.

7. IAZOLIDINYL-UREA, IMIDAZO-LIDINYL-UREA (DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA) used as preservatives, they release formaldehyde, which has a toxic effect. May cause contact dermatitis. Also known under the trade names: Germol II and Germol 115 (Germall II, Germall 115).

8. COPOLYMERS OF VINYL PYRROLIDONE AND VINY LACETATE (PVP/VA COPOLYMER)- derivatives of petroleum products, often used in hair styling products. They have a toxic effect on the lungs when particles are inhaled.

9. SYNTHETIC DYES- increase the attractiveness of cosmetics. Marked as FD&C or D&C followed by color and number. For example, FD&C Red No. 6 (red). Many synthetic dyes are carcinogenic. It is better to exclude it from use, regardless of cost.

10. SYNTHETIC FLAVORS labeled simply as “flavor,” but contain up to 200 chemical ingredients that can cause: headache, dizziness, rash, hyperpigmentation, cough, vomiting, skin irritation.

Signs of organic cosmetics

PACKAGE discreet and recyclable, usually free of glass and metal. Hence the principle: the more modest the packaging, the better its contents.

COLOR cosmetics are white (or colorless), because no dyes. Don't be tempted by bright, alluring colors.

SMELL rarely pleasant, usually "pharmacy" or medicinal herbal aroma. The exception is fruity and floral scents if the composition contains essential oils.

DUE TO LACK chemical thickeners and solvents, the liquid emulsion can separate into layers. Therefore, the bottle should be shaken vigorously before use.

LOW FOAM, because there are no foaming chemicals. This may be puzzling at first, but the lack of foam does not in any way detract from the cleaning and caring properties.

IF HIT Natural extracts in the eyes cause an acute burning sensation, which goes away immediately after rinsing with water.

ON THE LABEL A complete list of components is provided and the certificate is provided. Organic companies are required to provide complete information when translating text. Peel off the Russian label and check the list on the tube.

Some brands of organic cosmetics

Organic Pharmacy

Organic Pharmacy is a dedicated health and beauty brand that uses only organic ingredients and is dedicated to offering only the best products that are free of toxic ingredients. They are noted by the pharmaceutical society The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

Ren

Ren are specialists in “clean” products to help achieve and maintain healthy skin. Their products are clinically approved and free of skin irritants such as synthetic fragrances, propylene glycol, petroleum products, sulfates, artificial colors, animal ingredients and parabens.

Nude

Nude contains no harmful chemicals and prevents the skin from absorbing ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, PEGs, TEA, DEA, mineral oils, silicones and potential carcinogens. The products contain only organic ingredients that support healthy and beautiful skin.

Bare Escentuals

Bare Escentuals is the number one mineral beauty brand dedicated to improving skin health. Foundation, for example, consists of 100% pure mineral substances without the addition of preservatives, irritants, binders and other harmful components. According to the company, their cosmetics are "so clean, you could even sleep in them."

Juice Beauty

This brand is successful all over the world. From the organic skincare line, it's worth trying the incredible Green Apple Moisturizer, as well as the Green Apple Peel, a mask that improves skin clarity and texture.

Stella McCartney CARE

Fashion designer Stella McCartney, known for her vivid imagination and love of free style, decided to also delve into cosmetics. McCartney's cosmetic collection follows a similar philosophy: the products contain no ingredients of animal origin, synthetic preservatives or silicone. The line will consist of eight essential products: moisturizer, makeup remover foam, toning lotion, anti-age serum, etc. The main active ingredients of the brand are mallow, green tea, grape seed oil, flaxseed, soybean and rose oil. In addition, all products will be positioned as “unisex”.

Dr. Hauschka

A very popular German company, cosmetics, which many other manufacturers look up to. This brand produces a great variety of natural herbal remedies: from the Body Silk Powder moisturizing body spray, indispensable in frosty weather, to the Neel Oil Pen cuticle product, which improves the structure of nails and accelerates their growth.

Korres

The products of this Greek company are also famous in many parts of the world. For those who suffer from unruly hair, we recommend Korres Rice Protein Shampoo and Shea Butter Hair Mask. After using them, your hair will be shiny and soft.

Light Organic

This American brand uses vitamin E, carrot seed oil, rosemary and jojoba as preservatives, and makes its creams only by hand.

