Natural cosmetics - a trend or a change of heart?

Vegan, vegetarian, ecological, organic, biodynamic, sustainable – just a few trend attributes that we come across always and everywhere at present. Not only when buying consumer goods such as food and clothing; the beauty industry too now promotes its products with these buzzwords.

Alongside natural care lines, more and more decorative cosmetics brands are popping up that advertise working free of animal testing and vegan.

The big players L'Oréal and Estée Lauder know that, alongside their high-end luxury brands, their natural cosmetics lines can no longer be imagined away from the range, because they hit the zeitgeist and thus achieve strong sales.

But what actually lies behind this ‘eco’ trend? Are the care products and cosmetics with the ‘organic seal’ and the designations Origin, Organic, Natural, Biological, Vegan really better, safer, more tolerable and healthier? Or is this just a marketing tool oriented towards the current ‘vegan trend’ in order to give the consumer a better feeling - the feeling of doing something good for themselves and the environment by buying such a product?

Dr. Elke Janig is an expert when it comes to the health of the skin and takes a critical view of the trend. She knows that this movement has by now advanced to become a lifestyle and is used by the cosmetics industry as a "business factor".

Our specialist explains that there are no binding, legal standards for natural cosmetics. Natural ingredients such as essential oils can even irritate sensitive skin too much. She also regards vegan cosmetics as questionable from a medical point of view. Because in order to check whether ingredients trigger allergies, cancer or other side effects, unfortunately there are no medically reliable alternatives to animal testing.

Here you will find a list of some natural cosmetics care brands that are scientifically recognised and work in a vegan and sustainable way.