Organic Certification in Skincare: What Does It Really Mean?
How to recognise genuinely certified organic skincare, understand the labels and make more informed choices for your wellbeing
When we talk about choosing better skincare, words such as natural, clean, organic, botanical and plant-based are everywhere.
But what do they actually mean?
And perhaps more importantly, how can you tell whether a skincare or wellbeing product is genuinely organic rather than simply using the word “organic” as part of its marketing?
This is something we explored in our previous article, [Clean & Organic Skincare: Why It Matters], where we looked at why the ingredients we put on our skin deserve as much consideration as the products we choose for our homes.
This time, we're going one step further and looking at organic certification – what it means, why it matters and what to look for when you're choosing natural skincare and wellbeing products.
What does “organic” actually mean in skincare?
Unlike food, where organic certification is relatively familiar to most of us, the world of organic beauty can be much harder to navigate.
A product may describe itself as natural, organic, made with organic ingredients or plant-based, but these descriptions don't necessarily tell you how much of the product is actually organic or how it has been produced.
That's where independent certification becomes important.
A recognised organic certification provides a set of standards that a product, its ingredients and its production processes must meet. It gives consumers something much more meaningful than a marketing claim: an independently verified standard to look for.
For organic cosmetics, one of the most recognised international standards is COSMOS – Cosmetic Organic and Natural Standard. COSMOS was developed by leading European certification organisations, including the Soil Association in the UK.
What is COSMOS Organic certification?
You may have noticed the COSMOS ORGANIC logo on natural skincare and beauty products.
COSMOS certification sets standards covering areas including:
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The sourcing of ingredients
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Organic agricultural ingredients
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How ingredients are processed
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Manufacturing processes
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Environmental considerations
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Packaging
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Labelling
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The percentage of organic ingredients in a product
There are two main COSMOS signatures for cosmetics:
COSMOS ORGANIC – for products meeting the COSMOS requirements for organic cosmetics.
COSMOS NATURAL – for products meeting the COSMOS natural standard but which don't meet the minimum organic percentages required for COSMOS ORGANIC.
So, seeing the word “natural” on a bottle isn't the same thing as seeing a recognised COSMOS ORGANIC certification.
That little logo can tell you a great deal.
What does the Soil Association have to do with organic skincare?
The Soil Association is probably the organic certification symbol that is most familiar to UK consumers.
It is an independent certification organisation and one of the founding members of COSMOS.
Today, Soil Association Certification certifies beauty and wellbeing products against the COSMOS standard, as well as maintaining its own health and beauty standards for products that fall outside the definition of a cosmetic.
This is important because certification isn't simply about whether an ingredient sounds natural.
It involves looking at the whole product and how it has been produced.
The Soil Association's standards cover areas such as ingredient sourcing, processing, formulation and labelling.
How much of an organic skincare product has to be organic?
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of organic skincare.
A COSMOS ORGANIC product doesn't necessarily mean that 100% of every ingredient in the bottle is organically farmed.
For example, water cannot be certified organic, and certain minerals and other permitted ingredients cannot be organic in the same way that a botanical ingredient can.
Under the COSMOS requirements, at least 95% of physically processed agro-ingredients must be organic, while for a leave-on cosmetic at least 20% of the total product must be organic.
This is why looking at the certification logo – and understanding what it represents – is much more useful than simply looking for the word “organic” on the front of a product.
COSMOS also requires the percentage of organic ingredients to be indicated on certified products, with the calculation taking into account ingredients such as water and minerals where appropriate.
Organic, natural and clean: what's the difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same thing.
🌿 Organic
Organic refers to ingredients and production methods meeting defined organic standards.
When you see a recognised certification such as COSMOS ORGANIC, you have independent assurance that the product meets specific requirements.
🌱 Natural
Natural generally refers to ingredients that come from natural sources or meet particular natural-origin criteria.
A product can be natural without being organic.
That's why COSMOS NATURAL and COSMOS ORGANIC are two different certifications.
✨ Clean beauty
“Clean beauty” is a broader concept and is used by brands in different ways.
It can refer to avoiding particular ingredients, choosing plant-based formulations, reducing synthetic ingredients or focusing on transparency and responsible sourcing.
However, “clean” doesn't automatically mean certified organic.
The takeaway?
Don't rely on a marketing word alone. Look for the standards and certification behind it.
Why does organic certification matter?
For us, organic certification is about much more than putting a particular logo on a bottle.
It is about confidence and transparency.
When you choose a certified organic product, you're choosing a product that has been assessed against an established set of criteria rather than relying solely on the manufacturer's own interpretation of what “organic” means.
Organic standards can also consider wider issues such as sustainable sourcing, processing and environmental responsibility. The Soil Association describes certified beauty and wellbeing products as meeting rigorous standards relating to natural ingredients, sustainability and ethical sourcing.
That matters when we're trying to make more considered choices for ourselves, our families and the planet.
