We see many products that are said to have "natural" and/ or "organic" yet who is to say that is the case? Many natural ingredients can vary according to various aspects of their origin. This professional article looks at natural and organic lables. Please see the full article for further details. All italics are mine!
Natural and organic cosmetics have gained significant popularity due to consumer perceptions of their safety and superiority over synthetic products. However, it is important to note that the use of such products is not without potential risks. Natural ingredients, such as essential oils and plant extracts, may cause skin hypersensitivity and allergic reactions, leading to symptoms such as redness, itching, or rashes. Citrus extracts and certain essential oils can also increase photosensitivity, making the skin more vulnerable to sunlight exposure. Natural cosmetics may pose a higher risk of microbial contamination due to the absence of synthetic preservatives. Moreover, the lack of adequate legal regulations regarding the composition and concentrations of these cosmetics poses significant health risks to consumers.
One of the main issues is the lack of a uniform definition and regulations regarding the labels “natural” and “organic” in cosmetics. In some countries, such as Thailand, the absence of appropriate regulations allows companies to label their products as organic, despite containing minimal amounts of organic ingredients. The lack of standardised regulations in this regard leads to the misuse of terminology, which can mislead consumers. Current standards, such as ISO 16128, attempt to quantify the content of natural ingredients but do not require comprehensive toxicological studies. As a result, many products reach the market without a thorough evaluation of their safety and impact on health.
It should also be noted that the effectiveness of a natural substance in a cosmetic product cannot be fully determined. The efficacy of raw material is primarily influenced by its chemical composition. This composition is variable and, in the case of plant-based raw materials, depends on the species, geographical region of origin, cultivation methods, and the plant’s growth stage at the time of harvest. In addition, the composition of bee products will be determined by factors such as geographical location, seasonality, the ecological condition of plants visited by bees, and the types of plants growing in the area. In the case of mineral raw materials, the composition will depend on the source location, coastal processes, geological formations, and water chemistry. These findings indicate that the effect of natural raw materials on the skin depends on their chemical composition and concentration. Particularly in the context of antimicrobial activity, the mere presence of a natural substance should not be considered a definitive indicator of a product’s effectiveness against skin pathogens.
The natural cosmetics market requires specific legal regulations and the implementation of effective safety standards. These should include mandatory toxicological testing for natural cosmetics before their market introduction, as well as the development of international standards that would comprehensively regulate the composition and concentration of substances used in natural cosmetics.
Extracts and essential oils obtained from plants, animal-derived substances, and mineral-derived natural substances have contributed to the development of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. New formulations primarily support the topical treatment of chronic dermatological diseases. It is noteworthy that the phytochemical profile of plants determines their microbiological activity. Commercially available plant-based preparations, which contain high-quality raw materials, when applied topically, present a good skin tolerance.
A limitation of using natural substances is the potential for local irritation, particularly concerning essential oils and alcoholic plant extracts, which must be diluted before application to the skin. The number of plant-derived natural substances with antimicrobial activity surpasses that of animal and mineral substances. However, there is still a lack of in vivo studies confirming the effectiveness and safety of these substances for skin application.
Available cosmetic products rich in plant, animal, and mineral antimicrobial substances typically belong to the natural products category. These substances can serve as natural preservatives, exhibit a range of beneficial effects on the skin, or characterise a product as antibacterial and/or antifungal.
In cases of mild infectious skin conditions and their appendages, the use of natural substances may serve as an alternative to antibiotic and antifungal treatments, support the treatment of infections, and provide prophylaxis against recurrent conditions. The potential of natural substances is remarkable and encourages the exploration of new raw materials with antimicrobial properties.
NOT MY OWN WORK. Taken from:
Kulik-Siarek K, Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Błońska-Sikora E, Zarembska E, Wrzosek M. Exploring the Antimicrobial Potential of Natural Substances and Their Applications in Cosmetic Formulations. Cosmetics. 2025; 12(1):1. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12010001
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