Are you considering revamping your beauty routine to make it kinder to your skin and the environment?

Between the terms “organic”, “natural”, “vegan” or even “ clean ”, it’s difficult to find your way around…

And that's perfectly normal : understanding what a cosmetic product contains, and especially what it doesn't contain, requires a bit of decoding.

In this article, we help you differentiate between organic and natural cosmetics, so you can consume more consciously—and with confidence.

I. What is a natural cosmetic?

A. DEFINITION OF NATURAL COSMETICS

A natural cosmetic is a product made from natural or naturally derived ingredients, but not necessarily organic . In both cases, any ingredient of petrochemical origin is excluded.

These ingredients can be plants , minerals , oils or fruit extracts.

A cosmetic is considered natural when it contains at least 95% natural or “naturally sourced” ingredients (according to ISO 16128 and the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products).

These ingredients can be:

• Raw (unprocessed)
• Physically transformed (by maceration, grinding)
• Chemically processed in an environmentally friendly manner.

A natural cosmetic can be as simple as a massage oil or complex like a serum.

B. CERTIFICATION OR NOT CERTIFICATION?

A natural cosmetic can be certified ... or not . The absence of certification does not necessarily mean that a product has a poor composition or that it is less ecological, but it does not guarantee anything either. Only the ISO 16128 standard applies and, apart from petrochemicals, it does not exclude anything. It does not exclude parabens or phenoxyethanols (for example) from the 5% of synthetic ingredients that it authorizes .

This is why it is essential to carefully check the list of ingredients to ensure that no controversial substances are present (aggressive preservatives, polluting raw materials, endocrine disruptors, etc.).

Certified products offer a guarantee of quality and transparency . Generally, the natural label guarantees that a cosmetic contains 95% ingredients of natural origin.

But that's not all, it also guarantees that:

• Many ingredients are prohibited (silicones, PEG, phenoxyethanol, etc.)
• The manufacturing processes are gentle and non-polluting
• The origin of the raw materials is controlled (no pesticides, no GMOs, etc.)
• Packaging must be eco-designed (recyclable or recycled)

Certifications provide a reliable benchmark for consuming in a more conscious and respectful manner.

C. CAUTION: NOT ALL SO-CALLED NATURAL PRODUCTS ARE NECESSARILY HEALTHY

A product can claim to be " natural "... without actually being good for you . Indeed, with the rise of greenwashing, some brands are playing on words and appearances to attract consumers looking for "cleaner" products.

It is not uncommon to see a cosmetic product displaying more than 95% of ingredients of natural origin… while containing controversial substances such as:

• silicones (non-biodegradable, film-forming)
• BHT (antioxidant suspected of being an endocrine disruptor)
• or phenoxyethanol (preservative problematic for the skin and health)

And that's not all:
Flaunting claims like "paraben-free," "green," or "naturally inspired" in no way guarantee the safety or cleanliness of the formula.

Some so-called natural products may also contain petrochemical ingredients , which are neither good for the skin... nor for the environment.

A "natural" product is not automatically "healthy." Reading labels and referring to reliable certifications remains essential to making informed choices.

II. What is an organic cosmetic?

A. DEFINITION OF AN ORGANIC COSMETIC

An organic cosmetic is a beauty product that contains a majority of ingredients of natural origin, a significant proportion of which come from organic farming .

These ingredients are grown without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers, to preserve the environment and limit health risks.

To be certified organic, a cosmetic must meet strict criteria set by independent organizations. While requirements vary slightly depending on the label, there are some common principles:

• Products must contain at least 95% ingredients of natural origin , and a defined proportion (often around 10 to 20%) of ingredients from organic farming.
• Controversial substances are excluded , such as silicones, parabens, PEGs, or synthetic perfumes and dyes.
• Manufacturing processes must be non-polluting, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient.
• Finally, the packaging is eco-designed, recyclable or made from recycled materials.

Choosing organic cosmetics means supporting healthier, more transparent, and more planet-friendly cosmetics.

B. HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN ORGANIC COSMETIC

The most reliable way to recognize an organic cosmetic is to look for a label certifying its composition and production method.

Several labels exist, each with specific criteria and tolerances regarding the percentage of organic ingredients and manufacturing methods.

Here are some of the most recognized labels:

• Ecocert : One of the oldest and best known, guaranteeing that 95% of plant ingredients come from organic farming, of which at least 20% of organic ingredients are present in the formula in total.
• Cosmébio : French label guaranteeing a product composed of at least 95% natural ingredients, of which at least 20% must come from organic farming.

