What is the COSMOS-Standard for Skincare? (Plus, 2 COSMOS Certified Brands You’ll Love)
The COSMOS-standard (“COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard”) was created in 2002 by five major European natural and organic cosmetics standard-setting organizations. The organizations’ goal was to combine and “harmonize” their standards.
Why COSMOS-standard exists
About us” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>COSMOS-standard came about amid the rapid growth and under-regulation of natural beauty items, says Charlie Denton, founder of Crop Natural. So, the standard requires brands that bare its label formulate products that adhere to the world’s “strictest and most tightly regulated standards.”
If a brand chooses to become COSMOS-standard certified, then every part of that company’s products’ supply chain is audited every year, explains Denton. This requirement is enforced by EcoCert, the Soil Association, and other well respected, like-minded organizations.
According to the COSMOS-standard site, COSMOS Organic appears “on products containing the required percentages of organic ingredients.” And COSMOS Natural is printed on products “that comply with the Standard in all other respects, but do not have the [Standard’s] minimum organic percentages.”
In addition to the above regulations, COSMOS-standard certification covers every part of the process; from where a raw ingredient is sourced and farmed, to where a product’s formulation is produced, up until a product gets to the store that sells the item.
Dr. Terry Zickerman, founder of Love Sun Body, says that COSMOS-standard lets consumers know they can trust all products that have the certification.
Zickerman adds that COSMOS-certified products “are safe, effective, and good to use.”
Cosmos certification also means brands that hold the certification must be free of the following things:
- Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- Parabens
- Phenoxyethanol
- Nanoparticles
- Silicon
- PEG
- Synthetic perfumes and dyes
- Animal-derived ingredients
- Petroleum-derived ingredients
- Paba
- Hexane
- Gluten
- Phthalates
- Silicones
- Sulfates
- Ureas
All product formulas and product labeling, packaging, and manufacturing also are inspected and certified. Also, COSMOS-standard does not permit animal testing, either.
Two brands that have COSMOS-standard
The following two brands are COSMOS-standard certified. I had the chance to try some of each brands’ products.
Crop Natural
Denton and his mom founded Crop Natural. The duo wanted to build up a company that would “grow into something special,” he says. All of Crop Natural’s formulations are COSMOS-standard certified.
I had the opportunity to try more than a handful of the brand’s products:
Antioxidant Facial Toner $30
Sensitive Facial Cleansing Gel $22
Antioxidant Facial Serum $36
Antioxidant Facial Cream $34
Nourishing Night Cream $28
Detoxifying Charcoal Mask $30
Antioxidant Eye Serum $32
Purifying Turmeric Mask (currently sold out)
Hydrating Aloe Vera Mask $30
While writing this piece, I went spa-crazy and tried everything. Although I enjoyed all of Crop’s products, my favorites were the Detoxifying Charcoal Mask and the Sensitive Facial Cleansing Gel.
The Detoxifying Charcoal Mask goes on smooth and feels great. The formula doesn’t clump and also is easy to wash off. It’s COSMOS Organic.
The Sensitive Facial Cleansing Gel created a great lather and smelled refreshing. Also, it left my face feeling clean, but not totally stripped of its natural oils. It’s COSMOS Organic.
Love Sun Body
Dr. Terry Zickerman says he and his family started Love Sun Body to create sunscreens with the highest quality ingredients that are safe and effective.
The first internationally COSMOS-certified sunscreen available in the United States is Love Sun Body. So, the brand’s sunscreens feature 100 percent, plant-based natural ingredients.
I got to sample the brand’s SPF 30 Lightly Scented 6.76 oz / 200 ml” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>SPF 30 Daily Defense in Lightly Scented Tiare & Vanilla and SPF 30 Lightly Scented 6.76 oz / 200 ml” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Fragrance-Free. Both formulas went on incredibly smooth and didn’t have the spreadability problem that other natural sunscreens have. Both sunscreens also are COSMOS Natural.
The Fragrance-Free variety is perfect for working outside.
And the Lightly Scented formula is ideal for a day at the office, or out on the town. Also, the sunscreen’s smell is pleasant—not overwhelming. The large bottle is $32. The Travel-Size bottle is $21.
Related on Organic Authority
How to Support Real Natural Beauty Brands
7 Natural Beauty Products You Can Trust
Keep These Natural Beauty Products at Your Desk to Turn Your Office Into a Day Spa
