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Natural Cosmetics Week

Discover how to embrace nature and empower your skin with this week-long spotlight on natural cosmetics
Katie Hill - Editor-in-Chief, My Green Pod
A cropped photo of an anonymous woman holding a tube of a hand cream while shopping at a store

Today is the beginning of the first-ever Natural Cosmetics Week (23-29 November 2024), a global initiative to raise awareness about the benefits of natural cosmetics – for both people and planet – and encourage a deeper commitment to sustainability within the beauty industry.

This year’s theme – ‘Embrace Nature, Empower Your Skin’ – underscores the significance of natural and organic ingredients in beauty products and the role of sustainability in the beauty industry. The goal is to inspire a shift towards more sustainable beauty practices.

Why natural cosmetics matter

Natural cosmetics are more than just a trend – they represent a significant shift towards healthier, more sustainable living.

Choosing natural products means we’re not only looking after our own wellbeing but also supporting environmentally responsible practices.

Unfortunately, there is currently no legal regulation on what can be called ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ in cosmetics, which means you can’t always trust the label or the marketing claims.

Some non-natural ingredients have been shown to cause skin irritations and even endocrine disruption, while others – such as synthetic polymers (or ‘liquid plastics’) – cause environmental damage when they are washed down the drain and into our waterways and soil.

We don’t think it’s realistic to expect shoppers to scrutinise every ingredient on a product prior to purchase; there often isn’t enough time and, unless you’re a chemist, it’s hard to know what to look out for.

Finding natural products

Natural Cosmetics Week is the brainchild of NATRUE, as an expansion of the non-profit organisation’s International Day of Natural Cosmetics.

NATRUE is an internationally recognised certification that guarantees the authenticity of natural and organic cosmetics.

NATRUE logo

When you see the NATRUE logo (above) on a product, it assures you that the product meets stringent standards for naturalness and sustainability. NATRUE ensures transparency, with no misleading claims, so you know you’re choosing products that are good for both your skin and the planet.

NATRUE certified natural cosmetics are better for the planet; they guarantee:

  • Formulations are made with non-GMO renewable raw materials
  • No ingredients from mineral oils or silicones or petrochemicals
  • Microplastic free to protect oceans and waterways
  • Palm oil must be certified sustainable/organic quality
  • Biodegradability of ingredients is taken into account
  • Products bearing the NATRUE seal are not tested on animals

A booming natural products market

Since 2008, the NATRUE label has expanded across Europe and worldwide, consolidating its position in the natural beauty sector as the international benchmark for authentic natural and organic cosmetic products and raw materials.

More than 9,700 products and raw materials carry the NATRUE label worldwide. Products carrying the NATRUE label are free from GMOs, silicones, parabens, microplastics, synthetic fragrances, and mineral oils.

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