So you’ve heard these terms before right ? Organic, natural, vegan, non toxic and the list is endless. There’s a certain trend moving towards the ‘non toxic’ lifestyle and reducing the chemicals in our lives and beauty brands are also moving towards creating ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ products. But what do these labels actually mean? When it says Organic, are they actually Organic?
We dive deep into the labelling of cosmetics to help you make informed decisions.
- Natural
This means that the ingredient his naturally derived with no chemically modified or synthetic ingredients. BUT, yes there’s a catch. The term is not regulated by the FDA, so a beauty product can say it’s ‘natural’ on their label even if only one out of 20 ingredients fits the description.
Lesson: Always check the ingredients list!! All ingredients are listed from the highest percentage to the lowest, choose your hair products with synthetic ingredients listed as low on the list as possible.
- Organic
Organic beauty products are free of synthetic additives and are created with no genetic engineering. If you see a beauty product that states it’s Organic…at least 80% of the ingredients are most definitely Organic.
- Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free hair products mean that no ingredients have been tested on animals. When shopping for hair products, look out for a little bunny symbol, which is the official Leaping Bunny certification for cruelty-free cosmetics. The Leaping Bunny website is also a goldmine for ethical beauty junkies, providing a constantly updated list of cruelty-free brands (including TYH London, of course).
- Vegan/Plant-based
Just like the dietary restriction, vegan hair products or cosmetics contain no animal by-products whatsoever. The catch? Just like vegans may indulge in carbs or other unhealthy treats, vegan hair products may contain other synthetic or chemical ridden ingredients, as long as no animals were harmed. Be sure to check the ingredient list before buying!
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Always check the label
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Read the ingredient list
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Research, especially places like Leaping Bunny
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When in doubt, call companies yourself