What is meant by “natural” when it comes to skin care?
Even though there are different certification bodies trying to define what
natural means, there is no global industry standard as yet. This means, that
is up for interpretation. However, natural ingredients are in effect
ingredients that are sourced from plants or other natural sources. These are
extracted by mechanical means, like pressing, or by use of natural solvents.
And how does this differ from skin care products labelled “organic”?
Organic ingredients are natural ingredients that are organically farmed. This
means that farming has taken place without the use of synthetic pesticides.
Is “natural” and “organic” always better, or is this a misconception?
Natural and organic ingredients can be better, but because of their delicate nature, great expertise is
required to preserve, formulate and extract the goodness from them. On saying that, synthetic formulations
are also safe. It is the process, the expertise in formulating, and a deep knowledge of ingredients, that
determine the quality and safety of the final product.
"Instead of trying to understand complicated ingredients, look at a company's overall philosophy and approach to naturalness."
Can natural skin care products really target ageing concerns with
the same efficacy as non-natural products?
It’s not that black and white. It’s not so much the level of naturalness that
influences performance, but rather the formulation of ingredients. The efficacy
of natural ingredients can be greatly enhanced when refined through science.
If we do decide to go “natural” what should we be checking for on our
labels?
Ingredients are a controversial topic. There has been a lot of misinformation
around the subject, and because there is no global industry blueprint, it’s hard
for consumers to decipher what labels mean.
Instead of trying to understand complicated ingredients, it might be more beneficial to look at a company’s
overall philosophy and approach to naturalness – their environmental, social and ethical standards.
"I do not believe in miracle creams with immediate results, but rather in investing in a daily routine that will result in great skin."
Do products created sustainably always have to mean higher price tags?
Buying sustainably managed ingredients can mean higher raw material prices, as you’re ensuring – for
example - that your farmer is paid a reasonable wage. But as demand has increased for sustainable raw
materials, the cost of production has dropped – it’s economies of scale. Additional savings can be made
through smart shipping and efficient production. So no, sustainable does not have to mean expensive.
Why did Oriflame create EcoBeauty and target the eco-conscious
consumer?
Nature is in our DNA. We’ve been pioneers in developing natural
formulations since 1967, so developing the ultimate natural range was
a sensible next step for us. EcoBeauty embodies Oriflame’s commit-
ment to sourcing ingredients from nature and from renewable sources.
We strive to work in a way that is kind to the environment – from ethi-
cally sourced ingredients to minimising waste and pollution.