Natural cosmetics and natural cosmetics? The difference that changes everything.

More and more consumers are turning to healthier, more environmentally friendly products. But it's easy to get confused when it comes to choosing between natural cosmetics and naturally derived cosmetics . These two terms, often confused, don't actually mean the same thing. So, what is a naturally derived cosmetic ? And how does it differ from a 100% natural cosmetic?

In this article, we explain everything to you — without jargon, without waffle, and with concrete examples.

WHAT IS A NATURAL INGREDIENT?

A natural ingredient comes directly from nature : it can be plants, minerals or even water. It has only undergone a gentle physical transformation (such as cold pressing, grinding or distillation), without chemical solvents and without modification of its molecular structure .

>> It therefore retains all of its original active properties.

Example: Prickly pear seed oil, extracted by cold pressing, is a natural ingredient. It retains all its fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants.

WHAT IS A NATURALLY SOURCED INGREDIENT?

A naturally derived ingredient is also derived from a natural raw material. However, it has been chemically transformed to alter its structure or properties. This transformation has a purpose: to change the texture, stability, or preservation of cosmetics.

>> It therefore does not retain the initial active properties of the plant or mineral from which it comes.

Example: Esterified oils are ingredients of natural origin obtained from vegetable oils that have been reacted with an alcohol (therefore chemically transformed). Esterified oils therefore no longer possess the properties and active ingredients of the vegetable oils from which they are derived, they are no longer nutritious and contain neither vitamins nor essential fatty acids.

Ingredients of natural origin cannot be considered organic ingredients , even if they are obtained from natural ingredients from organic farming.

WHAT IS A NATURAL COSMETIC?

A cosmetic of natural origin is a product in which a large part of the ingredients (often between 90 and 95%) are of natural origin , but not necessarily natural in the strict sense.

This means:

• that it contains ingredients from nature, chemically modified ,
• and that it may include texturizing or preserving agents derived from plants, but which no longer have the natural active properties .

💡 Please note: ingredients of natural origin have no nutritional properties, they only have a functional role: to emulsify, provide comfort and preserve.