Is natural cosmetics always organic and vegan? Generally, when we decide to try natural cosmetics for the first time, we believe that all of it is organic and vegan, a belief that has caused more than a few disappointments when people see that their cream was made with ingredients of animal origin. To avoid mistakes, and so you can always freely choose what best suits your beliefs and needs, at Maminat we reveal the differences between natural, organic, and vegan cosmetics.
Natural, organic, and vegan cosmetics: what does each entail?
For many years, many traditional cosmetic brands have taken advantage of the legal vacuum regarding cosmetics tested on animals, and even today, many companies use the words 'bio' and 'natural' cosmetics to try to confuse and make their buyers believe that they are actually buying vegan and 'cruelty-free' products. However, at Maminat, we want to clarify that not all natural products are vegan and 'cruelty-free.' Now, there might be something you don't know: in the European Union, it is strictly forbidden to test on animals. A cosmetic that uses them in the laboratory cannot be sold. Therefore, if you buy a brand from within the European Union, you can rest assured. The same does not apply if your cream is manufactured outside the EU, as in that case, you should know the laws governing cosmetics in that country. If you want to know more about the main characteristics and differences of these types of cosmetics, keep reading because you will surely be surprised.
Natural Cosmetics
Undoubtedly, the use and preference for natural cosmetics has increased in recent years, something we are very happy about. However, there are big cosmetic brands that use the term 'natural' to try to sell you something that isn't. Currently, a natural cosmetic product is one that primarily uses raw materials of natural origin with hardly any additives or chemical transformations and that have used processes not harmful to the environment. One of the main flaws of large traditional and natural cosmetic brands is the lack of a philosophy consistent with what they sell. Many of them try to produce natural cosmetics due to the surge in sales of these types of cosmetics, but where is the respect for the environment? They do what is called "greenwashing." Furthermore, since it's fashionable to sell natural products, sometimes brands whose labeling doesn't reflect that it's a natural product will tell you that it "contains aloe vera" (as if that alone made it a natural product... and it certainly doesn't). Generally, big brands produce natural cosmetics in packaging that does not promote sustainability and cannot be reused. The same applies to their wrapping, through which they use a large amount of cardboard or plastic to wrap a single product. At Maminat, we are conscious of our philosophy and way of life, which is why we try to use reusable packaging, mostly glass, and we send you our products with plastic-free wrapping.
Organic Cosmetics
Natural cosmetics don't always have to be organic. The latter, in addition to using natural ingredients, has also followed a series of criteria for organic farming such as the non-use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. At Maminat, as much as possible, we try to ensure that most of the raw materials we use are organic, and we even support local agriculture, which is why most of our products evoke the Valencian Community because we reside in this autonomous community and are very familiar with citrus fruits, rosemary, lavender... And with all those plants and trees that grow in a Mediterranean forest.