How cosmetic certifications can drive change in production and consumption patterns

Natural cosmetics are experiencing an ongoing boom worldwide. Increasingly educated and conscious consumers have driven this demand for the cosmetic market to provide products aligned with their values and lifestyles, in the search for an industry that is considered both safe for humans and the environment. To meet this demand, organic, natural, cruelty-free cosmetic certifications are essential.

This is part of a wider trend advanced by the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, which at number 12, includes the goal of responsible consumption and production. The UN has delineated a clear pathway: worrying worldwide trends in the depletion of natural resources need to shift in order that the humans and the environment coexist in a sustainable manner. 

Every industry has a part to play in this objective, transforming production patterns and promoting sustainable consumption. Clearly communicated cosmetic certifications compel brands to adopt environmentally-friendly practices, and in turn, encourage conscious consumers to support them. Here, we look closer at the phenomenon.

Changing practices throughout the supply chain

The application of these principles of sustainable development implies changing patterns of production and consumption practices. Both consumers and companies are now acknowledging these challenges and shifting their actions in order to solve them and converge.

Cosmetic products are meeting this demand by reimagining their brands, approaching natural cosmetics, and redefining what the natural narrative means. Nowadays, this term has evolved to become wider: consumers now associate it with a safer alternative concerning health while also relate it to concepts arising from the food industry such as vegan, GMO-free, and organic.

Sustainable, cruelty-free, and clean beauty requirements have become new industry targets that translate into coherent actions: from ethical ingredient sourcing to eliminating petrochemical products and ingredients from their formulation and even adopting new packaging practices, brands are rethinking their products’ processes as a whole.

Clear communication and full transparency

This also translates into added transparency, as companies are ready to convey their efforts to increasingly aware consumers. As well as through branding campaigns, natural cosmetic brands have found a way to demonstrate their commitment by applying and obtaining natural, third-party cosmetic certifications. These certification programs prove to consumers that cosmetic brands have worked to transform their natural narrative into tangible actions.

In essence, third-party certification is an independent adjudicator. When it comes to claims like ‘clean’ or ‘green’, these terms are actually fairly loose and unregulated. With proper certification – for instance from Ecocert or the Vegan Society – consumers have a reference point. They can access information about certification criteria, giving otherwise flexible claims clarity and substance.

Cosmetic ingredient certifications at Provital

At Provital, we strive to develop natural active ingredients that are not only innovative and effective but also go hand in hand with consumers’ demands for natural, organic, and sustainable beauty.

We want to take care of the environment and the people and communities where our company might have an impact. In order to do so, we know that actions must be taken: we must move forward and develop innovative products while assuring our supply chain is both ethical and sustainable.

This is why we’ve decided to take action and have our products adhere to

several cosmetic certifications associated with natural ingredients and sustainable practices. Thus, we’ve obtained the Halal, Cosmos, and Ecovadis certifications and we are members of the UEBT association. Equally, the proportion of natural ingredients in our products are calculated in accordance with ISO 16128.

These actions prove our commitment to generating sustainable and clean solutions that take the cosmetic industry’s challenges seriously and provide solutions for increasingly demanding, conscious, and informed consumers.