• Cosmos : A European label which brings together several organic standards, guaranteeing products with rigorous criteria in terms of naturalness and sustainability.

• NaTrue : International label that guarantees that products are made without synthetic ingredients and meet strict environmental standards.

• Nature & Progrès: A demanding label that goes beyond traditional organic criteria by imposing criteria of sustainability and respect for ecosystems.

• Slow Cosmétique: This label emphasizes the ethical and sustainable aspect of cosmetics, with responsible production and without polluting ingredients.

• BDIH: German label, managed by Cosmébio, which guarantees organic and natural cosmetics by excluding any non-natural chemical substances.

• ICEA : Italian label certifying that the product meets strict standards in organic farming and environmentally friendly manufacturing.

• Eco Guarantee: Belgian label which ensures that the products are formulated from natural and planet-friendly ingredients.

• ACENE : Spanish label which guarantees that the products come from organic farming, with strict compliance with ecological standards.

C. AN ORGANIC PRODUCT IS NOT ALWAYS 100% ORGANIC

A certified organic product can contain between 20% and 100% organic ingredients. Why this variation?

Water: Most cosmetics contain water, which often makes up more than 50% of the formula. However, water cannot be certified organic because it is not cultivated.

Uncultivated ingredients: Some natural ingredients, such as minerals (clays, salts, etc.), and active ingredients like vitamin E, cannot be certified organic because they do not come directly from agriculture.

So, a massage oil that doesn't contain water can display up to 100% organic ingredients. And a cream, which contains between 60% and 80% water, must contain at least 20% organic ingredients to be certified organic.

Organic certification ensures that organic ingredients meet strict production and manufacturing standards, even if the formula contains non-organic elements.

III. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NATURAL AND ORGANIC COSMETICS

Criteria	Natural cosmetics	Organic cosmetics
Ingredients	Of natural origin (plants, minerals, animals)	Naturally sourced + organic ingredients
Certification	ISO 16128 standard	Mandatory to be labeled organic – or to provide proof of 100% organic-labeled ingredients
Traceability	Variable	Very regulated, with strict rules
Environmental impact	Depends on the brand	Significantly reduced thanks to eco-responsible criteria
Presence of synthetic ingredients	Max 5% - no restriction	Max 5% from a list of accepted (non-controversial) ingredients

IV. CHO Nature a brand of certified natural and organic cosmetics

A. HEALTH AT THE HEART OF OUR HISTORY

CHO Nature is, above all, a family story, guided by the conviction that beauty and health must go hand in hand.

Founded in 2009 by Béatrice Dubois and Joseph Grivon, the brand draws its inspiration from the richness of nature and the power of vegetable oils and essential oils.

The adventure begins with an essential question:
“What if our cosmetics also played a role in our health?”

Beatrice, deeply affected by the cancer of several close friends, becomes aware of the potential impact of the products we apply to our skin every day.

Faced with the lack of solutions combining naturalness, effectiveness and sensory pleasure, the couple decided to create their own alternatives.

This is how CHO Nature was born:
Organic skincare, rich in plant-based active ingredients, formulated to care for your skin with complete confidence.

B. CHO NATURE COMMITMENTS

At CHO Nature, we do more than just formulate treatments:
We are committed to demanding, responsible and transparent beauty.

Our promise is based on clear choices:

✔️ Certified organic and natural products
Our care products are organic or natural, labeled by Cosmébio and COMOSO Standard, certified by Cosmécert (Cosmébio certifier).

This label imposes strict specifications:
• 95% minimum of ingredients of natural origin
• 20% minimum organic ingredients in the finished product (excluding products that require rinsing or contain a lot of water or minerals)
• No controversial or polluting ingredients : no silicones, PEGs, parabens, synthetic perfumes, etc.
• Gentle and non-polluting transformation processes
• Eco-designed packaging : recyclable or made from recycled materials
• Transparency on the traceability and origin of raw materials

✔️ Organic, noble and traceable ingredients
We select organic and pure raw materials, paying particular attention to their origin, effectiveness and quality.

✔️ Handcrafted and locally produced
All our products are formulated and manufactured in France, in our own laboratory in Mouans-Sartoux, in the heart of Provence. We have complete control over the production chain to guarantee quality and consistency.

✔️ Zero compromise on health and safety
Our priority: to create effective and sensory treatments, while excluding any suspect or controversial ingredients.
No petrochemical ingredients, endocrine disruptors, harsh preservatives or synthetic fragrances find their place in our skincare products.

CHO Nature is much more than a beauty brand.
It is a mark of trust