Patyka

This brand does the same; it has even developed a perfume that contains 25% natural essences, as opposed to 10-15% traditional ones, and alcohol from organic wheat, which does not prevent the aroma from changing and revealing throughout the day.

Organic Apoteke

This English brand invented organic perfume - without alcohol and fragrances. In addition, the brand’s arsenal includes everything for body and face care; the action of these cosmetics is based on the principles of Ayurveda and non-toxic components.

Ojon

Some plants are so excellent that entire brands are dedicated to them. This is what happened with Ojon, whose products return beauty and health to our hair. Ojon is a nut tree oil that was used by the Indians of pre-Columbian times. Today they mine it and also cultivate wonderful trees. The extracted raw materials are then sent to Italy, where they are used to create modern masks, sprays, shampoos and hair conditioners (12 products in total).

Jamu

Exotic ingredients and ancient traditions inspired the creators of the Jamu brand, whose cosmetics are produced according to traditional Indonesian and Balinese recipes from spices, fruits and herbs. In addition, the brand’s products are also suitable for SPA procedures, which once again proves its effectiveness.

H.I.P.

Organic cosmetics are also good because they can be consumed orally. The French brand H.I.P. There is a tonic that is recommended to be added to drinks to enhance vitality. H.I.P. preaches the concept of global beauty, the brand has two series: Arc-en-ciel, designed for facial and body skin care, and H.I.P. Hair - for hair. To create all products, only natural active ingredients are used: essential oils, vitamins and rare plant extracts.

Aesop

The principle of the Australian brand Aesop, like most brands of organic cosmetics, is to care for the skin with what nature created. The brand has everything for body, hair and face care. And, what’s especially nice, the line contains products suitable for and solving the problems of sensitive skin (Camellia Nut facial hydrating cream - moisturizing cream with chamomile, sandalwood and rosemary extracts for sensitive skin) and for intensive nutrition and hydration of very dry skin (Damascan Rose facial treatment - serum with rose oil and vitamins).

Aesop

Surely many of us have already become acquainted with the Greek brand Fresh Line, which in its boutique sells face masks, fruit soaps and strawberry bath jelly by weight. And no one leaves Lush, Grabtree Evelyn and L`Occitane stores without a fragrant scrub, massage oil or floral cream.

In addition to the natural advantages, organic cosmetics have other advantages: the vast majority of products are beautifully packaged, they will decorate any interior. In addition, these cosmetics often have delicious scents. The aromas of essential oils are known to prepare and improve the skin's perception of the active components included in cosmetics. published

Nastya Kostyuchenkova

Being healthy, beautiful and well-groomed is an indicator of success. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle has become a cult of our time. A society that not so long ago enthusiastically praised the achievements of the chemical industry has now become a fanatical supporter of all things natural. This fashion has not spared cosmetics either. The words “natural cosmetics” have become magical for us. When we buy a bottle with the coveted inscription, we think that we have purchased a truly healthy and safe elixir. But can cosmetics be 100 percent natural? Let's try to figure this out.

What cosmetics are considered natural

Taken literally, “natural” means “natural, natural.” In relation to care products, this means that they contain natural ingredients processed in a certain way. For example, cream bases for cosmetics are traditionally made from fats of plant and animal origin. In this case, the natural component must have a beneficial effect and be effective in eliminating a specific problem. But any product created by nature quickly loses its consumer properties. It cannot be stored for a long time. And cosmetics offered by the retail chain have a shelf life of at least six months. This means that for their production it is not enough to use only natural raw materials.

You may be surprised for a long time, but in many countries there is no clear standard for natural cosmetics establishing the required amount of ingredients. Some unscrupulous manufacturers take advantage of this by adding a drop of herbal extract or essential oil to a liter of synthetic product. To protect consumers from such dealers, leading manufacturers have decided that in high-quality products the amount of natural ingredients should be at least 20% (ideally, all 95). In addition, to improve consumer properties, it is allowed to use mineral ingredients, various cosmetic emulsifiers, stabilizers and synthetic preservatives in its composition.

On the label of high-quality cosmetics, natural ingredients will definitely appear at the very beginning of the composition. If they are indicated after preservatives, then this product cannot be called natural.