Does organic skincare mean better skincare?
Not necessarily – and this is an important distinction.
“Organic” isn't a guarantee that a product will be right for every person or every skin type.
And natural doesn't automatically mean better or safer.
What organic certification does give you is confidence about the standards behind the product.
You can then consider the other things that matter to you:
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Does it suit your skin?
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What ingredients does it contain?
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Is it suitable for your particular needs?
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How has it been packaged?
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Where have the ingredients come from?
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Does the brand have strong environmental and ethical values?
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Is the product independently certified?
For us, this is what a more thoughtful approach to wellbeing looks like.
It's not about perfection.
It's about making better-informed choices.
How to spot genuinely certified organic skincare
Next time you're choosing skincare, don't just look at the word “organic”.
Look for an independent certification mark.
The COSMOS ORGANIC signature is one of the key marks to look for, while in the UK you may also see the Soil Association Certification mark.
Then look at the product information.
Ask:
Is the product certified?
Who is the certifying organisation?
What percentage of the product is organic?
Can I see the ingredients?
Does the brand explain where its ingredients come from?
These simple questions can help you move beyond the marketing language and understand what you're actually buying.
Why certification helps us avoid greenwashing
The growing popularity of natural and organic skincare is a wonderful thing – but it also means there is a lot of terminology for consumers to navigate.
Words such as natural, green, eco, clean and organic can create an impression without necessarily telling you the whole story.
Independent certification provides an additional layer of accountability.
Rather than simply asking a brand to tell us that a product is organic, certification gives us a recognised standard against which the product can be assessed.
That's why certification matters.
What should you look for when choosing wellbeing products?
The same principle applies beyond skincare.
When we're choosing products for our wellbeing, it's worth looking at the bigger picture.
Consider:
Ingredients – Are they clearly listed and easy to understand?
Certification – Is there recognised independent certification where appropriate?
Sourcing – Does the brand explain where its ingredients come from?
Sustainability – How are ingredients, packaging and production managed?
Transparency – Is the company open about its standards and practices?
Purpose – Does the product genuinely add something positive to your wellbeing routine?
This is at the heart of our Healthy Home, Happy Life philosophy at Little Gems.
We believe wellbeing isn't just about what happens in a treatment room or what we put on our skin.
It's about the choices we make every day – from the products we use in our homes to the skincare we use on our bodies.
Our approach to organic and natural wellbeing
At Little Gems Interiors, we're increasingly bringing together beautiful homes, natural wellbeing and more conscious living.
Our natural wellbeing collection includes brands chosen because their approach aligns with our values around natural ingredients, thoughtful formulation and responsible sourcing.
We're particularly proud to stock Neal's Yard Remedies, a pioneer in organic and natural skincare, alongside carefully selected wellbeing products.
When we're choosing products for Little Gems, we don't simply ask:
“Is it natural?”
We ask:
“What is behind the product?”
Where did the ingredients come from?
How has it been made?
What does the certification mean?
And does it fit with our belief that healthy homes and healthy living are connected?
Your simple guide to choosing organic skincare
If you're standing in front of a shelf of skincare products and feeling confused by all the terminology, keep it simple.
Look beyond the front of the bottle.
Don't be persuaded by one word or one botanical ingredient.
Look for recognised certification.
COSMOS ORGANIC and Soil Association certification are useful indicators to look for when shopping for certified organic beauty products.
Check the ingredients.
A beautiful botanical image doesn't necessarily mean a product is organic.
Look for transparency.
Good brands should be able to explain their ingredients, sourcing and standards.
Think about the whole product.
Organic skincare is about more than what's inside the bottle. Consider ingredients, processing, packaging, sourcing and the wider environmental impact.
Small choices can make a difference
Choosing certified organic skincare doesn't have to mean changing everything you use overnight.
Perhaps start with one product.
A cleanser.
A moisturiser.
A facial oil.
A hand cream.
Or an essential oil.
Then take the time to understand what's in it, where it comes from and what the certification means.
Because wellbeing isn't about making perfect choices – it's about making more conscious ones.
And sometimes, the smallest changes can be the beginning of a healthier, more considered way of living.
Explore natural wellbeing at Little Gems
If you'd like to explore our collection of natural and organic skincare from Neal's Yard Remedies and Upcircle Beauty, essential oils and wellbeing products, take a look at our Natural Wellbeing collection at Little Gems.
And if you haven't already, you can also read our earlier article:
[Clean & Organic Skincare: Why It Matters]
Together, the two articles form a useful guide to understanding clean beauty, organic skincare, natural ingredients and responsible wellbeing choices.
Healthy Home • Happy Life
Little Gems Interiors – creating beautiful spaces and supporting healthier, more conscious living.
Sources & further reading
The COSMOS standard provides the recognised international framework for organic and natural cosmetics and explains the distinction between COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL.
The Soil Association provides current guidance on organic and natural beauty and wellbeing certification in the UK.
