Sustainability, natural and organic cosmetics: consumer, products, efficacy, toxicological and regulatory considerations

TLDR

Interest in sustainable cosmetics has grown because product choice, packaging, and production impact the environment, yet regulatory agencies lack harmonized guidelines, leading to varied formulations and the need to evaluate natural ingredients for efficacy and safety. The article aims to examine sustainability, natural and organic cosmetics from consumer, efficacy, toxicological, and regulatory perspectives.

Abstract

The interest in sustainable products has increased along the years, since the choice of products, packaging and production processes have a great impact on the environment. These products are classified by regulatory agencies in different categories, aggregating advantages to the product and increasing the demand by consumers. However, there is no harmonization in guidelines of these certifying agencies and each cosmetic industry formulates their product and packaging in a more rational way, which causes less damage to the environment. Many cosmetic products have in their formulation natural products that perform a specific biological function, but these products should be evaluated on efficacy and toxicological aspects. The aim of this article is to approach sustainability, natural and organic cosmetics, considering the consumer and the efficacy, toxicological and regulatory aspects.