What is used in production

All components of natural cosmetics are conventionally divided into basic and auxiliary. The base is obtained by processing natural substances:

  • fruit;
  • wheat and soy sprouts;
  • honey and bee products;
  • flowers, herbs and other plants;
  • products of animal origin;
  • seafood.

From them, with the help of modern technologies, various extracts, extracts, and oils are obtained. These ingredients are used as independent components or on their basis a balanced vitamin complex is produced, which is added to cosmetic products. It helps enrich the skin with vitamins A, E, B, as well as polyphenol, protein, calcium, iron and other elements that give it a well-groomed and healthy appearance.

In addition, to increase shelf life, manufacturers add to cosmetic products:

  • preservatives that suppress bacterial flora and promote long-term storage;
  • emulsifiers, with the help of which stable emulsions are formed;
  • fragrances that give a pleasant smell.

The following products are used as preservatives in natural remedies:

  • olive oil;
  • essential oils;
  • extracts of bird cherry, pine and other plants.

In addition to their main function, they have a targeted effect on the skin: nourish, moisturize, regenerate.

However, expensive natural preservatives are not effective enough to extend the shelf life of the product, and cheap synthetic ones can cause irreparable harm. Therefore, manufacturers found a compromise solution. They use chemical synthesis of natural elements, as a result of which they obtain safe substances such as benzoic, salicylic, and sorbic acid. In natural cosmetics their content is small, so they do not cause harm to health.

Another additive is emulsifiers, which bind the water and oil bases of cosmetic products. They contribute to the uniform distribution of the substance and its rapid penetration into the layers of the skin. Natural cosmetics use natural phospholipids, waxes and fatty acids. Additives from synthetic organosilicon compounds that do not affect the biochemical processes in the skin are also acceptable.

Manufacturers produce many types of cosmetics based on minerals, organics, and plants. But no matter what ingredients are used in the products, they cannot be 100 percent natural. This is a shelf-stable product, which means that supplements are simply necessary to maintain its activity. And they try to minimize the risk of their negative effects on the body. Therefore, you need to buy only high-quality cosmetics that do not contain synthetic fragrances and dyes, which the manufacturer can replace with natural ingredients.

The cosmetics industry in Russia is not the most popular direction, and the natural industry is even more so. I’m used to the fact that most interesting brands and products are located outside our country, and, to be honest, I’m a little offended for my country. A huge number of fields that could be used to grow your own cosmetic ingredients are overgrown with weeds. But in our climate there grows a large number of plants suitable for obtaining essential and base oils, hydrosols and extracts of excellent quality. And from these components it is possible to produce decent products. However, most of these raw materials are exported. And then we buy the finished product, the price of which includes the tax for importing it into Russia. Due to the lack of high-quality raw materials, local companies are forced to purchase them abroad, which of course affects the price or quality of the product. I, like many others, will choose quality in this situation.
And, if in America and Europe there are brands that not only meet the requirements of truly pure natural cosmetics, but are also quite affordable, then can the same be said about Russia? How developed is the market for natural and organic cosmetics in our country? What brands immediately pop up in your head when you hear the phrase “natural Russian cosmetics”?
In this post I am not trying to denigrate or justify anyone, I want to outline the situation as a whole in order to understand what choice there is. I often hear the opinion that abroad there are truly natural cosmetics, but here we have just one word. Let's figure out together who is natural in our country.

First solution: Natura Siberica, Organic Shop, Grandmother Agafya

This is by far the most famous brand on the Russian market. The First Solution has a wide range and affordable prices. But there are still debates about naturalness, safety and organicity. I tried some of their products and was not impressed, but there are people for whom these cosmetics are effective. There are myths circulating on the Internet that there are no natural ingredients at all, or that products with such a composition cannot be so cheap. Just search for “the whole truth about Natura Siberica” and you will see many more different versions. Speaking about Natura Siberika or Organic Shop (Granny Agafya does not yet claim to be organic), it is worth noting that their products actually received Ecocert, Cosmos standard (natural and organic) certificates. And then the full marketing begins. Not all products are certified, only certain products and lines. In general, Natura Siberika products do not even say that they are all organic, but this mixture of natural and organic lines with conventional ones often confuses beginners. I advise you to take only products from the brand with Cosmos certificates (by the way, in Natura Siberica or Organic Shop brand stores, at your request, consultants will select products only with certificates).
But, for example, Living sea buckthorn oil for all occasions is truly 100% organic, which Cosmos confirms. Moreover, the same children's series Little Siberica can be called organic, since it has a Cosmos organic certificate.
With Organic Shop and Planeta Organica the situation is more complicated. In one of the interviews, the creator of the brand Andrei Trubnikov says that they plan to certify Organic Shop, this was in 2013, and, as far as I know, they actually received certificates, but also not for all products. The Organic Shop has BDIH certified natural products, but not all of them.
I also managed to find information that the Planeta Organica oil mixtures - Certified Organic Nourishing Facial Oil and Anti-age, as well as Cupuaçu Butter Oil (USDA and EuroLeaf icons) have an ICEA (Eco Bio Cosmetics Standard) certificate. However, what happens with other oils is also unknown.

