Monday, April 28, 2008

USDA Certified - Cosmetics, Body Care and Personal Care Products

The organic trend is just starting in the cosmetics industry, so be prepared for the same "gold rush" of marketing claims as we've seen in other product categories. The good news is that some regulation exists in the US, check for the USDA Organic logo on cosmetic products that claim to be organic (unfortunately not too many, yet).

USDA uses the following rules to apply its organic seal on cosmetics:

100% organic
- "Product must contain (excluding water and salt) only organically produced ingredients. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address."

Organic
- "Product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List or nonorganically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, also on the National List. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address."

Made with organic ingredients
- "Products contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients and product label can list up to three of the organic ingredients or “food” groups on the principal display panel. For example, body lotion made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) and only organic herbs may be labeled either “body lotion made with organic lavender, rosemary, and chamomile,” or “body lotion made with organic herbs.” Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and must display the certifying agent’s name and address."

Less than 70% organic ingredients
- "Products cannot use the term “organic” anywhere on the principal display panel. However, they may identify the specific ingredients that are USDA-certified as being organically produced on the ingredients statement on the information panel. Products may display the USDA Organic Seal and may not display a certifying agent’s name and address. (Water and salt are also excluded here.)"

For more information go here.

Cosmetics that are using the USDA organic seal are: (last updated August 1st, 2008)

Origins – only some of their products are USDA certified.
Dr. Bronner
– only some of their soaps are USDA certified.
Terressentials - USDA certified.
Aubrey Organics - only some of their products are USDA certified.
One Group - only some of their products are USDA certified.
Organic Essence - all of their products are USDA certified.
Nature's Baby Organics - baby products that are USDA certified.


Dont't forget: The USDA Organic Certified products must have displayed the USDA organic seal on them.

6 comments:

Grand Strand Organics said...

MiEssence is another good brand that holds a USDA organic certification. They are ranked very highly by the Environmental Working Group's Safe Cosmetics Database at www.SafeCosmetics.org.

I am an Independent Representative for ONE Group, the maker of MiEssence, MiVitality, and MiEnviron. You can purchase from me at my storefront: www.MyrtleBeachOrganics.com. I also have a Directory website to help folks find ONE Group Reps in many parts of the US and Canada www.OrganicProductsAndBusiness.com.

Thank you for your "green" efforts on this blog!

Wishing you and your loved ones Health and Happiness,
Linda Murdock

Anonymous said...

Finally!
A blog worth reading on forward until the end! :) I really admire the wording in this blog, quite precise to the details but I just might change one or two things, never-the-less, bravo on well choiced words mate.. p.s.>> Thanks for sharing, I actually picked up some knowledge on this one :)
-Have an amazing day!

Anonymous said...

Body care Lotion,

Thank you for your words and for browsing my blog. I am happy you liked it!

Lucia

Anonymous said...

Organic cosmetics exist to give us a choice. No longer are we forced to use products on our faces and bodies that have more chemicals than our household cleansers
. Many people today are shifting to organic products now. These have the less chemicals and artificial products when compared to others. natural Organic cosmetics on your skin gives your face a much better and healthier look than any other cosmetics. And it will also keep your skin pores open and glowing.

Lets Go Organic

Lucia said...

Avanthika,

thanks for your visit and your comment. I completely agree that using organic products is safer than using non-organic products because there is some control over the ingredients, but I am still not convinced that they are completely safe.

Jack Brosnan said...

Some fill today are loose to integrated products now. These screw the lower chemicals and cardboard products when compared to others. unaffected Provender toiletry on your cutis gives your confronting a often turn and healthier await than any additional cosmetics. And it present also rest your skin pores arise and lambent.
*********************
Jack Brosnan
Bath and Body