Here are the 3 basic categories for organic/natural certification.  They each have their own seal that can be found on the products that they certify.

ECOCERT Organic Certification-
This is an organic certification for color cosmetics.  They must be free of harsh chemicals and no pre-treatment can be used in the raw materials. All manufacturing and packaging facilities undergo a rigorous inspection and all packaging must be recyclable and, of course, no testing on animals.

Natural Products-
Must be 95% all natural ingredients (formulated with ingredients from natural sources, such as plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc.) and use no animal testing.  Ingredients must be from a renewable resource found in nature with no petrochemical products or by-products.

USDA Organic-
Products that contain 95% or more organic ingredients, grown without pesticides or genetically modified material. This is mainly for food products.

The long list of chemicals and ingredients commonly used in hair and beauty care that are now deemed unsafe or harmful to people and the planet include:

Formaldehyde derivatives- Are preservatives that work by releasing formaldehyde.

Parabens- Preservatives that inhibit bacteria growth, considered to contain toxic ingredients.

Petroleum/Mineral Oil- Made from non-renewable by products of crude oil and considered not environmentally friendly to make.

Phythalates- Are synthetic fragrance ingredients that contain possible toxins.

Sodium Laurel Sulfate- Sudsing and cleaning agent derived from harsh ingredients.

Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEGs, PPGs- Petrochemical derived cleansers considered to contain a possible carcinogens.

Synthetic Dyes- Dyes that use synthetic ingredients that contain possible toxins.

Synthetic Polymers- Are synthetic binders that may contain organic pollutants.

The good news is that natural beauty products are no longer just confined to the health food store.  Many organic and natural lines can now be found at the drugstore and Sephora and new organic lines are being introduced as well as favorite lines are going green. Be aware that not all products that claim to be organic are truly organic but with a little knowledge and skill in reading labels, you can become organic or green savvy.

Here are a few natural beauty and make-up lines you might try:

Aveda- Plant based hair and skin care line
Carol’s Daughter- Naturally derived hair and body products
LaVanilla- Naturally healthy fragrance line
Physician’s Formula- Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Make-up
Tarte- Natural make-up line with eco-friendly packaging
Yes to Carrots- natural face, body and hair care products

About the Author
Valerie currently is a freelance hair and make-up artist with over 20 years experience and has worked on many projects including “Deal or No Deal” for NBC and “Ten Years Younger” for TLC. She has magazine editorials from In Style, Malibu, First, Life and Style and many more.  She continues to work on movie press junkets, video shoots, editorial photo shoots, and photo shoots for models, actors and musicians as well as advertising and commercial shoots, doing hair and make-up. 

©2010 This article was excerpted with permission from Valerie Noble.  Permission to reprint is granted by the author. All reprints must state,  Reprinted with permission by Valerie Noble for www.valerienoble.com. Originally published in www.WomensOnlineMagazineLosAngeles.com, February 2010.

DISCLAIMER: The information and opinions reflected in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect on the publisher, editor, or editorial staff of Women’s Online Magazine Los Angeles. This article has been written and reviewed by the author. Any errors should be brought to the attention of the author.

Women’s Online Magazine Los Angeles would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the members of the armed forces and their veterans.  Your sacrifice and dedication for this country allow us to live our lives in freedom.  Thank you for everything you do.  God bless you and God bless America. 

 We also would like to take a moment and remember the Fort Hood victims;

Lieutenant Colonel Juanita L. Warman, 55, of Havre De Grace, Maryland.
Major Libardo Caraveo, 52, of Woodbridge, Virginia.
Captain John P. Gaffaney, 54, of San Diego, California.
Captain Russell Seager, 41, of Racine, Wisconsin.
Chief Warrant Officer, Retired, Michael Cahill of Cameron, Texas.
Staff Sergeant Justin Decrow, 32, of Plymouth, Indiana.
Sergeant Amy Krueger, 29, of Kiel, Wisconsin.
Specialist Jason Hunt, 22, of Tillman, Oklahoma.
Specialist. Frederick Greene, 29, of Mountain City, Tennesee.
Specialist Kham Xiong, 23, of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Pfc. Aaron Nemelka, 19, of West Jordan, Utah.
Pfc. Michael Pearson, 22, of Bolinbrook, Illinois.
Private Francheska Velez, 21, of Chicago, Illinois.

On behalf of everyone at Womens Online Magazine Los Angeles, we wish our Jewish friends A Happy Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah is commonly refered to as the Jewish New Year.  Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holidays which are days specifically set aside to focus on repentance that conclude with the holiday of Yom Kippur.

DISCLAIMER: The information and opinions reflected in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect on the publisher, editor, or editorial staff of Women’s Online Magazine. This article has been written and reviewed by the author. Any errors should be brought to the attention of the author.