Many Natura Siberica products bear the inscription “active organics” and this is not the same thing as the above-mentioned certificates. Yes, some of the components may be of organic origin, but not all products with such a label have a good composition.

Separately, I would like to talk about prices for First Solution products. Creams that have an Ecocert certificate are much more expensive than their non-certified counterparts. But the oils do not differ much in price, except for the mentioned Cupuaçu butter. The Little Siberica children's line is very, very affordable and this is by no means an indication of questionable ingredients. Speaking of affordable organics, I personally immediately remember the brands Weleda, Lavera, Benecos,. All have different respected certificates, while they occupy the budget segment (especially abroad, in our country the situation has changed somewhat due to currency prices). But who would think of doubting their naturalness or organicity? The thing is that they have existed for a very long time, and they simply deserve trust. And on the Russian market, Natura Siberica became a pioneer; before it, no one had ever heard of organic cosmetics. I’m not making excuses for the company, I just want to be objective and not evaluate products negatively just because someone on the forum said that a product with such a composition cannot be so cheap or that their compositions are thought out so as not to harm, but also bring no benefit.

By the way, if we talk about foreign companies, then not everything is so smooth there either. There are a lot of products on the market that have not received any certificate, yet they contain organic ingredients and no one asks why they are SO expensive/cheap? This is me now about the popular cosmetic line May Lindstrom. Her cosmetics are very expensive, containing entirely useful and organic ingredients, but the components have also not been confirmed by anyone, however, judging by the reviews, no one doubts the organicity and quality of the products (I am also very interested in it, and I in no way against!) If we are already talking about oils, then the quality of Aura Cacia oils is beyond doubt (USDA-organic certificate), however, their prices are very reasonable.
In the American blogosphere, a couple of years ago there was a boom with Organic Excellence shampoos, which presented themselves as natural, and did not contain any surfactants or emulsifiers at all. Stephanie Greenwood, creator of the Chemical Of the Day website and the Bubble&Bee Organic line of products, found out that potassium lactate, which the company promoted as a substance that produces foam, cannot produce it, moreover, it is contained in shampoo in the amount of 0.016 ml per 470 ml bottle . Traces of sulfates were also found in the shampoo. By the way, the company still sells this product. I think that after such a study, the organic nature of the brand’s products is also in question. In the matter of First Solution products, I believe that you should trust certificates first of all in order not to guess what was put in the bottle or to use and not bother. I chose the first option for myself. In any case, you can criticize or praise their products and marketing for a long time, but Natura Siberica definitely deserves respect for promoting organics to the masses and producing products, albeit not all of them, but with pure ingredients at an affordable price.

