Natural cosmetics: only genuine if certified

If you love natural cosmetics, you want to be sure that when the label says "natural" on the outside, the content inside is truly that. But did you know that the term "natural cosmetics" isn't legally protected? That's precisely why it's so important to take a closer look – and rely on genuine, certified quality.

What does natural cosmetics mean?

Genuine, controlled, and certified natural cosmetics avoid a whole range of ingredients commonly used in conventional cosmetics. These include:

• synthetic fragrances, colors and preservatives
• silicones, paraffins and other petroleum products such as microplastics
• hormonally active substances

Genetically modified plants and chemically aggressive manufacturing processes are also excluded. Only plant and mineral raw materials that are processed gently are permitted.

How do you recognize real natural cosmetics?

The list of ingredients (INCI) on packaging is often difficult to understand – and not particularly practical for everyday use. That's why there are seals that help you identify genuine natural cosmetics. They guarantee that products have been independently tested and meet strict criteria.

At farfalla, all cosmetic products carry the NATRUE seal – currently one of the strictest natural cosmetics standards in Europe. Other well-known seals include COSMOS and Cosmebio.

NATRUE – the seal for genuine natural and organic cosmetics

NATRUE is an independent, international organization based in Brussels. It certifies both raw materials and finished cosmetic products according to particularly strict guidelines. farfalla deliberately chose NATRUE because its standards are among the highest on the market and reflect the company's philosophy: naturalness, transparency, and responsibility.

The NATRUE seal distinguishes two certification levels:

1. Natural cosmetics
   Products with natural ingredients of plant, animal (e.g. honey or beeswax ) or mineral origin – strictly controlled and without synthetic additives.
2. Organic cosmetics
   The highest level: At least 95% of the plant-based raw materials must come from organic farming. Only a few additives are permitted.

Natural cosmetics vs. vegan cosmetics

A product can be vegan – and still contain synthetic or even problematic ingredients.

Just because cosmetics are “vegan” does not mean that they are natural.

Genuine natural cosmetics may contain ingredients of animal origin, such as honey or beeswax, as long as they do not come from dead vertebrates. Conversely, many vegan products are not automatically free of microplastics, silicones, PEGs, or synthetic fragrances.

Only the combination of a trusted natural cosmetics seal like NATRUE and the "vegan" label gives you peace of mind. At farfalla, all products are vegan – with a few exceptions: the essential oil "Honeycomb with honey" and the Immunoforte syrup. Neither is considered a cosmetic product.

Why no mineral oils?

Mineral oils come from petroleum and form a sealing layer on the skin. This may feel pleasant at first, but it doesn't support your skin's natural functions. On the contrary: Mineral oils impede skin respiration and can disrupt the skin's flora.

Plant oils, on the other hand, resemble the body's own lipids. They penetrate the uppermost layers of the skin and support skin metabolism, promote regeneration, and strengthen the skin barrier from within.

Keep your eyes open when buying cosmetics

True natural cosmetics are not recognizable by green leaves on the packaging, but by transparent standards and trustworthy seals.
Therefore: Keep your eyes open when buying cosmetics – and rely on genuine, certified natural cosmetics that you can trust.