in Beauty Supplies, Natural Beauty, Natural Hair Care, Skin Smart, Toxic Ingredients

Organic Confusion Galore for Personal Care Products

by Delia Montgomery December 21, 2008, 5:25 pm 40 Views

Reading forums about the evolution and revolution of organic and natural cosmetics is absolutely mind boggling. Think of revamping the FDA for insight! By necessity, the proposed standards are written for those who know chemistry.

The good news is that this daunting task for harmony is getting done. International collaboration between six European certification bodies: ICEA (Italy), BDIH (Germany), Bioforum (Belgium), Cosmebio/Ecocert (France) and Soil Association (UK) is in process now. Combined they aim to clarify requirements and definitions for organic and/or natural cosmetics to appease formulators and consumers alike.COSMOS-standard, a European cosmetics working group, directed the joint ambitions to achieve a new level of criteria published for public consultation last November. As anyone could predict, the reception was very mixed. Critics claimed a number of gray areas remain, including the question of whether water can be certified organic.

If you dare to educate yourself on this topic, see the news media sites posted by Cosmetics Design USA or Europe. Other media sources who report body care health dangers help awareness. Education is key, but in a labeling format that the public can comprehend.

Frustrated retailers say that what matters is what is NOT in formulations. That’s detergents, chemical preservatives, chemical dyes, and chemical fragrances. Influential big businesses that have controlled the market for centuries aren’t making it easier. In fact it’s been reported that they don’t know how to read their own certifications in place.

Of course ingredients are particularly important to those with weak immune systems from cancer or other conditions. Thus, exclusions are what small business suppliers emphasize to support, guarantee and market their products today.

Credit and appreciation is due to David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. This man works tirelessly to scrutinize standard proposals. Watch a humorous yet shocking scenario: Soap, Drugs, & Rock and Roll on YouTube™.

Founder Dr. Emanuel Bronner would be so proud of the activism from his fourth and fifth family generations. 2008 marks both the 60th anniversary of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps in America and the 150th anniversary of the family’s first soap making activity in southern Germany.

The fact is that ultimately, the future of organic personal care products will be determined by consumers. Yet if all goes to plan, COSMOS-standard will be fully launched by the end of 2009. Let the comments begin!

Organic Skin Care, Natural Cosmetics: The Future is Now

Holistic Whole-face Nutrition

Written by Delia Montgomery

I am Delia, d/b/a Chic Eco on www.ChicEco.com, and established myself as an eco fashion guru by learning "who makes what in the world of environmental fashion and design."

Enjoy reading some of my freelance writing about environmental design, fashion and art -- from both consumer and supplier perspectives. You may notice I focus most on individual eco designers, movers and shakers.

From sustainable fashion apparel to paint and flooring, discoveries are a rush. I get my kicks this way. I also offer sales representation of earth-friendly designed products for wholesale buyers. Retailers may take advantage of my services with factory-direct pricing. Spend less time sourcing and prevent green-washed purchases!

My other forte is connecting suppliers with business-to-business tools. Aspects of my business vary with consulting services while I'm proud to be the aide that embraces unique and innovative gigs.

I'm originally a Kentucky Blue Grass gal who relocated to Maui early 2006 and the tropical Puna District of Big Island, Hawaii late 2007. Walk the talk is my motto here.

Early 2009 I constructed a yurt home office in a semi-urban setting on a tiny lot. My water comes from the sky, contained in a catchment that's not likely to dry in this rain forest. The electric is designed for solar conversion. I grow about 30% of my food organically, compost, and recycle to the hilt. Permaculture with a full eco system is my gardening style.

In fact, gardening is my ultimate joy. I seek gigs like design, weeding and planting between other jobs. My love is Hawai'i which has more climate zones than any state. There are frequent earthquakes here, typically under a 3.0 magnitude, and I happen to dig the vibrations. It's a wonderful simple life in paradise. As I grow older and wiser, I become more and more grateful.