Spivak


Another company around the naturalness of its products there is a lot of controversy and speculation. A huge range of oils, body scrubs, shampoos, soaps, etc. The composition is quite good, except that the polysorbates confuse me (as far as I remember, Spivak uses polysorbate-60, which earned a C grade at the EWG). On the topic of polysorbates, Spivak has a guide based on scientific research. And everything seems to be generally not bad, but the question again arises - why is it so cheap? Spivak replies that he orders a huge amount of oils for making soap, so the sale of pure oils is not the main source of income for him, but an additional source of income, they say, our customers really asked for it. I’ve tried quite a lot of products from this company (you can read about the cleansing foam) and I can say that their batters are really decent (although coconut greatly depends on the batch (country of production) - it may smell sour, but this does not affect the properties in any way) Relatively The company recently launched essential oils, which are now being discussed by the entire natural community. If I knew where to do chromatograms, I would definitely buy a couple of oils and do them - I’m also interested in their quality. Spivak positions them as completely natural and undiluted, however, the consistency of the lavender essential oil, which I took out of curiosity, was very strange - liquid like water and the smell in comparison with Aura Cacia - very sour. If I didn’t know what lavender smells like before, I would never have recognized it there. But patchouli and ylang-ylang smell decent, the consistency is thicker, but I didn’t have the opportunity to compare them with Aura, so I won’t say anything. I haven’t bought any more essential oils and I’m unlikely to do so until their purity is clarified. I consider argan, shea, macadamia and broccoli quite good. Shea and argan are no different from those from Now Foods and Aura Cacia, however, there is an assumption on the Internet that the oils are poorly purified, which is why they are so cheap (by the way, I heard the same assumption about Desert Essence jojoba oil, the quality of which, it would seem, is in doubt should not cause). On the plus side, I can note that Spivak has Organic certificates for lavender and rose hydrolates and sends them by mail to everyone who is incredulous. I tried rose, and believe me, it smells just like rose, like the rose essential oil in Aura's Jojoba, and not at all like the rose in , the latter clearly has a rose scent.

Biobeauty


A well-known Russian company producing dry cosmetics based on zeolite. They don't call themselves organic, but they do claim to be 100% natural. Indeed, as for dry products, they contain zeolite, salt, kaolin and various ground herbs. Since this is a dry product that is mixed with water immediately before use, there is no need to add preservatives to it, the main thing is to avoid moisture. In my opinion, the absence of preservatives is an ideal solution to the question of which preservative is better)). However, the prospect of infection with demodicosis does not make me very happy. Thus, it turns out that dry cosmetics are the safest solution to the problem of both bacteria and preservatives. By the way, you can read a review of Tender Biocleaning from Biobeauty. As for cream products, not everything is as good as we would like. The company uses the preservative Caton CG, one of its names is Methylisothiazolone, which scores 6 points on the EWG. The danger of dermatitis and allergic reactions with this component increases. It is not officially prohibited, but certain doses are established for it. The famous beauty guru of natural cosmetics, Paula Begun, also classifies this preservative as bad, citing, among other things, very specific scientific studies. Biobeauty claims that this preservative is very sensitive to light, and as soon as you squeeze the cream onto your hand, it will have time to break down into safe components before you apply it to your face. I was unable to find such information in open sources, but if you know something about katon, I would be glad to hear additional information.

Now let's move on to small companies, where everything is more clear.

Workshop of Olesya Mustaeva


You understand that I couldn’t ignore it)) To my surprise, not everyone knows about the existence of the Workshop, which is a pity. Products of decent quality at an affordable price, produced in Kazan, which, you see, is a definite plus for delivery! Yes, cosmetics are not certified, but for small companies, it seems to me, trust in the brand is based on trust in the creator and his philosophy. As far as I know, Olesya has previously worked with well-known oil manufacturers Baraka (by the way, they are now partners of the company), she carefully approaches the selection of ingredients and, as she writes on social networks, not a single reformulation of products occurs without her knowledge. Together with her team, she develops effective formulas and selects ingredients. I am especially impressed by the fact that Olesya does not hide preservatives or emulsifiers in her products, but speaks openly about them. Very often, small companies refuse to disclose the ingredients of their products under the pretext that they want to steal the formula from them. To be honest, I think this is the most crazy statement! How the indication of a preservative can reveal the formula is beyond me. But it’s easy to undermine trust in a brand. If they hide it, it means that most likely there is something dirty there. As far as I know, you can approximately calculate the formula by looking at the ingredients (after all, according to INCI, they are indicated in a certain sequence), and an experienced technologist will see something else. And for some reason large companies, without fear of anything, talk about preservatives. At Olesya Mustaeva’s Workshop, everything is open, they honestly talk about replacing components in their creams, and are also ready for feedback from clients - if something is not to their liking or not suitable, they will always advise and help. Popular YouTube blogger Irene Vladi once said that the coffee used by the Workshop in scrubs is restaurant quality. For me, this is an indicator not only of the quality of the product, but also the attitude of the creator towards his clients. In turn, seeing it on my skin, I can say that Olesya Mustaeva’s products are worthy of high marks. At the same time, it does not contain strange or ambiguous ingredients, such as fruit stem cells (I’m talking about Acure now), which are very alarming to me.


