You share the views of the "green", are interested in herbal medicine, and when buying a new cream you are looking for natural ingredients in the list of ingredients? Then biocosmetics just created for you!
Today, skin and hair care products with natural ingredients are gaining more and more fans. Among these products there is a special category - bio- and eco-cosmetics, it is also organic (most often these words are perceived as synonyms).
And if the composition of the cream or shampoo includes natural ingredients - it is not at all necessary that we are talking about biocosmetics. First of all, its components must be environmentally friendly! For organic cosmetics, there are quite strict standards of production and quality, compliance with them is marked with a special icon on the packaging. In Europe, these are usually Bio / Ecocert, BDHI, ICEA, Soil Assotiation certificates, in the USA - USDA, NOP or Oasis.
High bar
The composition of biocosmetics is subject to increased requirements. By world standards, it should be 95% natural ingredients. At the same time, plant components must comply with environmental standards - be grown in ecologically clean areas without pesticides and herbicides, the use of chemical solvents, etc. is not allowed when extracts are received.
Organic cosmetics do not contain parabens that can cause skin irritation, oil products (paraffin, petroleum jelly, etc.), synthetic dyes and fragrances. All preservatives must be natural or identical to them.Sorbic, citric or benzoic acids, various essential oils, etc. can play their role.
In such products you will not find products of genetic engineering and ingredients of animal origin, with the exception of those whose receipt does not harm the fauna (for example, beeswax).
Closer to nature
Beauticians believe that organic cosmetics are especially good for anti-aging care. Plants contain many bioactive components with powerful antioxidant properties.
For example, polyphenols of red grapes in antioxidant activity are superior to synthesized vitamin C - one of the most popular fighters with free radicals - more than ten times. Geranium essential oil is practically not inferior in effectiveness to another famous antioxidant - retinol. There are unique plants (for example, alfalfa, seedlings of crops, red clover), rich in hormone-like substances - phytestrogens, which makes them an ideal component for skin care after 45-50 years, when active hormonal aging processes are launched.
Another plus in favor of biocosmetics: it is rich in essential oils, the molecules of which are so small that they can penetrate the dermis and thereby fight the aging of the skin not only on the surface, but also in its depth, where the main changes occur.
But keep in mind: if you have sensitive skin, it is better to first check if this or that cream is suitable for you using a tester - a high concentration of essential oils and bioactive substances can cause skin irritation.
Equally careful should be the choice of organic cosmetics and owners of oily problem skin: some vegetable oils (such as coconut or cocoa) can clog pores.
Expert Opinion
Lyudmila Sazonova, cosmetologist-dermatologist, national trainer for vocational training of cosmetologists Yves Rocher in Russia.
All biocosmetic products undergo a single testing protocol under dermatological control. They must be certified by an authoritative body recognized by international ministries of European countries, in accordance with European Union standards.
This may be an EcoCert certificate recognized in the European Union; certificate Cosmebio - international association of manufacturers of cosmetic products, certificate BDIH (Germany), SOIL Association (UK), etc.
Some growers even grow plants in their own fields. For example, the Yves Rocher company grows about 30 types of biological crops on 44 hectares in France. The production process from beginning to end provides for natural technology. Biocosmetics contains only environmentally friendly herbal ingredients rich in active ingredients. Moreover, the amount of ingredients of plant origin should be at least 95%. For example, products from the CultureBio range consist of more than 98% natural ingredients and 85% bioextracts.
All photos: Beboy / Fotolia.com (1); Wolfgang Kraus / Fotolia.com (1); Twixx / Fotolia.com (1); Christoph Boyson / Fotolia.com (1); Pixel & Ation / Fotolia.com; A. Platonov / Bildfabrik (10; PR.
