The Natural Take on Ingredients

There is no doubt that beauty consumers whether they be budget buyers or prestige customers are becoming more ingredient savvy – the market is becoming more sophisticated and knowledgeable about the ingredients and actives that are used in skin care products whether they be for the face or body.

For some the focus remains results driven, and it is less important where the ingredients come from and how they are manufactured, however for many consumers ‘green or natural skincare’ is the major consideration when it comes to which products they purchase.

This trend has created an opportunity for suppliers of natural and organic ingredients and actives to showcase what is available whilst highlighting the fact that many of these ingredients are as effective, and in some cases, more effective than their synthetic counterparts.

The impression was always that natural ingredients were best suited to handmade products and mainly herbal in nature.  This has changed dramatically over the past number of years with innovative natural and organic ingredients being harvested and processed in large quantities for commercial use.

However, suppliers and manufacturers really need to do their research and make sure all claims about ingredients chosen are true and can be verified.

The term natural is used very loosely and can often be pure marketing.  Quite often it means that means that only some of the ingredients used in the formulation are natural with the majority being man-made.

The organic claim is far more strictly monitored and regulated. Organic describes substances grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and processed without man-made chemicals.

Organic is the highest standard and means that 95-100% of ingredients must meet organic standards as set out by one or more of the bodies which govern organic standards such as Ecocert or the new Cosmos Standard.

In terms of the personal care market, ingredients such as Argan, Marula Oil, Moringa, Shea Butter, Kigafirm and Carolite are all examples of ingredients which fulfil the requirements of being natural and organic and are often found in formulations for these products.

Cobiosa’s Hydrargan – a deodorised Argan Oil that is ideal for use in body care and hair care products.

Kigafirm from Zuplex Botanicals is an extract of the Kigelia africana fruit. It has phenomenal firming and anti-inflammatory properties and increases the elasticity of the skin. Kigafirm is an excellent alternative to petroleum glycols and glycerine in cosmetic and personal care formulations.

Programmes such as BASF’s Rambutan Programme, is also an excellent example of organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.  The programme is a socially and environmentally responsible supply chain for sustainable bioactives production. Working in close cooperation with partners in Vietnam, BASF sources the ingredients, which are extracted from the rambutan tree (Nephelium lappaceum) for use in skin and personal care products.

For more information on how to source natural, organic and Botanichem sources and supplies many naturally derived and organic ingredients and actives.