Another small company that is honest about their ingredients. I ordered hair masks from them to try. All products have a pure composition, the components score 1-2 points on the EWG, so the cosmetics can be considered natural. The only thing I don't like is benzyl alcohol. It can be part of essential oils, or used separately as a preservative. This substance is included in Weleda products, but is labeled “a component of essential oils.” There is no mark here, so I asked the question directly to Kleona and am waiting for an answer. Benzyl alcohol can cause an allergic reaction and, in high concentrations, aggravate bronchitis and asthma in some people. As a person who is not allergic at all, this does not bother me. But I really don’t like the information that in combination with titanium dioxide it can form aldehydes, including formaldehyde. I didn’t find titanium dioxide in any of Kleona’s creams or masks. But still, I hope the company will clarify the situation with benzyl alcohol. Some Kleona creams contain phenoxyethanol; there is so much controversy and ambiguous information around this ingredient that everyone can decide for themselves whether to avoid it or not. I know that such popular and respected companies as Desert Essence, Derma E, Physician’s formula and others use it. As for me, I do not specifically avoid this component, but its absence will be an argument for me when choosing between two identical products.

Krasnaya Polyana cosmetics


A small family company located in the Krasnodar region in the ecologically clean mountain village of Medoveevka in the Krasnopolyansky district. They produce personal and home care products based on saponified oils (like Spivak, by the way). This is one of the few companies that produces its own hydrosols! Moreover, this is actually a product of steam distillation, and not an essential oil in water. The only thing that bothered me was the vague “vegetable preservative” at the end of the composition. I also asked a question on the official website of Krasnopolyanskaya cosmetics, and they answered that they use either biosol or silver citrate - both of these preservatives are in the green zone on the EWG and score no more than 2 points. A mixture of cetearyl alcohol and polysorbate-60, under the commercial name polawax, is also used as an emulsifier. As you can see from the representative’s response, the composition is truly pure, safe and natural. Again, the company’s frankness personally inspires confidence in me. The openness and honesty of the Krasnopolyansk company is also supported by the fact that on the website and on social networks you can see photo reports directly from production. This year the company appeared on TV in the program “My Life is Made in Russia”, where you can watch about the production and listen to the history of creation. I have already ordered some Krasnopolyanskaya cosmetics products to try, so I plan to make a separate post on this topic. I am impressed by their attitude to production in general, as well as their minimalistic and clean product compositions.

Mi&Ko


Another family company that is becoming increasingly popular in the Russian market. The compositions are extremely pure: various oils, plant extracts and other components are used that do not raise any questions for me. Honeysuckle extract is used as a preservative. The Olesya Mustaeva Workshop also uses the same preservative. What is especially noteworthy is that the shelf life of opened cosmetics is only six months. The range of products is very wide: products for hair, body and face, men's line, cleaning products, repellents and even candles. Company representatives are also willing to answer questions on social networks. Unfortunately, Mi&ko does not have certificates. So far I have not been able to get acquainted with the company’s funds, however, I definitely plan to do so.

Of course, this is not the entire list of cosmetics manufacturers. If you want to hear my opinion about a specific company, write in the comments, I will be happy to answer. My main task was to introduce you to the most popular brands of Russian natural and organic cosmetics. It is worth noting that there are still some brands that I have deliberately avoided, since they do not fit into my idea of ​​what truly natural cosmetics should be. In general, the essence of my post is as follows: the popularity of natural and organic cosmetics attracts not only those who want to create a decent product, but also those who just want to make money, and we, as consumers, must learn to read ingredients, look for information about certificates , ask about the ingredients from the company itself in order to choose truly natural and safe products. You shouldn’t limit yourself only to the foreign market, because we also have decent products, they just aren’t that many and they’re not that popular. For me, the topic of Russian natural cosmetics is open. I hope that despite the crisis, this industry will develop and we will have a decent choice. As for quality, I do not believe that foreign production is a priori of better quality; a lot depends on the integrity of the manufacturer. It’s just that organics appeared earlier abroad, and accordingly, they are ahead of the development of this industry here. However, as long as there are companies that are ready to “keep up the brand” and not reduce quality, despite the abundance of readily available synthetic ingredients, the natural cosmetics industry in Russia will develop.