Is Your Skincare Really “Natural” or “Organic”? The Truth Behind the Labels
Introduction
In recent years, the words natural, organic, and plant-based have become powerful marketing tools in the skincare industry. More consumers are seeking out skincare that’s kinder to both their skin and the planet. But here’s the catch: many brands that claim to be natural or organic are not 100% so. In fact, legally, they don’t have to be.
So how much of your skincare really comes from plants? And how much can be synthetic while still being called “natural” or “organic”? Let’s explore what these terms really mean under UK regulations, and why at NĀTRL Skincare, we’re committed to true transparency.
What Does “Natural” Really Mean?
Surprisingly, in the UK, there is no legal definition for the term natural when it comes to cosmetics. That means brands can label their products natural even if they contain synthetic ingredients, provided there’s a proportion of plant-based or mineral-derived ingredients in the formulation.
Many brands will include just enough botanical extracts or plant oils to justify the claim, while still using preservatives, emulsifiers, fragrances, or colourants that are synthetic or chemically altered.
Independent Certifications Help:
To tackle this confusion, organisations like COSMOS and Soil Association have developed voluntary certifications.
• COSMOS Natural certification requires that the product use natural-origin ingredients wherever possible but allows for certain safe synthetic ingredients if necessary (like preservatives to prevent microbial growth).
• To be certified natural by COSMOS, the product must contain a significant proportion of natural-origin ingredients, but no set percentage is enforced unless the product is certified organic.
However, there are significant costs involved in getting products individually certified, which can be very restrictive for small companies, such as natrl skincare.
What Percentage Makes a Product “Organic”?
For a product to be labeled organic, stricter standards apply—but still not necessarily 100%.
Under the COSMOS Organic certification:
• At least 95% of the physically processed agricultural ingredients (like plant oils or extracts) must be organic.
• Additionally, at least 20% of the total product (including water, clays, etc.) must be organic.
• For rinse-off products (like cleansers), that organic content can drop to 10% due to the high water content.
Important:
Many UK brands label products organic based on just one or two organic ingredients while the rest of the formula may be synthetic or conventional.
Soil Association, the UK’s best-known organic certification body, aligns with COSMOS standards, making them reliable markers for genuinely organic skincare.
What About “Plant-Based” Claims?
Again, plant-based has no regulated definition in UK cosmetics law. Generally, it implies that the product’s active or key ingredients are derived from plants. But unless a product carries a third-party certification (like COSMOS or Soil Association), it’s difficult to verify how plant-based a product really is.
Some brands may use one or two plant extracts in an otherwise synthetic formulation. Others might use plant oils—but still include synthetic fragrances, stabilisers, or colourants.
The Reality of UK Skincare Branding
• Around 50% of British skincare brands use “natural” or “organic” wording on their products (Source: Soil Association Organic Beauty & Wellbeing Market Report 2024).
• Yet only 42% of shoppers surveyed in the UK could confidently explain what makes a product organic or natural (Source: Soil Association, 2024).
• Many “natural” products sold in high street retailers contain less than 10-15% plant-derived ingredients.
Why We Do Things Differently at NĀTRL Skincare
At natrlskincare.co.uk, we believe in true transparency:
✅ 100% plant oils, butters, and active botanicals wherever possible
✅ No unnecessary fillers or synthetic fragrances
✅ We disclose full INCI ingredient lists so you know exactly what’s going on your skin
✅ Where possible, we choose organic-certified ingredients from trusted suppliers
We don’t just rely on marketing buzzwords—we build our skincare around your trust.
How Can You Tell if a Product is Truly Natural or Organic?
✔ Check for COSMOS or Soil Association logos
✔ Look at the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list—ingredients like “Parfum,” “Phenoxyethanol,” or “PEGs” suggest synthetic components
✔ Ask brands directly for transparency
✔ Watch for greenwashing: pretty packaging doesn’t equal purity
Final Thought
“Natural,” “organic,” and “plant-based” skincare should mean something. At NĀTRL Skincare, it does. We choose ingredients that work with your skin, not against it—and we believe you deserve the truth behind the labels.
Ready for skincare that’s as honest as it is effective?
Explore our full collection at natrlskincare.co.uk.
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