In the past few years, the natural category has exploded. Consumers want to buy products that are effective, healthy and natural to protect their skin, hair and the environment. They want to combine the benefits of science and nature to deliver the best of both worlds. But what is “Natural?” And what is “Organic?”
There are many perceptions on what makes a product natural or organic, and many are misleading. In reality, before a product is labeled “organic,” a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the raw material is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards, and for a cosmetic product to be called “organic,” at least 50 percent of the natural ingredients used should be certified. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with most cosmetic products being marketed as “organic” today. By using “natural” and “organic” as a marketing tool, what is truly natural or organic is becoming very confusing for consumers.
The way companies are now marketing natural and organic products is a fraud and a disservice to all stylists and consumers. Example: All permanent hair color contains “chemicals” in order to effectively cover gray and lift natural hair color; it cannot be done any other way. Some companies market those “chemicals” as “natural” or “organic” by saying the following:
Ammonia – is a “natural gas”;
Oxidative Dyes – are “natural minerals”;
Monoethanolamine (MEA) – is “naturally” derived.
For example, if framesi, Schwartzkopf and Goldwell chose to market those “chemical” ingredients in a similar way, their color would also be considered “Organic Color” and “97 percent Natural Haircolor.” These companies formulate all products with the integrity and condition of the hair as the foremost concern by using as many natural ingredients as possible to deliver results consumers can see and feel. In deciding whether to market products as “natural” or “organic,” they have decided to continue marketing the truth to their loyal customers. They will not stretch the truth when marketing whether a product is “natural” or “organic.”