Organic labels: a quality guarantee?
The first question one should ask oneself is: “why has it been necessary to create organic cosmetics labels?”
Organic labels were created a few years ago to differentiate themselves from and act as a counter-balance to traditional cosmetic labels and their excessive use of and research into comparatively cheap synthetic molecules (such as petrochemical derivatives etc.) designated as potential or averred health hazards.
Today, a simplistic, reductionist view of synthetic molecules has led to the belief that they are, without exception, inevitably dangerous and harmful to humans and the environment. This type of generalisation is as erroneous and unjust as the one that suspects and concludes that without a label, a product can neither be organic and natural nor respectful of human well-being and the environment.
Even if the positive efforts undertaken by these organic labels are obviously commendable, in the specific field of cosmetics, they are still in their early stages.
Several organic labels with relatively different approaches and standards now exist.
The BDIH label, for example, does not impose a minimum percentage of organic ingredients but prohibits the use of ingredients listed as harmful.
A label such as Cosmebio, on the other hand, requires that out of 95% natural ingredients, at least 10% of the finished product is organic.
With such a label you can be sure to have at least 10% organic ingredients in your product. Are you satisfied with that?
The Senteurs de Fee, cosmetics range invariably contains over 75% organic ingredients and in certain products as much as 98 to 100%, but is not, forasmuch certified organic.
One certified organic cosmetics brand, rightfully emblematic in its domain, claims 13% organic musk rose oil content for one of its flagship products.
The Senteurs de Fee Musk Rose Oil is a 100% natural beauty serum that is 99% organic.
Even without a label, I maintain and rightfully claim that Senteurs de Fee, a natural, organic range, largely surpasses the criteria required to obtain an organic label
and is every bit as good, if not better, than the most reputed organic brands that carry their labels like a banner.
Certain of my competitors’ cosmetics that carry the organic label, contain 80% water (and until further notice there s no such thing as organic water), 10 to 15% organic glycerine, that has the advantage of costing nothing whilst amply filling the tube, specific agents to create a creamy texture and finally, an infinitesimal percentage of active principles. These products’ only merit is that they are guaranteed not to provoke harmful side effects. For pure, organic products, they are definitely pure!!
All that to point out that an organic label in cosmetics has never been the guarantee of performance. In effect, the only ingredients that determine a product’s effectiveness
are the active principles it contains.
For Senteurs de Fee, creating natural, organic cosmetics is a fundamental choice. I could not begin to imagine creating a beauty formula without taking into account the living, energetic aspect of natural ingredients (plants, marine, mineral…).
Senteurs de Fee has, from its very beginnings, been exceptionally demanding in terms of the natural, organic ingredients it uses. Whether for my own brand or for others, I have never been able to create a product that was not entirely respectful of my own person and by extension everyone else, and the planet on which I live.
In addition, I am very demanding in terms of excellence and the percentage of unique active ingredients contained in my products. I demand clear arguments and honesty concerning a product’s limitations; I am demanding in terms of self-respect and therefore respect others in every way I can and in any way I can express it through my products.
All in all, I would rather be awarded stars for my cosmetics like those distributed by the Michelin guide that welcome, recognize and encourage excellence and know-how rather than have an organic label that, although positive, still has a long way to go.
I apologize if I seem somewhat pretentious but I want to go much further.
The list of the ingredients I use is easy to read and understand.
Product by product, I also guarantee that each product is totally free of petrochemical or other ingredients averred or suspected of being harmful,
and that it is not tested on animals. Certified or not myself, the question does not really arise as all my raw materials suppliers are.
One Senteurs de Fee product present on the web site is neither 100% natural nor 100% organic, but this is clearly mentioned in total transparency.
The product concerned is the ‘Revitalizing Shampoo’. Although packed full of organic sage and lavender floral waters, 100% pure, natural and organic rosemary, lavender and Ylang-ylang essential oils plus organic aloe-vera, the foaming agent is neither natural nor organic. If this product is neither 100% natural nor organic, it does not, however, mean it is harmful. This shampoo does absolute wonders for the hair so I’m being honest and allowing you to choose in all awareness.
One should equally remember that the financial investment involved in obtaining an organic label has a discriminating and penalising effect
on both artisanal companies and the consumer. Obtaining certification or a label increases the price of a product that is already expensive due to the exorbitant cost of 100% pure, natural and organic raw materials.
When I created Senteurs de Fee, however, I dream of creating an ideal, magical, vibrant and effective range so I combined my knowledge and passion for plants with the best raw materials and an unprecedented concentration of active ingredients.
For over seven years, I personally sold my first Senteurs de Fee product range with my friend Claire Fillon of ‘Innovation Olfactive’ on the most well-known organic markets in Paris (Raspail / Batignolles) alongside the producers (and they still sell).
We shared the same values in terms of rigour and requirements, and even without a label, Senteurs de Fee was greatly respected.
I am totally confident in my clients’ good sense and ability to discriminate. Whether the kings of marketing like it or not, the time for ‘everything goes’ in cosmetics is past.
So, now it’s up to you to decide: does an organic label guarantee quality?
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